Certainly Excel works for many people, but there was a significant number of users who wanted a vertically integrated presentation/reporting platform. I think there is still room for innovation in this area.
Let's say your firm trades bonds. Your product is your expertise in trading those bonds, and you have to sell that expertise. How are you going to do that? Much of it is still reputation, but the days of closing a pension fund with a few martinis and your good looks are coming to an end. You have to have the numbers to back up your claims.