What is SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence?

Update: September 2024

We explain how SAP Business Objects works and all the benefits it brings to your company immediately once it is implemented.

BusinessObjects is a business intelligence software created by Business Objects and currently owned by SAP. The current version is SAP BI 4.3 BusinessObjects.

We can say that SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (SAP BO, formerly also BOBI) is a reporting and analytics platform for business intelligence (BI).

It consists of a set of reporting applications that allow users to explore and analyze data to gain insights and create reports that visualize it.

Origins of SAP BusinessObjects

The original company, named BusinessObjects, was founded in Paris in 1990. It became a large and established BI software provider,

In 2007, SAP acquired BusinessObjects for $6.78 billion, the largest acquisition SAP had made to date.

The companies originally operated independently, but in 2009 BusinessObjects became a division of SAP and the products were offered under the SAP BusinessObjects BI brand.

Business intelligence function

SAP BO is intended to facilitate reporting and analysis for business users, so they no longer need data analysts for their reports and processes, such as predictive business analysis.

It is a suite that provides drag-and-drop functionality and allows users to search and analyze information from a variety of databases. SAP BO is a BI front-end platform, so data is not stored at the application level, but is integrated from various back-end sources.

SAP BusinessObjects BI Applications

SAP BO comprises a set of tools, interfaces and reporting and analysis applications, each with its own identity, purpose and function. These applications include:

Web Intelligence (Webi)

It is a web browser tool that allows the user to perform analysis, generate formatted reports and distribute the reports to SAP BO or export them via PDF or Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Additionally, Webi allows the company to create ad-hoc reports, allowing users to access business data in real time without the need for advanced programming skills.

Reports within reach of any company member

Its intuitive and flexible interface adapts to both technical users and those with more operational profiles, making it an ideal solution for making informed decisions based on updated and accurate data.

Crystal Reports

It is a reporting and data analysis tool aimed at individual users or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Users can create dynamic reports from a variety of data sources and deliver them in various formats. Reports can be accessed online even if you don't have a connection from applications, portals or mobile devices.

Dynamic Report Creation and Access

Crystal Reports has advanced design capabilities such as the integration of charts, cross-tabulations and custom formulas, which allows users to generate reports that are not only visually appealing, but also adapt to business needs and provide precise solutions.
Its compatibility with a wide range of databases and its ease of use make it a popular option for companies looking to optimize the presentation and distribution of their data.

SAP Business Objects Dashboards

A data visualization tool that allows users to create custom dashboards from reports. These can include interactive charts, gauges, and widgets that facilitate the interpretation and tracking of business metrics, all in real time.

This tool allows the integration of relational databases from various sources, enabling the visualization of information.

The best option for decision making

Users can design intuitive and visually appealing dashboards without the need for advanced programming knowledge, which helps informed and agile decision-making throughout the organization.

Query as a Web Service (QaaWS)

It is a tool that allows users to create and publish web services that can be used in Crystal Reports and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards and other software applications.

With this, you can have a quick extraction of data in real time from various sources without the need for manual processes that were previously required.

QaaWS also allows you to reuse queries and adapt web services to your company's needs. Reports and dashboards are faster to create and always aligned with market trend analysis.

SAP BusinessObjects Explorer

A self-service data exploration tool that allows users to explore large amounts of data from various sources and create data visualizations that can be shared throughout the company.

You can perform searches, filtering, and data analysis without the need for advanced technical knowledge.
SAP BusinessObjects Explorer gives employees at all levels of the organization access to discover high-value insights and act on them.

SAP Lumira

It is a data visualization and aggregation tool that allows users to find and analyze relevant business data and create custom interactive dashboards.
The tool is designed to facilitate data exploration through charts, maps, and other visual elements, allowing companies to quickly identify trends, patterns, and business opportunities.

SAP BusinessObjects BI can also integrate certain functions with SAP HANA.

SAP BusinessObjects Universe

The core of SAP BO is SAP BusinessObjects Universe. A series of metadata layers that integrate backend data with the frontend application layer.

Universe allows users to interact with data without having to know where it comes from, what database structure it has, or where the data is stored.

The Universe itself does not store any data, but it is a metadata layer that contains information about the objects in the data source from which SQL queries are generated to retrieve the actual data.

Benefits of SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence BI

Intuitive User Graphic Interface

SAP BI has a simple interface that allows for easy management of tools from a single online access point. It may seem time-consuming to master the software initially, but once mastered, the interface is completely clear and easy to use.

Self-Service Tools for Diverse Users

One of the main advantages of SAP BI is its ability to offer self-service tools like the ones we mentioned earlier. This allows you to handle and analyze data clearly without constant intervention from developers or IT teams.

Versatile Integrations with Data Sources

The platform supports integration with systems such as SAP HANA and Data Warehouse, as well as external services such as Apache Hadoop and Hive. This flexibility is vital for companies that handle large volumes of data.

Complete Range of Products

SAP has many products that adapt to different needs and company sizes. Both for use on local servers or in the cloud, as well as hybrid configurations.

Sharing Capabilities and Compatibility with Microsoft Office

The tools of SAP BI can be downloaded in formats such as Excel and spreadsheets, and security rules can be managed through SQL permissions or data management tools, this allows anyone within the company to benefit from the results offered by the system.

Real-Time SAP HANA Database

The SAP HANA database is a fundamental component of the SAP BI offering. It provides real-time access to large volumes of data, ensuring fast processing and short response times.

Implementation Flexibility

SAP BI offers flexibility in implementation, allowing companies to choose between cloud, on-premises, or hybrid options. This ensures that solutions adapt to the specific needs of each organization, whether they require equipment maintenance or system management.

Reach out to Xamai for more information

If you would like more information about SAP BusinessObjects to create dashboards or sales analytics through its applications, you can contact any of our Xamai consultants who can provide solutions to your questions.

For more general information about SAP, we recommend reviewing the article What is SAP? What is it used for?