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SAP Business Objects

The SAP Business-Intelligence-Platform On-Premise

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About SAP Business Objects

With the SAP Business Objects platform and its wide range of tools, your company has an on-premise reporting tool that can meet all important analysis or reporting requirements perfectly. From analyses in the Microsoft Office environment to standard web reporting to sophisticated, strategic dashboard applications and beyond.

Reports can be structured and organised using the SAP Business Objects Platform. The end user has access through the BI Launchpad, where they can open, edit or process the available documents in real time.

The platform comes with a complex administration console (Central Management Console) in which SSO-capable source system connections, user administration (e.g. SAP, WinAD), authorisation management and much more go without saying.

What are the benefits of SAP BusinessObjects?

What does the migration from SAP BusinessObjects to SAP Analytics Cloud look like?

The migration from SAP BO to SAC is a complex project that requires careful planning and the selection of the appropriate migration approach. In most cases, a selective migration or reimplementation is recommended to fully leverage the benefits of SAC. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution—the best approach depends on your specific requirements and your existing SAP BO landscape.

From SAP BO to SAC

Make the switch from SAP BusinessObjects to SAP Analytics Cloud on time.

Workshop

BI Fitness & System Check

How fit is your BI system?

For your own fitness, sport is just as important as a healthy diet. That’s why we also look at your BI system in a holistic context.

Do the fitness check with us: in a workshop with your IT.

References

Analytics & Reporting

Your expert partner for all questions related to data analysis and insightful reports.

FAQs about SAP BusinessObjects

Why is SAP BO still in use today?
What do typical use cases look like today?
What is the architecture of SAP BO?
When does SAP BO’s maintenance end?
What BusinessObjects tools are available?
What can SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence do?
What can SAP Crystal Reports do?

Why is SAP BO still in use today?

SAP BusinessObjects is still used because it is known for its reliable reporting and analytics functions, as well as seamless integration with existing SAP systems. Companies with high data security requirements or existing on-premise infrastructure particularly benefit from its flexibility and scalability. Additionally, it protects existing investments, as many companies have already invested in licenses, training, and implementations.

What do typical use cases look like today?

Typical use cases for SAP BusinessObjects today include:

Enterprise-wide reporting:
Creation and distribution of standardized reports (e.g., financial reporting, sales reporting) for different departments using tools like Crystal Reports.
Ad-hoc analyses:
Business departments use self-service tools like Web Intelligence to create their own reports and analyses based on current business data.
Data integration and governance:
Consolidation of data from various sources (SAP and non-SAP systems) for centralized analysis and compliance with regulatory standards in regulated industries.

These use cases are particularly relevant for companies with a strong SAP landscape and specific on-premise requirements.

What is the architecture of SAP BO?

The modular structure provides flexibility, scalability, and integration into existing IT systems, making SAP BusinessObjects adaptable for companies.

Client layer: User access (e.g., web, desktop, mobile).
Application layer: Processing and coordination.
Data access layer: Access to data sources.
Platform layer: Infrastructure and management.

When does SAP BO's maintenance end?

SAP has set the maintenance periods for different versions of SAP BusinessObjects as follows:

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2:
Support for this version ended on December 31, 2024.
SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.3:
Mainstream support has been extended until the end of 2026 to provide customers with a smooth transition period.
SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025:
The release of this version is now scheduled for March 12, 2025. It is expected to be supported until the end of 2029, with extended support until the end of 2031.

These timelines offer companies the flexibility to plan their upgrade and migration strategies accordingly.

What BusinessObjects tools are available?

Depending on the use case, SAP BO includes the right tool for you. You can choose from the following commonly used reporting tools:

SAP Lumira
SAP Crystal Reports
SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence
SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office

What can SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence do?

SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence (WebI) is a self-service business intelligence tool that enables users to create interactive reports and ad-hoc analyses directly through a web interface. It offers intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, access to various data sources, and the ability to dynamically adjust reports. WebI supports data-driven decision-making by simplifying the visualization of complex data and making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users.

What can SAP Crystal Reports do?

SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports is a powerful tool for creating precisely formatted and detailed reports that can be generated from various data sources. It allows users to model complex business requirements through custom layouts, formulas, and visualizations. Crystal Reports is commonly used for standardized, print-ready reports and offers comprehensive features for integration and automation.