By Nathan Luck
SAP has announced upgrades to its business analytics portfolio with the
release of BusinessObjects Edge 4.0 and Crystal Server 2011, featuring
new capabilities that cater to the increasing needs of SMEs.
BusinessObjects Edge now features a consistent look and feel within the
user interface, and allows customers to effortlessly switch between
Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence and other solutions. It also now
incorporates mobile functionality, allowing SMEs to interact with
reports on Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Symbian, iOS and Android devices,
and analyse both structured and unstructured information such as blogs,
articles and Twitter feeds.
An Event Insight solution add-on allows customers real-time visibility and response.
According to SAP, Crystal Server has been revitalised as an entry-level
BI Suite with added functionality including BusinessObjects Explorer, an
ad-hoc query, search and analysis tool.
The company said the fact that data universes are easily adapted between
platforms allows customers to protect their SAP investment – for
instance in the event they outgrow Crystal Server 2011, they can convert
to BusinessObjects Edge in a few simple steps.
Eric Duffaut, president, Global Ecosystem and Channels, SAP, said these
solutions are examples of how it is innovating to alleviate pain points
commonly experienced by SMEs and lines of business.
“We work closely with our customers, and we are turning analytics into
something that is easily accessible by making it more affordable and
less time-consuming. A broader range of organisations and departments
will now be able to get stronger value and insights to solve business
problems efficiently and effectively,” Duffaut said.
“In a new era of economic growth, small and midsize companies constantly
need insights that help minimise risk and capture fleeting new business
opportunities,” said Dan Vesset, program vice president of Business
Analytics research, IDC.
“The latest release of business intelligence software for small and
midsize companies from SAP empowers growing companies to adopt brand-new
innovations such as integrating structured and unstructured data and
even information from social networks,” he added. “Newly refreshed and
intuitive user interfaces and brand new mobility functionality help more
users in the growing company get the relevant and accurate data on
time, decide and act with confidence, and contribute to greater growth
and profitability.”
According to IDC, 14 per cent of SMEs use mobile BI and 25 per cent will adopt it in the next 12 months.
