Business Objects Integrates XI Suite With SAP PlatformsBusiness Objects Integrates XI Suite With SAP Platforms

Business Objects launched a version of its new XI business intelligence platform that's integrated with SAP enterprise software, greatly expanding the functionality it can provide to SAP users in a pre-packaged arrangement.

The move merges Business Objects' query and analysis, performance management and data integration tools with SAP applications and data sources. Previously, only Business Objects' reporting tools were integrated directly with SAP's Business Information Warehouse (BW), a component of the SAP NetWeaver platform.

The new packaged offering, called Business Objects XI Built for SAP, also connects the BI vendor's tools to SAP R/3 and non-SAP data sources. In addition to leveraging Crystal Reports XI for reporting, it uses Business Objects' Data Integrator XI to audit extract, transform and load work.

Business Objects debuted XI in January. The platform merges Business Objects' own products lines with those of Crystal Decisions, which Business Objects acquired in 2003.