SAP BusinessObjects (SAP BO) is a suite of business intelligence (BI) tools designed to help organizations access, analyze, and share data insights for informed decision-making. Here’s a breakdown of the core components and uses of SAP BusinessObjects:
Key Components of SAP BusinessObjects
SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence (WebI)
- A tool for creating ad hoc reports and conducting data analysis. Users can drag and drop elements to build custom reports, making it accessible for users with minimal technical expertise.
SAP Crystal Reports
- Used for detailed and pixel-perfect reporting, Crystal Reports allows users to design reports with specific layouts and is commonly used for operational reporting.
SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards (formerly Xcelsius)
- Enables the creation of interactive dashboards, allowing users to visualize data through charts, gauges, and maps. Dashboards can be embedded in web pages or applications to provide at-a-glance insights.
SAP Lumira
- A data visualization tool that allows for self-service data discovery, enabling users to create interactive visualizations and stories from various data sources.
SAP BusinessObjects Analysis
- A tool for in-depth analysis of multidimensional data, specifically suited for finance and accounting departments. It's available as Analysis for Microsoft Office (Excel) or Analysis for OLAP.
SAP BusinessObjects Data Services (BODS)
- Provides data integration, data quality, and data transformation capabilities, essential for extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL) processes in SAP BI environments.
SAP Information Steward
- A data governance tool that works with BusinessObjects to ensure data quality, enabling organizations to monitor, validate, and improve their data.
Main Uses of SAP BusinessObjects
- Reporting: SAP BO allows organizations to generate highly customized reports for various business functions.
- Data Visualization: Dashboards and Lumira enable data storytelling, turning raw data into easily digestible insights.
- Data Analysis: With tools like WebI and Analysis, users can perform deep data analysis to uncover trends, patterns, and anomalies.
- Data Integration: BODS supports the ETL process, ensuring data is accurate, complete, and integrated from multiple sources.
- Data Quality and Governance: Information Steward helps maintain data quality standards, supporting compliance and decision-making.
SAP BusinessObjects is commonly used across various industries for reporting, analytics, and performance management, and it integrates well with other SAP applications, including SAP ERP and SAP HANA.