Although it received less attention than the subjects of mobility and in-memory computing at SAPPHIRE NOW 2011, the release of SAP BusinessObjects 4.0 was quite a momentous event. It introduced plenty of new features, such as support for the SAP In-Memory Appliance (SAP HANA), software interfaces that accommodate more users and (mobile) devices, and a uniform user interface that makes the BI tools in the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio easier to understand.

Here, we’ve compiled all of the relevant information to demonstrate the innovations SAP BusinessObjects 4.0 has in store for you.

Semantic layers

Semantic layers – known as “universes” in the world of SAP BusinessObjects – structure business data in a way that enables users to generate reports and queries. Universes support any BI client and can be created across multiple sources of data – including SAP HANA – thanks to the standardized interface sported by all of the BI tools from SAP BusinessObjects. Plus, users don’t need to have any knowledge of the database language SQL.

In addition to serving as the link between SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse and SAP Business Explorer queries, BI Consumer Services (BICS) based on the OLAP analysis principle include support for SAP HANA. The German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG), meanwhile, considers the improved integration of the SAP BusinessObjects BI client and SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse the most important update in the latest release. The ability to continue to use universes created with SAP BusinessObjects XI without any migration or conversion presents another highlight.

Since no complex ETL processes are required to merge data sources in a target database, SAP BusinessObjects 4.0 also promises more cost-effective integration of new projects.

BI tools make it possible to produce both structured and unstructured data (graphic: SAP AG)

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