When a new product hits the market, the first thing people want to know is, what makes this version different from the old phone or camera or browser? Is it worth the time, trouble, and money to invest in it? Companies have the same questions when it comes to software launches. Like with the new addition to SAP’s BI suite, Visual Intelligence.

This tool was introduced at the end of May to complement – not replace – SAP’s time-tested data exploration and visualization software, SAP BusinessObjects Explorer. At first glance, the two BI clients seem quite similar: they both have to do with data discovery and reporting; they both have a heavy focus on user-friendly graphics. So where exactly is the difference?

To find out, we spoke with Pierre Leroux, director of solution marketing for SAP’s BI portfolio. Leroux works specifically in the data discovery segment of BI, which includes SAP BusinessObjects Explorer and now SAP Visual Intelligence. He told us exactly what Visual Intelligence can do that BusinessObjects Explorer can’t, and what new features to expect in the upcoming releases. We’ve boiled down the interview to these five need-to-know facts. Click on the links below to read about them in more detail.

1. Connect to data in Excel, ERP, HANA

2. Data transformation – “the diamond in the rough”

3. DIY graphics

4. Mobile connection for a desktop tool

5. Road map of planned features

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