Putting Mobile First and the New Business Intelligence Priorities

 Newsbyte  Comments Off
Jan 092012
 

By Steve Lucas, General Manager, Business Analytics and Technology, SAP

The phrase “mobile first” perfectly summarizes the new priorities around business intelligence and the end-user experience. Mobile first means that when thinking about business intelligence (BI) or analytic tools or clients, the first design process is not for a PC. In the spirit of delivering compelling, interesting, and reliable mobile solutions, we laid out our plan to make the SAP mobile experience an outstanding one.

With the possibility of a post-Flash era coming (see my recent Forbes blog),  you might be asking “What’s SAP’s mobile analytics strategy?” The answer to that is actually pretty straightforward and consists of three analytics-specific experiences we are currently delivering or plan to deliver to our customers.

  • A structured mobile analytics experience that will bridge existing BI content with mobile devices. Today, we enable customers to extend their existing BI investments to their mobile device with SAP BusinessObjects Mobile.
  • A semi-structured mobile analytics experience called high-definition analytics, focused on new content. Today, we call this SAP BusinessObjects Explorer  and some exciting enhancements are just around the corner in early 2012, including a new feature set called Exploration Views.
  • A completely open mobile analytics experience, where a user can define any mobile analytic/BI app he or she dreams up using a simple design tool, like having a mobile analytics design studio.

 

Watch my recent presentation from SapphireNOW that covers this roadmap in more detail.

Flexible Access to Analytics

Our goal is to create an overall experience that supports a range of mobile operating systems (iOS, Android, RIM OS, Windows Mobile, QNX, etc.) and flexible ways for people to access analytics data on those devices.

  • If someone wants to access predefined reports and analytics on an iPad, SAP BusinessObjects Mobile can help.
  • If a user wants to have a high-definition dashboard with flexible access to any data in a single view, he or she can use SAP BusinessObjects Explorer.
  • If someone wants to have a completely custom analytic app on their iPhone where a giant button turns green when a KPI is met, mobile apps from SAP is the way to go.

 

The good news is that both SAP BusinessObjects Mobile BI and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer have mobile apps available today in the Apple App Store and will support additional key mobile platforms, including Android and RIM in 2012. Additionally, in Q1 2012 we’re releasing a new version of SAP BusinessObjects Explorer with offline capability and a new feature called Exploration Views! A preview is available on the App Store today. Search “SAP Experience”, look for the full release in XI4 feature pack 3). We also plan on launching a new app this year that will be like a mobile analytics design studio.

SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence report visualized on the iPad:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big data with SAP HANA analyzed by SAP BusinessObjects Explorer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preview of the next generation of SAP BusinessObjects Explorer, coming in early 2012:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BI Collaboration in the Cloud with SAP StreamWork

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention SAP StreamWork. While it’s not core analytics, everyone reading this should check out www.streamwork.com and see how users can collaborate on BI data in the cloud…absolutely killer!  In fact, SAP StreamWork can be used today to collaborate within all of our mobile apps – just enable email access within an SAP StreamWork account and start collaborating instantly!

It’s pretty compelling that we have a broad offering of mobile solutions that deliver an insanely great experience. I can’t wait for all of you  to see the new apps we’re launching this year.

Plans for SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards in the Works, Too

I bet you’re wondering where the comments are on SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards (the product formerly known as Crystal Xcelsius).

The most important message is that we aren’t going to leave customers in a lurch and plan to deliver an HTML 5 version in 2012. This may not make life perfect, but it’ll provide a way to get the incredibly valuable content and assets available in SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards files, over to all mobile devices. More specific timeframes will be communicated in Q1 2012. So for all of our loyal dashboard customers out there -  stay tuned and rest assured that we will deliver an insanely great experience for mobile dashboards.

The bottom line, as you can see in the roadmap graphic (click for full view) below – we’re working hard to make an outstanding user’s experience…viva la mobile!

 

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SAP BusinessObjects BI Release Plan Update

 Analytics, Newsbyte  Comments Off
Oct 072011
 

The following information is related to recent updates to the SAP BusinessObjects BI release plan.

What’s new in the BI release plan?
With the recent GA of SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0, we are updating our BI release plan. Instead of releasing both BI 4.0 SP3 and BI 4.1, we will now deliver one release consisting of:

  • BI 4.0 SP3 customer fixes
  • The new product features that were to be included in the original BI 4.1 release


What will we call this release?
It will be called SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3.


Why was this change made?
The change was made to ease the deployment of these new features. Customers can deploy these features on their existing BI 4.0 deployment without waiting for the availability of a separate minor release. Installation of the new product features will be a straightforward install that does not require a major upgrade.


What new product features are included with BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3?
There are many new product features in BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3. The highlights include the following new features:

  • Next generation of SAP BusinessObjects Explorer, which empowers end users to easily organize and share exploration views with web and mobile users
  • Enhanced capabilities for SAP BusinessObjects Mobile BI, with expanded platform support and Sybase Unwired Platform integration
  • SAP StreamWork integration for BI enabled collaborative decision making
  • Insight to Action framework, which enables closed loop BI in the context of your business processes


Are feature packs part of the traditional SAP release process?
No, the usual support packs only typically contain customer fixes or improvements to existing releases – no new features. We needed a deliverable that communicated all the new features – hence the feature pack. This is an exception to our traditional SAP release process. From time to time we make such process modifications in order to benefit customers.


Should I wait for BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 to release before upgrading to BI 4.0?
No. The best path forward is to deploy BI 4.0 today to get the system ready for production. Then install the BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 as soon as it becomes available. BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 will be released with an update installer. The content of BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 can simply be added on top of your existing deployment.


How can customers deploy BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3?
We will be delivering both a new installer and an update installer. New customers will be able to install BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 using the new installer without requiring a pre-deployment of the BI 4.0 GA build. Existing customers will be able to upgrade from BI 4.0 SP2 by applying the BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 update installer.


Can customers implement new customer fixes without using the new product features in BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3?
Yes. The majority of the new features are additive to existing workflows. Many are configurable by administrators. Others are available in the environment but the users have to explicitly select to use them. There are no features that will create major disruption to customers’ existing workflows.


Will there be fixes on BI 4.0 SP2 prior to the release of BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3?
Yes. We will continue to deliver patches on the BI 4.0 SP2 line (e.g., patch 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, etc.) to support customers currently rolling out BI 4.0. Learn more about the standard SAP support process.


Will BI 4.0 Feature Pack 3 include a ramp-up process?
Yes. Since the feature pack includes new features, this release will have its own ramp-up.


How can I get involved in the ramp-up?
Please contact your account manager. We are excited about the BI 4.0 Feature Pack ramp-up and will start accepting pre-nominations in a few weeks with official nominations beginning early January, 2012.

 

For additional questions to these changes to the release plan, please contact your account representative or feel free to add a comment, question to this blog post.

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Available Today

 Analytics, Newsbyte  Comments Off
Sep 162011
 

Today, SAP announced the general availability of SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0, allowing organization to know their business, decide with confidence and act boldly. The BI and EIM 4.0 release represents the future of analytics with real-time, mobile and social capabilities, read the BI and EIM 4.0 RTC (release to customer) press release. Organizations such as Lionsgate and Hilti use business analytics from SAP to run better.

What’s New with SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0?
This release includes the latest versions for Web Intelligence, Dashboards, Crystal Reports, Explorer,  the Business Intelligence Platform, Edge BI and Information Steward and completes the BI 4.0 development cycle with the Analysis, and Data Services solutions already being GA.

Unified on a common infrastructure and with a user experience that boasts the friendly usability of social networking tools, the new Business Intelligence and Enterprise Information Management releases manifest the broad range of technology innovations that are shaping the future of analytics – in real time, with in-memory computing; instant powerful BI in users’ hands, with more mobile devices supported than ever before; across business and social data with certainty, combining structured and unstructured information and providing the tools to govern the information; and providing the best fit, right now in any deployment model, whether on-premise, on-demand, embedded in business operations, or in a “hybrid” manner.  Learn more about what’s new in SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0.

 Watch this demonstration of SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0


Demo of SAP BusinessObjects 4.0

Watch the live keynote of SAP BusinessObjects BI and EIM 4.0

New innovations for Mobile BI
Along with new BI and EIM suite enhancements in 4.0, there are new capabilities for mobile BI available in 4.0 including the SAP BusinessObjects Mobile app for iPad. The existing SAP BusinessObjects Explorer for iPad/iPhone continues to be one of the top downloaded apps for business with over 200,000 downloads from the Apple Apps Store. This fully supported app now includes new enhancements for location-based analytics and integration with Google maps. Download these mobile apps from iTunes today.



Analytics for SME and LOBs
SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 is not just about analytics for the large enterprise, SAP recently announced analytics for SME and lines of business. With this latest releases of SAP Crystal Server and SAP BusinessObjects Edge, organizations can gain better insight into business opportunities for a broader range of users.

Analytics and BIG data with SAP HANA
SAP also recently announced the generally available for SAP HANA, the in-memory computing appliance for real-time analytics on BIG data, SAP HANA provides the in-memory foundation for the next generation of analytics to be realized.  SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 and SAP HANA are part of a broader portfolio of solutions for Business Analytics at SAP. Learn more about Business Analytics from SAP and listen to Steve Lucas (EVP of Business Analytics and Technology) talk about the complete business analytics portfolio and how that aligns with SAP’s core business suite and enterprise mobility strategy.

Resources and Education
A major focus of the SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 release was making the products easier to use. To help customers learn how the BI products work a complete collection of eLearning tutorials for the entire BI suite is included with this release. These tutorials are available on the SAP Community Network and are directly integrated into the products with the 4.0 release. Watch and learn more about building Crystal Reports, designing dashboards, or using the new information design tool to build a universe.

How do I Access and Download SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0?
Customers can access SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 by visiting the SAP software download center on service marketplace today.

 Stay Connected with Business Analytics from SAP

 

Update on SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 General Availability

 Newsbyte  Comments Off
Aug 312011
 

Update: SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 is now available - http://blogs.sap.com/analytics/2011/09/16/sap-businessobjects-bi-4-0-generally-available/

Together, SAP and a select group of customers are in the final phase of Ramp-Up for SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence 4.0.  Based on efforts over the last several weeks, BI 4.0 is targeted to become generally available starting September 16, 2011. The SAP Ramp-Up process ensures that our customers and partners receive the best in software quality and performance as this is the largest release of SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence software in company history.

In its current product release phase, any customer currently on SAP BusinessObjects BI maintenance can access BI 4.0 for use in production with full support from SAP. Customers can download 4.0 from the SAP Service Marketplace today by following the steps on our 4.0 Ramp-Up page. To date there have been over 4,000 downloads of the RTC (release to customer) version.

For customers and partners currently using BI 4.0, new eLearning tutorials are now available on the SAP Community Network. Check out the latest tutorials and take advantage of the new capabilities BI 4.0 has to offer.

Stay connected with the Business Analytics Blog for future updates on 4.0 and Business Analytics from SAP.

Explore Data with the BlackBerry Playbook

 Newsbyte  Comments Off
Aug 172011
 

Here’s a preview of Exploration Views, a new feature planned for SAP BusinessObjects Explorer (version 4.1) on the new BlackBerry Playbook. Learn more about SAP’s vision for mobile analytics and integration with mobility solutions with Sybase.


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