SAP Business Objects – Understanding the Latest Trends and Changes

SAP BO or SAP Business Objects is one of the suites in the front-end applications. It helps business enterprises and end users not only to view but also sort as well as analyze the business intelligence data. Over the years like all other apps and software the BO has also evolved and the developers have introduced some significant changes, which have encourages more and more professionals to opt for SAP BO training.

Changes Introduced in Latest Version                              

Some of the changes that have been introduced in the latest version of 

• The user interface has been completely transformed and it is improved using the Microsoft Office latest toolbars.


• Limitations that bogged the earlier versions have been removed comprehensively in the current version of the software. It can now report on the hierarchies.


• In the earlier versions multiple technologies used to access the data for each of the tools such as the Crystal Reports, Xcelsius and the Web Intelligence. But in the latest versions all the tools use uniform BI Consumer Service or BICS.


• Architecture of the software has become simpler and it is now easier handling.

Understanding SAP Business Explorer

Reporting on the SAP BO are largely dependent on the functioning of the SAP BE or SAP Business Explorer interacting in the BI as well as the BW systems. The tool provides interfaces within different web browsers and the Microsoft Excel. In addition; the software produces dashboards as well as print-ready reports. It contains large user-base as well as satisfactory reporting tool. However with the introduction of SAP Business Object the use of SAP BEx has come down considerably. A few minor improvements were introduced in the SAP Netweaver BW 7.3 release. However the use of BEx has not been discontinued and it continues to be part of the integrated SAP suite. But the priority is Business Objects now.

Advantages of BO

Business Object comprises of huge improvement over business explorer earlier developed and made parts of all SAP suites. Of course the business explorer suite could still be one of the useful low cost options for the users and enterprises. Major benefits of BO are as follows:

• BO offers significantly more reporting options in comparison to the BEx.


• It offers better scope for customization for the Business Objects.


• The new one is innovative as well as easier to use interface.


• Users are responsible for reporting and handling the interface is convenient for them.

Related Considerations for Use

However before opting for certified SAP BO course it is necessary to understand the related considerations. One needs necessary expertise in using the business objects. One of the concerns for the end users is that there could be additional licensing costs and requirements for more hardware. Moreover the introduction of Business Object introduces a new layer to the reporting architecture that needs to be developed as well as supported whenever necessary.

Migrating to Latest SAP BO

There could be different scenarios in use of business intelligence software the latest among which is the SAP BI/BW integrated software. In any case the business enterprises that are working with a lower environment should try to upgrade to the higher environment so that they can avail the advantages of the higher end software and methodologies. Organizations that have not yet migrated to BO and are using BEx should realize that it is not just migrating from one system to another but a virtual upgrading to much more competent system. The use of SAP BO can ensure that the enterprise can carry out the implementation in an area where the BEx is already outdated.

Using Third Party Tools

Using SAP BO involves use of SAP Netweaver BW InfoProvider interfaces. Since these interfaces are industry standards it becomes possible for the users to use all third party tools for the purpose of business intelligence.

This gives a rare access to the users to use the software on any platform for business intelligence.