Business objects is
a French enterprise software company, specializing in business
intelligence (BI). The company claimed more than 46,000 customers
worldwide in its final earnings release. Its flagship product is
BusinessObjects XI, with components that provide performance management,
planning, reporting, query and analysis and enterprise information
management.
1990 Business Objects is founded in Paris, France.
1991 France Telecom becomes the first customer after viewing a prototype of Business Objects’ initial product offering.
1994 Business Objects launched BusinessObjects v3.0 and goes public on NASDAQ – the first European company in history to do so.
1995 Business Objects is the first software company to focus on enterprise-scale business intelligence (BI) deployments.
1996 Business Objects enters OLAP market and launches BusinessObjects v4.0.
Bernard Liautaud is named one of Business Week’s “Hottest Entrepreneurs of the Year.”
1997 BusinessObjects Web Intelligence is introduced.
1999 Business Objects is publicly listed in France on the Premier Marche.
2000 Business Objects delivers the industry’s first interactive mobile business intelligence solution.
2001 Business Objects opens offices in San Jose, California.
signs an OEM and reseller agreement to bundle Crystal Reports.
2002 Business Objects acquires Blue Edge Software and Acta Technologies.
Bernard Liautaud named to Business Week’s “Stars of Europe.”
Business 2.0 names Business Objects as one of the “100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies.”
Leading direct retailer Lands’ End
deployed one of the first executive dashboards, resulting in a 33%
reduction in lost sales over the year.
2003 Business Objects acquires
Crystal Decisions and releases Dashboard Manager, BusinessObjects
Enterprise 6, as well as BusinessObjects Performance Manager.
2004 Business Objects launches Crystal v10 and BusinessObjects v6.5.
2005 Revenues reaches more than a billion US dollars.
John Schwarz joins Business Objects as chief executive officer.
BusinessObjects XI and Crystal Xcelsius are launched.
Business Objects acquires SRC Software, Medience, and Infommersion.
2006 Business Objects acquires Firstlogic, Inc., Armstrong Laing Limited (ALG), and nSite.
Business Objects releases crystalreports.com and BusinessObjects Data Quality XI.
2007 Business Objects acquires Cartesis.
2008 acquires Business Objects to lead emerging market for business performance optimization.
2002 More birthday cake: Thirty years
after its foundation, is the third-largest independent software
provider in the world and a paragon of the German economy. The brand
stands for high-quality business software.
A rising star: ‘s
portfolio is not the only thing witnessing constant growth. The
company’s workforce also increases to around 29,000 by the end of 2002.
Approximately 1,300 employees move into the new star-shaped building
that has opened directly adjacent to ‘s headquarters in Walldorf.
New blood at the top:
The Executive Board bolsters its ranks with Shai Agassi, who assumes
responsibility for new technologies, and Léo Apotheker, who takes over
global sales.
2003
End of an era: Hasso
Plattner resigns from the Executive Board and is elected chairman of the
Supervisory Board. Plattner is the final co-founder to leave the
company’s management team, but remains with in an advisory role. Upon
taking his leave, the nautical enthusiast receives a special gift – a
sail signed by all of ‘s employees, which they hope will carry him to
further success.
Technology of the future:
What began in the “new economy” as my.com and evolved to my technology
reaches a new pinnacle in NetWeaver. This technology enables to offer
fast, open, and flexible business applications that support end-to-end
business processes – no matter whether they are based on systems from
or other providers.
Global developments:
Labs China marks the ninth opening of a development location outside of
Walldorf. This and the other research centers in India, Japan, Israel,
France, Bulgaria, Canada, and the United States help convert IT
expertise into business utility for its customers. The company now
employs around 30,000 employees, approximately 17,000 of whom work
outside of Germany.
2004
Major success: brings
the first version of NetWeaver to market. The response to this new
integration and application platform is overwhelming. By the end of the
year, well over 1,000 customers acquire the product, with even more on
the way. Meanwhile, more than 24,000 total customers are running 84,000
software installations in over 120 countries.
Joining forces:
announces its intention to acquire the remaining shares of its
consulting subsidiary SI and to merge the company into its corporate
group. This move strengthens ‘s global portfolio of strategic IT
consulting and integration services and makes the go-to provider of
many customers – especially those in Germany, Switzerland, and the
United States.
A clear vision: plans
its future around the concept of enterprise service-oriented
architecture (enterprise SOA). According to CEO Henning Kagermann, will
make all of its business applications service-based in the medium term
to provide its customers with the most flexibility possible. In doing
so, sets the standard for the rest of the market.
Strong statistics:
Under Kagermann’s leadership, quarterly revenue gains and a constantly
increasing market share keep at the head of the pack in the rejuvenated
IT market. Business Week names Kagermann one of the 25 best business
managers in Europe, praising his customer-oriented corporate philosophy.
2005
Excellence recognized: A
study conducted on behalf of the business magazine Capital names
Germany “Best employer of 2005″ among other companies with 5,000
employees or more. “I accept this award with pride and gratitude on
behalf of the more than 32,000 people who work at . For us as a company,
it will mainly serve as motivation for the future. After all, ‘s
success will continue to depend on the skills, drive, and dedication of
our current and future employees,” declares Executive Board member
Claus Heinrich upon receiving the award from Wolfgang Clement, Germany’s
Federal Minister of Economics and Technology.
Something cooking in the east:
In February, officially opens its new research and development
facility in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Labs Hungary and its
some 50 developers join ‘s global network of research locations, which
incorporates the brightest
minds in IT all over the world.
Organic growth: The
year 2005 is marked by a series of acquisitions. While its competitors
initiate their own major takeovers, focuses on organic growth by
acquiring smaller companies whose specific solutions augment its
portfolio in sensible ways. These companies include the two retail
providers Triversity and Khimetrics.
Impressive numbers: The
company’s software license revenues increase by 18%, and it records
particularly high rates of growth in the Americas. The more than 35,800
employees around the world generate total revenues of €8.5 billion.
2006
International recognition:
once again garners numerous employer accolades. Along with Germany,
Austria, Chile, Andina y del Caribe, Mexico, and Region Sur win the
“Great Place to Work” award from the institute of the same name. In
addition, Labs India receives the distinction “Recruiting and Staffing
Best in Class” from the Indian Institute of Management Studies &
Research for its innovative methods in workforce planning and
management.
Harmonious partnership:
and Microsoft introduce Duet, the first product of the two companies’
joint efforts in development, support, sales, and marketing. This
software enables users to quickly and easily integrate Microsoft Office
and -supported business processes. The partners sell 200,000 licenses in
just the first three months.
Onward to further success:
At the first PHIRE event of the year in Orlando, Florida, announces
the general release of its flagship application, ERP. ” ERP constitutes
the foundation of ‘s industry solutions and a springboard to enterprise
SOA,” says Executive Board member Léo Apotheker.
Good news from the midmarket:
noticeably expands its share of the midmarket with the solutions
All-in-One and Business One. In June, the company announces that the
latter solution has gained its 10,000th customer. also has generates
around 30% of its €3.1 billion in total software licensing revenues from
companies with fewer than 2,500 employees.
2007
Seizing new opportunity:
When an acquisition makes sense in enhancing its product portfolio,
does not shy away from the investment required. The company buys Pilot
Software – a private California provider of strategy management software
– as well as Yusa, OutlookSoft, Wicom, and MaXware. also announces its
intention to purchase Business Objects, a company specializing in
business intelligence applications.
Restructure of the Executive Board: Leo
Apotheker is named ‘s deputy CEO at the end of March. also forms an
Executive Council, which comprises corporate officers who share
responsibilities for market and product strategies and report to the
Executive Board. This restructuring follows Shai Agassi’s departure from
the Executive Board.
Another year, another employer accolade:
In its 35th year, takes home the title of “Germany’s Best Employer”
for the third time in the annual “Great Place to Work” awards. The
company also receives a special prize for its comprehensive health
management program. Labs India also ranks eighth among other employers
in India.
Head start in the midmarket:
As part of a special event in New York City, reveals Business By
Design, a product designed specifically for small businesses and midsize
companies. CEO Henning Kagermann states that this new offering
“represents ‘s ambitious attempt to create an all-new solution for an
untapped market.”
2008
In the bag:
successfully completes its acquisition of Business Objects. Purchasing
the French provider of business intelligence solutions expands ‘s
software portfolio and makes it the market leader in business software,
enterprise performance management, and business intelligence.
The choice of skilled employees: For
the fourth time, is named “Germany’s Best Employer” among companies
with at least 5,000 employees. The company also receives numerous awards
in other countries, including China, Bulgaria, Denmark, India, Japan,
and Mexico.
A global focus: The
Supervisory Board names Léo Apotheker co-CEO alongside Henning
Kagermann. Two longstanding members, Peter Zencke and Claus Heinrich,
resign from the Executive Board. The board then welcomes Ernie Gunst,
Bill McDermott, and Jim Hagemann Snabe, whose international backgrounds
will enrich ‘s executive management.
Sustainable business:
proves its commitment to sustainable business practices, releasing its
first Sustainability Report. As the leader in its market, is in a
unique position to provide information technology that helps companies
and organizations of all sizes improve their track records and achieve
long-term sustainability.
2009
Difficult times: With
the effects of the global financial crisis having reached the real
economy in 2008, the business world faces its own plight. Susceptible to
the situation at hand, initiates personnel cutbacks and other
cost-saving measures. As of Q3 2009, still employs some 47,800 people.
Meanwhile, the company supports its customers with special programs
designed to help them emerge from the crisis with the strength to
succeed. Thanks to these programs and its cutbacks, is able to improve
its operating margin despite the difficult circumstances.
Another business milestone:
At a launch event at its offices in New York City, unveils its
Business Suite 7 software, which is designed to help businesses
optimize their performance and reduce IT costs. A condensed ramp-up
phase enables the first customers to go live with the software in March.
In early May, the next generation of the suite is released to the rest
of the world.
Passing the torch:
After 27 years at the company – including 18 years on the Executive
Board – Henning Kagermann bids farewell to . Léo Apotheker becomes the
company’s sole CEO. In his inaugural address to ‘s employees in June, he
stakes out a clear new path for the company, including his plans for ‘s
future, its purpose, and the associated values.
In it for the long haul:
demonstrates how important it considers social involvement by
supporting PlaNet Finance, an international non-profit organization that
aids microfinance institutions (MFIs). and PlaNet Finance aim to
optimize the microfinance sector with a combination of financing, new
technologies, and expanded value chains. In advance of the 15th United
Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15), also offers
its assistance to the U.N.’s Hopenhagen initiative. Last but not least,
employees continue to volunteer their time in support of social
projects all over the world.
2010
Dynamic duo: In
February, the Supervisory Board names Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann
Snabe co-CEOs of the company. Chief technology officer Vishal Sikka also
joins the Executive Board. Angelika Dammann follows Sikka in July,
becoming the first woman to serve on the Executive Board as she assumes
responsibility for global human resources and labor relations.
Business Objects
pioneered the business intelligence (BI) industry
with the invention of
the semantic layer, which shields BI users from the complexity of
databases.
Business Objects is
once again ushering in a new era of BI by delivering a breakthrough
innovation that allows anyone to unthinkingly ask business questions,
without the need to build a query or know the underlying systems or
data. Intelligent Question is the industry’s first structured
questioning environment and is designed to work the way people think.
With Intelligent Question.
Business Objects is the
first vendor to solve this problem by delivering breakthrough ease of
use. Just like the introduction of the easy-to-use Apple iPod has led to
an explosion in demand for MP3 players, Intelligent Question has the
potential to introduce millions of people to the benefits of business
intelligence. “The majority of people consuming reports are not
technical enough, laymen to create an ad hoc query,” said Philip Russom,
senior manager of research and services at The Data Warehousing
Institute (TDWI). “This is a problem when end-users need to discover
information quickly and standard reports do not contain the answer.
These people need an information discovery mechanism that’s as fast,
easy, and spontaneous as a search engine, while applying structure to
the answer the way parameterized reports do. BusinessObjects
Intelligent Question addresses this problem by enabling people to ask
an English-language question. Under the hood, Intelligent Question
converts the question to an ad hoc or parameterized query, and then
returns information in an easy-to-digest format. With this kind of
technology, BI users can find information in their reporting systems
based on their immediate needs, in a quick, self-service fashion.” When
critical business questions arise, people want fast, precise answers.
Unfortunately, people often do not know how to best structure their
questions to ensure they receive the right information. Intelligent
Question’s structured questioning environment allows people to select
from a series of options to create anything from simple to very complex
business questions. For example, an executive at a retail organization
could ask: What are my top 15 customers, based on average weekly spend
for my stores over the past 12 months? Or, a supplier for a computer
hardware company could easily craft a question via an extranet to ask:
Which of my parts have experienced a 10 percent increase in demand this
month over last month? With Intelligent Question, as people select from
the preset options, the remaining choices are automatically filtered to
guarantee that the user can only create an “intelligent question.” A
correct, relevant, and trusted answer is provided every time, with just
one click. BusinessObjects Intelligent Question is the first solution
that will finally break down the barrier to broader BI adoption, and
truly meet the needs of those users who have not experienced the
benefits of BI because they were intimidated by the complexity.
