SAP has created a web-based reporting tool, which enables
end-users to identify company trends by running Google-like queries
on their internal databases.
Business intelligence is a key theme of the SAP World Tour 2009,
taking place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. SAP
argues that with better business intelligence, companies are able
to get a clearer view of business opportunities and risks.
SAP is offering the reporting tool, called Business Objects
Explorer, through a free trial on its website.
Food company Sara Lee has used the software to process 14
million records in real time, returning results in 0.7 seconds.
Speaking at the SAP World Tour 2009, Bill McDermott, a member of
the SAP executive board, said: "Explorer allows you to find
business data in real time. There is no need to build reports."
McDermott used his keynote presentation at the conference to
discuss how businesses can survive the recession: "There is no
certainty. Now is a perfect opportunity to rethink your business
strategy."
Tools like Explorer play a crucial role, he said. "Too many
business executives lack clarity. You need clarity to anticipate
internal and external threats."
He urged IT heads to make tough decisions by consolidating
legacy systems, outsourcing non-core functions, using shared
service centres where appropriate and focusing on business
outcomes.
"Business needs to move from customer focused, to value
focused," he said.
SAP is making its own internal value metrics available to help
IT directors evaluate how much value IT can add to the
business.