Business Objects tackles unstructured data

Business Objects has unveiled the latest XI 3.0 version of its business intelligence software.

The firm said that business intelligence has traditionally focused on the most easily obtainable data.

This process-centric 'structured' information, such as numbers and text stored in internal databases, is then analysed by a select group of data analysts and shared among isolated user communities.

A recent survey of 154 global C-level executives conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that fewer than one in 10 corporate executives believe they have the right information to make critical business decisions.

With this newest release, Business Objects aims to make all information accessible to people throughout the organisation and their extended business network.

The idea is to give users the confidence to know that their data is clean, and the ability to link it back to its source so that information is auditable, accurate and trustworthy.

One of the primary features of BusinessObjects XI 3.0 is integrated text analysis which allows the data in unstructured sources such as the web, notes fields and emails to be easily incorporated into business intelligence.

This allows users to integrate 'softer' information, such as customer feedback forms, with well quantified data to provide a much deeper understanding of the business, according to Business Objects.

The new version also includes BusinessObjects Data Services, which combines Data Integrator and Data Quality into a single engine to ensure that data being analysed is as accurate and trustworthy as possible.

"Traditional business data is no longer enough. Customers need the whole picture to realise the promise of more powerful decision making," said Marge Breya, executive vice president of the business intelligence platform at Business Objects.

Other notable features include the ability to embed Flash into Crystal Reports 2008, allowing users to create interactive reports which can be updated in near real time, and BI Widgets which lets users create personalised metrics which can be displayed directly on a user's desktop.

With added support for Live Office, users can embed and update new data in Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.

BusinessObjects XI 3.0 is due for general release in the first in the first quarter of 2008. BusinessObjects XI 3.0 Mobile and BusinessObjects XI 3.0 Polestar are set to be available later in the year.