SAP's Business Objects division has updated its BusinessObjects XI 3.1 platform to provide more integration with data sources from a variety of vendors, including HP, Microsoft, Netezza, Teradata and Oracle.

The new release will also give customers increased speed when accessing transactional data, and new scalability with support for 64-bit architectures.

"The enhancements in this new version show continued execution against our roadmap and demonstrate that we are open to any application, infrastructure or data source," said Marge Breya, business intelligence platform executive vice president and general manager at Business Objects.

"Our customers can eliminate 'knowledge shadows' in their organisations by giving more people broader access to the information they need to get their jobs done."

SAP was particularly keen to show off the new integration with Oracle's enterprise applications and databases.

Business Objects customers will be able to access information stored in PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Siebel applications.

The solution also integrates with Microsoft platform components such as Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, SharePoint Services and Office SharePoint Server 2007.