PETALING JAYA: SAP AG has a new business intelligence software — BusinessObjects Explorer. It enables its users to search across all data sources within a company so that its decision makers can get all the information they need quickly.

These data sources include operational applications, data warehouses, marts, RDBMS (relational database management systems), OLAP (online analytical processing) servers, and even, unstructured data.

“It is critical for companies to have easy access to accurate information so that they can have immediate insights into their business and stay ahead of the competition,” said V.R. Srivatsan, managing director of SAP Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

BusinessObjects Explorer, which comes with an Internet-style search box as its interface, is designed for users without any IT expertise. This means anyone can use it to explore and retrieve business information through simple keyword searches.

The software also presents the most relevant keyword-search results first, and automatically generates a chart that best represents the information.

Srivatsan said BusinessObjects Explorer supports the company’s Clear Enterprise strategy which offers complete visibility across a business and business network.

This capablity enables a business to operate with agility, to streamline its operations, and to respond more quickly to customer needs.

Companies that have this ability would be able to improve their business performance, optimise their operations and adapt more quickly to any changes in the business environment.

The strategy also helps companies survive difficult times by addressing challenges such as efficient cash management, the implementation of leaner operating procedures, the mitigation of risks, improvement of customer loyalty, and the retainment of top talents.

R&D initiative

On another development, SAP has set up a public-security research lab — the Future Public Security Centre — in Darmstadt, Germany.

The centre provides public security agencies in the various areas of law enforcement with the opportunity to preview, collaborate on, and influence the course of SAP public-security research projects.

Launched in November last year, the centre focuses on several key areas.

One area is the use of information technology during natural disasters and other crisis to improve co-operation and cross-organisational collaboration among police, fire and emergency services, government agencies, and other organisations.

Efficient co-operation is critical during a disaster, epidemic, or terrorist attack when emergency response management agencies need to act quickly and be co-ordinated, according to SAP.

In the coming years, it said, public security organisations will also face the technical challenge of combating intellectual property piracy and plagiarism, as well as adapting to the use of biometric security systems.

Also gaining traction is the use of RFID (radio-frequency identification) chips for managing evidence in court cases and securing a crime scene or the scene of an accident.

SAP’s new research lab provides the necessary infrastructure to conduct research into these segments and more.

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