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.
