BusinessObjects
A query, reporting and analysis suite of tools from Business Objects that runs under all versions of Windows and various Unix clients. It is the leading decision support tool in the business intelligence market, providing access to a wide variety of databases, including Oracle, INFORMIX and DB2. As data are extracted from the database, they are stored as multidimensional OLAP cubes that can be easily sliced and diced into different views.
The Semantic Layer
BusinessObjects uses a patented semantic layer that shields users from the complexities of table names and relationships. Once the semantic layer has been defined, users work with familiar "business objects" such as product, customer and revenue.
Not Object Technology
The use of the word "objects" refers to "items," not object technology, as the company and products were created before object-oriented programming became popular. See Business Objects.
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| A BusinessObjects Query |
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| Once the business objects have been defined, users simply drag and drop the icons from the window on the left into the windows on the right. (Screen shot courtesy of Business Objects.) |
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| Slicing and Dicing |
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| At any time, the Slice and Dice Panel can be called up to rearrange the view. After dragging the icons on the left and dropping them on the right, BusinessObjects displays the new perspective on screen. "Section" shows the overall sequence and report titles, and "Block Structure" shows the data wanted in the report. (Screen shot courtesy of Business Objects.) |