SAP Business Objects

Business intelligence is Business Objects' main objective. Corporations, government agencies, and schools collect, analyze, and track data with the company's products to measure and improve their organizational performance. Its applications -- which include data integration, performance management, query and analysis, and reporting functions -- are used to measure profitability, determine marketing and sales effectiveness, automate human resources functions, and analyze customers and vendors. The company also provides training, maintenance, and support, as well as consulting services including systems design and integration. In 2008 SAP acquired Business Objects for about $6.8 billion.