We look at partner programs from 10 cloud vendors that will arm partners with the tools, support and revenue to be successful in cloud computing.
Apple doesn't often buy companies, and it's almost always tight lipped about how they'll fit into its strategy.
FileMaker Pro 11 has arrived, and we had a chance to try out some of the new features.
Business Objects Adds Features To SMB BI Tools
3:01 PM EDT Tue. Jul. 22, 2008
BusinessObjects Edge 3.0 and Crystal Reports Server 2008 mark Business Objects' first expansion of its SMB efforts since the company was acquired by SAP in January. About 75 percent of Edge Series and Crystal Reports Server sales are made through the company's 1,700 channel partners.
Some 6,000 customers have purchased either the Edge Series or Crystal Reports Server products since Business Objects began its SMB push in 2005, said Todd Rowe, vice president and mid-market general manager at Business Objects, Paris. He said mid-market sales are growing at 18 percent annually -- 50 percent faster than the business intelligence software market overall, he said.
Business Objects Edge Series was launched in early 2007, but the functionality of the new release is now equivalent to the vendor's enterprise-class BI products, Rowe said. Edge 3.0 adds mobile business intelligence capabilities, data quality management tools and the ability to rapidly assemble data marts linked to SAP applications.
Crystal Reports Server 2008 supports the Crystal Reports 2008 desktop software that shipped last December. It's also integrated with Microsoft's Live Office and offers improved IT administration features.
Business Objects is still recruiting channel partners for its SMB program, although Rowe said the company is focused on enlisting resellers in specific geographies, including emerging markets like Eastern Europe, and in specific industries such as oil and gas. Rowe also said tighter integration between Business Objects and SAP software is providing new opportunities for solution providers, particularly those with business process management expertise.
Both Business Objects Edge 3.0 and Crystal Reports Server 2008 are available now.
30% off Virtualization Manager 2010 CorporateSave 30% on Paragon Software Virtualization Manager 2010 Corporate. Our response to the typical problems of every modern comp...
