Business Objects Named to the Red Herring 100; Leading Provider of Business Intelligence Recognized by Red Herring Editors for Innovation and Business Strategy

Business Wire, May 13, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002

The editors of Red Herring, the premier magazine of business technology and innovation, have named Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions, to the Red Herring 100. The Red Herring 100 recognizes the top 50 public and the top 50 private companies whose services, business models, products, and quality of management define business innovation. The editors compiled the list based on who they believe will be the leaders of tomorrow in a number of key technology-related sectors, including the software industry.

"In the last few years, the business intelligence market has accelerated as businesses are realizing the power of harnessing their corporate data," said Bernard Liautaud, chief executive officer of Business Objects. "As the market leader in business intelligence, Business Objects has been the key driver behind this acceleration. We are proud to be part of the Red Herring 100, and thrilled that the editors have acknowledged the importance of business intelligence by naming us to this prestigious list."

Business Objects helps its customers base business decisions on sound, up-to-the-moment information. More than 89% of the Fortune 100 use Business Objects to create more profitable customer relationships, identify cost cutting opportunities, and generate revenue. The leaders in almost every industry - including financial services, government, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology, telecommunications, and transportation - use Business Objects to work better, smarter, and faster.

In addition, Business Objects is coming off of its 19th consecutive quarter of beating Wall Street expectations, and its 47th straight quarter of solid growth and profit. Coupled with Business Objects vision for the future of the BI marketplace, the company was a clear choice to be included among the top 100 companies honored by Red Herring. In its sixth year, the Red Herring 100 has become the most respected list of its kind.

"Quarter after quarter, our financial success proves that companies are getting tremendous value from their BI deployments," said Liautaud. "Our technology lets our customers harness one of the most important assets the company owns -- information. Information is power, and with our software, it is the power to save money, make money, improve customer relationships, and see an immediate return on investment. Because of this power, business intelligence has gone from a departmental, back office application, to an enterprise wide, mission critical business application."

The Red Herring 100 is featured in the June 2002 issue of Red Herring and is also available on www.redherring.com.

About Business Objects

Business Objects is the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions. Business intelligence lets organizations access, analyze, and share information internally with employees and externally with customers, suppliers, and partners. It helps organizations improve operational efficiency, build profitable customer relationships, and develop differentiated product offerings.

The company's products include BusinessObjects 2000, the industry's leading integrated business intelligence toolset and platform; and BusinessObjects Analytics, an integrated suite of enterprise analytic applications.

Business Objects pioneered the modern BI industry in 1990 by inventing a patented "semantic layer" that insulates users from the complexity of databases. In 1995, the company was first to focus on enterprise-scale BI deployments and today supports customers with more than 20,000 users. The company moved aggressively to the internet in 1997 by pioneering the market for BI extranets, a market that it continues to lead today. In 2000, the company delivered the industry's first interactive mobile BI solution. Today, Business Objects continues to innovate, creating and delivering a unique vision for enterprise analytic applications.

Business Objects has more than 15,500 customers in over 80 countries. The company's stock is publicly traded under the ticker symbols NASDAQ: BOBJ and Euronext Paris (Sicovam code 12074). It is included in the SBF 120 and IT CAC 50 French stock market indexes. Business Objects can be reached at 408/953-6000 and www.businessobjects.com.

Note to Editors: BusinessObjects is a trademark or registered trademark of Business Objects S.A. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

Business Objects product inquiries should contact 800/527-0580.