Business Objects Gives Back to Society; Company's 15-Year History Shows How Business Intelligence Software Has Been Used to Make a Difference

Business Wire, Sept 13, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. & PARIS -- Business Objects believes organizations that use business intelligence to manage information will improve performance and increase overall profitability. But for many organizations, business intelligence means so much more. From enabling charities to manage donations and provide aid faster, to helping schools and hospitals improve the quality of education and healthcare, to assisting welfare agencies in their care of children, Business Objects software is used everyday to help society. Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ)(Euronext Paris ISIN code: FR0004026250 - BOB), which celebrates its 15-year anniversary this week, has a proud heritage of helping organizations apply business intelligence software that makes an impact on society.

"Business intelligence helps all kinds of organizations. It's not just for business," said Bernard Liautaud, chairman of the board and chief strategy officer of Business Objects. "It is truly inspiring to see the countless ways in which our software can be used to make a difference in society. As we celebrate our 15-year anniversary, I am very proud of our software. I would say that one of our proudest achievements is the fact that our software is used to do so much more than improve the bottom line. Business intelligence is used to improve the effectiveness of charities, healthcare, and education. Our software helps local police departments keep their communities safe, and plays an important role in combating terrorism. As we look forward to our future, it is very motivating to think about how our software will be used to help people in countless ways, every day."

The American Red Cross has been working with Business Objects for the past six years. The American Red Cross uses Business Objects to assist in tracking blood donor information across the organization, which consists of 35 blood regions, collecting over six million units of blood each year. The Red Cross also used Business Objects in its September 11th Recovery Program to generate statistical reports and analysis from its disaster case tracking system and its consolidated financial system. Earlier this year, Business Objects made a substantial in-kind contribution to recognize the inspiring work undertaken by The American Red Cross in their tsunami and hurricane relief efforts.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation sponsors its yearly "Run for the Cure" where 160,000 runners turn out for the charity's signature fundraising event. With Business Objects, CBCF has eliminated the mammoth 5,000 page reports that summed up the donations and run registration information. Now with Business Objects, run directors can see the very latest metrics, including fundraising history and other key information on potential donors. Reports can also help forecast where last minute promotion activities may be required to boost donations. The opportunity reports alone have the ability to help generate an additional 25% in online donations for breast cancer research. All online donations, including credit card and electronic money transfer (EMT) trends, are tracked and managed by the Business Objects system, so financial records are up-to-date.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS(R)) has to date received over $145 million for tsunami relief in South and Southeast Asia. The generosity of the donations from around the world has been awe-inspiring, and allows Catholic Relief Services to be in the forefront of efforts to alleviate the human suffering resulting from the recent devastating tsunami. The agency has enhanced its ability to report on donations received and how they are spent with Crystal Reports(R) Server XI from Business Objects.

"Business Objects has completely changed our ability to share critical information with our offices and partners around the world," said Or Dashevsky, information technology project manager at Catholic Relief Services. "We can quickly provide the information our users need. This will help us execute our mission more efficiently and provide more information at a lower cost."

The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) has standardized on BusinessObjects(TM) XI to improve the quality of child care throughout Illinois. The agency uses Business Objects to track program information and manage performance for its 17 Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. The CCR&Rs work in partnership with parents, business leaders, government officials, and child care providers to make high-quality child care available to Illinois families. INCCRRA relies on Business Objects to enable each agency to track and manage child-care program information and better serve their communities. For example, the agencies use BusinessObjects XI to track scholarship and wage supplement programs for child-care workers. These programs support the educational achievements among child-care workers and promote their tenure at child-care facilities, which improves the overall quality of agency services.

Nottinghamshire Police Force, one of the busiest UK forces with 3,800 staff and one of the highest rates of crime dealt with per officer, uses Business Objects to monitor nearly ever aspect of its performance. Using Business Objects, the force examines call handling and response times, emergency calls, improved personal safety and reductions in burglary, drug-related and violent crime. Nottinghamshire is also rolling out BusinessObjects Dashboard Manager and Performance Manager to provide the chief constable and divisional commanders with immediate access to a visual display of key performance indicators, mapped geographically to highlight crime hotspots. For example, if there is a rapid increase in a type of criminal activity in a certain region, they can quickly deploy the appropriate resources where they are needed most, and as patterns of crime emerge, predict where the next outbreak of crime is likely to happen.