SAP BusinessObjects Mobile alternatives
Introduction.
Originally launched in 2011, the SAP BusinessObjects Mobile app has undergone significant evolution to become a relevant application in the mobile business intelligence.
Starting as a tool primarily focused on delivering static reports to mobile devices, it quickly evolved to the growing demand for dynamic and interactive documents. Over the years, it has integrated seamlessly with various SAP Business Intelligence solutions, such as SAP Crystal Reports and SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence, enabling users to access critical business reports anytime, anywhere.
With each iteration, the app has introduced new features such as offline access, enhanced security protocols, and support for a wide range of devices and platforms.
Its journey has been marked by a commitment to innovation and customer-centricity, ensuring that it remains pertinent in the BI landscape.
But, today, the SAP BusinessObjects Mobile journey is reaching an end, with the planned release of the future SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025.
We will not deliver the SAP BusinessObjects Mobile application for iOS and Android, with the SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025.
This article details the alternatives.
SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence.
When we delivered the integration of the SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence within the SAP BusinessObjects Mobile app, we were looking for the following set of capabilities and use-cases :
- Interactive and Ad-Hoc Reporting : Users can access dynamic and interactive documents (dashboards) created using Web Intelligence, directly on their mobile devices, allowing for real-time monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) and empowering them to analyze data and generate insights wherever they are.
- Offline Access: The Mobile app supports offline access to Web Intelligence documents, allowing users to view and interact with reports even when they are not connected to the internet.
- Drill-Down and Drill-Through: Users can drill down into detailed data or drill through to related reports seamlessly within the Mobile app, facilitating deeper analysis and exploration of data, when they are connected to the internet.
- Annotation and Collaboration: The app enables users to annotate and share Web Intelligence reports with colleagues directly from their mobile devices, fostering collaboration and decision-making.
- Scheduled Report Delivery: Users can schedule Web Intelligence reports for automatic delivery to their mobile devices, ensuring that they have access to the latest version without manual intervention.
- Security and Access Control: The Mobile app integrates with SAP BusinessObjects security features, ensuring that access to Web Intelligence documents is governed by role-based permissions and data encryption protocols, safeguarding sensitive information.
- Customization and Personalization: Users can customize the display and layout of Web Intelligence reports on their mobile devices to suit their preferences, enhancing the overall user experience.
With the planned release of the SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025, and the recent innovations delivered in the SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.3 SP03, the alternatives to the BI Mobile app and its use-cases are the following ones :
- Use the OpenDocument URL technology to access any Web Intelligence document from a Mobile device, using the device browser and the new WebI responsive interface delivered starting BI 4.3 SP03.
- Use the connected mode to access your favorite WebI documents..
For an offline access use-case, the alternative resides into the planned "Web Intelligence Offline Artefact" in the BI 2025. - Drill-Down and Drill-Through are supported through the device browser in connected mode.
- Annotation and Collaboration are supported with the browser access and the Web Intelligence responsive interface.
- Scheduled Report to the Mobile device is no longer supported.
As an alternative, you can copy/paste the OpenDocument URL on your device, and add the parameter to open the latest instance to access up-to-date information. - Security and Access Control : with the browser access, the same security settings (Enterprise, SSO, etc) and protocols (HTTP, HTTPS) apply like on your laptop.
- Customization and Personalization : all your existing Web Intelligence documents are potentially accessible on your Mobile now, as is.
But, with the BI 2025, we will introduce the feature "Custom Canvas" that will enable the creation of Reports that can match exactly the screen size of your devices, for a better rendering and usability.
Crystal Reports.
Experience the power of SAP Crystal Reports on the go within BI2025, where you can effortlessly view and interact with your reports using the web browser on your mobile devices. Access is simplified through two user-friendly ways:
- BI Launch Pad: Dive into your Crystal Reports with ease through the intuitive BI Launch Pad interface.
Whether you're analyzing data, generating insights, or sharing information, BI Launch Pad ensures a seamless and efficient experience which will be enhanced for mobile usage. - Open Document: Instantly access your reports on the move with Open Document functionality.
Simply click a link or scan a QR code, and gain immediate access to the valuable insights contained within your Crystal Reports, all from the convenience of your mobile browser.
With these two robust methods at your fingertips, you are able to stay connected, productive and engage with your data anytime, anywhere.
