Whats New in

BusinessObjects XI Release
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Welcome to BusinessObjects XI Release 2

Welcome to BusinessObjects XI Release 2

BusinessObjects Enterprise is the business intelligence platform that
supports the entire range of performance management, reporting, querying,
and analysis. It also provides platform-level support for semantic layers, data
integration, and security. BusinessObjects Enterprise provides full web-based
administration and configuration of the entire system.
This release extends the robust information infrastructure provided by earlier
versions of BusinessObjects Enterprise and Crystal Enterprise.
BusinessObjects XI Release 2 (BusinessObjects XI R2) brings together
features from across the Business Objects product line to meet the diverse
needs of users, from presentation-quality reporting to in-depth data analysis.
This version facilitates migration from BusinessObjects 5.x and 6.x to
BusinessObjects XI R2. It includes a variety of major enhancements spread
across our data access methods, administration capabilities, and report
design options.
This document provides an overview of the new features and enhancements
available in BusinessObjects XI R2 .

About this version

BusinessObjects Enterprise provides an industry-standard, proven
architecture based largely on an enhanced version of the Crystal Enterprise
architecture, supplemented by powerful performance management, query
and analysis, and data integration capabilities from the Business Objects
product line.
BusinessObjects Enterprise is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing
data, web, and application investments without imposing a new set of
standards and processes. Thanks to the extensive upgrade and content
migration support provided in BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2, existing
customers can leverage their current investments in Business Objects and
Crystal technology.

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Supported products 2
Supported products
All Business Objects products are now available under the same platform.
BusinessObjects XI R2 provides full support for the management, security,
delivery, and interaction for the following products and versions:
Crystal Reports XI Release 2
Desktop Intelligence XI Release 2 (formerly BusinessObjects)
Web Intelligence XI Release 2
Dashboard Manager XI Release 2
Performance Manager XI Release 2
OLAP Intelligence XI Release 2
Data Integrator XI Release 2
For information about these products, consult the documentation provided
with each component.
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 also supports the following add-in
components:
BusinessObjects Enterprise Live Office XI R2
Auditor
Publisher
Crystal Reports Explorer

New features
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 represents the full integration of traditional
Business Objects and Crystal products, combining the best features of each
product line. Whether you have an existing BusinessObjects Enterprise
system or a Crystal Enterprise system, you will notice a wide range of new
features in BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2.

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End-user experience
BusinessObjects XI R2 provides a significantly enhanced user experience for
all customers.

Desktop Intelligence
Desktop Intelligence is the new product name for BusinessObjects.
Unicode support
Desktop Intelligence XI R2 supports Unicode.
Categories and folders
If you are using Desktop Intelligence with BusinessObjects XI R2, you will
notice the addition of categories and folders for storing and classifying your
documents. These replace Corporate Documents and Personal Documents.
Folders and categories work together to provide strong navigation capabilities.
Folders are used as a location to store documents. Complementary to folders,
categories are used to classify documents.
Discussions
Desktop Intelligence, integrated within BusinessObjects XI R2, has added
discussions, which allow you to add comments to all documents.
In BusinessObjects XI R2, you can add discussions to any document in the
system either by selecting it from the document list or while the user is
viewing the document.

Publishing
In BusinessObjects Enterprise 6 systems, the term publishing is related to
sending a document to mutiple users containing different information
depending on user rights. This functionality, including scheduling to different
formats, to email, and to printers, was traditionally provided by the Broadcast
Agent Publisher and is now provided directly by BusinessObjects Enterprise
XI R2.
Publications
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 provides the capability to personalize and
deliver content to a list of subscribers with Publisher, packaged as an add-on
to BusinessObjects Enterprise Professional.
A publication maintains a list of subscribers, in the form of principals, as well
as profile targets, and the recipients profile values. When you schedule a
publication, each recipient receives a personalized copy of the associated

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report, based on the publications profile targets and the recipients profile
values. Users can subscribe to or unsuscribe from a publication, provided that
they have the necessary credentials.
Scheduling
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 provides scheduling capabilities for Crystal
Reports, Desktop Intelligence, and Web Intelligence documents. If you are
migrating from an existing BusinessObjects Enterprise 5.x or 6.x deployment,
note that Broadcast Agent Scheduler is no longer required. Scheduling is
more integrated and includes new features such as business calendars.
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 provides the ability to schedule documents
for others. This secure mechanism allows a single report to serve the needs
of multiple users by delivering specific information to each user based on their
security profile.

Performance management
BusinessObjects XI R2 brings increased integration and enhanced ease-of-
use across the performance management products.
Enhanced analytics and visualization
The analytics displayed in dashboards and scorecards are enhanced to offer
more interactivity and flexibility in display and formatting options. New
visualization techniques are applied to gauges and charts, allowing you to
analyze goals and last period values against current metrics.
Additonal metadata about metrics can be added to metrics properties,
providing end users with information about the name of an owner, the last
refresh date, and a metric description. This helps users understand and
identify the source of the information on dashboards and scorecards and
makes it easy for users to take actions that improve business performance.
Goal import
Instead of entering goals manually, you can now use a universe to import
goals from corporate data sources to populate the values of goals such as the
target or tolerance limits, and then visualize those goals in query-based
analytics such as Interactive Metric Trends (IMT).
More powerful query-based analytics
The ability to build queries that include multiple SQL statements allows you to
build powerful queries that match the level of complexity provided by Web
Intelligence, and then visualize results in analytics.
In BusinessObjects XI R2, you can create query-based analytics on universes
mapped to OLAP data sources.

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Crystal Reports
HTML Preview tab
The search capability of the HTML Preview tab has been enhanced. The
program now searches for the string you enter throughout all pages of your
report -- including any visible sub-reports.
Enterprise connectivity
After you log in to BusinessObjects Enterprise and navigate through the
folders to the desired location, the program retains the folder that you last
visited. After closing the Enterprise Open or Save As dialog boxes, the last
visited folder is displayed when you reopen these dialog boxes.
Repository Explorer
Expand icon
Empty folders no longer show the exapnd (+) icon in the Workbench, the
Repository Explorer and the Field Explorer.
Create/Delete/Move Enterprise objects
In the Repository Explorer, you can now move objects from folder to folder.
You can also move folders.
Reports and folders under the Enterprise Items folder can also be moved
within the Repository Explorer.
Categories
You can now create, move, and rename categories in the Repository
Explorer. You also have the ability to move reports to and between categories.
Workbench
Add Current Report
The new Add current report feature lets you add the currently open report to
the Workbench.
Formulas
Duplicate formulas, parameters, and Running Totals
The Duplicate option is available when you right-click a formula, a parameter
field, or a Running Total field in the Field Explorer. For formulas, you can also
see this option in the Formula Editor.
Find in Formulas and Find in Field Explorer
You can now search for database fields in formulas and in the Field Explorer.

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Double-clicking formulas, Running Totals, SQL Expressions, or
parameter fields in the Field Explorer
Double-clicking a formula in the Field Explorer opens that formula in the
Formula Editor.
Double-clicking a Running Total, opens the Running Total Field dialog box.
Double-clicking a parameter field opens the Parameter dialog box.
Double-clicking a SQL Expression opens the SQL Expression Editor.
Autocomplete in the Formula Editor
In the Formula Editor, the auto-completion list appears when you type an
open brace { to signify a field. The auto-completion list contains the fields
available in the report. This feature works for other report objects, such as
parameter fields, formula fields, and SQL Expressions.
Add summary to all levels of a group option
You can use this option to add summaries to all levels of a group at once.
Formatting
Custom colors
You can now save custom colors.
Format Painter and Status Bar
Formatting multiple objects with the Format Painter is more intuitive. The
status bar at the bottom of the designer now displays a message that tells you
the requirements needed to accomplish the task.
General report functionality
Sort field lists in the Field Explorer
By right-clicking a table under Database Fields, you can now sort the
database fields alphabetically.
Conditional width
You can now use a formula to specify a conditional width (y position) for a
report object. This functionality is similar to the current option to conditionally
adjust the x position of the report object.
Swap fields
You can now drag fields from the Field Explorer to replace other fields in your
document. The size, placement, and formatting of the old object is kept, and
the new object replaces it.

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Crosstabs
Drag and drop crosstab enhancement
Dragging fields from a crosstab now discards the field when you drop it in an
area that cannot accept the field. You can also drag supported fields from the
Designer into a crosstab.
Note: Dragging a crosstab summary field is not supported.

OLAP Intelligence
Extended toolbar functionality
In OLAP Intelligence XI R2, the toolbar functionality is extended to the
designer and both interactive viewers.

Web Intelligence
Merged dimensions
WebIntelligence 6.5 and Web Intelligence XI allowed you to include multiple
data providers in a document but did not allow you to synchronize these data
providers and place objects from different data providers in the same block.
Web Intelligence XI R2 allows you to synchronize these data providers
through the creation of merged dimensions. Once you have merged common
dimensions, you can include dimensions from all the synchronized data
providers in the same report block.
Formula language
The Web Intelligence formula language is enhanced with the addition of
numerous functions and operators, providing calculation power similar to that
provided by Desktop Intelligence (formerly BusinessObjects).
Drilling on report data
Web Intelligence XI R2 introduces the new query drill mode that is specifically
adapted for drilling on data providers containing server-side aggregates in
databases such as Oracle 9i OLAP. When in query drill mode, Web
Intelligence modifies the query in response to each drill action, thus
recalculating aggregates and ensuring their accuracy.
OLAP universes
Web Intelligence XI R2 allows you to access SAP BW data sources through
OLAP universes. Web Intelligence leverages the data access model familiar
from standard universes to provide seamless access to SAP BW data. You
work with an OLAP universe in the same way as you work with a classic
universe.

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Hierarchical lists of values
BusinessObjects XI R2 allows universe designers to create objects with
hierarchical lists of values. Web Intelligence displays these lists of values in a
treeview format. Hierarchical lists of values make it easier to navigate to
specific items in a list.
Cascading prompts
If you define a prompt on an object whose list of values is hierarchical, Web
Intelligence displays a cascading prompt. You enter prompt values at each
level of the prompt hierarchy. Like hierarchical lists of values, cascading
prompts make it easier to identify the data that interests you.
Web Intelligence Java Report Panel
The Java Report Panel contains numerous additions to both its query and
reporting functionality.
Query
Combined queries allow you to build data providers on single universes that
combine multiple queries in UNION, INTERSECTION, and MINUS
relationships. Combining queries allow you to frame complex business
questions that are more difficult to frame using a single, standard query.
Web Intelligence XI R2 allows you to build data providers with two new types
of query filter: subqueries and database rankings. Subqueries provide an
additional method of answering complex business questions by allowing you
to build data providers that include nested queries in their query filters. Web
Intelligence first calculates the nested query and compares the object(s) in
the query filter against its result. If your underlying database supports ranking,
Web Intelligence allows you to rank data as part of your query. This means
that the data is already ranked when Web Intelligence retrieves it from the
database and places it in your report. By using database ranking, you can
significantly reduce the amount of data stored in Web Intelligence.
Reporting
The reporting interface of the Java Report Panel is redesigned to provide
easy and consistent access to the properties of different report elements.
When you select a report element (for example a table or a cell) the
Properties tab displays those properties relevant to the element in a display
format consistent across all report elements. The new interface also features
dockable toolbars.
The Java Report Panel allows you to define sophisticated rankings to answer
complex business questions. You can rank based on raw totals of records
ranked or based on percentages of the total number of records. You can also
define which dimensions Web Intelligence uses to calculate a ranking.

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Intelligent Question
Intelligent Question is a new Business Objects application that provides BI
access to non-traditional users. With Intelligent Question users form
questions from a series of drop-down lists. Users do not need to design
queries or work directly with universes.

Report design
Semantic layer
BusinessObjects XI R2 includes both universes and Business Views to help
simplify the report design process.
Universes and Business Views
Universes are patented Business Objects technology. They act as a semantic
layer between the user and a database. All universe objects are stored in the
BusinessObjects Enterprise Repository. If you are migrating from an existing
BusinessObjects Enterprise deployment, you can use the Import Wizard to
import your universes and their connection objects.
Business Views is a flexible and reliable multi-tier system that enables
companies to build objects that help report designers and end users access
the information they require.
Note: Business Views can be used only by Crystal Reports, while universes
are accessible by Desktop Intelligence, Crystal Reports, and Web
Intelligence.
Universes from metadata and OLAP data sources
Designer now allows you to create universes from metadata sources such as
Oracle Analytic Workspaces, IBM DB2 Cube Views, Data Integrator, and
others as well as from OLAP data sources such as SAP BW. Web Intelligence
and Desktop Intelligence users can deploy these universes as they would any
other universe.
Unicode support
Designer now has Unicode support, which gives you the ability to work with
tables in different languages in the same universe.
Designer usability enhancements
You can now create cascading lists of values that allow you to associate lists
of values with a default or custom hierarchy. Prompts are defined for each
hierarchy level to return a list of values for the level. These appear as
cascading prompts in Web Intelligence.

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Universe security management has been improved with more intuitive
workflows and the ability to combine row restrictions with AND or OR
operators.
You can now access Desktop Intelligence from Designer.
Lists of values can be imported from and exported to the Central
Management Server (CMS).
Designer dialog boxes and windows are now resizable.
You can add technical information to object properties, and you can add joins
to contexts from the context view.
Dynamic prompts and cascading lists of values
Dynamic prompts and cascading lists are now available in Crystal Reports,
allowing prompt values to be populated from values in a database. Prompts
can be arranged in a cascade, where one value in a prompt constrains values
in subsequent picklists. Report designers no longer need to maintain static
prompt lists in individual reports. A single prompt definition can be stored in
the repository and shared among multiple reports, improving both runtime
scalability and design time productivity.

Developer library
BusinessObjects XI R2 provides a number of new enhancements and
features for developers. New API features are exposed to developers and a
number of new samples, tutorials, and examples are provided to help you
build custom applications using the SDKs. For additional information about
the new development features, please see the Whats New section of the
Developer Library. The Developer Library is installed with BusinessObjects XI
R2 and is also available online in the Developer Zone.

System administration
BusinessObjects Enterprise provides an efficient and scalable architecture for
processing, managing, and delivering information to your users.

Management
The Central Management Console provides users with a centralized point for
administering a variety of details including scheduling, security, and auditing.
The default database for UNIX and Windows installs is MySQL.

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Architecture
If you are migrating from an existing BusinessObjects 5.x or 6.x system, you
will notice key differences in the architecture of BusinessObjects Enterprise
XI R2.
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 is built on a component- or services-based
architecture. As a service-oriented architecture, it provides better flexibility,
scalability, fault tolerance, and extensibility.
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 inherits most of the new platform services
from the proven Crystal Enterprise architecture, widely recognized as a highly
scalable, reliable, and powerful platform by customers and industry experts
alike. The service-oriented platform allows current Business Objects products
such as Web Intelligence to plug directly into the framework without requiring
extensive configuration.

Enhanced Page Server

One of the many improvements in BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 is the
enhanced Page Server. The Page Server has the ability to grow and create sub
processes as required, offering dynamic growth, improved reliability, and the
smart use of resources. This leads to an increase in efficiency and performance.

Auditing
Instead of using a separate auditing component, BusinessObjects Enterprise
XI R2 features built-in auditing features.
The auditing functionality of BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 focuses on
enabling administrators to gain a better understanding of the users accessing
the system and the documents they are interacting with.
The auditing functionality within BusinessObjects Enterprise has been
implemented with the concept of a central auditor and individual server
auditees, The auditor role is fulfilled by the Central Management Server
(CMS), while individual services with auditing functionality are considered the
auditees. This means that the overall system, as well as the individual
services, can be audited depending on the level of detail required.
The CMS collects and collates the auditing data from the system interactions
and writes the information into the auditing database. You can then create
reports based on this auditing data.
The built-in auditing component provides the auditing capability and
functionality that were available with BusinessObjects Auditor. For more
information on auditing, see the Business Objects Auditors Guide.

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Fault tolerance
BusinessObjects Enterprise provides fail-over at the system management
level (for scheduling, security, and authentication, for example). The system
also provides full support for replication of all server components. Redundant
components automatically take over the load if the system encounters a
hardware failure or excessive wait times.
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 includes enhanced support for session-
level failover. If a processing service fails, another service identifies the failure
and continues the processing. The enhanced fault tolerance ensures
seamless reporting and query analysis for your users.

Load balancing
Intelligent load balancing algorithms eliminate bottlenecks and maximize
hardware efficiency. In a multi-server environment, you need to balance the
load across multiple machines, in order to enhance scalability and maintain
efficient server performance. BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 includes
built-in load balancing across all system management and report processing
functions. It applies a mixture of active and passive approaches to maximize
server availability and minimize response time for your users.

Security
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 provides all of the existing security
features currently supported in Crystal Enterprise. User, group, and object
level security is controlled using Access Control Lists (ACL), an industry
standard method for controlling cascading security access. Security can be
applied at the object level to all documents, categories, connections,
universes, and universe restriction sets.
The Central Management Console is a centralized management tool that can
be used to administer security.
For details on how rights are mapped, please see the BusinessObjects
Enterprise XI R2 Installation Guide.
Business Objects XI R2 now provides single sign-on with Active Directory
authentication using the Kerberos protocol. By combining single sign-on and
report viewing, you can provide end-to-end single sign-on, which allows a
users security context to be retrieved from the host operating system and be
used to access BusinessObjects Enterprise and the underlying databases for
the reports and documents in the system.

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These capabilities require the system to run all components on the Windows
operating system and for the users to use Internet Explorer with Active
Directory authentication. Please see platforms.txt for more information on
supported platforms.
Business Objects XI R2 has introduced single sign-on for LDAP
authentication. When LDAP authentication is enabled, the administrator has
the option to use SiteMinder as an external system for authentication
providing single sign-on capabilities to BusinessObjects Enterprise.
Also, you can now configure your deployment to use the Secure Sockets
Layer (SSL) protocol for all network communication between your
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 servers.

Migration
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2 includes a powerful migration tool called
the Import Wizard. With the Import Wizard, administrators can copy users,
groups, security, reports, universes, Business Views or EPM content from
existing BusinessObjects Enterpriseand Crystal Enterprise deployments into
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI R2.
For details on migration from BusinessObjects 5.x and 6.x deployments or
more information on the Import Wizard, please see the BusinessObjects 5 to
XI Release 2 Migration Guide and BusinessObjects 6 to XI Release 2
Migration Guide .

Life cycle management

In addition to serving as the migration tool for BusinessObjects Enterprise XI
R2, the Import Wizard allows administrators to import and export content
between repositories using a BIAR file. A BIAR file is a compressed file
containing the objects that you are moving between repositories and an XML
file that contains the metadata.
You can use the Import Wizard to import and export content with any of these
products:
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI
BusinessObjects Enterprise 6.x
Crystal Enterprise 10
Crystal Enterprise 9
Crystal Enterprise 8.5
Crystal Enterprise 8
Crystal Info 8

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The functionality provided by the Import Wizard varies, depending on the
product from which you are importing information. You can import existing
user accounts, groups, categories, universes, connection objects, universe
restriction sets, third-party documents, report objects, report instances, and
others. For more information on life cycle management with the Import
Wizard, please see the Import Wizard online help.

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