Business Objects launches regional subsidiary in Dubai

While Business Objects has been present in the Middle-East for several years through a partner network, the company's new incorporation in Dubai underscores Business Objects' commitment to the region, and will provide local customers and partners with expanded services and support.

In addition, Business Objects appointed Thierry Nicault as Interim Managing Director of the Dubai subsidiary. Thierry Nicault is the Regional Director in Eastern Europe Middle East & Africa of Business Objects.

"I'm very pleased to announce the opening of the Dubai subsidiary," said Jean-Pierre Brulard, vice president West Europe & EEMEA, and general manager France of Business Objects. "We feel the Middle East market is very important and will continue to grow in significance over the years as large corporations and state-run organisations in the region continue to realise the value of business intelligence. In the last year we have enjoyed strong momentum and growth in the region, and with our increased commitment to this region we look forward to continued success."

Business Objects also launched BusinessObjects(tm) XI Release 2, the latest version of BusinessObjects XI, the industry's most advanced and complete business intelligence platform.

Launched in the Middle East on the heels of its international debut on October 3, 2005, the significant enhancements and new capabilities in BusinessObjects XI Release 2 will improve simplicity for end users, trusted information, and the ability standardise on a single BI platform.

Business Objects also unveiled BusinessObjects Intelligent Question(tm), a groundbreaking innovation that allows anyone to intuitively ask business questions and receive the correct answers, without the need to build a query or know the underlying systems or data.

"BusinessObjects XI Release 2 paves the way for the future of business intelligence and builds on the continued success of the industry's most successful BI platform," said John Schwarz, CEO of Business Objects.

"Our success with BusinessObjects XI has been phenomenal and customers are rapidly adopting the platform and it has had a fantastic reception by industry influencers. Organisations continue to standardise on Business Objects because we remain laser-focused on their success and continue to deliver breakthrough innovation. With BusinessObjects XI Release 2, we offer a revolutionary new solution that puts business information into the hands of all users across every organisation. We have removed obstacles to end-user adoption so that BI will reach the people who never used BI before."

In recent years, Business Objects has established a strong presence in Middle-East, and signed up several new customers, including Aramco, Saudi Telecom Company, International Foodstuffs Company, Standard Chartered Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, RAK Bank, in addition to global partnerships handled locally with ATOS, IBM, and NCR.

Business Objects is the world's leading business intelligence (BI) software company. With more than 30,000 customers worldwide, including over 80 per cent of the Fortune 500, Business Objects helps organisations gain better insight into their business, improve decision making, and optimise enterprise performance.