SAP moves analytics to real-time, mobile, social networking

SAP reckons that, today, it's not just about business going global but also dealing with an increase in the number of virtual organisations using mobile technology and social networking. "Organisations must be equipped to better assess and act decisively on huge volumes of data both from within and outside their businesses," says the company. And hence the new solutions, from the SAP and BusienssObjects stable, which feature a common infrastructure and a user interface based on familiar social networking tools, all driving towards what SAP sees as the future of analytics. For SAP that means real-time business intelligence right in user's hands, using its in-memory computing and with more mobile devices supported than ever before. It also means handling multiple data sources automatically and combining structured and unstructured information – all with tools to ensure compliance. And since this is SAP, it's also all available in conventional on-premise format, on-demand as SaaS (software as a service), embedded in business operations, or in any hybrid. "New capabilities for event insight and information stewardship bring the benefits of data trustworthiness and process timeliness to customers," comments Carl Olofson, research vice president at analyst IDC. "All of these components should provide the basis for an information environment that is nimble and responsive – one that fosters a culture of knowing, helping every person in the organisation derive context and meaning, decide and act with confidence, and contribute to greater efficiency and profitability," he adds. As for the industry specific applications, there are six, aimed at the media, oil and gas, healthcare, insurance, life sciences and public sector industries – joining those already launched last autumn, which cover aspects ranging from risk assessment to sales and operations planning.