"When it comes to the on-premise versus on-demand business intelligence (BI) debate, SAP is trying to have it both ways, providing customers with the choice between one or the other, or a mix of the two.

"The German software maker vaulted to the top of the BI heap with its 2008 acquisition of Business Objects, which itself began offering on-demand reporting software in the form of Crystalreports.com in 2006. The company rolled out the more comprehensive Business Intelligence OnDemand platform a year and a half later.

"Now, SAP is expanding its Business Objects on-demand, or software as a service (SaaS), BI offerings in the form of Project Kona. The new offering, which begins beta testing next week and is slated for public release sometime next year, includes on-demand versions of Crystal Reports, Explorer for search functionality, and Xcelsius, a Microsoft Excel visualization and dashboard tool, a streamlined user interface for casual BI users, and new IT administration tools."

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