Business Objects today announced a major expansion in its initiative to deliver business intelligence solutions to mid-market organizations. Building upon the company's existing business intelligence leadership in the partner channels, the expansion includes a new product offering, as well as specialized service and support.

"Business Objects is positioned better than any other company to deliver business intelligence solutions to the mid-market," said Bernard Liautaud, chairman and CEO of Business Objects. "We have the most well-known product brand with Crystal Reports(R), the broadest partner network, and excellent service and support for customers. This initiative will extend our leadership in this rapidly growing market, and underscores our commitment to small and medium-sized organizations."

The Business Objects mid-market initiative includes:

-- New products to address mid-market needs. Business Objects today launched Crystal Reports Server XI, a complete reporting solution that includes everything small to medium-sized organizations need to create, manage, and deliver reports over the web. The product has flexible licensing options that provide for concurrent usage, making it easier to use and deploy through an organization and lowering total cost of ownership. Crystal Reports Server XI is the first in a series of mid-market offerings from Business Objects.

-- The broadest partner and reseller network in business intelligence. Business Objects has the broadest partner network in the business intelligence industry with over 3,000 partners, including hundreds of OEMs, value-added resellers, and distributors. In addition, Business Objects also participates in several very successful mid-market programs from other vendors, such as IBM. These partnerships give Business Objects a strong channel to reach a broad spectrum of customers, regardless of size, geography, or industry.

-- Specialized service and support. Business Objects has listened to customer requirements in the mid-market and designed specific service and support offerings to meet their needs. For instance, Crystal Reports Server XI is specially priced to include one year of support and maintenance. In addition, customers have asked for flexible and affordable ways to get their employees trained and educated on the product. With education credits from Business Objects, small to medium-sized businesses can choose the method and timing which best suits their needs.

"Harnessing the information captured in business intelligence systems for more effective decision making is advantageous for midsize companies in today's highly competitive market," said Jacqueline Coolidge, research director at AMR Research, in a December 2004 Alert. "In addition, overall business intelligence tool adoption is on the rise, and midsize companies will represent a growing share of the market in 2005. Successful business intelligence vendor strategies will address the needs of the mid-market."