Grand Rapids BusinessObjects User Group – Wednesday, September 24, 2025

August 15, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You are personally invited to join us at the Grand Rapids BusinessObjects Users Group on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 from 9:00am – 1:05pm. Hosted by Haworth and sponsored by Creative Technology & Training Solutions and InfoSol Inc.

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER for count purposes.

Location:

One Haworth Center
Holland, MI 49423

Parking details: Attendees should park in the guest lot shown below and check in with a receptionist at the main entrance. A Haworth member will then lead attendees to our meeting room.

Grand Rapids BOUG Parking Details

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 AM – Registration + Coffee and Bagels

9:30 – 10:15 AM – What’s new in BI 2025 and Extended BusinessObjects Roadmap – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

BusinessObjects continues to thrive and expand its capabilities with the release of the new BI 2025 version last March. This session will show some of the exciting new features in BI 2025 and explain the new cadence of BO software releases going forward.

10:15 – 11:00 AM – Building Documents with DataView – Michael Ward, CTTS

This demo will include creating a document with multiple data providers.

  • Learn how to convert your queries to cubes
  • Learn how to join the cubes with a variety of join options
  • Learn how to transform and profile your data

11:00 – 11:45 AM – Sorting on Subtotals – Michael Ward, CTTS

Learn how to build your document where you can both sort and filter your data based on subtotals.

Learn how to sort based on sum, average and ranking.

11:45 – 12:15PM – Lunch & Networking Break

12:15 – 1:00 PM – How to do Write Back and AI in BusinessObjects Web Intelligence – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

A lot of people have asked if it is possible to do write back or use AI in Web Intelligence. For the first time, we can now answer yes to both items. This fascinating session will show that by using the Custom Elements feature in Web Intelligence, it is possible to integrate components in Webi reports to do both Write Back and AI.

1:00 – 1:05PM – Raffle and Wrap Up

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , ,

Ann Arbor BusinessObjects User Group – Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025

August 6, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You are personally invited to join us at the Ann Arbor BusinessObjects Users Group on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 from 9:00am – 1:05pm. Hosted by the University of Michigan and sponsored by Creative Technology & Training Solutions and InfoSol Inc.

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER for count purposes.

Location:

4251 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Google Maps

Exit US23 onto Plymouth Road and head East, Turn Left (North) onto Earhart Rd then immediate right.

Ann Arbor BO User Group Parking Lot Map

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 AM – Registration + Coffee and Bagels

9:30 – 10:15 AM – What’s new in BI 2025 and Extended BusinessObjects Roadmap – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

BusinessObjects continues to thrive and expand its capabilities with the release oif the new BI 2025 version last March. This session will show some of the exciting new features in BI 2025 and explain the new cadence of BO software releases going forward.

10:15 – 11:00 AM – Building Documents with DataView – Michael Ward, CTTS

This demo will include creating a document with multiple data providers. Learn how to:

  • Convert your queries to cubes
  • Join the cubes with a variety of join options
  • Transform and profile your data

11:00 – 11:30 AM – Networking Break

11:30 – 12:15 PM – How to do Write Back and AI in BusinessObjects Web Intelligence – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

A lot of people have asked if it is possible to do write back or use AI in Web Intelligence. For the first time, we can now answer yes to both items. This fascinating session will show that by using the Custom Elements feature in Web Intelligence, it is possible to integrate components in Webi reports to do both Write Back and AI.

12:15 – 1:00PM – Sorting on Subtotals – Michael Ward, CTTS

Learn how to build your document where you can both sort and filter your data based on subtotals and how to sort based on sum, average and ranking.

1:00 – 1:05PM – Raffle and Wrap Up

Please let me know if you’re good with this or you want to change something.

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Let's Speak BO, News, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , ,

Los Angeles BusinessObjects User Group – Wednesday, June 11th

May 21, 2025 By 2 Comments

BusinessObjects User Group Meetings

We’re pleased to invite you and your colleagues to the upcoming Los Angeles BusinessObjects User Group Meeting, taking place on Wednesday, June 11, at Honda from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This free event will feature insightful sessions, live demos, and valuable networking opportunities with fellow BusinessObjects users.

Attendance is FREE, however, we do ask that you REGISTER for count purposes.

LOCATION:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 783-2000

Room location: 100-4W-4

Park in the front visitor lot.

EVENT AGENDA:

12:45 PM – Registration & Refreshments

1:00 PM – Welcome

1:05 PM – Interactive Visualizations Made Easy: Element Linking in Webi 4.3 – Tirzah Kozlowski

Using Element Linking to make your charts and graphs interact with your report, providing a responsive data visualization experience.

1:450 PM – Streamlining Report Creation with Shared Elements – Tirzah Kozlowski

Learn how to use Shared Elements – reusable components like tables and charts that can be inserted into any report. This saves time and ensure consistency across your Webi reports

2:25 PM – Networking Break

2:45 PM – Tips and Tricks for Boosting Productivity in the New 4.3 Webi UI – Tirzah Kozlowski

Explore new features in Webi 4.3, including using a webi report as a data source and creating custom formats

3:15 PM – The New Data Tab Mode in Webi 4.3 – Paul Grill

A brand new functionality for profiling, transforming and combining data in Web Intelligence was introduced in BI 4.3. This demo will show what ii does and how it works

3:40 PM – Raffle & Wrap-Up

4:00 PM Guided tour, with an expert, of the American Honda Collection Hall 

4:30 PM – Departure

We will be providing refreshments and snacks throughout the afternoon.

This event is completely free, but registration is required to attend.

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Let's Speak BO, News, Past BOUG Meetings, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pittsburgh BusinessObjects User Group – Thursday, October 17th, 2024

September 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You are personally invited to join us at the Pittsburgh BusinessObjects Users Group on Thursday, October 17th, 2024 from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Hosted by Aires and Sponsored by Need4Viz and InfoSol.

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER for count purposes.

LOCATION:

Aires
6 Penn Center Blvd, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15276
Google Maps

Parking and main entrance is at the back of the main building. Parking is free of charge.

AGENDA:

9:00 – 9:20 AM Registration + Coffee and Breakfast

9:20 – 9:30 AM Welcome & Announcements 

9:30 – 10:15 AM BusinessObjects Quantum Leap – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

After a radical new Web Intelligence User Interface, Webi as a data source and a whole new data merging/transformation/profiling capability in BI 4.3, you may have thought that new functionality in BusinessObjects would slow down, but nothing could be further from the truth.

BI 2025, the next major release of BusinessObjects, due for release at the end of the year is a whole quantum leap in new BI functionality. Get ready to be dazzled and entertained by InfoSol CEO, Paul Grill, as he discusses and demos both new functionality in the current BI 4.3 SP04 and what’s coming in BI 2025.

10:15 – 11:00 AM How to Integrate an on-prem “SAP BusinessObjects Platform” with SAP Analytics Cloud using Live Data Connect (LDC) – Vasu Gnanasivam, SAP Ariba

SAP Analytics Cloud is a cloud solution for business intelligence, enterprise planning, and predictive analytics that provides all analytics capabilities for all users in one product. On this topic, we explore the integration of on-prem BOBJ Platform as a live source to SAP Analytics Cloud for visualization.

11:00 – 11:30 AM Break

11:30 – 12:15 PM Everybody Loves Webi – Dallas Marks & Michael Trickey, Need4Viz

Dallas Marks and Michael Trickey from Need4Viz will show how to leverage new features in SAP BusinessObjects 4.3 such as icons, prompt improvements including hints, and new data provider functions. They’ll also show new features from the latest N4V FOR WEBI 2024.3 and how it transforms the Web Intelligence users know and love into a dashboarding tool with over 60 custom elements for eye-popping visuals, geo and custom maps, on-screen data analysis, and HTML5 publishing.

12:15 – 1:00 PM Lunch Break

1:00 – 1:45 PM BusinessObjects Co- Existence with PowerBI and Tableau (Part 2) – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

With at least 85% of BusinessObjects customers using PowerBI or Tableau or both, the demand for integration has never been greater.

With the release of the OData V4 connector in BI 4.3 and recent enhancements to it in Service Pack 4, it is now possible to move data from Webi reports/queries to Tableau and PowerBI. Other 3rd party products using the SDK’s of all three Bi solutions have taken those integration capabilities even further.

This enlightening session will not only show you what is possible but also present case studies of BusinessObjects customers using these capabilities.

1:45 – 2:00 PM Break

2:00 – 2:45 PM Open Group Discussion (Roadmap, Upgrades, Q&A, Challenges, etc.)

2:45 – 3:00 PM Wrap-up and Giveaways

REGISTER TODAY

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Let's Speak BO, News, Past BOUG Meetings, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , ,

Ann Arbor BusinessObjects User Group – Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

August 5, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You are personally invited to join us at the Ann Arbor BusinessObjects Users Group on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 from 9:00am – 1:05pm. Hosted by the University of Michigan and sponsored by Creative Technology & Training Solutions and InfoSol Inc.

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER for count purposes.

LOCATION:

201 East Hoover
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Room 111
Google Maps

Parking: There is a parking lot on the southwest corner of E Hoover Ave and Green St. Note: the user group will be held where the red icon is located:

Ann Arbor Parking October 2024

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 AM Registration + Coffee and Bagels 

9:30 – 10:15 AM BusinessObjects Quantum Leap  – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

After a radical new Web Intelligence User Interface, Webi as a data source and a whole new data merging/transformation/profiling capability in BI 4.3, you may have thought that new functionality in BusinessObjects would slow down, but nothing could be further from the truth. BI 2025, the next major release of BusinessObjects, due for release at the end of the year is a whole quantum leap in new BI functionality. Get ready to be dazzled and entertained by InfoSol CEO, Paul Grill, as he discusses and demos both new functionality in the current BI 4.3 SP04 and what’s coming in BI 2025.

10:15 – 11:00 AM Building Complex Webi Reports from Multiple Data Providers: v4.3 – Michael Ward, CTTS

This presentation will provide an in depth look at how to add multiple data providers in v4.3 within a single document, including universes, Webi Documents, Excel, Text and Free Hand SQL. It will highlight changes from v4.2 to v4.3. It will include how to properly merge dimensions and the many merge options available. There will be a section on utilizing Excel files as a data provider, and how to import an Excel file, as well as properly update an Excel file already being utilized in a document. It will also include merging on local variables. Presentation will include tips and tricks and best practices.

11:00 – 11:30 AM Networking Break

11:30 – 12:15 PM BusinessObjects Co-Existence in 2024 – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

With at least 85% of BusinessObjects customers using PowerBI or Tableau or both, the demand for integration has never been greater. With the release of the OData V4 connector in BI 4.3 and recent enhancements to it in Service Pack 4, it is now possible to move data from Webi reports/queries to Tableau and PowerBI. Other 3rd party products using the SDK’s of all three Bi solutions have taken those integration capabilities even further.
This enlightening session will not only show you what is possible but also present case studies of BusinessObjects customers using these capabilities.

12:15 – 1:00 PM Having Fun Building a Complex Webi Report: v4.3 – Michael Ward, CTTS

This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how to convert reports into other report types, with an emphasis on creating Master Detail Reports. It will highlight changes from v4.2 to v4.3. It will include many of the new features of v4.3, including how to hide columns, blocks and sections. The user will learn how to apply conditional formatting to a Detail Blocks at different levels to give reports a more dashboard like look. The user will also learn how to apply the many reporting functions to Master Detail reports.

Topics will include how to place both a report and a chart in a Master Detail Report and link those blocks together. Navigating a Master Detail Report utilizing the map tab will also be covered. Also included will be adding banners and/or adding stoplights to the report. The presentation will cover exporting a Master Detail Report to PDF and Excel. The use of input controls in a master detail report, as well as adding graphics such as stop lights and banners will be covered.

1:00 – 1:05pm Raffle and Wrap Up

 

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Past BOUG Meetings, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Grand Rapids BusinessObjects User Group – Tuesday, October 15th 2024

August 5, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You and your colleagues are personally invited to join us at the Grand Rapids BusinessObjects Users Group on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 from 9:00am – 1:05pm. Hosted by Haworth and sponsored by Creative Technology & Training Solutions and InfoSol Inc

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER for count purposes.

Location:

One Haworth Center
Holland, MI 49423
Google Maps

Sign in at the desk in lobby

Parking:

From interstate 196, take exit 49 (the Allegan / M40 exit) and head East < 1 mile.  Entrance to the guest and office parking area is on the left (across M40 from the Residence Inn and the headquarters for Tommy’s Carwash).  Guests can follow the signs to the guest parking area, enter through the main entrance, and check in at the reception desk.  They will be given a visitors pass to wear while they are on site.

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 AM Registration + Coffee and Bagels 

9:30 – 10:15 AM BusinessObjects Quantum Leap  – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

After a radical new Web Intelligence User Interface, Webi as a data source and a whole new data merging/transformation/profiling capability in BI 4.3, you may have thought that new functionality in BusinessObjects would slow down, but nothing could be further from the truth. BI 2025, the next major release of BusinessObjects, due for release at the end of the year is a whole quantum leap in new BI functionality. Get ready to be dazzled and entertained by InfoSol CEO, Paul Grill, as he discusses and demos both new functionality in the current BI 4.3 SP04 and what’s coming in BI 2025.

10:15 – 11:00 AM Building Complex Webi Reports from Multiple Data Providers: v4.3 – Michael Ward, CTTS

This presentation will provide an in depth look at how to add multiple data providers in v4.3 within a single document, including universes, Webi Documents, Excel, Text and Free Hand SQL. It will highlight changes from v4.2 to v4.3. It will include how to properly merge dimensions and the many merge options available. There will be a section on utilizing Excel files as a data provider, and how to import an Excel file, as well as properly update an Excel file already being utilized in a document. It will also include merging on local variables. Presentation will include tips and tricks and best practices.

11:00 – 11:30 AM Networking Break

11:30 – 12:15 PM BusinessObjects Co-Existence in 2024 – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

With at least 85% of BusinessObjects customers using PowerBI or Tableau or both, the demand for integration has never been greater. With the release of the OData V4 connector in BI 4.3 and recent enhancements to it in Service Pack 4, it is now possible to move data from Webi reports/queries to Tableau and PowerBI. Other 3rd party products using the SDK’s of all three Bi solutions have taken those integration capabilities even further.
This enlightening session will not only show you what is possible but also present case studies of BusinessObjects customers using these capabilities.

12:15 – 1:00 PM Having Fun Building a Complex Webi Report: v4.3 – Michael Ward, CTTS

This presentation will provide an in-depth look at how to convert reports into other report types, with an emphasis on creating Master Detail Reports. It will highlight changes from v4.2 to v4.3. It will include many of the new features of v4.3, including how to hide columns, blocks and sections. The user will learn how to apply conditional formatting to a Detail Blocks at different levels to give reports a more dashboard like look. The user will also learn how to apply the many reporting functions to Master Detail reports.

Topics will include how to place both a report and a chart in a Master Detail Report and link those blocks together. Navigating a Master Detail Report utilizing the map tab will also be covered. Also included will be adding banners and/or adding stoplights to the report. The presentation will cover exporting a Master Detail Report to PDF and Excel. The use of input controls in a master detail report, as well as adding graphics such as stop lights and banners will be covered.

1:00 – 1:05pm Raffle and Wrap Up

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Let's Speak BO, News, Past BOUG Meetings, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pittsburgh BusinessObjects User Group Meeting – Thursday, April 18th 2024

February 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to BO User Groups

You are personally invited to join us at the Pittsburgh BusinessObjects Users Group on Thursday, April 18th, 2024 from 9:00am – 12:15pm. Hosted  and sponsored by SAP and InfoSol Inc.

Registration is free, but we ask that you please REGISTER BELOW for count purposes.

Location:

SAP Pittsburgh Office
271 N Shore Dr Suite 600
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Google Maps

Parking: The closest lot is the Champions Garage ($9/day).  The lots and garages by Acrisure Stadium ($8/day).

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 AM Registration + Coffee and Breakfast 

9:30 – 10:15 AM BusinessObjects Update 2024 – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

The SAP updated Statement of Direction for BI and BusinessObjects continues to be updated and the roadmap extended which is great news for all BusinessObjects customers. Bi 4.3 SP4 was released in December, and we are all excited to hear about and see what is coming in the next major release BI 2025.

This session will discuss this new roadmap and cover the key features that have been released with BI 4.3 SP04 and what to expect to see with BI 2025.

10:15 – 11:00 AM BusinessObjects Co-Existence with PowerBI and Tableau – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

About 80% of BusinessObjects customers use either PowerBI, Tableau or both. Most use BusinessObjects for BI reporting while using PowerBI/Tableau for data discovery and visualization. This state of co-existence is very much the new normal for organizations using BusinessObjects. This session will explain how the different BI tools can complement each other and how you can integrate them by accessing both Web Intelligence reports and universes from PowerBI and Tableau.

11:00 – 11:30 AM Networking Break

11:30 – 12:15 PM How to Minimize Impacts of BusinessObjects Upgrades on Your Business – Paul Grill, InfoSol Inc.

SAP has released a lot of Service Packs and Fix Packs for BusinessObjects over the last few years on top of major software releases. Most of these Service Packs have a lot of new functionality in addition to fixes which means a lot of new code which means more potential on your deployment. This session discusses what we have seen in terms of the impact of upgrading too soon and too often and how to potentially avoid application stability issues by taking a different approach to upgrades. Several real customer case studies will be included.

12:15 PM Raffle and Wrap Up

If the registration form is not loading (may be a firewall issue), you can try to register directly right here.

Filed Under: BOUG Meetings, Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Past BOUG Meetings, Upcoming Events, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Let’s Speak BO Webinar: Use of Icons and Images in Web Intelligence – and how it is much easier and more professional in 4.3

February 19, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to Let’s Speak BO Webinars

Tuesday, May 7th at 10am PT/1pm ET

There have been a lot of improvements in the area of images and icons in Web Intelligence as part of its evolution towards dashboarding and data visualization in addition to its powerful reporting and ad-hoc query capabilities. In this session we will  build several reports showing creative ways to use ICONS in 4.3 and also ways of using images from a file or URL.

How to Register:

You can register on our new home for Let’s Speak BO, Plus.SpeakBO.com. You can sign up for a free account and then RSVP for the webinar here. After you RSVP you will automatically be registered for the webinar and will receive your unique join link from Zoom via email. Check your spam if you do not see it come through!

Filed Under: Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Upcoming Events, Webinars, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,

Let’s Speak BO Webinar: Why Converting Webi Reports to PowerBI is a Bad Idea

February 19, 2024 By 1 Comment

Back to Let’s Speak BO Webinars

Tuesday, April 2nd at 10am PT/1pm ET

There is really no way to migrate Web Intelligence reports to PowerBI and conversion is really more about re-creating the report in PowerBI than actually “converting” it.This session will showcase how a group of Web Intelligence Operational Reports were analyzed to determine that the only way they could be re-created in PowerBI was to create them as Paginated reports in Power BI Report builder.

The method of assessment to determine when to use Power Bi Desktop or Paginated Reports will be covered as well as a discussion on why operational reports are often times better left in Web Intelligence.

SpeakBO has a NEW HOME

We are excited to announce SpeakBO Plus Plus.SpeakBO.com as the new home for all things SpeakBO!

If you would like to register for any of our upcoming webinars, you will need to setup a free account on Plus.SpeakBO.com.

With your free account you will have access to all upcoming webinars and events, you can stream the most recent webinar for 30 days after it runs, and you will get access to our BusinessObjects Updates section where we will be keeping you up to date on all things BO!

We also have an Extra and PLUS premium plan that will give you access to even more perks such as full access to our webinar library, Virtual BI 4.3 training, tips and tricks and best practices, a forum, and more!

Filed Under: Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Upcoming Events, Webinars, What's New Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Let’s Speak BO Webinar: How to implement multi-factor authentication in BusinessObjects

February 19, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Back to Let’s Speak BO Webinars

Tuesday, March 5th at 10am PT/1pm ET

Enabling external access is on the rise and with it comes the need for greater security. Most users are familiar with multi-factor authentication for VPN and other applications.

Making a move to multi-factor authentication with BusinessObjects is becoming the more preferred method for signing on. Although possible in earlier versions, BusinessObjects has matured in this area, providing all the files needed for configuring by default in the new BI 4.3 installations.

SpeakBO has a NEW HOME

We are excited to announce SpeakBO Plus Plus.SpeakBO.com as the new home for all things SpeakBO!

If you would like to register for any of our upcoming webinars, you will need to setup a free account on Plus.SpeakBO.com.

With your free account you will have access to all upcoming webinars and events, you can stream the most recent webinar for 30 days after it runs, and you will get access to our BusinessObjects Updates section where we will be keeping you up to date on all things BO!

We also have an Extra and PLUS premium plan that will give you access to even more perks such as full access to our webinar library, Virtual BI 4.3 training, tips and tricks and best practices, a forum, and more!

Filed Under: Highlights, Let's Speak BO, News, Upcoming Events, Webinars, What's New Tagged With: , , , , ,
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