Business Objects SA has just launched what it calls the Rapid Web Warehouse, an integrated package of software, consultancy and training to enable decision support operations and report publishing over the Web. According to Charles Nicholls, marketing director of Business Objects SA, Rapid Web Warehouse represents phase two of the recently-launched, three-phase Rapid Data Warehouse Initiative, of which the Rapid DataMart was the first (CI No 2,988). Rapid Web Warehouse uses the Web as a low-cost medium for the dissemination of company-wide information, with the look and feel of a warehouse on the Web, The software provides capabilities to view HyperText Mark-up Language- formatted reports on the Web browser as well as live links to other documents retrieved using the Web-enabled BusinessObjects 4.0 analytical processing, query and reporting tool (CI No 2,932). It also provides a second level of security, in addition to that afforded by the intranet server. Although the firm has expressed support for both fat and thin clients (CI No 2,989), it still seems to have problems in implementing Web drilling, and is shelving the idea for the time being. Like the Rapid DataMart, Web Warehouse can be deployed in 10 days, but costs almost twice as much at 28,000 British pounds for an eight-user license – a price which includes the creation of metadata on behalf of the customer, the company said. Rapid Web Warehouse is available now.
