The Walldorf, Germany-based enterprise application provider has acquired the technology and assets of privately held iLytix Systems AS of Oslo, Norway. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
SAP has integrated iLytix’s reporting and budgeting tool, XL Reporter, into the latest version of Business One. The key to XL Reporter is that it makes Business One information immediately available in Microsoft Excel, eliminating the need to export and reformat data.
Users can create new or modify existing financial and business reports, and schedule reports for automatic delivery to recipients. Other capabilities include the ability to create business reports, comparisons, and what if? scenarios, using point-and-click and drag-and-drop features.
Excel remains a firm favorite with SMBs for core business activities, and this will have prompted SAP’s technology acquisition decision because users will have existing familiarity that SAP hopes will help drive adoption. It also complements the existing Outlook integration.
The new version adds new functionality in the form of materials requirement planning plus enhancements to the existing financials and embedded customer relationship management capabilities. Available in 35 countries through SAP’s partner network, the latest version is available to new customers, and existing customers will receive it as part of maintenance and support programs.
