The UK & Ireland SAP User Group (UKISUG) has joined with BusinessObjects User Group UK (BOUG).

Under this programme, UKISUG will be the overall umbrella organisation for all SAP and BusinessObjects users in the UK & Ireland and BOUG will operate as a standalone group within this structure with its chairman John Weikert becoming a UKISUG board member.

The combined group of over 600 organisations from BOUG and UK & Ireland SAP User Group will better support the needs of both SAP and BusinessObjects users, helping them to extract as much value from their deployments as possible.

The UK & Ireland User Group is now working closely with SAP to address customer needs, said UKISUG.

UK & Ireland SAP User Group chairman Alan Bowling said with BusinessObjects being SAP’s main Business Intelligence product going forward, this merger makes complete sense for users of either or both products.

"SAP has been highlighting the benefits of using BusinessObjects in combination with the core ERP suite: we’ll be working hard to ensure the value of this is demonstrated to, and realised by, our enlarged community. Bringing BOUG into the fold means its members can gain greater access to, and influence over, SAP. At the same time, our existing members stand to benefit from being able to network and learn from the experience of more real-life BusinessObjects users," said Bowling.

Business Objects User Group UK chairman John Weikert said the BOUG will continue to provide a community and services to members using SAP BusinessObjects technology, whether or not they are also using other mainstream SAP products.

"Being part of the wider SAP User Group community stands to greatly benefit our members. They will now be able to have greater access to SAP and enjoy greater visibility and influence over upcoming product roadmaps, through initiatives such as SAP’s Customer Connection programme," said Weikert.