Business Objects Universes

Part of the Business Objects platform, the Universe semantic layer is a business representation of corporate data that helps end users access data autonomously using common business terms. Business Objects also includes a graphical design interface for each part of the metadata layer.

The patented Business Objects semantic layer is the foundation for empowering end-user query and analysis. It simplifies the complexity of business data by using common business terms, rather than data language, to access, manipulate, and organize information. These business terms are stored as objects in a Business Objects universe. All universe objects and connections are stored and secured in the central management console and require a BusinessObjects Enterprise user login for access to the universe designer interface.

With BusinessObjects XI, Crystal Reports designers can now author universe-based reports. Upon presenting a query panel for graphical query generation, Crystal Reports designers can access universes as a data source, create queries graphically through the query panel interface, and generate rich SQL that can be highly formatted and delivered throughout the organization.