Founded in 1972, SAP Business Objects (formerly Crystal Decisions) is one of the leading international providers of business software and, based on market capitalization, it is the world's third-largest independent software manufacturer. SAP has more than 97,000 customers in over 120 countries and employ 47,598 people at locations in more than 50 countries in the European, Middle East, and Africa; Americas; and Asia Pacific Japan regions. SAP is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany. SAP's core business is selling licenses for software solutions and related services. Its solutions, which cover standard business applications and technologies as well as specific industry applications, are designed to help companies make their business processes more efficient and agile and create sustainable new value. SAP BusinessObjects offers a broad portfolio of tools and applications designed to help you optimize business performance by connecting people, information, and businesses across business networks. SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence (BI) solutions can empower your users to make effective, informed decisions based on solid data and analysis. All users, from the high-end analyst to the casual business user, have access to the information they need with minimal dependence on IT resources and developers.