Business Objects Helps Pave The Way For Performance Management At Georgia Department Of Transportation

BusinessObjects XI Release 2 and Business Objects Global Services to Drive Key Initiatives

SAN JOSE, Calif.; PARIS, France - August 2, 2006 - Business Objects (Nasdaq: BOBJ; Euronext Paris ISIN code: FR0004026250 - BOB), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is using BusinessObjects™ XI Release 2 to track the performance of the agency's many transportation projects. The organization can now more accurately manage initiatives like road and bridge development, contract bidding processes, and ensure on-time completion of projects. As part of the engagement with GDOT, the Business Objects Global Services team managed the implementation of BusinessObjects XI Release 2 and designed the data flows for performance management.

In addition, GDOT executives use BusinessObjects XI Release 2 to closely manage financial and cash flow forecasting for billions of dollars in state programs. This is especially critical for projects that fall into the state's transportation improvement program (STIP), which are high profile initiatives for the state.

GDOT also depends on BusinessObjects XI Release 2 performance management solutions, including BusinessObjects Performance Manager and BusinessObjects Dashboard Manager, to ensure the agency is on track to meet goals for 14 strategic objectives including customer service, operations delivery, financial resources, employee development, and consultant relationships. These areas are traditionally tracked by upper management in the organization, but now business intelligence is being widely used by the rank and file of the agency. This is contributing to a cultural change within the organization.

"With the view of business data and relationships offered by BusinessObjects Performance Manager and BusinessObjects Dashboard Manager, we are seeing a shift in the thinking of many of our employees," said Jim Davis, Strategic Development Administrator at Georgia Department of Transportation. "The technology gives deeper insight for business managers and engineers to see how their activities map to success of larger agency projects. People are more interested in metrics and measurement than ever before, and how they can apply them to improve our organization.

The GDOT used Business Objects Global Services and solutions to determine how information could be accessed more quickly and by more people throughout the agency. Key metrics like the status of a highway pre-construction program were typically gathered using Microsoft Access queries that would then be transferred to Excel spreadsheets. Business Objects Global Services worked with GDOT to create one streamlined and consistent process for all departments in the organization.

Another challenge was accessing data quickly from a PeopleSoft system, which was owned and managed by the Georgia's State Accounting Office. Once a request was submitted, it could take months to get the results. Now by using BusinessObjects Data Integrator XI, GDOT can move the data over and into a data warehouse. The information can then be queried directly by GDOT employees. Business Objects provided the GDOT with an enterprise information management solution that enables faster, more accurate information access for the agency.

"GDOT is a great example of how a full suite of Business Objects products working together can really affect change in an organization," said Jay Johnson, vice president of the Government Business Unit at Business Objects. "From the initial services engagement to using enterprise information management and Performance Manager, the agency has already seen a shift in the way business is run in a few short months."

About Georgia Department of Transportation
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our website (www.dot.state.ga.us).

Business Objects: Improving Performance in State & Local Government
Business Objects is a leading provider of business intelligence (BI) software to state and local governments across the United States. BI improves the ability of government agencies to manage budgets, cases, procurement, and human resources, as well as financial and operational performance. For more information about Business Objects business intelligence solutions for the government, please visit: www.businessobjects.com/government.

About Business Objects, an SAP company

Business Objects has been a pioneer in business intelligence (BI) since the dawn of the category. Today, as the world's leading BI software company, Business Objects transforms the way the world works through intelligent information. The company helps illuminate understanding and decision-making at more than 46,000 organizations around the globe. Through a combination of innovative technology, global consulting and education services, and the industry's strongest and most diverse partner network, Business Objects enables companies of all sizes to make transformative business decisions based on intelligent, accurate, and timely information.

Business Objects has dual headquarters in San Jose, Calif., and Paris, France. The company's stock is traded on both the Nasdaq (BOBJ) and Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0004026250 - BOB) stock exchanges. More information about Business Objects can be found at www.businessobjects.com.

Business Objects and the Business Objects logo, BusinessObjects and Crystal Reports are trademarks or registered trademarks of Business Objects in the United States and/or other countries. All other names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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The Business Objects logo, BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports, Intelligent Question, and Xcelsius are trademarks or registered trademarks of Business Objects in the United States and/or other countries. All other names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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