Upgrade with Confidence—Talk to Clint

Evolution from SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2 to 4.3: What’s Gone, What’s Next?

 

“Are you navigating the uncertainties of SAP BusinessObjects upgrades? With BI 4.2 support ending on December 31, 2024, many organizations face pressing decisions to ensure continuity and security.”

You’re probably staring at your screen, scratching your head, thinking, “Great, another upgrade—just what we needed!” Let’s face it: SAP BusinessObjects upgrades aren’t exactly everyone’s idea of a good time, but here’s why this one matters more than most.

Right now, you’re facing a crossroads: BI 2025 just landed recently (check out the details here), while BI 4.3 is set to retire at the end of next year. So now you’re stuck deciding whether to take the incremental step to BI 4.3 or leapfrog straight into BI 2025.

Usually, I’d say chill and let the new version iron out its teething issues. But time isn’t exactly on your side here. As of today (May 20, 2025), choosing BI 4.3 buys you about 13 months of stable operation before you need to think about yet another upgrade—BI 2025.

And if you’re still hanging out with BI 4.2, you already know the party ended on December 31, 2024—support-wise, anyway. If you do go for BI 4.3, make it count: pick the latest supported OS version. Why? Because when it’s time for BI 2025, you’ll want a simpler in place, less costly upgrade.
All of this advice is grounded in SAP’s official documentation: For a deeper dive, read my guide on upgrading to SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.3.

About the Author

Hi, I'm Clint and I've been knee-deep in the SAP Business Objects world for over 25 years now. Yeah, I know, longer than I care to admit. My first installation was way back in SAP BI 6.5 - back when Desktop Intelligence was still a thing. Needless to say, I've seen it all.

After running two wildly successful global SAP Analytics consulting firms, being a SAP Mentor, and speaking on all things SAP Analytics and SAP Business Objects around the world, I'm here to help. I've moved to the "employee of one" model, and I'm available worldwide to assist you with your SAP BO upgrade.

I get it - I know how SAP is moving towards a "cloud first" approach, just like every other big vendor out there. But I also know that customers need to keep their on-premise BI 4.x implementation running alongside SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), as there's no seamless migration path to SAC. With all the lower versions of Business Objects, except for BI 4.3 and BI 2025, now being out of support, the need to upgrade for many customers is pressing. So, feel free to connect with me below to start the conversation or connect with me here or you can find out more about me here.

“With over 25 years in SAP Analytics, I’ve guided numerous businesses through seamless upgrades, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance.”

Simplify Your SAP Upgrade Today!

Who Didn’t Make the Cut in BI 4.3?

Let’s take a moment of silence for some old favorites SAP has put out to pasture:

Deprecated Product/Feature

Recommended Replacement

Desktop Intelligence (Deski)

Web Intelligence

Live Office

SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office and Web Intelligence OData

Explorer & Dashboards (Xcelsius)

SAP Analytics Cloud and Lumira Designer

BI Widgets

SAP Analytics Cloud, Lumira Designer

Universe Design Tool (.UNV Universes)

Information Design Tool (.UNX Universes)

Crystal Reports for Enterprise (CR4E)

Crystal Reports 2020

Data Federator and Multi-source Universes

SAP Data Warehouse Cloud or SAP HANA

Crystal Reports processing on Unix/Linux

Crystal Reports processing on Windows

Internet Explorer 11 Support

Chromium-based browsers

HANA MDX Support

BICS/ina technology

What Does This Mean for You?

 

Honestly, upgrades are never smooth sailing—but they don’t have to sink your ship either. Here’s what you’re looking at:

For Business Users: 

  • Initially feeling lost without familiar tools.
  • Temporary productivity dips as you adjust to new interfaces.
  • Some mandatory training (free pizza usually helps).

For IT Teams: 

  • Significant migration efforts—brace yourself!
  • Special attention to Crystal Reports migrations, especially from Unix/Linux to Windows.
  • Expect increased support calls, so stock up on coffee.

Picking Your New Toolkit – Migration Recommendations

Here’s SAP’s suggested replacements for your soon-to-be-missed tools: 

Deprecated Product Recommended Replacement Migration Complexity
Deski Reports Web Intelligence ⚠️ Medium – Manageable with some effort
Live Office Analysis for Office ⚠️ Medium – Moderate learning curve
Explorer & Dashboards SAP Analytics Cloud, Lumira Designer 🚨 High – Prepare for complexity
Multi-source Universes SAP HANA, Data Warehouse Cloud 🚨 High – Significant but rewarding
Crystal Reports for Enterprise Crystal Reports 2020 ⚠️ Medium – Requires some adjustments

 

(⚠️ Medium = Moderate effort, 🚨 High = Significant effort, planning essential)

Schedule Your SAP Upgrade Consultation

Your Step-by-Step Game Plan

To nail this upgrade, follow this straightforward plan:

  1. Inventory Everything – Document every report, dashboard, and dependency clearly.
  2. Map Dependencies – Know exactly who’s impacted and how.
  3. Develop Your Migration Strategy – Set realistic goals and clear timelines. Avoid surprises.
  4. Infrastructure Upgrade – Consolidate Crystal Reports processing onto Windows to simplify your future.

 

Support and Training – Making Life Easier

SAP knows you’re in for some adjustments, so they’ve boosted their resources:

  • BI 4.3 Migration Essentials Course – Quick, concise, practical training on SAP Learning Hub.
  • Updated Documentation – Clearly marked guides on the SAP Help Portal detailing deprecated features and migration paths.

 

Final Thoughts (and a Little Encouragement)

 

Switching to SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.3 might feel uncomfortable at first—like new shoes. Initially awkward? Sure. Worth it? Absolutely. But don’t forget: you have a big decision to make—BI 4.3 or BI 2025?

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure? That’s totally normal. Reach out to me—I’m here to help you navigate this. Let’s chat, clarify your options, and build a strategy that sets your analytics up to thrive.

“Delaying your SAP BI upgrade can lead to unsupported systems, increased security risks, and potential data loss. Let’s mitigate these risks together.”

Here’s how we can work together:

Assess Your Current Environment

 Understand your existing setup and challenges.

 

Develop a Customised Upgrade Strategy

Tailored to your business needs and timelines.

 

Execute and Support

Implement the upgrade with ongoing support to ensure success.

 

My SAP Analytics Blog

I'm Ready To Learn More

Connect with me today to ensure your SAP BI 4.3 Upgrade is a success !

Alternatively please send an email to [email protected]