SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 1, 2004 -- Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ)(EURONEXT:FR0004026250-BOB), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced that it has won three SQL Server Magazine Readers' Choice Awards for the best business intelligence products. Readers awarded Business Objects products the top spot for reporting, data warehousing and extract, transform and load (ETL) processing.

Readers were asked to vote on their product preferences in 10 broad technology categories including business applications, business intelligence products, development tools, disaster prevention/recovery, hardware, security, storage, SQL Server management, training and certification and web-based services. Within the business intelligence category, readers selected:

-- Crystal Reports(R) 10 as the Best Reporting Tool

-- BusinessObjects(TM) 6.0 as the Best Data-Warehousing Tool

-- BusinessObjects Data Integrator 6.5 as the Best ETL Tool

"Recognition from customers in the industry is an honor and the ultimate 'seal of approval' for the products that won," said Kim Paulsen, group publisher of SQL Server Magazine. "The SQL Server Magazine Readers' Choice Awards were started as a way for readers to choose and recommend the best technology products in the industry. The awards program gives readers the opportunity to voice their opinions and for leading technology companies to receive the recognition they deserve."

According to SQL Server Magazine, readers provided additional comments as to why they selected the top products in each category. Business Objects received glowing praise for its products. Readers praised BusinessObjects 6.0 as an "all-in-one" solution that delivers end-user data access, advanced analysis, customized interfaces and administrative services for security and auditing. In addition, Crystal Version 10 was referred to as a "de facto standard" for enterprise reporting.

"These awards are further validation that Business Objects provides the industry's strongest and most complete product line in business intelligence," said Chris Caren, vice president of corporate marketing at Business Objects. "With the release of BusinessObjects 6.5 in June of this year, we have raised the bar again, providing customers with the broadest spectrum of BI capabilities at the lowest total cost of ownership. The SQL Server market is very strategic to Business Objects, and we are pleased to see that IT professionals working on this platform also recognize Business Objects as the clear leader in business intelligence."

About SQL Server Magazine

SQL Server Magazine is the definitive guide to building high-performance, reliable, scalable and secure business solutions using SQL Server and Microsoft .NET technologies. SQL Server Magazine is the only resource devoted to providing database developers and administrators, application programmers and business intelligence architects the technical, tactical and hands-on information they need to implement and maintain world-class systems.

About Penton Media

Penton Media (www.penton.com) is a diversified business-to-business media company that provides high-quality content and integrated marketing solutions to the following industries: business technology/enterprise IT, aviation, design/engineering, electronics, food/retail, government/compliance, leisure/hospitality, manufacturing, mechanical systems/construction, health/nutrition and natural and organic products, and supply chain. Founded in 1892, Penton produces market-focused magazines, trade shows, conferences and online media and provides a broad range of custom media and direct marketing solutions for business-to-business customers worldwide.

For more information visit www.winnetmag.com/pressroom/ and www.penton.com.

About Business Objects

Business Objects is the world's leading business intelligence (BI) software company. Business intelligence enables organizations to track, understand and manage enterprise performance. The company's solutions leverage the information that is stored in an array of corporate databases, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

Popular uses of BI include enterprise reporting, management dashboards and scorecards, customer intelligence applications, financial reporting and both customer and partner extranets. These solutions enable companies to gain visibility into their business, acquire and retain profitable customers, reduce costs, optimize the supply chain, increase productivity and improve financial performance.

In December 2003, Business Objects completed the acquisition of Crystal Decisions, the leader in enterprise reporting. The combined product line includes software for reporting, query and analysis, performance management, analytic applications and data integration. In addition, Business Objects offers consulting and education services to help customers effectively deploy their business intelligence projects.

Business Objects has more than 26,000 customers in over 80 countries. The company's stock is traded under the ticker symbols Nasdaq:BOBJ and Euronext Paris (ISIN:FR0004026250-BOB). It is included in the SBF 120 and IT CAC 50 French stock market indexes. Business Objects can be reached at 408-953-6000 and http://www.businessobjects.com.

Business Objects, the Business Objects logo, BusinessObjects and Crystal Reports are trademarks or registered trademarks of Business Objects S.A. or its affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries.

Business Objects
Peter Olson, 408-953-6320
peter.olson@businessobjects.com
or
Eastwick Communications
Katie Zack, 650-480-4041
katie@eastwick.com