Aussie SAP, Business Objects groups merge

update The Australian user groups for SAP and Business Objects will merge following the pair's marriage earlier this year, it was announced today.

This article was updated to note that the SAP Australia user group (SAUG) is housed by SAP in Australia, and shares infrastructure. However it is not administered by SAP.

The SAP Australia user group (SAUG), which is housed at SAP's Australian offices, will swallow the Business Objects Australasia user group (BOAUG) effective this month. SAP took over Business Objects within the last year, saying at the time that the business intelligence specialist would retain its brand and be operated as a separate business unit.

A subgroup will be formed within SAUG for current Business Objects users, with a Business Objects Advisory Board (BOAB) set up to represent BOAUG within the structure of the larger user group.

(Credit: SAP Australian user group)

SAUG will use a financial carrot to encourage BOAUG members into the fold, with current members invited to join SAUG under a subsidised membership scheme. The normal fees will apply from July 2009.

The BOAB will be headed by Jenni Lewis who has been the National President for the BOAUG.

"By joining forces with SAUG we are able to offer a greater pool of information to our current members, increase the size of the group and create a larger influence base within the SAP ecosystem," Lewis said in a statement.

"Programs will be developed over the next six to 12 months that will have a specific Business Objects focus. We will be adding new resources including webcasts, forums and events to incorporate a wider range of topics," she continued.

Last month also saw the Australian MD of Business Objects announce his departure following the SAP takeover.