Business Objects and TruServ Recognized for Innovation and Measurable Results in Strategic Enterprise Performance Management Applications.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2003

Companies Nominated as Finalists for the 2003 RealWare Awards

Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions, and TruServ, one of the world's largest member-owned hardware cooperatives, have been recognized for both technical innovation and achieving measurable results in enterprise performance management (EPM) applications by the 2003 RealWare Awards program. Intelligent Enterprise and Transform Magazines named TruServ and Business Objects finalists in the Strategic Business Performance Management Application category. Business Objects was the only business intelligence vendor to be named a finalist in the category. Winners will be announced in late June.

TruServ used business intelligence solutions from Business Objects to create an EPM solution that could realize all the potential efficiencies and economies of just-in-time (JIT) distribution -- supplying inventory to member stores just as it is needed. The EPM solution, built with BusinessObjects(TM), BusinessObjects Application Foundation, and WebIntelligence(R), leverages 10 separate data source systems, including an advanced inventory management system for managing stock forecasts to support just-in-time distribution, multiple applications to handle orders placed through TruServ or directly to vendors, point-of-sale data collected from member stores, a warehouse claims application for managing returned or damaged goods, a promotions application for tracking member participation in advertisements, and separate systems for profiling and tracking members and vendors.

As part of the solution, TruServ uses Business Objects analytic applications to create an EPM dashboard that managers use to better anticipate and respond to the dynamic nature of store demands. The dashboard enabled TruServ to reduce "red zone" inventory, excess inventory that must be either liquidated or sold at a loss, from $60 million to $10 million. TruServ also created an extranet-based sales force automation solution used by approximately 200 TruServ sales reps to track member purchases and compare them to predictive-purchase models. Using membersonline.com, another extranet-based EPM solution, approximately 6,500 member storeowners can analyze cost savings by merchandising program.

"Our EPM solution from Business Objects has given us a complete view of our supply chain and has enabled us to significantly improve our relationship with our member stores, as well as our overall bottom line," said Neil Hastie, CIO of TruServ. "The solution is both intranet and extranet based, and is so complete we have no need for individual packaged applications for sales force automation, CRM, ERP, or financial reporting."

"TruServ quickly understood the benefits of a business intelligence solution that could integrate their key data sources and present a single truth about the company and its members from an unlimited number of perspectives," said Bernard Liautaud, chairman and CEO of Business Objects. "We are pleased that Intelligent Enterprise and Transform Magazines have recognized both TruServ and Business Objects for the way we have aligned technology with business drivers to achieve measurable results."

RealWare Awards judges include the editorial staffs from CMP's Business Intelligence Group publications, and well-known industry analysts selected for their expertise in a particular Award category. Finalists were chosen based on both innovation and measurable benefits, including cost savings, improvements in productivity or efficiency, the impact the application has had on the customer's business, and demonstrated ROI.

For more information on Business Objects analytic applications, please visit http://www.businessobjects.com/products/analytic_applications.htm.

For more information on Business Objects solutions for the retail industry, please visit http://www.businessobjects.com/solutions/byindustry/retail.htm.

About TruServ

TruServ, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world's largest member-owned hardware cooperatives with annual sales of $2.2 billion in 2002. The TruServ cooperative includes approximately 6,500 independent retailers worldwide, operating under store identities that include True Value, Grand Rental Station, Party Central, Taylor Rental, Home & Garden Showplace and Induserve Supply. Additional information on TruServ and its retail identities is available at www.truserv.com.

About Business Objects

Business Objects is the world's leading provider of enterprise business intelligence (BI) solutions. Business Objects 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 management dashboards and scorecards, enterprise performance management applications, customer intelligence applications, enterprise reporting, 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.

Business Objects provides the industry's most integrated business intelligence suite, called BusinessObjects(TM) Enterprise 6. This suite includes the industry's best web query, reporting, and analysis; the most advanced and complete suite of analytic applications; and the best connectivity to packaged applications.

Business Objects has more than 17,500 customers in over 80 countries. The company's stock is publicly traded under the ticker symbols NASDAQ: BOBJ and Euronext Paris (Euroclear code 12074). 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 www.businessobjects.com.

BusinessObjects and WebIntelligence are trademarks or registered trademarks of Business Objects S.A. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.