Biz-Intelligence Vendors Log Healthy Quarter

Business-intelligence vendors, led by Business Objects SA and Crystal Decisions Inc., reported gains in the June quarter. Companies' need for more visibility into their businesses and closer scrutiny of financial operating results is driving demand, Business Objects CEO Bernard Liautaud says.

Business Objects reported revenue of $111.2 million for its second quarter ended June 30, up 10% from the same period last year. Net income was $11.9 million, up 8%. License fees fell slightly to $60.9 million, while service revenue increased 24% to $50.3 million.

Crystal Decisions had revenue of $61.4 million for its fourth quarter ended June 28, a 32% increase from the same period last year. It wasn't all great news. Brio Software Inc.'s net income was $1.8 million in its first quarter ended June 30, up from a $7.6 million loss a year earlier. Its sales fell 11% year to year, to $26.1 million. Hummingbird Ltd. had a $1.8 million net loss on $44 million in sales, down from net income of $6.5 million on sales of $48.2 million last year.