SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2 has been around for a decade, with SAP ending maintenance for new capabilities and code fixes in 2022, and customer-specific fixes as of December 31, 2024. This 10-year support period highlights the long-term security of SAP BusinessObjects investments.
For BI 4.3 users, support has been extended until the end of 2026, with Support Package 5 bringing new features in mid-2025. Looking ahead, SAP plans to align BI support with its broader strategy, offering three years of support for each new version — starting with BI 2025 and continuing with BI 2027 and BI 2029.
With SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2 Priority One support ending on December 31, 2024, even the most loyal users face a crucial decision: upgrade to BI 4.3 or BI 2025. While the "if it works, don’t touch it" mindset is understandable, continuing with BI 4.2 introduces several risks:
The release of BI 2025 presents a perfect opportunity to upgrade. BI 4.3 offers a smoother transition, with minimal disruption and a more modern experience — including the upgraded BI Launchpad Fiori interface. Additionally, moving to BI 4.3 better prepares organizations for future migrations to SAP BusinessObjects BI PCE or SAP Analytics Cloud while reducing risks associated with jumping directly from BI 4.2 to BI 2025.
If there are no critical dependencies and your infrastructure is compatible, upgrading to BI 4.3 is a logical step to maintain support, ensure technical compatibility, and embrace modern capabilities. Gradual planning and development will help safeguard your reporting infrastructure for the future.