Continuous integration of business intelligence software

1. In a general purpose computer, a method for providing automatic version control to a business intelligence system, comprising:

creating an initial version of a business intelligence artifact in the business intelligence system, wherein the business intelligence artifact is a user-authored object that produces output when the business intelligence artifact is executed in the business intelligence system, and wherein the business intelligence artifact is selected from the group consisting of: a report specification and an analysis cube;

providing an automated agent that interfaces with the business intelligence system to provide automated version control to the business intelligence artifact; the automated agent independently performing the steps of:

automatically storing the initial version of the business intelligence artifact with a version control system;

detecting a request to the business intelligence system to modify the initial version of the business intelligence artifact to create a subsequent version of the business intelligence artifact that includes the requested modification; and

automatically storing the subsequent version of the business intelligence artifact in the version control system.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the automated agent recording metadata associated with the subsequent version of the business intelligence artifact.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

the automated agent automatically storing in the version control system a current version of the business intelligence artifact whenever modifications to the business intelligence artifact are detected.

4. In a general purpose computer, with installed and running business intelligence software forming at least part of a business intelligence system, a method for providing automatic version control to a business intelligence artifact authored by a user of the business intelligence system, the method comprising:

the user creating a business intelligence artifact selected from the group consisting of: a report specification and an analysis cube;

wherein the business intelligence artifact, when executed in the business intelligence system, generates output based upon business metric data obtained from the business intelligence system, wherein the business metric data corresponds to information related to the operation of a business;

providing an automated agent that interfaces with the business intelligence system; and

at a predetermined interval, the automated agent independently performing the steps of: monitoring the business intelligence system for modifications to the business intelligence artifact, and if modifications to the business intelligence artifact are detected, recording the modified version of the business intelligence artifact as a new revision of the business intelligence artifact in a version control system.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined interval is every thirty (30) minutes.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined interval is every one (1) hour.

7. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising the automated agent detecting a request to the business intelligence system to modify the business intelligence artifact to create a new version of the business intelligence artifact that includes the requested modification.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the automated agent automatically recording with the version control system the new version of the business intelligence artifact.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the automated agent recording metadata associated with the new version of the business intelligence artifact.

10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the automated agent automatically recording in the version control system a current version of the business intelligence artifact whenever modifications to the business intelligence artifact are detected.