Yes, I know the last few posts I've written about Novell have addressed the SuSE Linux distributor's never-ending patent litigation with SCO, but this headline says SAP, not SCO. And this has nothing to do with litigation. Thank goodness for a change of pace.

eWEEK reported Tuesday that the BusinessObjects owner is expanding its existing partnership with Novell to address customers' governance, risk and compliance needs. Integrating Business Objects offerings with Novell's security and identity management software, the story says, "will result in end-to-end solutions that provide 'reduced risk, lower costs and improved performance' across lines of business."

SAP bought Business Objects in in 2007 in an effort to double its customer base, among other things. In a statement, SAP said a partnership in the GRC area would result in technology that would "automate and enforce common controls," which would, in turn, "lower overall risk and increase internal and external compliance."

GRC is certainly an area that's ripe for more technology, given the increased regulation that is reportedly coming down the pike in the financial services industry in particular. Technology always helps, but like Carl Herberger reminded me a couple of weeks ago, the people who use the technology are part of the compliance and risk equation, too. Risk managers and compliance officers should plan accordingly when developing company risk and compliance strategies.