You can exchange metadata with Business Objects Designer by exporting metadata from PowerCenter into Business Objects Designer or by importing metadata from Business Objects Designer into PowerCenter. You can exchange source and target definitions, including facts and dimensions, between PowerCenter and Business Objects Designer.

When you exchange metadata between PowerCenter and Business Objects Designer, PowerCenter uses MIMB to convert metadata to or from a Business Objects universe. A Business Objects universe is a mapping of the data structure of database tables, columns, and joins. For PowerCenter metadata, a universe is a representation of the metadata from PowerCenter source and target definitions. When you export metadata, you can choose to update an existing universe or create a new universe. Use a universe to build queries and generate and perform analysis in Business Objects.