What is the difference between SAP BW and SAP BI?

No difference both are same just name difference. The reason of name difference as follows :

SAP introduced BW 1.02 version 1998

2005 they released SAP BW 3.5

2007 They released new version and renamed to SAP BI 7.x

2007 SAP acquired a company called BOBJ(BUsiness Objects), then renamed this product to SAP BI-BO

Since two different products has same name, customers started getting confusion. Then SAP renamed SAP BI to SAP BW back.

Now SAP BW 7.4 latest version

Both are almost same...In fact same..

 

Initially when SAP starts this it was names as BIW along with further upgrades  SAP Renamed BIW as BW and then to BI......After aquiring Business object Company which was a poineer in only reporting tools SAP again renamed from BI to BW becouse Business object Company was already having a product with name BI........

 

Finally now SAP BI SUIT is sold as one product which has both SAP's software (BW7.x) & Business object Company's BO (3.x or4.x).

 

SAP BW is used as a reporting tools for management to oversee the financial performance of a company or an organisation.
While SAP BI is more on the planning side, for example it is a tool for budgeting and future planning of a company or and organisation.
Thank you and regards