BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) is an open source technology platform sponsored by the Eclipse Foundation that consists of a visual report designer and a runtime component for Java and Java EE environments. These tools are used to create reports, data visualizations, and charts that can be embedded in Web-based and rich client applications. Information gleaned from embedded BI tools such as BIRT may be used in both real-time decision making and to track and analyze historical data or ongoing developments. Examples of reports that can be designed using BIRT include lists, charts, crosstabs, forms and documents, and compound reports with multiple features.