Friday, March 31, 2006
SAP cool as unions gain foothold - Technology - International Herald Tribune
SAP cool as unions gain foothold - Technology - International Herald Tribune: "FRANKFURT With its stock options, Silicon Valley-like image and reputation as Germany's answer to Microsoft, SAP would seem a rather fruitless place to organize a labor movement.
But about 9,000 SAP employees in Germany will take what could be the first step toward bringing unions into this 34-year-old company, Europe's most successful software developer. Eligible workers at two SAP sites were due to vote on Thursday for a committee that will later hold an election for a works council, a legal entity that represents workers.
SAP does not welcome this change, viewing it as unnecessary in a company with healthy management-employee relations and an entrepreneurial culture. Neither do most of the employees: In a vote this month, 91 percent rejected a proposal to set up a council.
'I thought, in a democracy, when you have a vote of 91 percent to 9 percent, the 9 percent would accept that,' Henning Kagermann, chief executive of SAP, said in an interview Tuesday.
In this case, however, three employees who supported a works council filed a petition with a German labor court. Because Germany guarantees workers the right to organize, even if most oppose it, SAP concluded that it had no legal ground to block the creation of such a council. It accepted an offer by another group of employees, viewed as less close to the unions, to conduct an election for its members.
'You have to respect that there is a law,' Kagermann said, shrugging his shoulders.
The success of the campaign demonstrates the enduring power of organized labor in Germany, even at a time when membership in unions is declining and when unions have lost much of their muscle in extracting wage increases.
Capital, an economics ma"
But about 9,000 SAP employees in Germany will take what could be the first step toward bringing unions into this 34-year-old company, Europe's most successful software developer. Eligible workers at two SAP sites were due to vote on Thursday for a committee that will later hold an election for a works council, a legal entity that represents workers.
SAP does not welcome this change, viewing it as unnecessary in a company with healthy management-employee relations and an entrepreneurial culture. Neither do most of the employees: In a vote this month, 91 percent rejected a proposal to set up a council.
'I thought, in a democracy, when you have a vote of 91 percent to 9 percent, the 9 percent would accept that,' Henning Kagermann, chief executive of SAP, said in an interview Tuesday.
In this case, however, three employees who supported a works council filed a petition with a German labor court. Because Germany guarantees workers the right to organize, even if most oppose it, SAP concluded that it had no legal ground to block the creation of such a council. It accepted an offer by another group of employees, viewed as less close to the unions, to conduct an election for its members.
'You have to respect that there is a law,' Kagermann said, shrugging his shoulders.
The success of the campaign demonstrates the enduring power of organized labor in Germany, even at a time when membership in unions is declining and when unions have lost much of their muscle in extracting wage increases.
Capital, an economics ma"
Thursday, March 30, 2006
SABC opts for IBM-led team to improve back end processes
SABC opts for IBM-led team to improve back end processes: "The new solution will replace the SABC's existing systems with a single and flexible solution enabling a responsive interface with the national broadcaster's customers and stakeholders, from television production to license fee collection. The SAP ERP solution essentially includes providing capabilities for enhancing the back-office operations such as finance, human resources and project management.
It will help give the SABC accurate information necessary to enforce internal controls in line with corporate governance requirements and integrate its database with a cost efficient operating environment. As part of the transformation staff will be retrained to use the new technology more effectively. Employees in general will have a central source of information, which will speed up decision-making.
The mySAP Business Suite solution includes its core ERP components as well as the SAP for Broadcast Media Industry Solution (IS-Media)."
It will help give the SABC accurate information necessary to enforce internal controls in line with corporate governance requirements and integrate its database with a cost efficient operating environment. As part of the transformation staff will be retrained to use the new technology more effectively. Employees in general will have a central source of information, which will speed up decision-making.
The mySAP Business Suite solution includes its core ERP components as well as the SAP for Broadcast Media Industry Solution (IS-Media)."
ERP Solutions Offers First Bundled SAP HR Solution for Small/Medium Businesses
ger.ERP Solutions Offers First Bundled SAP HR Solution for Small/Medium Businesses: "ERP Solutions, Inc. announced today the release HCM LaunchSuite�, the first bundled mySAP HCM solution designed exclusively for the small and medium business (SMB) market. HCM LaunchSuite� removes the risk and complexities that typically prevent all but the largest of companies from implementing mySAP HCM, as well as reduces the price of these implementations by nearly two-thirds.
The packaged approach of HCM LaunchSuite� is a radical departure from the status quo which involves heavy client-by-client customizations to the SAP standard solution. The client benefits of the packaged solution are clear: provide everything needed to run the business with best-practice processes, maximize client return on investment, and reduce the need for costly modifications.
SAP has identified the SMB market as a key strategic focus for growth of their user base and the release of HCM LaunchSuite� positions ERP Solutions as the preffered provider of SAP HR implementations to SMB clients. "
The packaged approach of HCM LaunchSuite� is a radical departure from the status quo which involves heavy client-by-client customizations to the SAP standard solution. The client benefits of the packaged solution are clear: provide everything needed to run the business with best-practice processes, maximize client return on investment, and reduce the need for costly modifications.
SAP has identified the SMB market as a key strategic focus for growth of their user base and the release of HCM LaunchSuite� positions ERP Solutions as the preffered provider of SAP HR implementations to SMB clients. "
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Strong Customer Momentum Drive Oracle Asia Pacific�s Q3FY0...
Strong Customer Momentum Drive Oracle Asia Pacific�s Q3FY0...: "Organisations in Asia Pacific that adopted or expanded implementations of Oracle Applications and Technology in Q3FY06 include:
� Communications, Utilities, Media & Entertainment: Bharti Tele-Ventures* (India), China Netcom* (China), China Telecom (China), Department of Telecommunications (India), Total Access Communication* (Thailand), Guangdong Foshan Power (China), Guangdong Power (China), Huaneng International Power* (China), MinJiang Power* (China), SK Telecom* (Korea), SmarTone Mobile Communications Ltd (Hong Kong), Smart Communications Inc* (Philippines)
� Government, Education & Healthcare: Bangkok Hospital* (Thailand), Department of Budget and Management (Philippines), Department of Income Tax (India), Korea Air Force HQ (Korea), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa* (Malaysia),
� Banking, Securities & Insurance: BCB (Malaysia), Bohai Bank (China), China Development Bank* (China), First Bank* (China), Fubon Bank* (Hong Kong), KGI Securities* (China), Kookmin Bank (Korea), Kotak Mahindra* (India), MBF (Australia), Maybank (Malaysia), PT Federal International Finance* (Indonesia), PT. Orix Indonesia Finance (Indonesia), People's Bank of China (China), Shanghai Futures Exchange (China), Shenzhen Development Bank (China), SinoLife* (China), Ssangyong Fire & Marine Insurance* (Korea), Takaful Nasional (Malaysia), Tai Fook Securities Group Limited (Hong Kong)
� Manufacturing, High Technology, Consumer Goods, & Automotive: Amway* (China), AU Optronics Corp. (Taiwan), Beijing Pharmaceutical (China), British American Tobacco Korea (Korea), Canon (In"
� Communications, Utilities, Media & Entertainment: Bharti Tele-Ventures* (India), China Netcom* (China), China Telecom (China), Department of Telecommunications (India), Total Access Communication* (Thailand), Guangdong Foshan Power (China), Guangdong Power (China), Huaneng International Power* (China), MinJiang Power* (China), SK Telecom* (Korea), SmarTone Mobile Communications Ltd (Hong Kong), Smart Communications Inc* (Philippines)
� Government, Education & Healthcare: Bangkok Hospital* (Thailand), Department of Budget and Management (Philippines), Department of Income Tax (India), Korea Air Force HQ (Korea), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa* (Malaysia),
� Banking, Securities & Insurance: BCB (Malaysia), Bohai Bank (China), China Development Bank* (China), First Bank* (China), Fubon Bank* (Hong Kong), KGI Securities* (China), Kookmin Bank (Korea), Kotak Mahindra* (India), MBF (Australia), Maybank (Malaysia), PT Federal International Finance* (Indonesia), PT. Orix Indonesia Finance (Indonesia), People's Bank of China (China), Shanghai Futures Exchange (China), Shenzhen Development Bank (China), SinoLife* (China), Ssangyong Fire & Marine Insurance* (Korea), Takaful Nasional (Malaysia), Tai Fook Securities Group Limited (Hong Kong)
� Manufacturing, High Technology, Consumer Goods, & Automotive: Amway* (China), AU Optronics Corp. (Taiwan), Beijing Pharmaceutical (China), British American Tobacco Korea (Korea), Canon (In"
Why I Still Love Oracle [Fool.com: Commentary] March 28, 2006
Why I Still Love Oracle [Fool.com: Commentary] March 28, 2006: "Here's the bottom line: Besides Microsoft, Oracle is the only firm on the planet that can offer a business every kind of software it needs to run a business. Microsoft's legacy, however, is in small-business software, and it has plenty else to worry about right now. That leaves our cash-generating giant locked in a head-to-head battle with SAP, but with a CEO whose penchant for winning is best described as admirable.
Am I worried about the declining database revenue? Yes. Do I think SAP could harm Oracle? No question. But do I think Oracle has the wrong strategy? No, it most definitely does not. Lower revenues may result in the short term, to be sure. But long-term, Oracle is as sturdy a business as there is in tech. And I'm still willing to bet my portfolio on it."
Am I worried about the declining database revenue? Yes. Do I think SAP could harm Oracle? No question. But do I think Oracle has the wrong strategy? No, it most definitely does not. Lower revenues may result in the short term, to be sure. But long-term, Oracle is as sturdy a business as there is in tech. And I'm still willing to bet my portfolio on it."
Why I Still Love Oracle [Fool.com: Commentary] March 28, 2006
Why I Still Love Oracle [Fool.com: Commentary] March 28, 2006: "Here's the bottom line: Besides Microsoft, Oracle is the only firm on the planet that can offer a business every kind of software it needs to run a business. Microsoft's legacy, however, is in small-business software, and it has plenty else to worry about right now. That leaves our cash-generating giant locked in a head-to-head battle with SAP, but with a CEO whose penchant for winning is best described as admirable.
Am I worried about the declining database revenue? Yes. Do I think SAP could harm Oracle? No question. But do I think Oracle has the wrong strategy? No, it most definitely does not. Lower revenues may result in the short term, to be sure. But long-term, Oracle is as sturdy a business as there is in tech. And I'm still willing to bet my portfolio on it."
Am I worried about the declining database revenue? Yes. Do I think SAP could harm Oracle? No question. But do I think Oracle has the wrong strategy? No, it most definitely does not. Lower revenues may result in the short term, to be sure. But long-term, Oracle is as sturdy a business as there is in tech. And I'm still willing to bet my portfolio on it."
Enterprise Systems |
Enterprise Systems : "Last week, Oracle Corp. unveiled its Business Intelligence Suite, a revamped, enlarged, and Project Fusion-ized version of the erstwhile Oracle Business Intelligence offering. Oracle�s new BI suite is an ambitious release that�s garbed in an ambitious new vision�one that places Oracle-the-BI-power prominently in the forefront, no longer the collegial ecosystem partner of BI pure plays.
In this respect, Oracle�s BI vision also prescribes a 10g database back end, Oracle eBusiness Suite in the application tier, and�of course�Oracle Project Fusion middleware to tie everything together.
This type of sweeping development isn�t without historical precedent. In the 19th Century, the military doctrine of Vernichtungsgedanken helped propel Prussia and an increasingly tight-knit confederation of German states to European martial supremacy. Many historians believe Vernichtungsgedanken had an epiphenomenal effect, too: it was the impetus for the Byzantine system of alliances that plunged first the European main, and then the world, into a conflict called The First World War."
In this respect, Oracle�s BI vision also prescribes a 10g database back end, Oracle eBusiness Suite in the application tier, and�of course�Oracle Project Fusion middleware to tie everything together.
This type of sweeping development isn�t without historical precedent. In the 19th Century, the military doctrine of Vernichtungsgedanken helped propel Prussia and an increasingly tight-knit confederation of German states to European martial supremacy. Many historians believe Vernichtungsgedanken had an epiphenomenal effect, too: it was the impetus for the Byzantine system of alliances that plunged first the European main, and then the world, into a conflict called The First World War."
SAP Mgmt. Concedes to Workers' Council - CIO News Alerts - Blog - CIO
SAP Mgmt. Concedes to Workers' Council - CIO News Alerts - Blog - CIO: "SAP�s resistance to the establishment of a workers� council will end Thursday when employees of the German business software company will vote on a committee to organize the election of 37 employee representatives.
'There will be a workers� council, that�s inevitable,' said company spokesman Tony Roddham. 'It�s now a case of who do you want to be on the council�employees who represent the heart and spirit of SAP or those backed by the union.'
Employees will elect representatives in an election expected sometime next month, Roddham said."
'There will be a workers� council, that�s inevitable,' said company spokesman Tony Roddham. 'It�s now a case of who do you want to be on the council�employees who represent the heart and spirit of SAP or those backed by the union.'
Employees will elect representatives in an election expected sometime next month, Roddham said."
Customers and Partners Embrace Oracle�s Open, Standards-Based Approach to Service-Oriented Architecture
Customers and Partners Embrace Oracle�s Open, Standards-Based Approach to Service-Oriented Architecture: "Oracle today announced that organizations throughout the world are using Oracle(r) Fusion Middleware, the company's comprehensive, standards-based family of middleware products to adopt and manage service-oriented architectures (SOA) in heterogeneous computing environments.
The SOA market is poised for tremendous growth over the next few years. According to a recent Gartner report, 'SOA will provide the basis for 80 percent of development projects, by 2008.'1 Advanced Data Exchange, Cattles Bank, Griffiths Waite, the Mexican Government's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Neustar, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police, Spanish Regional Government, Universita di Bologna and Wyeth are a few of the growing number of organizations using components of the Oracle SOA Suite, part of the Oracle Fusion Middleware product family, to help maximize business efficiency, increase IT flexibility and lower costs.
Customers and Partners Turn to Oracle for SOA Technologies
Built on a hot-pluggable architecture, Oracle's SOA Suite enables organizations to rapidly deliver new business services - based on a mix of old and new IT systems - while avoiding costly rip-and-replace projects. The suite delivers a comprehensive service lifecycle management platform that enables services to be created, secured, monitored, managed and orchestrated into composite applications and multi-step business processes. Partners are using Oracle's products as the foundation for SOAs, decreasing the time spent re-architecting entire systems and increasing the time dedicated to building competitive, vertical differentiators and solving customers' business problems. Oracle SOA Suite boasts some of the industry's most advanced and well-re"
The SOA market is poised for tremendous growth over the next few years. According to a recent Gartner report, 'SOA will provide the basis for 80 percent of development projects, by 2008.'1 Advanced Data Exchange, Cattles Bank, Griffiths Waite, the Mexican Government's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Neustar, Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police, Spanish Regional Government, Universita di Bologna and Wyeth are a few of the growing number of organizations using components of the Oracle SOA Suite, part of the Oracle Fusion Middleware product family, to help maximize business efficiency, increase IT flexibility and lower costs.
Customers and Partners Turn to Oracle for SOA Technologies
Built on a hot-pluggable architecture, Oracle's SOA Suite enables organizations to rapidly deliver new business services - based on a mix of old and new IT systems - while avoiding costly rip-and-replace projects. The suite delivers a comprehensive service lifecycle management platform that enables services to be created, secured, monitored, managed and orchestrated into composite applications and multi-step business processes. Partners are using Oracle's products as the foundation for SOAs, decreasing the time spent re-architecting entire systems and increasing the time dedicated to building competitive, vertical differentiators and solving customers' business problems. Oracle SOA Suite boasts some of the industry's most advanced and well-re"
The New York Times Company Selects SAP to Support Advertising and Circulation Operations | Nachrichten | Aktienkurs |
The New York Times Company Selects SAP to Support Advertising and Circulation Operations Nachrichten Aktienkurs : "SAP AG today announced that The New York Times Company , a leading media company and publisher of The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The International Herald Tribune (IHT), has selected applications from mySAP(TM) Business Suite and the SAP(R) for Media solution portfolio to support its advertising management, home delivery and single copy circulation systems. The company also selected the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform to standardize its reporting requirements. This strategic project will displace legacy systems and allow the company to reduce costs and increase revenue by supporting cross- and up-selling advertising and subscription opportunities.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a )
'The New York Times Company chose SAP solutions as part of an overall corporate mandate to systematically improve efficiency,' said David Thurm, senior vice president and CIO, The New York Times Company. 'SAP has a strong understanding of the challenges facing the newspaper industry and offers solutions that support a wide variety of our needs, providing support for ad sales and circulation operations, as well as business intelligence that helps us make the right choices to position our company for future growth.'"
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a )
'The New York Times Company chose SAP solutions as part of an overall corporate mandate to systematically improve efficiency,' said David Thurm, senior vice president and CIO, The New York Times Company. 'SAP has a strong understanding of the challenges facing the newspaper industry and offers solutions that support a wide variety of our needs, providing support for ad sales and circulation operations, as well as business intelligence that helps us make the right choices to position our company for future growth.'"
The New York Times Company Selects SAP to Support Advertising and Circulation Operations | Nachrichten | Aktienkurs |
The New York Times Company Selects SAP to Support Advertising and Circulation Operations Nachrichten Aktienkurs : "SAP AG today announced that The New York Times Company , a leading media company and publisher of The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The International Herald Tribune (IHT), has selected applications from mySAP(TM) Business Suite and the SAP(R) for Media solution portfolio to support its advertising management, home delivery and single copy circulation systems. The company also selected the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform to standardize its reporting requirements. This strategic project will displace legacy systems and allow the company to reduce costs and increase revenue by supporting cross- and up-selling advertising and subscription opportunities.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a )
'The New York Times Company chose SAP solutions as part of an overall corporate mandate to systematically improve efficiency,' said David Thurm, senior vice president and CIO, The New York Times Company. 'SAP has a strong understanding of the challenges facing the newspaper industry and offers solutions that support a wide variety of our needs, providing support for ad sales and circulation operations, as well as business intelligence that helps us make the right choices to position our company for future growth.'"
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a )
'The New York Times Company chose SAP solutions as part of an overall corporate mandate to systematically improve efficiency,' said David Thurm, senior vice president and CIO, The New York Times Company. 'SAP has a strong understanding of the challenges facing the newspaper industry and offers solutions that support a wide variety of our needs, providing support for ad sales and circulation operations, as well as business intelligence that helps us make the right choices to position our company for future growth.'"
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
SAP BI, analytics push won't squeeze out Cognos, other vendors
SAP BI, analytics push won't squeeze out Cognos, other vendors: "Still, companies gain an advantage from using a third party BI vendor over SAP if they are in a heterogeneous environment where data from SAP and non-SAP systems needs to be analyzed, said Keith Gile, principal analyst at Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research Inc.
'SAP BI capabilities within the NetWeaver BW stack are solid, but they're not the most prevalent in the industry,' Gile said. 'They are more appropriate when working exclusively in a targeted SAP environment. There's far less allure for SAP BI in heterogeneous environments.'
Cognos has been aggressively developing integration capabilities to take advantage of the widespread use of third-party applications among SAP customers. The company built Cognos 8 using a Web-based architecture.
Cognos is just one of a handful of vendors vying for SAP customers, and so far the BI vendor market doesn't appear to be headed toward consolidation, Gile said. It is not uncommon to find BI tools and applications from third-party vendors in SAP shops, he said. France-based Business Objects S.A., Santa Clara, Calif.-based Hyperion Solutions Corp., and Cary, N. C.-based SAS Institute Inc. are among Cognos' competitors.
'Many large enterprises are using between five and 15 BI vendors,' Gile said. 'It's a little out of control, and one of the trends is that companies are trying to add some sanity to this overabundance of BI tools.' "
'SAP BI capabilities within the NetWeaver BW stack are solid, but they're not the most prevalent in the industry,' Gile said. 'They are more appropriate when working exclusively in a targeted SAP environment. There's far less allure for SAP BI in heterogeneous environments.'
Cognos has been aggressively developing integration capabilities to take advantage of the widespread use of third-party applications among SAP customers. The company built Cognos 8 using a Web-based architecture.
Cognos is just one of a handful of vendors vying for SAP customers, and so far the BI vendor market doesn't appear to be headed toward consolidation, Gile said. It is not uncommon to find BI tools and applications from third-party vendors in SAP shops, he said. France-based Business Objects S.A., Santa Clara, Calif.-based Hyperion Solutions Corp., and Cary, N. C.-based SAS Institute Inc. are among Cognos' competitors.
'Many large enterprises are using between five and 15 BI vendors,' Gile said. 'It's a little out of control, and one of the trends is that companies are trying to add some sanity to this overabundance of BI tools.' "
Faster tax refunds? Oracle to help
Faster tax refunds? Oracle to help: "The income tax department has selected database software major Oracle to enable online delivery of tax payer services including faster processing of returns, expeditious refund of claims and quicker investigation.
In one of the largest e-governance projects, the I-T department will use Oracle database and Oracle Fusion platform to develop a single national database, under which all 745 I-T offices in 510 cities will be linked, V S Mathur, DG, (systems), department of I-T, said.
To be completed in phases, Oracle will consolidate the existing 36 regional databases into a single national database and the project is scheduled to be operational by December 2006.
'We have undertaken a decisive step towards centralisation of IT services to improve process efficiencies. Once the project is operational, we will be able to improve the response time for the department while creating a simpler and easier tax interface for the citizens,' J G Pendse, member, investigation, I-T department, said."
In one of the largest e-governance projects, the I-T department will use Oracle database and Oracle Fusion platform to develop a single national database, under which all 745 I-T offices in 510 cities will be linked, V S Mathur, DG, (systems), department of I-T, said.
To be completed in phases, Oracle will consolidate the existing 36 regional databases into a single national database and the project is scheduled to be operational by December 2006.
'We have undertaken a decisive step towards centralisation of IT services to improve process efficiencies. Once the project is operational, we will be able to improve the response time for the department while creating a simpler and easier tax interface for the citizens,' J G Pendse, member, investigation, I-T department, said."
Accenture Launches Center of Excellence for Oracle Solutions | Nachrichten | Aktienkurs |
Accenture Launches Center of Excellence for Oracle Solutions Nachrichten Aktienkurs : "Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has launched the Center OfExcellence For Oracle Solutions in Bangalore, India, to develop aportfolio of assets including tools, accelerators, and diagnostics forOracle's application software. The new center is designed to enablefaster and more cost-effective implementation of Oracle's solutionsfor Accenture's clients globally."
Oracle dubs Siebel Analytics the 'first step toward Fusion'
Oracle dubs Siebel Analytics the 'first step toward Fusion': "Siebel Analytics' history as a non-application-specific product line allows it to merge with Fusion, Oracle's project to merge the best capabilities of all its recent acquisitions, Phillips said. It will be based on an open architecture, working with other applications and databases but optimized for Oracle products.
'The integrated suite, what we're known for, lowers the cost of ownership,' Phillips said. 'That shouldn't be translated as locking anyone in. It will be open.'
Oracle is establishing a dedicated sales force to handle its new product set and a dedicated consulting team. Phillips also reiterated Oracle's commitment to lifetime support for the product.
'First we're going to continue to invest in the applications that exist today, and second we're going to bring those applications together under this semantic model,' said Steven Miranda, senior vice president of application development at Oracle. 'As we're building out the next generation application, the first step is BI. This is really the first step toward Fusion. You can leverage BI early.' "
'The integrated suite, what we're known for, lowers the cost of ownership,' Phillips said. 'That shouldn't be translated as locking anyone in. It will be open.'
Oracle is establishing a dedicated sales force to handle its new product set and a dedicated consulting team. Phillips also reiterated Oracle's commitment to lifetime support for the product.
'First we're going to continue to invest in the applications that exist today, and second we're going to bring those applications together under this semantic model,' said Steven Miranda, senior vice president of application development at Oracle. 'As we're building out the next generation application, the first step is BI. This is really the first step toward Fusion. You can leverage BI early.' "
Expert predicts new front in Oracle-SAP battle
Expert predicts new front in Oracle-SAP battle: "What challenges does SAP face with its NetWeaver?
Wang: What SAP has been successful at doing is putting together a lot of high-profile partnerships around the NetWeaver ecosystem. The SAP strategy is really focused on having the partners build a lot of the product out. SAP's job is to provide the right infrastructure platform through ESA or PPP and NetWeaver to give partners what they need to build out verticals, whether it's industrial verticals or whether it is specific sets of technologies. They're trying to create a platform -- an ecosystem -- and at the end of the day if they sell the infrastructure piece and if that helps sell more applications that is really the goal.
How do Oracle and SAP's competing software offerings stack up against each other?
Wang: In ERP, SAP has a clear advantage from a customer base. But from a functionality perspective they're fairly close. On the business intelligence side, I feel that Oracle's [Daily Business Intelligence] product is a lot stronger than SAP's Business Information Warehouse. I think Oracle is ahead in the CRM game, even if you look at E-Business Suite alone, and of course with the Siebel purchase. The Siebel CRM team is going to be in charge of defining Oracle's CRM strategy. "
Wang: What SAP has been successful at doing is putting together a lot of high-profile partnerships around the NetWeaver ecosystem. The SAP strategy is really focused on having the partners build a lot of the product out. SAP's job is to provide the right infrastructure platform through ESA or PPP and NetWeaver to give partners what they need to build out verticals, whether it's industrial verticals or whether it is specific sets of technologies. They're trying to create a platform -- an ecosystem -- and at the end of the day if they sell the infrastructure piece and if that helps sell more applications that is really the goal.
How do Oracle and SAP's competing software offerings stack up against each other?
Wang: In ERP, SAP has a clear advantage from a customer base. But from a functionality perspective they're fairly close. On the business intelligence side, I feel that Oracle's [Daily Business Intelligence] product is a lot stronger than SAP's Business Information Warehouse. I think Oracle is ahead in the CRM game, even if you look at E-Business Suite alone, and of course with the Siebel purchase. The Siebel CRM team is going to be in charge of defining Oracle's CRM strategy. "
Monday, March 27, 2006
NASA's SAP Launch Drags - Computerworld
NASA's SAP Launch Drags - Computerworld: "A major upgrade to the core financial systems of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has encountered turbulence from end users and the agency's inspector general before getting far off the ground.
The $116 million financials upgrade is the cornerstone of a larger project, dubbed the Integrated Enterprise Management Program, which is expected to cost $1.1 billion. The IEMP uses R/3 financial applications from SAP AG, and when completed, it's expected to improve financial, contractual, asset management and other procedures throughout NASA.
However, critics claim that five years into the estimated eight-year project, the IEMP has suffered from end-user resistance, data integration problems and a lack of oversight.
Last month, NASA's Office of the Inspector General found flaws in the management of IEMP contracts and demanded improvement. 'Despite the criticality of IEMP to the agency, NASA's monitoring of the contracts was informal and inadequate to ensure that IEMP products and services were procured in a satisfactory, cost-effective manner,' according to the report. "
The $116 million financials upgrade is the cornerstone of a larger project, dubbed the Integrated Enterprise Management Program, which is expected to cost $1.1 billion. The IEMP uses R/3 financial applications from SAP AG, and when completed, it's expected to improve financial, contractual, asset management and other procedures throughout NASA.
However, critics claim that five years into the estimated eight-year project, the IEMP has suffered from end-user resistance, data integration problems and a lack of oversight.
Last month, NASA's Office of the Inspector General found flaws in the management of IEMP contracts and demanded improvement. 'Despite the criticality of IEMP to the agency, NASA's monitoring of the contracts was informal and inadequate to ensure that IEMP products and services were procured in a satisfactory, cost-effective manner,' according to the report. "
destinationCRM.com: Oracle Looks to Get More Out of Data
destinationCRM.com: Oracle Looks to Get More Out of Data: "Oracle pushed into the BI sector on Thursday by announcing three bundled products branded as the Oracle Business Intelligence Suite. The software suite integrates Oracle's database technology, Fusion middleware, and analytics software. The new product line also adds analytics software Oracle acquired by way of the Siebel Systems acquisition that closed earlier this year.
No doubt, Oracle's move 'poses a threat' to companies focused solely on BI applications, says John Hagerty, research vice president at AMR Research. It's understandable, as sales for BI software and services within the Enterprise Performance Management market is expected to rise 10 percent to $6 billion this year, according to AMR Research. 'During the past five years companies have moved from wanting to collect the data, to gaining insight from the data,' Hagerty says. 'With that strategy, Oracle is aiming for the hearts and minds of the overall SAP business user.' "
No doubt, Oracle's move 'poses a threat' to companies focused solely on BI applications, says John Hagerty, research vice president at AMR Research. It's understandable, as sales for BI software and services within the Enterprise Performance Management market is expected to rise 10 percent to $6 billion this year, according to AMR Research. 'During the past five years companies have moved from wanting to collect the data, to gaining insight from the data,' Hagerty says. 'With that strategy, Oracle is aiming for the hearts and minds of the overall SAP business user.' "
SAP, Microsoft Mendocino On Schedule
SAP, Microsoft Mendocino On Schedule: "SAP AG said Friday that Microsoft Corp.�s decision to hold off on delivering 2007 Microsoft Office to consumers until January will not affect the 'general availability' roll out of Mendocino in June.
Integrated into Office, Mendocino delivers features in enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications suite. Today those features are integrated into Microsoft Office 2003, but SAP has plans to add them to 2007 Microsoft Office, too.
The pre-release for Mendocino shipped in December to 50 customers. The second pre-release with upgrades from initial feedback from customers will ship to the same customers in April.
Features include time and lead management, providing an ability to remain in Microsoft Outlook and access mySAP ERP backend systems. "
Integrated into Office, Mendocino delivers features in enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications suite. Today those features are integrated into Microsoft Office 2003, but SAP has plans to add them to 2007 Microsoft Office, too.
The pre-release for Mendocino shipped in December to 50 customers. The second pre-release with upgrades from initial feedback from customers will ship to the same customers in April.
Features include time and lead management, providing an ability to remain in Microsoft Outlook and access mySAP ERP backend systems. "
Cognos 8 BI Extends the Reach of Business Intelligence Across the Enterprise
Cognos 8 BI Extends the Reach of Business Intelligence Across the Enterprise: "Access to mySAP(TM) and Siebel(TM): The new Cognos 8 Report Packs for
mySAP FI/CO (for SAP R/3(R) data) and Siebel CRM extend the value of
current enterprise investments for customers by providing business
users, for the first time, the ability to combine in one report or
dashboard, historic data from the data warehouse with current data in
mySAP and Siebel CRM transaction systems without additional coding. As
a result, organizations achieve the most complete view of enterprise
performance while eliminating costs and effort required for separate
operational reporting projects. Cognos 8 Report Packs also deliver pre-
defined content for more than 60 commonly used reports to provide
immediate access to mySAP and Siebel CRM data within a business
context. The Cognos Data Adapter provides one-click connectivity into
mySAP and Siebel, delivering secure and trusted pathways to build
additional reports. The Cognos 8 Report Packs and Cognos Data Adapter
extend underlying functionality provided by Composite Software.
* Certified SAP NetWeaver(R) Support: Cognos 8 BI received updated
certification for SAP NetWeaver, allowing customers to access data in
the SAP(R) Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW), deploy Cognos 8 BI
on the SAP Web Application Server, and display information through the
SAP NetWeaver Portal. Customers can extend beyond reporting to create
robust dashboards and active scorecards, and conduct deep analysis,
dimensional reporting, and business event mana"
mySAP FI/CO (for SAP R/3(R) data) and Siebel CRM extend the value of
current enterprise investments for customers by providing business
users, for the first time, the ability to combine in one report or
dashboard, historic data from the data warehouse with current data in
mySAP and Siebel CRM transaction systems without additional coding. As
a result, organizations achieve the most complete view of enterprise
performance while eliminating costs and effort required for separate
operational reporting projects. Cognos 8 Report Packs also deliver pre-
defined content for more than 60 commonly used reports to provide
immediate access to mySAP and Siebel CRM data within a business
context. The Cognos Data Adapter provides one-click connectivity into
mySAP and Siebel, delivering secure and trusted pathways to build
additional reports. The Cognos 8 Report Packs and Cognos Data Adapter
extend underlying functionality provided by Composite Software.
* Certified SAP NetWeaver(R) Support: Cognos 8 BI received updated
certification for SAP NetWeaver, allowing customers to access data in
the SAP(R) Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW), deploy Cognos 8 BI
on the SAP Web Application Server, and display information through the
SAP NetWeaver Portal. Customers can extend beyond reporting to create
robust dashboards and active scorecards, and conduct deep analysis,
dimensional reporting, and business event mana"
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Computerworld > Non-union workers' council for SAP
Computerworld > Non-union workers' council for SAP: "SAP has taken steps to form a workers council comprised of non-union employees in an effort to fend off what the German software vendor views as the harmful influence of unions on its �start-up� company culture.
SAP issued a statement earlier this month announcing the decision by eight employee representatives who currently sit on the company�s supervisory board to organise a workers council election themselves.
�If SAP is to have a workers council, then it should be a workers council that is representative of the heart of the company,� chief executive Henning Kagermann said in a statement. �We have a duty to maintain our unique company culture and values.�"
SAP issued a statement earlier this month announcing the decision by eight employee representatives who currently sit on the company�s supervisory board to organise a workers council election themselves.
�If SAP is to have a workers council, then it should be a workers council that is representative of the heart of the company,� chief executive Henning Kagermann said in a statement. �We have a duty to maintain our unique company culture and values.�"
Friday, March 24, 2006
Expert predicts new front in Oracle-SAP battle
Expert predicts new front in Oracle-SAP battle: "What challenges does SAP face with its NetWeaver?
Wang: What SAP has been successful at doing is putting together a lot of high-profile partnerships around the NetWeaver ecosystem. The SAP strategy is really focused on having the partners build a lot of the product out. SAP's job is to provide the right infrastructure platform through ESA or PPP and NetWeaver to give partners what they need to build out verticals, whether it's industrial verticals or whether it is specific sets of technologies. They're trying to create a platform -- an ecosystem -- and at the end of the day if they sell the infrastructure piece and if that helps sell more applications that is really the goal.
How do Oracle and SAP's competing software offerings stack up against each other?
Wang: In ERP, SAP has a clear advantage from a customer base. But from a functionality perspective they're fairly close. On the business intelligence side, I feel that Oracle's [Daily Business Intelligence] product is a lot stronger than SAP's Business Information Warehouse. I think Oracle is ahead in the CRM game, even if you look at E-Business Suite alone, and of course with the Siebel purchase. The Siebel CRM team is going to be in charge of defining Oracle's CRM strategy. "
Wang: What SAP has been successful at doing is putting together a lot of high-profile partnerships around the NetWeaver ecosystem. The SAP strategy is really focused on having the partners build a lot of the product out. SAP's job is to provide the right infrastructure platform through ESA or PPP and NetWeaver to give partners what they need to build out verticals, whether it's industrial verticals or whether it is specific sets of technologies. They're trying to create a platform -- an ecosystem -- and at the end of the day if they sell the infrastructure piece and if that helps sell more applications that is really the goal.
How do Oracle and SAP's competing software offerings stack up against each other?
Wang: In ERP, SAP has a clear advantage from a customer base. But from a functionality perspective they're fairly close. On the business intelligence side, I feel that Oracle's [Daily Business Intelligence] product is a lot stronger than SAP's Business Information Warehouse. I think Oracle is ahead in the CRM game, even if you look at E-Business Suite alone, and of course with the Siebel purchase. The Siebel CRM team is going to be in charge of defining Oracle's CRM strategy. "
SAP's Play for Hosted CRM - -
SAP's Play for Hosted CRM - -: "'They're trying to create a fortress SAP for their installed base and are obviously getting picked off by their competitors, who've been very successful in bringing hosted CRM to people that only have the ERP back-end,' said Sean Rollings, senior director of product marketing at NetSuite. 'It doesn't seem that they're targeting new business and new companies.' "
WebWire� | Siemens joins the SAP Global Security Alliance
WebWire� Siemens joins the SAP Global Security Alliance: "Siemens Communications and SAP have announced their collaboration in the field of Identity Management and IT Security within the framework of the Global Security Alliance. Membership in the Global Security Alliance, which was founded by SAP Consulting in March 2005, includes leading vendors of security and risk management solutions. By sharing reference projects and through the integratability of their technologies, Alliance members can be faster than in the past in offering their customers wall-to-wall solutions.
Siemens Identity Management automates the authorization process and monitoring of access rights, e.g. for the utilization of SAP solutions as well as the third-party applications provided on the SAP NetWeaver portal. The Identity Management solution from Siemens, the SAP-NetWeaver platform, the mySAP ERP business suite and the SAP R/3 applications interoperate harmoniously with one another."
Siemens Identity Management automates the authorization process and monitoring of access rights, e.g. for the utilization of SAP solutions as well as the third-party applications provided on the SAP NetWeaver portal. The Identity Management solution from Siemens, the SAP-NetWeaver platform, the mySAP ERP business suite and the SAP R/3 applications interoperate harmoniously with one another."
Germany's SAP to invest 25 mln eur in China R&D in 2006 - Forbes.com
Germany's SAP to invest 25 mln eur in China R&D in 2006 - Forbes.com: "SAP AG said it will spend around 25 mln eur in research and development (R&D) in China this year, and will raise annual spending to 40 mln-50 mln eur by 2008 as the German enterprise software company expands its research presence here.
Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, SAP executive board member Claus Heinrich said the company will be roughly doubling its China R&D spending while it triples its R&D employee base by 2008.
SAP Labs China president Shang-Ling Jui said his division spent almost 22 mln eur in 2005, including building, personnel and project costs, which was almost double the 2004 spending. "
Speaking to reporters in Shanghai, SAP executive board member Claus Heinrich said the company will be roughly doubling its China R&D spending while it triples its R&D employee base by 2008.
SAP Labs China president Shang-Ling Jui said his division spent almost 22 mln eur in 2005, including building, personnel and project costs, which was almost double the 2004 spending. "
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Q&A: Oracle apps development head outlines Fusion - Computerworld
Q&A: Oracle apps development head outlines Fusion - Computerworld: "Customers have reiterated that the most troubling thing about the mergers is the Fusion road map. Can you give them some words of comfort? We have a pretty good set of design-pattern flows for the applications, and we�ve started to take the customer groups through them. It gives them a sense of how the user interface will work and how we�re mapping the job functions. In going through the assessments, we�ve been dealing with advisory boards, and we saw gaps between various products. A lot came down to the approach -- the same business problems were attacked differently [by the vendors]. We�d work with the J.D. Edwards users on a process, and we�d talk to the E-Business Suite users and see how they looked at it. If something was better managed on the Oracle side, we�d go back to talk to the J.D. Edwards users about it. The nice thing is, now there are a lot of specific plans and you can see exactly what is going on and we can get feedback on it.
And the deadline for Fusion remains the same? The year 2008 is when the Fusion Suite hits the streets. But, there are a lot of things happening later this year. We�re releasing libraries of Fusion reports. Using XML, customers can see how they can extract and manipulate information for reporting. We�re building libraries for reports on top of PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards and the E-Business Suite that customers can use today. This will be the basis of Fusion reporting. And Fusion has much better tools for doing reports. "
And the deadline for Fusion remains the same? The year 2008 is when the Fusion Suite hits the streets. But, there are a lot of things happening later this year. We�re releasing libraries of Fusion reports. Using XML, customers can see how they can extract and manipulate information for reporting. We�re building libraries for reports on top of PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards and the E-Business Suite that customers can use today. This will be the basis of Fusion reporting. And Fusion has much better tools for doing reports. "
InformationWeek | Business Intelligence | Oracle Plunges Into BI | March 22, 2006
InformationWeek Business Intelligence Oracle Plunges Into BI March 22, 2006: "No doubt. Oracle's move 'poses a threat' to companies focused solely on BI applications, said John Hagerty, research vice president at AMR Research Inc. 'During the past five years companies have moved from wanting to collect the data, to gaining insight from the data,' he said. 'With that strategy, Oracle is aiming for the hearts and minds of the overall SAP business user.'
SAP AG has taken a similar path, but different road. Hagerty said SAP is integrating intelligence and analytics into the applications, such as supply chain, customer relationship management (CRM) and financials.
SAP surrounds their applications stack with reporting and analysis, whereas Oracle considers the applications stack and the data, Hagerty said.
By year's end, Oracle Business Intelligence Suites will support SAP's warehouse management application, said Christina Kolotouros, director of Oracle BI Product Management. 'The applications also will integrate tightly with Microsoft Office,' she said. "
SAP AG has taken a similar path, but different road. Hagerty said SAP is integrating intelligence and analytics into the applications, such as supply chain, customer relationship management (CRM) and financials.
SAP surrounds their applications stack with reporting and analysis, whereas Oracle considers the applications stack and the data, Hagerty said.
By year's end, Oracle Business Intelligence Suites will support SAP's warehouse management application, said Christina Kolotouros, director of Oracle BI Product Management. 'The applications also will integrate tightly with Microsoft Office,' she said. "
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Rubbermaid division chooses A2i, ends up with SAP
Executives in one of Newell Rubbermaid Inc.'s commercial products divisions took months to convince corporate headquarters that Los Angeles-based A2i Inc.'s xCat product management tool would help synchronize thousands of products and in turn save the company money.
SAP has many customers of SAP MDM now but most of the established customer references are still from the legacy A2i acquisition.
Andrew White,
research director, Gartner Inc.
Executives at headquarters weren't ready to steer away from its own proprietary software. But after much wrangling, the division was given the nod for its project, which went live in 2003. No one at the division knew that SAP would eventually buy the product, said Joe DeZarn, who inherited the project in his role as director of marketing and communications at Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
'SAP was not at all in the picture,' said DeZarn, who serves as master data coordinator in the division. 'This xCat database looked far more robust and flexible and had a far better long term future than the product corporate was promoting.'"
SAP has many customers of SAP MDM now but most of the established customer references are still from the legacy A2i acquisition.
Andrew White,
research director, Gartner Inc.
Executives at headquarters weren't ready to steer away from its own proprietary software. But after much wrangling, the division was given the nod for its project, which went live in 2003. No one at the division knew that SAP would eventually buy the product, said Joe DeZarn, who inherited the project in his role as director of marketing and communications at Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
'SAP was not at all in the picture,' said DeZarn, who serves as master data coordinator in the division. 'This xCat database looked far more robust and flexible and had a far better long term future than the product corporate was promoting.'"
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Web Services Pipeline | SAP's Agassi Unravels The Meaning Of NetWeaver
Web Services Pipeline SAP's Agassi Unravels The Meaning Of NetWeaver: "CRN: At the last SAPphire conference, SAP made it abundantly clear that NetWeaver is critical to the company's product and marketing strategy. But NetWeaver provides so many functions, like business integration, business intelligence, composite applications and RFID support, that it's really hard to know what NetWeaver actually is and what it means to your partners and the partners of IBM, Oracle and other infrastructure companies.
AGASSI: If look at what SAP does really well, is we take non-core processes that are essential to run your business but not necessarily differentiate it. They are called best practices. Best practices are things that all companies need to do. Order to cash. Inventory management. Things of that nature. And we let you do them in a package that's out of the box. That's the classic SAP applications.
Now look at core processes, which require you to come in and build something that's differentiated. When we looked at core and non-core, one of the things that we realized is things that you may view as core today may be seen as non-core three years down the road. Things that differentiate you and allow you to capture market share, a few years down the road your competitors are pretty much doing the same things. But if you've built these two in context on two separate islands, you will still need to maintain the code you wrote for these core processes for ever and ever and ever. "
AGASSI: If look at what SAP does really well, is we take non-core processes that are essential to run your business but not necessarily differentiate it. They are called best practices. Best practices are things that all companies need to do. Order to cash. Inventory management. Things of that nature. And we let you do them in a package that's out of the box. That's the classic SAP applications.
Now look at core processes, which require you to come in and build something that's differentiated. When we looked at core and non-core, one of the things that we realized is things that you may view as core today may be seen as non-core three years down the road. Things that differentiate you and allow you to capture market share, a few years down the road your competitors are pretty much doing the same things. But if you've built these two in context on two separate islands, you will still need to maintain the code you wrote for these core processes for ever and ever and ever. "
SAP - Press Release
SAP - Press Release: "In the apparel industry, businesses need to react within days or even hours to changes in consumer behavior and customer demand for convenience, choice and value. SAP AFS features a flexible master-data structure that represents sizes, colors and styles at the stock keeping unit (SKU) level and gives planners up-to-the minute visibility into daily activities. By integrating data across the supply chain, the SAP application will enable the company to improve on-shelf availability.
�SAP enables small and midsize companies such as ours to adopt the same modern, best-in-class software and business processes that have historically not been available to us due to cost,� said Tom Hennigan, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Swiss Army Brands, Inc. �We view the implementation of SAP as essential for us to provide our customers with the same service levels that much larger brands provide.�"
�SAP enables small and midsize companies such as ours to adopt the same modern, best-in-class software and business processes that have historically not been available to us due to cost,� said Tom Hennigan, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Swiss Army Brands, Inc. �We view the implementation of SAP as essential for us to provide our customers with the same service levels that much larger brands provide.�"
Swiss Army Brands Sharpens Business Processes With SAP | Nachrichten | Aktienkurs |
Swiss Army Brands Sharpens Business Processes With SAP Nachrichten Aktienkurs : "SAP AG today announced that Swiss Army Brands, Inc., distributor of Swiss Army timepieces and Victorinox multi-tools, cutlery, travel gear and apparel, has selected SAP(R) solutions to optimize business processes and drive the expansion of its business lines. After comprehensive evaluations of several vendors, the distributor decided to retire its Oracle/JD Edwards legacy system and turned to SAP to enable faster, more informed decisions while supporting the unique requirements of the various Victorinox Swiss Army product lines. Specifically, the integrated SAP(R) Apparel and Footwear (SAP AFS) application will enable the growing company to implement global strategies, ensure consistent quality and react quickly to customer demands."
SAP readying BI-boosted NetWeaver update
SAP readying BI-boosted NetWeaver update: "SAP is transitioning NetWeaver into the platform that will serve as the backbone of its applications and is slated to be service-enabled by 2007. The core applications will eventually be augmented by composite applications, either built by customers in-house or purchased from independent software vendors.
'SAP is becoming much more integrated in its approach to BI,' said Lothar Schubert, director of SAP NetWeaver marketing for BI and information management. 'In the BI space, larger players claim to have a BI platform. It's no longer reporting and planning tools, but an overall platform, where those technologies are brought together. SAP has that platform in NetWeaver.' "
'SAP is becoming much more integrated in its approach to BI,' said Lothar Schubert, director of SAP NetWeaver marketing for BI and information management. 'In the BI space, larger players claim to have a BI platform. It's no longer reporting and planning tools, but an overall platform, where those technologies are brought together. SAP has that platform in NetWeaver.' "
Monday, March 20, 2006
BusinessIntelligence.com :: Hyperion Ports to Oracle Fusion Middleware
BusinessIntelligence.com :: Hyperion Ports to Oracle Fusion Middleware: "Hyperion has ported its centralized, Web-based planning, budgeting and forecasting solution to Oracle Application Server 10g, a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware. The product family's standards-based application server platform suite offers a comprehensive solution for developing, integrating, and deploying SOAs, Web services, Web applications and portals. Hyperion's integrated solution, now generally available, provides organizations enhanced connectivity to track and monitor business plans and forecasts, making it possible for users to extend their implementations for greater visibility into data. Further, the integrated offering helps deliver lower total cost of ownership by enabling organizations utilizing Oracle Fusion Middleware products to leverage their investment in Hyperion applications. "
ITP.net {News: SAP World Tour bound for Middle East}
ITP.net {News: SAP World Tour bound for Middle East}: "The SAP World Tour 2006 will arrive in Riyadh on April 4, and in Dubai on April 5. The SAP World Tour brings SAP top executives and experts directly to customers at local events to inform them about mySAP ERP, SAP NetWeaver foundation, and the role Enterprise Services Architecture will play in future IT ecosystems.
Following last year�s successful SAP Best of SAP World Tour, the SAP World Tour 2006 is expected to reach nearly 100 cities over the course of the year.
The World Tour visits in Riyadh and Dubai comprises keynote and special presentations by several executives from SAP, including Kai Hessenmueller, vice president SAP AG, Mark Tate-Smith, director Global Demo Systems SAP AG, and Hichem Maha, Director SAP AG. "
Following last year�s successful SAP Best of SAP World Tour, the SAP World Tour 2006 is expected to reach nearly 100 cities over the course of the year.
The World Tour visits in Riyadh and Dubai comprises keynote and special presentations by several executives from SAP, including Kai Hessenmueller, vice president SAP AG, Mark Tate-Smith, director Global Demo Systems SAP AG, and Hichem Maha, Director SAP AG. "
Friday, March 17, 2006
SAP moves to create non-union workers' council
SAP moves to create non-union workers' council: "SAP AG has taken steps to form a workers' council comprised of non-union employees in an effort to fend off what the German software vendor views as the harmful influence of unions on its 'start-up' company culture.
Advertisement:
SAP issued a statement late Tuesday announcing the decision by eight employee representatives, who currently sit on the company's supervisory board, to organize a workers' council election themselves. "
Advertisement:
SAP issued a statement late Tuesday announcing the decision by eight employee representatives, who currently sit on the company's supervisory board, to organize a workers' council election themselves. "
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry: "ERP has become the buzzword across verticals from manufacturing to accounting, engineering and design firms. Quadra Software Solutions, in partnership with SAP India, has launched SAP-Quadra, an ERP designed for the construction industry.
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry: "ERP has become the buzzword across verticals from manufacturing to accounting, engineering and design firms. Quadra Software Solutions, in partnership with SAP India, has launched SAP-Quadra, an ERP designed for the construction industry.
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry
CXOtoday.com > News > Software > ERP For The Construction Industry: "ERP has become the buzzword across verticals from manufacturing to accounting, engineering and design firms. Quadra Software Solutions, in partnership with SAP India, has launched SAP-Quadra, an ERP designed for the construction industry.
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
Joseph Philip, MD, Quadra Software Solutions and Srinivas Rao, Executive Director, small and medium enterprise, SAP India, discussed with CXOtoday as to how the new ERP will benefit the Indian construction industry.
The solution can be classified into Contractor Suite and Builder Suite. Contractor Suite features pre and post tender estimation, labour management, purchase and inventory management, billing and MIS based solutions. Whereas the Builder Suite has estimation and costing, labour management, client management, billing and site management. "
SAP Executive Resource Center
SAP Executive Resource Center: "A client recently asked me about best practices for migrating to their new SAP system, and was surprised when I suggested that a comprehensive 'pre-mortem' of the soon-to-be obsolete system should be a top priority. With so many things to do, why would anyone want to spend precious cycles figuring out what the value of the old system was just as it was heading for the digital trash heap?
My answer was simple: how will you know the value of what you're doing if you don't know the value of what you're replacing? In other words, how will you understand the ROI of your new SAP system? "
My answer was simple: how will you know the value of what you're doing if you don't know the value of what you're replacing? In other words, how will you understand the ROI of your new SAP system? "
Bloomberg.com: Germany
Bloomberg.com: Germany: "SAP AG, the world's largest maker of business management software, expects to woo more than 400 more clients this year from Oracle Corp. as it continues a program targeting customers of its nearest competitors.
Walldorf, Germany-based SAP won more than 220 clients last year through its so-called Safe Passage initiative and will double that in 2006, said William McDermott, chief executive officer of SAP's Americas unit. "
Walldorf, Germany-based SAP won more than 220 clients last year through its so-called Safe Passage initiative and will double that in 2006, said William McDermott, chief executive officer of SAP's Americas unit. "
Oracle starts to offer hosted Siebel CRM service - Computer Business Review
Oracle starts to offer hosted Siebel CRM service - Computer Business Review: "During an on-demand panel debate during the Gartner CRM forum in London yesterday, Anthony Lye, group VP for CRM products, said that although the original Siebel CRM on-demand service is hosted by IBM, when customers opt for Siebel 7 as an on-demand service it is hosted at Oracle's own data center."
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
ITworld.com - SAP moves to create non-union workers' council
ITworld.com - SAP moves to create non-union workers' council: "SAP issued a statement late Tuesday announcing the decision by eight employee representatives, who currently sit on the company's supervisory board, to organize a workers' council election themselves.
'If SAP is to have a workers' council, then it should be a works council that is representative of the heart of the company,' Chief Executive Officer Henning Kagermann said in a statement. 'We have a duty to maintain our unique company culture and values.'"
'If SAP is to have a workers' council, then it should be a works council that is representative of the heart of the company,' Chief Executive Officer Henning Kagermann said in a statement. 'We have a duty to maintain our unique company culture and values.'"
WebWire� | SAP Financial Management Software Certified by the Financial Systems Integration Office for Compliance with Federal Standards
WebWire� SAP Financial Management Software Certified by the Financial Systems Integration Office for Compliance with Federal Standards: "SAP Public Services, Inc., a subsidiary of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), today announced that its mySAP� ERP 2005 financial management software has been recertified by the Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO)�formerly referred to as JFMIP�as meeting their functional requirements for core financial systems. Improving federal financial management systems is critical to increasing accounting and forecasting accuracy for financial and program managers. The FSIO certification validates that mySAP ERP 2005 delivers the integrated business processes and financial management best-practices required by federal agencies to deliver increased visibility and transparency to manage budgets, operations and program performance to help improve the efficiency of services provided by the federal government. "
Oracle on ISV high - Computing
Oracle on ISV high - Computing: "Oracle has claimed it is signing an average of three new ISV partners a day across EMEA since the launch of its dedicated Roadshow tour last September.
The software giant claims it is on target to bring an additional 1,500 ISVs into its fold by the end of May 2006, and that it has also signed more than 410 ISVs to migrate their solutions to the Oracle Fusion Middleware platform.
Oracle�s EMEA partner network currently boasts around 9,600 members, including over 5,100 ISVs"
The software giant claims it is on target to bring an additional 1,500 ISVs into its fold by the end of May 2006, and that it has also signed more than 410 ISVs to migrate their solutions to the Oracle Fusion Middleware platform.
Oracle�s EMEA partner network currently boasts around 9,600 members, including over 5,100 ISVs"
Nuclear management firm to drop J.D. Edwards, deploy SAP
Nuclear management firm to drop J.D. Edwards, deploy SAP: "George Broman, principal project manager for SAP at Framatome ANP Inc., a firm that modernizes, maintains and provides components for nuclear power plants, wants the company to be prepared for a boom in new projects.
We are a project-driven company in everything we do, so we want to track our costs in SAP and drive those project costs down to a certain level.
George Broman,
principal project manager for SAP, Framatome ANP Inc.
With energy prices spiking in some areas of the United States, communities are considering nuclear power as a way to ease rising energy costs. To prepare itself for the potential onrush of business, Framatome ANP, a joint subsidiary of AREVA and Siemens, is implementing SAP across its divisions in the U.S. to standardize with corporate offices in France and Germany."
We are a project-driven company in everything we do, so we want to track our costs in SAP and drive those project costs down to a certain level.
George Broman,
principal project manager for SAP, Framatome ANP Inc.
With energy prices spiking in some areas of the United States, communities are considering nuclear power as a way to ease rising energy costs. To prepare itself for the potential onrush of business, Framatome ANP, a joint subsidiary of AREVA and Siemens, is implementing SAP across its divisions in the U.S. to standardize with corporate offices in France and Germany."
Telecoms and Software News
Telecoms and Software News: "Yesterday, SAP published a statement welcoming a decision by the eight employee representatives on its supervisory board to organise the elections for a workers' council. The employee representatives will arrange a company meeting in the near future, possibly next week, with the aim of electing a committee, which then has to organise the actual election of a workers' council.
Comment: At first sight, it looks like SAP has made a U-turn by welcoming the creation of a workers' council (see EuroView Daily, 28 February). Hardly a day has passed over the last week or two that SAP wasn't in the news with details of how it has attempted to prevent the creation of such a council. SAP voiced its determination to take matters to the federal constitutional court - so what has happened?
A stunning 91% of SAP employees voted against the formation of a workers' council in a general meeting on 2 March (see EuroView Daily, 3 March). However, the three defeated employees who were behind this move, and happen to be members of the trade union IG Metall, brought the issue in front of an industrial tribunal in Mannheim to try and force SAP to form a workers' council. The decision will be pronounced on 11 April. But given the current law on this issue, it seems certain that the outcome will be the imposition of an election committee by court ruling. This would result in trade union members being part of the election committee. "
Comment: At first sight, it looks like SAP has made a U-turn by welcoming the creation of a workers' council (see EuroView Daily, 28 February). Hardly a day has passed over the last week or two that SAP wasn't in the news with details of how it has attempted to prevent the creation of such a council. SAP voiced its determination to take matters to the federal constitutional court - so what has happened?
A stunning 91% of SAP employees voted against the formation of a workers' council in a general meeting on 2 March (see EuroView Daily, 3 March). However, the three defeated employees who were behind this move, and happen to be members of the trade union IG Metall, brought the issue in front of an industrial tribunal in Mannheim to try and force SAP to form a workers' council. The decision will be pronounced on 11 April. But given the current law on this issue, it seems certain that the outcome will be the imposition of an election committee by court ruling. This would result in trade union members being part of the election committee. "
news - SAP Comments on Planning of Works Council Election
news - SAP Comments on Planning of Works Council Election: "An extensive evaluation of the legal situation in Germany has shown that the current federal laws do not provide the option for SAP to establish an employee representation system aligned with its traditional practices or to prevent the imposition of an election committee by a court ruling.
As such, the executive board welcomes the decision today by the SAP employee representatives in the supervisory board to organize a works council election themselves. The employee representatives will hold a company meeting in the coming weeks with the aim of electing a committee to conduct an election for the 9,000 colleagues at SAP AG�s sites in Walldorf and St. Leon Rot.
�It is important now that we make the best possible use of the options available to us within existing corporate law,� said Claus Heinrich, member of the SAP Executive Board."
As such, the executive board welcomes the decision today by the SAP employee representatives in the supervisory board to organize a works council election themselves. The employee representatives will hold a company meeting in the coming weeks with the aim of electing a committee to conduct an election for the 9,000 colleagues at SAP AG�s sites in Walldorf and St. Leon Rot.
�It is important now that we make the best possible use of the options available to us within existing corporate law,� said Claus Heinrich, member of the SAP Executive Board."
Getting started on master data management
Getting started on master data management: "When Unilever started implementing MDM technology they decided to leave their master data and the copies of that data alone and tackle the data governance issue first, Longman said.
They began by picking some employees and charging them with the responsibility of managing the values of data within operational systems. They then created a process for replicating the master data so that copies are updated when changes are made.
It's much easier to take data and push it into a data warehouse than it is to take data and push it into operational systems.
Cliff Longman
'[Unilever] had set aside an SAP system specifically for holding a copy of the master data, and assigned responsibility to people to manage the data in that system,' Longman said. 'They used SAP replication technology to manage all of the other copies that were around the organization.'
Longman said that Unilever used enterprise application integration (EAI) tools to manage changes and replication on an 'as-it-happens' basis.
'As something changes in one system, a message is sent through a message bus and it's replicated to all of the places that that data is maintained,' he explained.
Longman added that this type of approach is often more successful at smaller companies than large ones, because it tends to be very expensive.
A second possible approach to implementing MDM technology begins with data harmonization and consolidation, rather than data governance. "
They began by picking some employees and charging them with the responsibility of managing the values of data within operational systems. They then created a process for replicating the master data so that copies are updated when changes are made.
It's much easier to take data and push it into a data warehouse than it is to take data and push it into operational systems.
Cliff Longman
'[Unilever] had set aside an SAP system specifically for holding a copy of the master data, and assigned responsibility to people to manage the data in that system,' Longman said. 'They used SAP replication technology to manage all of the other copies that were around the organization.'
Longman said that Unilever used enterprise application integration (EAI) tools to manage changes and replication on an 'as-it-happens' basis.
'As something changes in one system, a message is sent through a message bus and it's replicated to all of the places that that data is maintained,' he explained.
Longman added that this type of approach is often more successful at smaller companies than large ones, because it tends to be very expensive.
A second possible approach to implementing MDM technology begins with data harmonization and consolidation, rather than data governance. "
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
news - Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Makes Safe Passage to SAP
news - Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Makes Safe Passage to SAP: "SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced that Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (AEPCO), a not-for-profit electric cooperative providing energy to communities across the Southwest, joins a growing list of companies that are using the SAP Safe Passage program�a tailored package of applications, technology and incentives�to migrate to SAP, the world�s leading and most experienced business software solution provider.
Using mySAP� ERP, SAP�s market-leading enterprise resource planning solution, AEPCO and its sister cooperatives�Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services, Inc. (Sierra) and Southwest Transmission Cooperative, Inc. (SWTC)�will consolidate approximately 100 disparate legacy systems onto a single, integrated platform, streamlining business processes for improved usability across its three cooperative organizations. This move will aid in the modernization of internal systems and help AEPCO preserve its intellectual property."
Using mySAP� ERP, SAP�s market-leading enterprise resource planning solution, AEPCO and its sister cooperatives�Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services, Inc. (Sierra) and Southwest Transmission Cooperative, Inc. (SWTC)�will consolidate approximately 100 disparate legacy systems onto a single, integrated platform, streamlining business processes for improved usability across its three cooperative organizations. This move will aid in the modernization of internal systems and help AEPCO preserve its intellectual property."
Monday, March 13, 2006
Silicon Valley Watcher--Tom Foremski on the business and culture of innovation
Silicon Valley Watcher--Tom Foremski on the business and culture of innovation: "An SAP view on Oracle and open source from Jeff Nolan
Jeff Nolan was one of the top VCs in the Valley and worked at SAP Ventures for many years before shifting to this role within SAP, as director of the Apollo Strategy Group in SAP Marketing and Customer Operations.
Informally, he heads the 'Kill Oracle team' I'm told. BTW SAP Ventures is an investor in MySQL.
I think Jeff makes a good point. I have a meeting with Jeff early next week..."
Jeff Nolan was one of the top VCs in the Valley and worked at SAP Ventures for many years before shifting to this role within SAP, as director of the Apollo Strategy Group in SAP Marketing and Customer Operations.
Informally, he heads the 'Kill Oracle team' I'm told. BTW SAP Ventures is an investor in MySQL.
I think Jeff makes a good point. I have a meeting with Jeff early next week..."
Silicon Valley Watcher--Tom Foremski on the business and culture of innovation
Silicon Valley Watcher--Tom Foremski on the business and culture of innovation: "An SAP view on Oracle and open source from Jeff Nolan
Jeff Nolan was one of the top VCs in the Valley and worked at SAP Ventures for many years before shifting to this role within SAP, as director of the Apollo Strategy Group in SAP Marketing and Customer Operations.
Informally, he heads the 'Kill Oracle team' I'm told. BTW SAP Ventures is an investor in MySQL.
I think Jeff makes a good point. I have a meeting with Jeff early next week..."
Jeff Nolan was one of the top VCs in the Valley and worked at SAP Ventures for many years before shifting to this role within SAP, as director of the Apollo Strategy Group in SAP Marketing and Customer Operations.
Informally, he heads the 'Kill Oracle team' I'm told. BTW SAP Ventures is an investor in MySQL.
I think Jeff makes a good point. I have a meeting with Jeff early next week..."
Nucleus to SAP: Gotcha!#more#more
Nucleus to SAP: Gotcha!#more#more: "And we thought the war of words between software giants SAP and Oracle was bad. Now the German company that dominates the corporate application market is trading verbal jabs with a feisty little market research outfit, Nucleus Research, which challenges SAP�s advertising claim that its customers are much more profitable than others. Tech ROI-doubter Nicholas Carr has weighed in--demanding that SAP release the study it based its claim upon. The spat highlights the risks of making bold claims about technology�s effectiveness. As it stands right now, SAP�s stature may be hurt more than helped by its marketing campaign."
Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Does SAP sap profits?
Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Does SAP sap profits?: "You've seen the ads: Crowds of smiling employees clapping their hands and exchanging high-fives. Why are they so happy? Because their companies had the good sense to install software from SAP. The tagline: 'Companies that run SAP are 32% more profitable than companies that don't.'
That's an awfully big claim - associating significantly higher profits with the installation of a particular software package - but, as I've pointed out before (here and here), there's no way to validate it. SAP has spent millions on the ad campaign, but it hasn't made the research public. We get the tagline, not the facts. "
That's an awfully big claim - associating significantly higher profits with the installation of a particular software package - but, as I've pointed out before (here and here), there's no way to validate it. SAP has spent millions on the ad campaign, but it hasn't made the research public. We get the tagline, not the facts. "
SDA India Magazine::News::Oracle Fusion Middleware Now Certified on SASH Stack
SDA India Magazine::News::Oracle Fusion Middleware Now Certified on SASH Stack: "Oracle Fusion Middleware is now a certified platform for the SourceLabs 'SASH' stack: Apache Struts, Apache Axis, the Spring Framework, and Hibernate. SASH integrates Spring, Apache Axis, Apache Struts, and Hibernate into a single distribution, tested and integrated to work with Oracle Fusion Middleware, which aims at reducing the cost, risk and effort for developers and IT departments using the software.
With integration issues in server-side Java development, a certified platform is expected to reduce operation risk and increase productivity. 'Many people are trying to use Struts with Hibernate and/or Spring with Hibernate and end up having integration problems�The reality is that enterprises run open source and commercial software side-by-side and will continue to do so. That�s why Oracle partnered with SourceLabs to solve this issue for Oracle AS 10g customers. SASH simply means (Struts, Apache Axis, Hibernate and Spring). SourceLabs provides services around their tested SASH stack. Oracle customers using server-side Java are now able to improve productivity, reduce operational risk, and adopt open platforms with confidence.', sayd Omar Tazi, Chief Open Source Evangelist at Oracle."
With integration issues in server-side Java development, a certified platform is expected to reduce operation risk and increase productivity. 'Many people are trying to use Struts with Hibernate and/or Spring with Hibernate and end up having integration problems�The reality is that enterprises run open source and commercial software side-by-side and will continue to do so. That�s why Oracle partnered with SourceLabs to solve this issue for Oracle AS 10g customers. SASH simply means (Struts, Apache Axis, Hibernate and Spring). SourceLabs provides services around their tested SASH stack. Oracle customers using server-side Java are now able to improve productivity, reduce operational risk, and adopt open platforms with confidence.', sayd Omar Tazi, Chief Open Source Evangelist at Oracle."
Oracle encourages customers to 'start in the middle' | Oracle Middle East
Oracle encourages customers to 'start in the middle' Oracle Middle East: "Bringing their evolutionary vision to the Middle East, Oracle hosted about 200 customers and partners today at the Oracle Fusion Middleware Roadshow, which took place at the J.W.Marriott in Dubai."
EFYTimes.com - Latest technology news, india, international, electronics, IT and telecom news
EFYTimes.com - Latest technology news, india, international, electronics, IT and telecom news: "India said, 'We appreciate Wipro Infotech's motivation and drive to achieve this remarkable result which has contributed significantly to our SME business. They have played an important role in India and the APA region by developing good capabilities to deliver quick time and effective micro-vertical solutions to the growing companies in the SME space.'
One of the products developed by Wipro on the SAP platform is the templatised solution called 'QuickStart' - the ready to use SAP solution based on mySAP All-in-one framework. QuickStart can cut costs by 40 per cent and implementation work by 30 per cent than conventional ERP deployments. The solution can automate business critical processes in a short duration and incorporates industry best practices."
One of the products developed by Wipro on the SAP platform is the templatised solution called 'QuickStart' - the ready to use SAP solution based on mySAP All-in-one framework. QuickStart can cut costs by 40 per cent and implementation work by 30 per cent than conventional ERP deployments. The solution can automate business critical processes in a short duration and incorporates industry best practices."
SAP preps new supply chain suite for summer - Computer Business Review
SAP preps new supply chain suite for summer - Computer Business Review: "The after-sales market extends traditional product-focused supply chains to synchronize with services and provides companies with new revenue opportunities. According to AMR Research companies can cut service-parts inventories by up to 30% and raise service levels by 95% as a result of supply chain automation and management software.
SAP says both environments can now be stitched together through its NetWeaver platform.
The software will also tighten up links with ERP platforms, including non-SAP systems for replenishment planning and forecasting and provides collaboration and supplier managed inventory support for retailers.
This will be the fifth major release of the mySAP SCM suite. SAP says it has been working on the release for two years."
SAP says both environments can now be stitched together through its NetWeaver platform.
The software will also tighten up links with ERP platforms, including non-SAP systems for replenishment planning and forecasting and provides collaboration and supplier managed inventory support for retailers.
This will be the fifth major release of the mySAP SCM suite. SAP says it has been working on the release for two years."
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Business Intelligence Pipeline | SAP: Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Market Happiness
Business Intelligence Pipeline SAP: Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Market Happiness: "SAP is not inviting overtures from Oracle. Nor is it planning to cut prices in Asia, SAP CEO Henning Kagermann said Thursday, contrary to previously published news reports.
'I had said [during an earlier interview] that, as a CEO, you have to listen at least once to every proposal, because that's your responsibility. They said 'would you even listen if' -- and I said 'why not',' said Kagermann. '[My comments were] in the context of how PeopleSoft's board behaved, which I thought was not the right way. You have to look at every opportunity, and we saw that PeopleSoft didn't do so well.' "
'I had said [during an earlier interview] that, as a CEO, you have to listen at least once to every proposal, because that's your responsibility. They said 'would you even listen if' -- and I said 'why not',' said Kagermann. '[My comments were] in the context of how PeopleSoft's board behaved, which I thought was not the right way. You have to look at every opportunity, and we saw that PeopleSoft didn't do so well.' "
CXOtoday.com > News > Business > Polaris, SAP Partner For Retail Clients
CXOtoday.com > News > Business > Polaris, SAP Partner For Retail Clients: "Polaris Retail Infotech (PRIL), a leading retail software provider and SAP India, the leading provider of business software solutions, have announced a strategic alliance to support Retail clients in India.
Through this partnership, SAP India has chosen PRIL as a mySAP all-in-one partner for the retail segment in India. Under the alliance, PRIL is responsible for selling SAP IS Retail licenses as well as providing implementation and support services, targeting small and midsize customers in the retail segment. "
Through this partnership, SAP India has chosen PRIL as a mySAP all-in-one partner for the retail segment in India. Under the alliance, PRIL is responsible for selling SAP IS Retail licenses as well as providing implementation and support services, targeting small and midsize customers in the retail segment. "
RED HERRING | SAP Cozies Up to Microsoft
RED HERRING SAP Cozies Up to Microsoft: "SAP�s love-hate relationship with Microsoft took another turn Thursday after the German business software giant said it will make it easier and cheaper to run business software like human resources management on Microsoft�s operating systems.
SAP is extending its �adaptive computing� capabilities, which allow customers to run applications as services and distribute them across various pieces of hardware and software to Microsoft databases and operating systems. For example, instead of running software on a large mainframe computer, companies can do the same on a few smaller servers that cost less than one large mainframe.
Until now, these capabilities could only support the Unix and Linux operating systems. Offering the same feature with software giant Microsoft will help SAP better serve its small- and medium-sized customers who largely run their software on Microsoft-driven systems. "
SAP is extending its �adaptive computing� capabilities, which allow customers to run applications as services and distribute them across various pieces of hardware and software to Microsoft databases and operating systems. For example, instead of running software on a large mainframe computer, companies can do the same on a few smaller servers that cost less than one large mainframe.
Until now, these capabilities could only support the Unix and Linux operating systems. Offering the same feature with software giant Microsoft will help SAP better serve its small- and medium-sized customers who largely run their software on Microsoft-driven systems. "
Oracle Strengthens Mid-Market Stance in China - Computer Business Review
Oracle Strengthens Mid-Market Stance in China - Computer Business Review: "The Californian database and applications giant has kicked off an initiative to establish more direct support operation in 26 'tier-2' Chinese cities and attract more local businesses and ISV partners to its software suite.
Oracle will set up the support centers in key provincial capitals with help from local ISV partners. The company, which has been in China for 16 years and does 90% of its business through partners, currently has four Chinese offices -- in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. It also maintains development centers in Beijing and Shenzhen."
Oracle will set up the support centers in key provincial capitals with help from local ISV partners. The company, which has been in China for 16 years and does 90% of its business through partners, currently has four Chinese offices -- in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. It also maintains development centers in Beijing and Shenzhen."
SAP pushes supply chain management for medium-sized firms - IT Week
SAP pushes supply chain management for medium-sized firms - IT Week: "SAP has announced a new version of its MySAP supply chain management (SCM) solution, and emphasised its commitment to providing firms of all sizes with web services software to help them share information with global suppliers, subsidiaries and business partners.
MySAP SCM has added support for specific retail forecasting and replenishment functions to help firms predict product demand more accurately and cut inventory storage costs. It also offers planning tools to aid demand-driven supply networks and has enhanced collaboration support for demand-driven manufacturing. It will be available in the second half of 2006."
MySAP SCM has added support for specific retail forecasting and replenishment functions to help firms predict product demand more accurately and cut inventory storage costs. It also offers planning tools to aid demand-driven supply networks and has enhanced collaboration support for demand-driven manufacturing. It will be available in the second half of 2006."
SAP plans new version of All-in-One in 2006 - Computerworld
SAP plans new version of All-in-One in 2006 - Computerworld: "German business software company SAP AG plans to release a new version of its All-in-One software targeting midsize companies in the second half of 2006.
The new version will come with SAP NetWeaver, which helps companies migrate their IT systems to a service-oriented architecture, said CEO Henning Kagermann at a news conference at the CeBIT trade show on Thursday.
The All-in-One application, a scaled-down version of mySAP Business Suite for large enterprises, targets customers with annual sales of between $24 million and $593 million, according to Kagermann. The product, which is available in 50 countries, is now used by more than 7,700 midsize companies worldwide. "
The new version will come with SAP NetWeaver, which helps companies migrate their IT systems to a service-oriented architecture, said CEO Henning Kagermann at a news conference at the CeBIT trade show on Thursday.
The All-in-One application, a scaled-down version of mySAP Business Suite for large enterprises, targets customers with annual sales of between $24 million and $593 million, according to Kagermann. The product, which is available in 50 countries, is now used by more than 7,700 midsize companies worldwide. "
"Changes Aplenty in Supply Chain Software Space" � a Managing Automation� news article
"Changes Aplenty in Supply Chain Software Space" � a Managing Automation� news article: "In other supply-chain software news, the upgrade to mySAP 5.0 SCM includes a new service parts management capability that allows manufacturers to forecast and plan service parts inventories. The result of a two-year development effort involving SAP and partners Ford Motor Co. and Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., the new service parts planning and execution capabilities allow manufacturers to plan for slow or irregularly moving service parts and to align service parts inventory with target customer service levels, said Hans Thalbauer, vice president of applications and solutions management for SAP SCM, in an interview with Managing Automation.
mySAP SCM 5.0 also offers new support for collaborative supply chain management. Available in industry-specific versions targeting high-tech and consumer product manufacturers, the new collaboration features allow OEM manufacturers to order components for suppliers and to track the use of those components. The product also allows for collaborative replenishment between manufacturers and suppliers.
The third key enhancement in mySAP SCM5.0, Thalbauer said, is a new set of integrated analytical tools. Using SAP's Portal and Exchange Infrastructure middleware, the tool extracts supply chain data and presents it to managers in the form of preconfigured key performance indicators. The preconfigured KPIs support supply chain planners, warehouse managers, and transportation managers. Transportation managers, for example, would be able to see which transportation carriers are responsible for what percentage of a company's overall shipping business at any point in time, Thalbauer said."
mySAP SCM 5.0 also offers new support for collaborative supply chain management. Available in industry-specific versions targeting high-tech and consumer product manufacturers, the new collaboration features allow OEM manufacturers to order components for suppliers and to track the use of those components. The product also allows for collaborative replenishment between manufacturers and suppliers.
The third key enhancement in mySAP SCM5.0, Thalbauer said, is a new set of integrated analytical tools. Using SAP's Portal and Exchange Infrastructure middleware, the tool extracts supply chain data and presents it to managers in the form of preconfigured key performance indicators. The preconfigured KPIs support supply chain planners, warehouse managers, and transportation managers. Transportation managers, for example, would be able to see which transportation carriers are responsible for what percentage of a company's overall shipping business at any point in time, Thalbauer said."
IOUC : International Oracle User Council
IOUC : International Oracle User Council: "Oracle is committed to fostering strong and independent user group communities around the world. Through organized user groups, Oracle management can learn more about customer concerns and recommendations. The user groups meet regularly to share best practices, network and learn about Oracle products and services. This vibrant community is represented to Oracle in many ways � via regional, industry, and product-specific groups interested in helping Oracle further develop its product line. "
SAP's Agassi wants more integration with Office - Computerworld
SAP's Agassi wants more integration with Office - Computerworld: "SAP has already rewritten its flagship R/3 ERP product once, switching from dedicated client software to a Web interface with the introduction of its MySAP portal.
That switch did not appeal to everyone, though, Agassi said Wednesday at the International CeBIT Forum, a one-day conference running alongside the CeBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany.
'We thought people would use our portal, but now we realize they want to use SAP in their own interface,' he said. 'People will prefer to retain their current user experience.'
For the foreseeable future, that user experience will be defined by Microsoft Office, he said.
'The one application that is always open is Office, and in five years' time I don't think that is going to change,' he said. 'This is important because there are four times as many people who use Office as use SAP.' "
That switch did not appeal to everyone, though, Agassi said Wednesday at the International CeBIT Forum, a one-day conference running alongside the CeBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany.
'We thought people would use our portal, but now we realize they want to use SAP in their own interface,' he said. 'People will prefer to retain their current user experience.'
For the foreseeable future, that user experience will be defined by Microsoft Office, he said.
'The one application that is always open is Office, and in five years' time I don't think that is going to change,' he said. 'This is important because there are four times as many people who use Office as use SAP.' "
Saturday, March 11, 2006
FT.com / Technology / Digital Business - Life after death of a supplier
FT.com / Technology / Digital Business - Life after death of a supplier: "With Oracle on an acquisition spree over the past two years, some industry watchers expected clients of the bought-up companies to jump ship. Fewer than expected have, but Hugo Boss, the German fashion company is one that did.
It was formerly a client of Retek, a retail software systems supplier bought by Oracle in March 2005.
Hugo Boss took advantage of the �Safe passage� incentive programme set up by SAP to woo disgruntled customers of recent Oracle purchases."
It was formerly a client of Retek, a retail software systems supplier bought by Oracle in March 2005.
Hugo Boss took advantage of the �Safe passage� incentive programme set up by SAP to woo disgruntled customers of recent Oracle purchases."
FT.com / Technology / Digital Business - When a system starts to creak
FT.com / Technology / Digital Business - When a system starts to creak: "Its existing enterprise resource planning system, supplied by SAP, was creaking at the seams. McData�s main product line was storage area networking systems. These had to be configured to meet customers� requirements during manufacturing.
McData had to adapt its ERP system considerably to handle this demanding pro-cess. But customising the system made each upgrade harder and more expensive.
By 2000, McData�s business was growing rapidly, sometimes by as much as 30 per cent a quarter, but its ERP systems were long out of date. �We were several release levels behind,� says Deb Morton, director of enterprise business systems at McData"
McData had to adapt its ERP system considerably to handle this demanding pro-cess. But customising the system made each upgrade harder and more expensive.
By 2000, McData�s business was growing rapidly, sometimes by as much as 30 per cent a quarter, but its ERP systems were long out of date. �We were several release levels behind,� says Deb Morton, director of enterprise business systems at McData"
::? Nachrichten | CEBIT SAP plans to boost R&D budget by 10 pct this yr ?::
::? Nachrichten CEBIT SAP plans to boost R&D budget by 10 pct this yr ?::: "SAP AG chief executive Henning Kagermann (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) said the company plans to increase its budget for research and development by more than 10 pct this year from last year's 1 bln eur, according to a prerelease of his interview with Die Welt newspaper's Saturday edition."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
InformationWeek | Business Innovation Powered By Technology
InformationWeek Business Innovation Powered By Technology: "Since we got our hands on a Nucleus Research report that claims that SAP customers are 20% less profitable than their peers, we've had a chance to talk to SAP about it. 'Their research is like comparing apples to rotten oranges,' says SAP spokesperson Bill Wohl. 'They [analyzed] 1/25th of a percent of SAP customers -- 81 out of 30K, and from that small slice they've concluded that SAP customers are less profitable.'
Nucleus called into question SAP's marketing campaign about the best run businesses running SAP in its report. Nucleus analysts assessed the return on equity (ROE) of 81 publicly traded companies on SAP's Web site and found that SAP customers had an average ROE of 12.6% compared with an industry average ROE of 15.7%. The study was not commissioned by an SAP competitor or any other vendor, Nucleus said. "
Nucleus called into question SAP's marketing campaign about the best run businesses running SAP in its report. Nucleus analysts assessed the return on equity (ROE) of 81 publicly traded companies on SAP's Web site and found that SAP customers had an average ROE of 12.6% compared with an industry average ROE of 15.7%. The study was not commissioned by an SAP competitor or any other vendor, Nucleus said. "
InformationWeek | Business Innovation Powered By Technology
InformationWeek Business Innovation Powered By Technology: "Since we got our hands on a Nucleus Research report that claims that SAP customers are 20% less profitable than their peers, we've had a chance to talk to SAP about it. 'Their research is like comparing apples to rotten oranges,' says SAP spokesperson Bill Wohl. 'They [analyzed] 1/25th of a percent of SAP customers -- 81 out of 30K, and from that small slice they've concluded that SAP customers are less profitable.'
Nucleus called into question SAP's marketing campaign about the best run businesses running SAP in its report. Nucleus analysts assessed the return on equity (ROE) of 81 publicly traded companies on SAP's Web site and found that SAP customers had an average ROE of 12.6% compared with an industry average ROE of 15.7%. The study was not commissioned by an SAP competitor or any other vendor, Nucleus said. "
Nucleus called into question SAP's marketing campaign about the best run businesses running SAP in its report. Nucleus analysts assessed the return on equity (ROE) of 81 publicly traded companies on SAP's Web site and found that SAP customers had an average ROE of 12.6% compared with an industry average ROE of 15.7%. The study was not commissioned by an SAP competitor or any other vendor, Nucleus said. "
Monday, March 06, 2006
computerwoche.de - Nachrichten - ERP-Vergleich: Oracle liegt leicht vor SAP
computerwoche.de - Nachrichten - ERP-Vergleich: Oracle liegt leicht vor SAP: "Zu den �berraschungen des Tests z�hlt laut GPS-Gesch�ftsf�hrer Werner Schmid, dass Marktf�hrer SAP hier keineswegs die Konkurrenz hinter sich l�sst. Vielmehr liegt Konkurrent Oracle mit der E-Business Suite mit insgesamt 409 von 500 m�glichen Punkten) leicht vor den zweitplazierten Walldorfern (406 Punkte), die sich diesen Rang mit SSA Global teilen. Bei der funktionalen Abdeckung f�hrt Oracle mit der E-Business Suite das gesamte Feld an. Der Softwarekonzern erhielt 280 von 300 Punkten, SAP landete mit 277 Punkten auf Platz zwei. 'SAP kann alles, doch muss der Anwender es konfigurieren. Oracle dagegen bietet hier mehr fertige L�sungen an', kommentiert Schmid das Ergebnis. Bei den Bewertungspunkten Benutzerf�hrung und Flexibilit�t liegen die beiden gro�en Wettbewerber gleichauf."
CXOtoday.com > Interview > "Technology in itself does not help"
CXOtoday.com > Interview > "Technology in itself does not help": "What is the main value proposition of your on-demand solution?
Our on-demand offering provides a compelling value proposition to customers who want to start quick and easy with functionalities like sales force automation (SFA) and then they want to move it in-house to have a complete implementation within their enterprise environment. This is the right way to go about it and we offer it that way. Others are entering this market with a lot of noise but they don't provide this choice. A need for that was felt and so we thought of offering this. "
Our on-demand offering provides a compelling value proposition to customers who want to start quick and easy with functionalities like sales force automation (SFA) and then they want to move it in-house to have a complete implementation within their enterprise environment. This is the right way to go about it and we offer it that way. Others are entering this market with a lot of noise but they don't provide this choice. A need for that was felt and so we thought of offering this. "
SAP vs. Oracle: Users speak out
The ongoing fight for business applications supremacy between Oracle Corp. and SAP has technology professionals taking sides.
Some think that Oracle CEO Larry Ellison's vision and solid track record point to victory for the Redwood City, Calif.-based database giant, while others believe that the NetWeaver platform and battle-tested ERP software give SAP the edge."
Some think that Oracle CEO Larry Ellison's vision and solid track record point to victory for the Redwood City, Calif.-based database giant, while others believe that the NetWeaver platform and battle-tested ERP software give SAP the edge."
CBR - ORACLE FUSION SERIES PART II - Computer Business Review
CBR - ORACLE FUSION SERIES PART II - Computer Business Review: "Business activity monitoring (BAM) sprang up in 2001 to usher in a new era of real-time decision making by blending the best principles of business intelligence (BI), business process management (BPM) and enterprise application integration (EAI) technologies. "
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Telecoms and Software News
Telecoms and Software News: "In an interview in today's Financial Times Germany, Klaus Zimmer, head of SAP in Asia, has detailed plans for software development in China. A new laboratory in Shanghai will open at the end of March, with an initial staff of 500. By year-end, it will increase its workforce to 1,000 and expand it further to 1,500 at a later stage. In addition, a new SAP research centre with 100 staff will be opened in Chengdu, West China, this month. Comment: At the beginning of this year, CEO Henning Kagermann announced that SAP will expand its development capacities in China and Eastern Europe. Though SAP currently employs almost 1,000 people in China, the majority work in sales, and the number of developers is still in the lower three-digit range. This move will increase that number significantly. The 1,100 new jobs represent 31% of the 3,500 positions SAP wants to create globally in 2006. China will replace Israel as SAP's fourth-largest research hub, after Germany, India and the US."
EFYTimes.com - Latest technology news, india, international, electronics, IT and telecom news
EFYTimes.com - Latest technology news, india, international, electronics, IT and telecom news: "Oracle and HP have increased their commitment to HP Integrity servers running Oracle software, thereby helping enterprises optimise their business operations. As part of the move, Oracle has announced that its 10g infrastructure software, database, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Oracle Enterprise Manager and the Oracle E-Business Suite will run on HP Integrity servers running HP-UX 11i. "
Friday, March 03, 2006
Field Report: SAP�s Plan for Accelerating their SMB Growth - ARCWire Industry News
Field Report: SAP�s Plan for Accelerating their SMB Growth - ARCWire Industry News: "SAP held their annual SME (Small and Midsize Enterprises) analyst summit in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado February 15-17. SAP reported strong growth, continued build-out of their indirect channel for small businesses, the creation of a hybrid channel model for their midsize markets and initial thinking about the evolution of the next generation of SAP Business One a product that is intended for small businesses."
heise online - Weiterhin kein Betriebsrat bei SAP
heise online - Weiterhin kein Betriebsrat bei SAP: "Bei Deutschlands f�hrendem Softwarehersteller SAP wird es auch k�nftig keinen Betriebsrat geben. Auf einer Betriebsversammlung in Walldorf h�tten sich lediglich neun Prozent der rund 5100 anwesenden SAP-Besch�ftigten f�r einen Betriebsrat ausgesprochen, sagte ein IG-Metall-Sprecher. F�r die Gr�ndung eines Wahlvorstandes w�re die einfache Mehrheit der Anwesenden erforderlich gewesen. Drei SAP-Mitarbeiter hatten die Versammlung zusammen mit der Gewerkschaft initiiert. "
heise online - SAP founder thinks about leaving Walldorf
heise online - SAP founder thinks about leaving Walldorf: "Two days before SAP holds its employee meeting on Thursday with the aim of electing an employee council, the company's founder Dietmar Hopp has upped the ante: he feels that an employee council would be 'one foot in the door for IG Metall,' and he rejects the union's views on flexible working hours. 'If people have to ask the union whether they can call California at eleven o'clock at night, then happy days are over at SAP,' Hopp explained his concerns to the German economics paper Handelsblatt.com � 'in the worst case' Walldorf would be endangered as the home of the company's headquarters, he explained. For many years, Hopp was chairman of the supervisory board before he stepped down from the board completely almost a year ago. "
NetWeaver demands a long, hard look at business processes
Adoption of SAP's NetWeaver and the rising interest in implementing service-enabled applications is forcing enterprises to reexamine their business processes, according to Mathias Kirchmer, CEO of IDS Scheer Americas.
This is translating to growing momentum for IDS Scheer's ARIS Platform, Kirchmer said in an interview with SearchSAP.com. The platform helps companies design a more efficient blueprint toward adoption of service oriented architectures (SOA) and standards-based enterprise architectures, he said."
This is translating to growing momentum for IDS Scheer's ARIS Platform, Kirchmer said in an interview with SearchSAP.com. The platform helps companies design a more efficient blueprint toward adoption of service oriented architectures (SOA) and standards-based enterprise architectures, he said."
Thursday, March 02, 2006
DOW chemicals and plastics extends SAP partnership
DOW chemicals and plastics extends SAP partnership: "
The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) announces it has entered into an agreement with long-standing strategic partner SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) to provide next-generation technology that will enable Dow to meet current and future strategic business objectives. 'SAP's strategic direction fits our direction,' said Dave Kepler, corporate vice president, Shared Services, and CIO for Dow. 'It makes sense to build on our relationship with SAP, which has fostered growth and success for both companies during the past two decades.'"
The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) announces it has entered into an agreement with long-standing strategic partner SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) to provide next-generation technology that will enable Dow to meet current and future strategic business objectives. 'SAP's strategic direction fits our direction,' said Dave Kepler, corporate vice president, Shared Services, and CIO for Dow. 'It makes sense to build on our relationship with SAP, which has fostered growth and success for both companies during the past two decades.'"
We won't buy market share like Oracle, insists SAP boss
We won't buy market share like Oracle, insists SAP boss: "A clearly pugnacious Apotheker was in no mood to take prisoners. In an apparent dig at Salesforce.com, Apotheker specifically insisted: 'If the question is are we going to buy someone that begins with 'S' and has a big mouth...the answer is no.�
He went on to declare that SAP did not see Oracle as as much of a threat as others appear to. 'I believe China has more potent competitive potential than Oracle,� he insisted. 'If there will be a large sofware company emerging in Asia, it is likely to emerge in China first.
'If you ask me, do I believe there will be a Chinese competitor in a number of years, the answer is yes. Maybe not today, not tomorrow but in five years I can see the emergence of a significant Chinese operator. Any country that can produce that many scientists and engineers has a natural potential of being a significant software producer.'
Intriguingly given the rough reception the announcement of SAP's on demand strategy, Apotheker said there were no plans to change direction. Asked if SAP had any plans to beef up its offerings for so-called 'on demand' software that can be accessed over the Web, he said: 'No.'
He added that SAP was confident of winning more customers away from Oracle this year than last via its 'Safe Passage' program set up to entice them over.By the end of 2005, he said SAP had won 210 Oracle customers. 'I'm confident that in 2006 that number will be significantly higher than in 2005,' he said. "
He went on to declare that SAP did not see Oracle as as much of a threat as others appear to. 'I believe China has more potent competitive potential than Oracle,� he insisted. 'If there will be a large sofware company emerging in Asia, it is likely to emerge in China first.
'If you ask me, do I believe there will be a Chinese competitor in a number of years, the answer is yes. Maybe not today, not tomorrow but in five years I can see the emergence of a significant Chinese operator. Any country that can produce that many scientists and engineers has a natural potential of being a significant software producer.'
Intriguingly given the rough reception the announcement of SAP's on demand strategy, Apotheker said there were no plans to change direction. Asked if SAP had any plans to beef up its offerings for so-called 'on demand' software that can be accessed over the Web, he said: 'No.'
He added that SAP was confident of winning more customers away from Oracle this year than last via its 'Safe Passage' program set up to entice them over.By the end of 2005, he said SAP had won 210 Oracle customers. 'I'm confident that in 2006 that number will be significantly higher than in 2005,' he said. "
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Computerworld | SAP cofounder warns of relocation pending worker vote
Computerworld SAP cofounder warns of relocation pending worker vote: "SAP co-founder and shareholder Dietmar Hopp warned that the business software company could be forced to relocate its German headquarters if employees agree to a workers council at a meeting next week.
Although not opposed to workers councils in principle, Hopp expressed strong reservations about the influence of IG Metall, the German electronics and metal workers' union, in a podcast interview that the German business daily newspaper Handelsblatt made available on Tuesday.
One of Hopp's key concerns is IG Metall's rigid position on working hours. 'If you need to ask the union whether you can stay to make a call to California at 11 p.m., then good night SAP,' he said.
One of the possible consequences, Hopp said, would be to relocate the headquarters. He declined to say which locations would be suitable alternatives.
Hopp, who no longer holds an executive position at SAP, owns 10 percent of the company's stock. "
Although not opposed to workers councils in principle, Hopp expressed strong reservations about the influence of IG Metall, the German electronics and metal workers' union, in a podcast interview that the German business daily newspaper Handelsblatt made available on Tuesday.
One of Hopp's key concerns is IG Metall's rigid position on working hours. 'If you need to ask the union whether you can stay to make a call to California at 11 p.m., then good night SAP,' he said.
One of the possible consequences, Hopp said, would be to relocate the headquarters. He declined to say which locations would be suitable alternatives.
Hopp, who no longer holds an executive position at SAP, owns 10 percent of the company's stock. "
Line56.com: SAP Unhappy with Indian Trends
Line56.com: SAP Unhappy with Indian Trends: "Not long ago, SAP CEO Henning Kagermann told the Financial Times Deutschland that 'India is beginning to get expensive.'
More recently, SAP COO Leo Apotheker told the media that, in his opinion, the enterprise applications giant expects a global software competitor to arise from China, not India, which he classed as going in the direction of services more than software.
Taken together, these statements reflect SAP's growing regard for China, both because of its intellectual resources (Apotheker apparently believes that China will, within the next few years, develop a software giant that will prove more of a threat than Oracle) and its lower cost."
More recently, SAP COO Leo Apotheker told the media that, in his opinion, the enterprise applications giant expects a global software competitor to arise from China, not India, which he classed as going in the direction of services more than software.
Taken together, these statements reflect SAP's growing regard for China, both because of its intellectual resources (Apotheker apparently believes that China will, within the next few years, develop a software giant that will prove more of a threat than Oracle) and its lower cost."
