Friday, June 09, 2006
FT.com / Technology - SAP plans to remain independent, says chief
eFT.com / Technology - SAP plans to remain independent, says chief: "But Mr Kagermann said Mr Plattner�s remarks had been misunderstood and that the company would remain independent.
�These were single remarks made by someone who was in a good mood,� Mr Kagermann said. Mr Plattner was �constantly under observation� by a media ready to interpret every remark for �the last little bit of news�, he said.
Asked if he thought recent speculation that rivals could bid for his company in the foreseeable future was overdone, he said: �Yes, of course � not least because our customers want a strong, independent SAP.�
Such confidence is at least in part based on a notion that Oracle�s spending spree will cause it problems. Oracle recently revealed plans to overhaul its business offerings in the next few years.
�I thought they were going to announce that they�d put all their products together,� Mr Kagermann said.
�Instead, they�ve told their clients they�re going to rewrite all programs from scratch. That�s a hell of a task.�"
�These were single remarks made by someone who was in a good mood,� Mr Kagermann said. Mr Plattner was �constantly under observation� by a media ready to interpret every remark for �the last little bit of news�, he said.
Asked if he thought recent speculation that rivals could bid for his company in the foreseeable future was overdone, he said: �Yes, of course � not least because our customers want a strong, independent SAP.�
Such confidence is at least in part based on a notion that Oracle�s spending spree will cause it problems. Oracle recently revealed plans to overhaul its business offerings in the next few years.
�I thought they were going to announce that they�d put all their products together,� Mr Kagermann said.
�Instead, they�ve told their clients they�re going to rewrite all programs from scratch. That�s a hell of a task.�"
