SAP has struck separate deals with IBM, BearingPoint and
other resellers in an effort to strengthen sales to smaller
enterprises.
New channel partners were expected to be announced at SAP's
Sapphire customer conference.
During the first two days of Sapphire, SAP signed up 17
resellers for Business One products doubling its outlets and adding
American Express Tax and Business Services, according to Bill
McDermott, chief executive of SAP.
Under the agreement with IBM, the company has agreed to work
with small and medium-sized enterprises to deploy its All-in-One
and Business One applications.
IBM will also provide the option to bundle additional offerings,
including those from the IBM Express software range, and a new
prepackaged software product based on All-in-One.
The software is designed to serve electrical goods wholesalers
and suppliers of hardware, plumbing and heating products as well as
machinery and other durable goods. It will help customers to manage
key business processes, such as finance, sales, production planning
and logistics.
In addition, IBM and a network of select business partners will
offer All-in-One products globally. The group is already testing
the product in several European countries, as well as Japan and
Australia.
John Blau
writes for IDG News Service