Germany's SAP Systems Integration (SAP SI) posted a 78%
increase in net profit for 2003, just one week after business
applications supplier SAP announced plans to acquire the remaining
shares of the IT service provider.
SAP SI's net profit in 2003 soared to €26.4m (£17.8m) from
€14.8m the year before, on revenue which dipped 4% to €280.3m from
€293.2m.
One factor contributing to the profit rise was the company's
move to increase the number of days it bills customers for
service.
"Last year, we were able to bill clients for 85% of all workable
days in Germany, amounting to 220, from around 70% the year
before," said SAP SI investor relations spokesman Stephan
Kahlhöfer.
SAP SI saw revenue dip in Germany, which accounts for 85% of its
business, by 2.6%, he said.
For 2004, the systems integrator expects revenue to climb
between 8% and 12%, according to Kahlhöfer. A huge chunk of that
growth will come from revenue to be consolidated for the first time
from two companies acquired last year: Germany's SPM Technologies
Deutschland and Switzerland's SLI Consulting.
The positive financial results come as SAP, which owns around
70% of the company, prepares to buy the remaining shares.
On 24 March, SAP announced its intention to take over the
systems integrator completely and merge the company with its own
consulting unit.
SAP's NetWeaver integration platform is driving the acquisition,
according to Kahlhöfer.
"SAP SI focuses on systems integration, while SAP's consulting
unit has traditionally focused on implementation," he said. "But
with NetWeaver, SAP is moving more into systems integration,
creating a competitive situation. So it makes sense to bring the
units together and offer one face to the customer."
SAP is working on a formal tender to acquire outstanding shares,
after which shareholders will have four weeks to decide on the
offer.
John Blau writes for IDG News Service