The Differences Between SAP & Intrastat
Program features and designated customer base are just some of the differences between SAP and Intrastat. SAP stands for systems applications and products, while Intrastat details intra-community statistics. Computer programmers designed SAP to facilitate business operations. Development of the European Union (EU) made use of the Intrastat system a necessity for commercial purposes.
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Origins
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The differences between SAP and Intrastat start with program origins. In 1972, former International Business Machine (IBM) employees living in Mannheim, Germany started working on a variety of office programs. They envisioned customers accessing one large database to use of a wide range of applications. Detailed trade records, called Intrastat, were developed in 1993 after the EU was formed. European Commodities became a unified entity and taxes were eliminated on commercial transactions between Member States.
Features
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There are SAP products available to manage every aspect of a business. Applications allow users to analyze items including customer relationships, product life cycle, supplier relationships and sustainability. Mobile platforms give users remote access to office information. Intrastat is a detailed list of transactions made between the 27 State Members of the European Union. Quantities, the sender and receiver are specified. Intrastat data is available to the general public for review, making the information helpful for business development.
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Users
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According to SAP administrators, the company is the world's largest manufacturer of inter-enterprise software. Inter-enterprise programs synchronize information from customers, suppliers and other business elements into one database. SAP products are used internationally on a daily basis, by companies including Microsoft and IBM. Interstat is filed on an as-needed basis by businesses in the European Union Member States. Business using Intrastat must have a value-added tax (VAT) number. The purchase price for VAT goods omits amounts paid for previously taxed production materials. Transactions exceeding amounts covered under Interstat are filed on supplemental forms.
Costs
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As of July 2011, there are no filing fees associated with Intrastat paperwork. Completed forms are presented to customs for proper documentation. Free Intrastat forms are located at customs offices throughout the EU. SAP costs vary depending on customer needs. Pricing platforms are based on individual users within a business, with a minimum number of installations required. User forums indicate pricing ranges from $400,000 to millions of dollars for a complete SAP setup.
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