Objectives of SAP

Companies such as SAP need humans to make technology better

Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing or SAP is one of the most ubiquitous software companies in the world. With a focus on the financial, consumer and public service industries, SAP continues to maintain its influence in driving efficiency in small and large organizations throughout the world. Still, SAP has very specific objectives that will define its place in the computer software industry.

History

SAP has existed since 1972. The company was founded by five former IMB engineers. The company was first publicly traded in 1988 in Germany. In 1995, SAP stock was traded on the Dow Jones. SAP is the fourth largest software company in the world. In 2010, SAP lost a legal battle with one of its largest competitors, Oracle, that resulted in a settlement of more than $1 billion.

Fact

With more than 100,000 customers, SAP has multiple product lines that meet the company's objectives. The customer relationship management product allows users to maintain and manipulate vital information on current and potential clients. Companies that create products benefit from SAP's supply chain management application. This tool allows SAP customers to manage each part of the manufacturing process.

Considerations

SAP's partners include schools such as California State University in Chico and other tech companies such as Microsoft. To accomplish its objective of moving beyond the current services offered, developing strategic partnerships are key to SAP's growth. Global logistics allow SAP to work with companies throughout the world adding more efficiency without losing focus on its core business.

Features

SAP plans to spend more than $1 billion to determine what customers need to create a more attractive product. SAP also plans to move beyond the industries in which it currently provides support by tapping SAP marketing staff to seek out new opportunities that match the company's objectives. SAP will acquire companies that have technological capabilities that will enhance the services provided to current customers. SAP also plans to stand on the track record that it has maintained since the 1970s as a company that provides products that users want and need.

Prevention/Solutions

Organic growth is a key component to SAP's planned objectives. To create new growth, the company must maintain solid relationships with current customers. To that end, SAP supports nonprofit user groups that use the collective knowledge of existing customers to develop and enhance the new of other existing customers. In addition to user groups, the company plans an annual meeting called SAPPHIRE each year where existing users see the latest enhancements on existing SAP products.

References

• SAP; Corporate
• SAP; Training and Education
• SAP User Groups
• SAP; History