SAP Launches Business Suite 7.0 with a Modular Emphasis

Business Suite 7.0, emphasizes a modular, flexible approach to enterprise computing; according to Leo Apotheker, co-CEO of the Walldorf, Germany firm. “The days of big-bang implementations of enterprise applications are past.”

Business Suite 7.0 is the first time that SAP has been able to synchronize an upgrade across all of its applications, say Apothekar. The suite integrates analytics functions derived from its acquisition of Business Objects, and has a “harmonized” user interface to facilitate implementation and training. Another innovation SAP announced is industry-specific “value scenarios,” which are prepackaged combinations of SAP modules for distinct business applications, such as collaborative demand and supply planning.

“Business Suite 7.0 will give the life sciences industries more flexibility and more options in meeting their objectives in a highly regulated environment,” adds Andrew De, senior director, solution marketing for life sciences. “That flexibility extends to the differing situations of life science start-ups, mid-sized companies or large enterprises.”

De points out that the combination of the modular structure and SAP’s Netweaver architecture for data communications will enhance the ability to integrate SAP partner software products into the SAP environment. The company also announced that the systems integrators Atos Origin, Capgemini, IBM and Wipro will be the initial launch partners for Business Suite 7.0 implementations.

The week before the 7.0 announcement, SAP released its fiscal-year 2008 results, with non-GAAP revenue of $11.7 billion, up 19% over the previous year. The company had a great first half, but business slowed considerably in the second half—in Q4, software sales (which represent approximately 30% of the company’s total revenue) were down 6% as compared to Q42007. With the year-end announcement, SAP said it would undergo a first-ever staff cutback of an estimated 3,000 jobs over the next 12 months.