SAP Launches Gateway, Vastly Extends the Reach of SAP to New Users

ORLANDO, Fla., May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today launched SAP NetWeaver® Gateway technology, an open, standards-based framework for extending the reach of its business software to an exponentially larger number of users, developers and environments. SAP NetWeaver Gateway enables customers to free up their SAP applications from the confines of the desktop and access them from any environment, tool or device. In addition, the technology enables developers to create new applications using the development tools of their choice. Using this technology framework, companies will have the ultimate flexibility to develop and deploy solutions geared for the way their people work that are easy to build and simple to use without disrupting their existing IT landscapes. The announcement was made at SAPPHIRE® NOW, being held in Orlando, Florida, May 15-18, 2011, where attendees can get a closer look at innovative solutions built using SAP NetWeaver Gateway, and connect with partners that have developed solutions using this framework.

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Promoting New Ways of Working to Drive Growth

Delivering on a promise first made at SAPPHIRE NOW one year ago, and reiterated at SAP® TechEd 2010, SAP developed this new technology to enable its customers and partners to extend the reach of their SAP investments. With SAP NetWeaver Gateway, companies can engage more closely with customers or provide their internal teams with more intuitive ways to access business information from SAP systems.

"We are continuously searching for new and exciting ways to engage with our end customers," said Manish Choksi, chief strategy officer and CIO, Asian Paints. "We see the growing importance of social media platforms as a way for our consumers to interact with us. The pilot using SAP NetWeaver Gateway allows us to leverage the power of social media sites along with our SAP applications and create enhanced customer engagement, while deriving immediate business benefits. Insights from these social media interactions are captured through SAP NetWeaver Gateway in SAP Business Suite and are used by our product and marketing teams, providing them a true customer 'pulsecheck.'"

"With the release of SAP NetWeaver Gateway, we are freeing SAP applications from the confines of the desktop and enabling developers to create entirely new applications," said Dr. Vishal Sikka, member of the Executive Board, Technology and Innovation, SAP. "With this technology, we reach an unprecedented level of openness that is unique among our peers. More than ever before, our customers can take advantage of new technology innovations that will change the way they work, the way they think about and design applications, and the way they compete and grow — all while ensuring the security of their essential business data."

Driving Innovation While Controlling IT Landscapes

SAP NetWeaver Gateway is built to help maintain the security and integrity of a company's mission-critical systems so companies keep control over their core IT landscapes. This technology has already been embedded in SAP product releases. For example, the recently released Duet® Enterprise collaborative productivity software that connects Microsoft SharePoint 2010 and SAP applications, was built on SAP NetWeaver Gateway. To enable a variety of mobile solutions, SAP NetWeaver Gateway will also be the next-generation access technology into the SAP back-end systems for Sybase® Unwired Platform.

Expanding Access to All Developers and Creating a New Class of Applications

SAP NetWeaver Gateway offers connectivity to SAP applications using any programming language or model.

This means that millions of developers without prior knowledge of SAP development languages can use industry standards — including REST services and OData/ATOM protocols — to create new applications that connect directly to SAP software. By licensing SAP NetWeaver Gateway, any developer can now build and deliver applications that take advantage of SAP application functionality and content for new uses, such as interactive online experiences, within social environments, in presentation technologies or on diverse mobile devices and tablets.

Achieving Ecosystem Adoption Through Early Collaboration

Rapid design and development of new experience applications using the SAP NetWeaver Gateway technology is a key differentiator and business opportunity for SAP partners. To help ensure a successful ecosystem adoption, SAP and trusted partners CapGemini, CompriseIT, itelligence and Software AG have formed a Design Partner Council to drive early input, explore business opportunities and gain product insights from partners. Through this council, SAP and its partners have established a collaborative process to address joint customer needs with high-quality services, efficiency and speed.

For announcements, blog posts, videos and other coverage during the event, visit the SAPPHIRE NOW newsroom. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #SAPGateway.

SAPPHIRE® NOW

With SAPPHIRE® NOW, SAP offers its customers, partners and prospects even more opportunities to engage in dialogue with peers, participants and thought leaders around the globe. Being held in Orlando, Florida, May 15-18, 2011, this enhanced, real-time event connects attendees on site with global participants through state-of-the-art broadcast studios and an online experience that incorporates the latest social media and community functionality. Whether on site or online, participants can gain insight as to how SAP is delivering on its product strategy and helping organizations around the world to run better. For more information, visit www.sapphirenow.com . Follow SAPPHIRE NOW on Twitter at @SAPPHIRENOW and visit the event newsroom at www.sapphirenow.news-sap.com.

About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 170,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of Sybase) to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

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For more information, press only:
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During SAPPHIRE NOW (from May 15 to 18), to speak with press contacts on site, please dial the SAP press room: +1 (610) 661-0469.

SOURCE SAP AG