SAP`s SME World Tour makes Johannesburg its final stop, nd with good reason

MOST OF US still associate SAP with business software for big business.

So, it may come as some surprise to learn that small to mid-sized businesses account for 75% of its customer base (or 40 000 of its 51 000 customers globally), and 30% of its global revenue or about  1 billion.

While the 36-year-old business software giant did initally target Fortune 500 companies, just over a decade ago it changed tack and began to generate product for the equally lucrative small to mid-sized enterprise, or SME, market.

PREACHING TO THE UNITITIATED

However, perceptions die hard, and ten years on, it seems SAP is still having to preach to the uninitiated.

Last month, it ran its first SME World Tour, with a series of events is taking place in more than 50 cities in over 10 countries globally.

And perhaps very aptly, the SME World Tour made its final stop in Johannesburg, one of largest cities in Africa, hosting nearly 400 customers, partners and influencers.

"SMEs in Africa are absolutely critical for the growth of SAP," said Derek Kudsee, SME director for SAP SA, noting that the company is looking to acquire in excess of 250 customers in a given year through its channel ecosystem.

And in SA, the SME definition applies to companies with anything from 10 to 2 500 employees and a turnover from R10 million to R5 billion.

THE LAST FRONTIER

"Africa is the last frontier of growth, or at least double-digit growth," observed Pfungwa Serima, SAP South Africa`s recently appointed MD.

"Africa is a market we can bring a lot of value and benefits to, especially from South Africa," indicated Hans Peter Klaye, president for SME Business at SAP AG.

"After all, SMEs are the backbone of an economy and of employment, and they are also the driving force for innovation," he remarked.

The tour was designed to enable discussion with influencers, customers and prospects, along with members of the SAP ecosystem and parties interested in partnering with SAP.

The software giant also introduced its solution portfolio, which includes SAP Business One, for small businesses, and SAP Business ByDesign and SAP Business All-in-One solutions, for mid-size companies. This in addition to introducing its global network of more than 2 100 partners.

ALL-IN-ONE FOR BUSINESS

One of the event`s highlights was the presentation of the SAP Business All-in-One fast-start program for South Africa.

According to SAP, this program is designed to deliver rapid business results and lower total cost of ownership via the preconfigured SAP Business All-in-One solution based on proven SAP best practices to mid-size companies in the manufacturing, services and wholesale industries. Companies can further specify the offering using the solution configurator available on the SAP web site: www.Configurator.ch/za.

Another focus was on the joint offering of SAP and Business Objects (bought by SAP in 2007), which helps SMEs tightly link business information with business processes, allowing for greater transparency throughout the organisation as a foundation for faster and better-informed business decisions.

Finally, as sponsor of SAP SME World Tour series and long-term partner to SAP, Novell provided specifics on the use and advantages of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SMEs.