SAP slashes sales jobs in U.S

STUTTGART, Germany: Software group SAP AG has announced that it would cut 88 jobs as part of a restructuring of its U.S. sales force along regional lines. In addition, SAP will also transfer another 42 U.S. call center jobs to Ireland. The job layoffs, modest in comparison with the thousands of cuts at rival software firms, come as part of a restructuring plan of the key U.S. business operations, by new SAP America Chief Executive Bill McDermott, who took up his job in October 2002.

SAP employed 3,400 staff in its American operations and cut 150 jobs last year. In addition, it sent almost 1,000 staff on unpaid leave. In addition to the job cuts, the company is sacking another 44 sales executives for poor performance but will be refilling the positions.

The spokesman said SAP had no plans for cuts at its German sales or administrative operations. The company, which is due to report fourth quarter results at the end of the month, has said it would freeze hiring and adjust staffing in some areas to meet slower demand but would seek to avoid major redundancies.

© Reuters