SAP, Sybase partner for mobile software

BANGALORE: SAP AG, a leading provider of enterprise software, and Sybase, a provider of enterprise and mobile software, today announced that the companies are collaborating to deliver the new SAP Business Suite software to iPhone, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and other devices by integrating it with Sybase’s mobile enterprise application platform, stated a press release.

The use of mobile devices in the workplace is growing rapidly; today’s workforce requires easy access to information while on the road or working from home, and they want the flexibility to use the device of their choice. According to the press release, together, SAP and Sybase will enable millions of enterprise software users worldwide access to secure, full-featured, business applications on the go. Companies can extend workforce productivity outside of the office by allowing employees to make informative and timely business decisions anytime and anyplace on a wide range of mobile devices.

Through the partnership, users will have access to critical customer data in both connected and disconnected modes right from their mobile device of choice by utilizing Sybase’s business process mobilization technology. Recently positioned by Gartner in the Leaders quadrant of its Magic Quadrant for Mobile Enterprise Application Platforms, December 2008,1 and recognized as a top mobile middleware market leader for the sixth consecutive year by IDC,2 Sybase will work together with SAP to simplify the delivery of enterprise applications to mobile devices to speed up rollout and reduce end-user training for sales representatives and service personnel. Mobile workers will now have the tools they need to take immediate action on routine operational tasks regardless of their location, increasing the overall productivity of their organization, improving efficiencies and controlling costs.

Sybase will enable sales professionals access to the SAP customer relationship management (CRM) solution. While on the move they will be equipped with up-to-the-minute data on their customers that is synchronized with the enterprise applications, allowing the seamless execution of customer transactions as well as integration with mobile business processes. This co-innovation will provide access to the new SAP Business Suite, enabling the modern workforce to provide superior customer value on the go.

“Today’s announcement represents a significant industry development that addresses built-up demand by an increasing number of businesses looking to take that next step towards enterprise mobility,” said Stephen Drake, program vice president, Mobility and Telecom, IDC “Although network connectivity speeds and mobile device computing power have improved, there are fundamental IT barriers that remain on the application side preventing enterprise mobility from reaching its full potential. With their respective market leadership positions, SAP and Sybase are uniquely positioned to quickly optimize enterprise systems for mobile devices and deliver high productivity applications.”

“We are currently witnessing the proliferation of mobile devices that is transforming the way users interact with information and applications on a global basis,” said John Chen, chairman, CEO and president, Sybase, Inc. “Today’s wireless consumers are provided with extensive features and functionality surrounding interaction, collaboration and information accessibility. To effectively carry this rich experience over to the enterprise, an open, standardized platform approach is required for interfacing between multiple application and device assets. Our partnership with SAP combines the world’s most widely used business applications with a leading mobile middleware platform on the market today, bringing us one step closer to realizing our vision of the Unwired Enterprise.”

“Our customers demand mobile access to proven business applications to stay connected to their customers, suppliers, partners and employees to drive innovation and productivity,” said Bill McDermott, president, Global Field Operations, and member of the SAP executive board SAP AG. “SAP is committed to helping customers adapt to business change and optimize the value derived from our leading solutions and extensive partner ecosystem. Working together with Sybase, we will provide the modern mobile workforce with the tools they need on the device of their choice, which will enable faster time to value, through access to business functionality anytime, anywhere.”

SAP and Sybase have set out to make a broader set of mobile applications available, using a wider range of mobile devices which will increase the value of customer’s investments in SAP enterprise applications.