SAP, Sybase plan iPhone, Windows mobile software

BOSTON, USA: Software makers SAP AG and Sybase Inc have teamed up to make it easier for businesses to run SAP's business management software on mobile devices including Apple Inc's iPhone.

SAP, the world's biggest maker of business management software, is already working with Research in Motion Ltd to develop programs for its BlackBerry devices. This is the first time the German software company has announced plans to customize its software for other devices.

Sybase, which already sells programs that let businesses "shrink" applications so they can more easily run on mobile devices, will customize its software to better work with SAP's complex business management programs.

The two companies, which announced the move on Wednesday, will initially focus on the iPhone and on smart phones that run on Microsoft Corp's Windows Mobile operating system.

"SAP wants to provide customers a broad choice of mobile solutions," said company spokesman Saswato Das. "Our partnerships with Sybase and RIM will accelerate the transformation to a fully mobile workforce."

The SAP/Sybase products will be available in the second half of 2009, Das said.