SAP Extends Safe Passage Program to Small and Midsize Enterprises

WALLDORF, Germany, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAP AG today announced the next wave of its Safe Passage program of SAP(R) applications and support, joining with its channel partners in a special program and conversion credit designed specifically for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) running PeopleSoft and JD Edwards solutions. The new program unites SAP and its network of channel partners for mySAP(TM) All-in-One solutions to serve SMEs who are facing the uncertainties from the end of life of their solutions and the extended delays in new innovation due to the Oracle acquisition.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a ) Investment Protection and Support from SAP and its Partners

The latest iteration of the SAP Safe Passage program provides SMEs protection for past technology investments in addition to a migration path to the nearly 600 mySAP All-in-One solutions from SAP and its worldwide partner network. The program provides a conversion credit of up to 75 percent of the original PeopleSoft or JD Edwards software licensing fees to be used toward the licensing of mySAP All-in-One solutions. The offer is valid for all versions and releases of PeopleSoft and JD Edwards applications. Support and maintenance of the solutions will be provided through mySAP All-in-One partners.

"Investment protection is one of the key topics for SMEs; the same applies to a reliable partner," said Herbert Vogel, CEO of itelligence, an international, full-service SAP channel partner in the SME market. "However, following the Oracle acquisitions, customers of Peoplesoft and JD Edwards are facing an uncertain future. Quite a few of these companies have been talking to us about migration to mySAP All-in-One; first projects are already planned. With the extension of Safe Passage to SMEs, we can offer this target group a secure and cost-effective transition to any of our 12 industry-specific solutions."

mySAP All-in-One solutions offer comprehensive microvertical business management capabilities based on industry best practices of more than 6,000 customers worldwide in more than 20 industries, documented by SAP and leveraged by its channel partners to enable rapid, reliable deployment of enterprise solutions with a quick return on investment.

"This Safe Passage program is designed for PeopleSoft and JD Edwards customers -- and the channel partners who serve them -- who are questioning Oracle's ability to provide them a predictable growth path while the company remains focused on acquiring customers and vendors rather than providing customers value," said Donna Troy, senior vice president, Global Small and Medium Business, SAP AG. "Together with our mySAP All-in-One partners, we can offer the world's largest portfolio of microvertical, industry-specific applications; protection for existing IT investments; and the confidence of dealing with the leader in business management solutions. The concerns and uncertainties facing SMEs and their partners are very similar to those of large enterprise customers, who have responded very well to SAP's Safe Passage offerings; as such, our confidence level is high in providing an attractive alternative for this key market segment."

The global program from SAP reflects the company's increasing focus on and commitment to the small and midsize enterprise segment, where SAP has earned market share leadership and is increasingly investing resources as a key area of market opportunity and future growth.

SAP Safe Passage

The special program for small and midsize enterprises with investments in PeopleSoft and J.D. Edwards solutions builds upon the Safe Passage Program initially introduced by SAP for customers running both SAP and PeopleSoft/J.D. Edwards. (see January 19, 2005 press release titled, "SAP Provides Safe Passage for Its Customers Running PeopleSoft and JD Edwards Solutions" or April 4, 2005 press release titled, "SAP Extends Safe Passage Program to All PeopleSoft and JD Edwards Customers in United States"). The program was recently expanded with an offer for Retek customers (see May 25 press release titled "SAP Declares Definitive Leadership in Retail Industry; Announces Safe Passage Program for Retailers"). The SAP Safe Passage program combines investment protection for customer's existing solutions, immediate access to the SAP NetWeaver(TM) platform to provide immediate integration benefits, and access to SAP's market-leading ERP, retail and SME solutions so that customers can migrate to best-in-class, available solutions on a timetable and road map that is determined by each company's needs.

Current SAP partners who would like more details on participating in the program can visit http://www.sap.com/channel/portal.

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software solutions*. Today, more than 27,000 customers in over 120 countries run more than 91,500 installations of SAP(R) software -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize businesses to enterprise-scale suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(TM) platform to drive innovation and enable business change, mySAP(TM) Business Suite solutions are helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail, public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." (Additional information at http://www.sap.com/ )

(*) SAP defines business software solutions as comprising enterprise resource planning and related software solutions such as supply chain management, customer relationship management, product life-cycle management and supplier relationship management.

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NOTE: SAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, xApps, xApp, SAP NetWeaver and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries all over the world. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Data contained in this document serve informational purposes only. National product specifications may vary.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1-800-872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Jim Dever, +1-610-661-2161, james.dever@sap.com, EDT Astrid Poelchen, +49-6227-7-47644, astrid.poelchen@sap.com, CETSAP Press Office, +49-6227-7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com Karen Cleeve, Burson-Marsteller, +1-212-614-4554, karen_cleeve@nyc.bm.com, EDT Uwe Schaad, +49-69-238-09-31, uwe_schaad@de.bm.com, CET