SAP AG and Sybase Inc. today announced
two new solutions for mobile workers to carry out key business and
customer relationship management (CRM) processes via iPhone and Windows
Mobile. Built on the industry-leading Sybase
Unwired Platform, the mobile solutions extend the capabilities of SAP
Business Suite applications, including SAP
Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM), and also can be
customized to tap into a variety of back-end data sources, including
databases, Web services, files and any enterprise application that
leverages service-oriented architecture (SOA). The announcement was made
at the CeBIT trade fair, being held in Hannover, Germany, March 2-6.
The population of mobile workers and the number of personally owned
devices entering the enterprise is growing exponentially. According to
industry analyst group IDC, "The worldwide mobile worker population is
set to increase from 919.4 million in 2008, accounting for 29% of the
worldwide workforce, to 1.19 billion in 2013, accounting for 34.9% of
the workforce." SAP and Sybase are empowering mobile workers to quickly
act on information with seamless integration to business processes and
networks, enabling them to boost productivity and make informed, timely
business decisions, all the while staying in close contact with their
customers, suppliers, partners and employees.
The new offerings include:
— Sybase Mobile Sales for SAP CRM automates sales processes, increases productivity and enhances customer service by equipping sales professionals with anywhere, anytime access to SAP CRM 2007 through smartphones such as iPhones and Windows Mobile devices.
— Sybase Mobile Workflow for SAP Business Suite enables mobile workers to complete business processes — such as workflow items and alerts, time recording and travel requests that require immediate action — through a familiar and secure email inbox.
"Over the last few years, we have seen significant shifts in the
expectations of end users and their relationship with enterprise
software," said Kevin Nix, senior vice president, Business Solutions and
Technology, SAP AG. "The new generation of business users demands
immediate access to SAP solutions anytime, anywhere using mobile
devices. Our partnership with Sybase allows us to deliver instant value
to people everywhere to help maintain relationships with customers,
partners and suppliers and make quick on-the-go decisions, on the device
of their choice."
These mobile productivity applications are built by Sybase to meet
the needs of SAP customers, are fully certified and supported by both
SAP and Sybase, and tap the proven mobile infrastructure strengths of
Sybase Unwired Platform and the SAP NetWeaver technology platform. SAP
and Sybase intend to continue co-innovation efforts to broaden
development of mobile applications and devices, which will increase the
value of investment in SAP business software. (See also previous
announcement, "SAP
and Sybase Put the Power of SAP Business Suite in the Hands of the
Mobile Workforce.")
"We are extremely pleased to deliver on our highly collaborative
co-innovation partnership with SAP with the release of our joint mobile
CRM and workflow solutions," said Gary Kovacs, senior vice president,
Markets, Solutions & Products, Sybase. "Millions of SAP users around
the world now have secure and fast access to critical business
information, along with the ability to complete time-sensitive business
workflow processes, all from their mobile device of choice.
Additionally, for customers requiring highly customized mobile SAP
applications, Sybase offers the most comprehensive mobility expertise
and mobile enterprise application platform for rapid development and
deployment of custom mobile solutions and provides extensive service
support through a thriving partnership ecosystem."
