SAP Acquires Software License and Maintenance Business from Exclusive Partner SAP Arabia to Strengthen Operations in the Middle East and North Africa
Share:
Acquisition to Help SAP Support Growing Market Demand and to Reinforce Its Commitment to Customer Needs
WALLDORF, Germany, Sept. 11 / -- SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) today announced the acquisition of the software license and maintenance business of SAP Arabia, its exclusive long-term partner in the region. Under the terms of the agreement, SAP will acquire selected existing assets, including all existing software license and maintenance customer contracts, and trademarks from SAP Arabia. Aligned with SAP's global go-to-market strategies, SAP will first establish subsidiaries in Dubai and Saudi Arabia to reinforce its ongoing commitment to deliver value and continuous innovation to customers in the region.
"SAP Arabia has created a good foundation, which we intend to build upon in our goal to meet growing market demand in the region," said Ernie Gunst, president, Customer Solutions Operations Europe Middle East and Africa, SAP. "This acquisition brings SAP closer to its customers and partners, enabling us to offer them greater business value and innovation."
Sergio Maccotta, who was formerly managing director in charge of the SAP Arabia relationship, has been named managing director of SAP in the Middle East and North Africa. In his new role, Maccotta will be responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, sales and field operations, professional services and overall performance for the region. Maccotta will report into Bernd Kraus, who has overall responsibility for the South East Europe and Middle East Market Unit.
As part of the agreement, the formerly named SAP Arabia will continue to work with SAP AG as a strategic partner and non-exclusive value-added reseller within the scope of the SAP Partner Edge program.
"This important step in the overall SAP business strategy has been part of our ongoing discussions with SAP to bring product development closer to the region," said Essam Enany, president of SAP Arabia. "With over 13 years of experience we have acquired a deep understanding of the local market and are well positioned to become one of SAP's strongest partners. In the future, we plan to focus our resources on the emerging markets and specialized sectors such as SME, public sector and education."
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to be completed in SAP's fourth quarter of 2007. Financial terms of the all cash transaction were not disclosed.
About SAP
SAP is the world's leading provider of business software*. Today, more than 41,200 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP® applications-from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small businesses and midsize companies to suite offerings for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver® platform to drive innovation and enable business change, SAP software helps enterprises of all sizes around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and business operations. SAP solution portfolios support the unique business processes of more than 25 industries, including high tech, retail, financial services, healthcare and the public sector. 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 as comprising enterprise resource
planning and related applications such as supply chain management,
customer relationship management, product life-cycle management and
supplier relationship management.
FCMN Contact: christine.benton@bm.com
Source: SAP AG
CONTACT:Claire McPeak, +43 (0) 699 1149 2202, c.mcpeak@sap.com, CET, or Angelika Pfahler, +49 6227 7-63596, angelika.pfahler@sap.com, CET, or Christoph Liedtke, +49 (0) 151-16 81 05 54, christoph.liedtke@sap.com, CET, all of SAP AG
Web site: http://www.sap.com/
