SAP and Callatay & Wouters Collaborate to Provide Integrated Banking Solution


Partnership Focuses on Core Operations for Midsize Banks

WALLDORF, Germany and BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept. 11 -- SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) and Callatay & Wouters today announced a collaboration to offer an end-to-end core banking solution for midsize banks to build a business process platform, based on SAP software and technology. The solution is designed to help banks reduce complexity, increase flexibility, lower costs and leverage leading core banking functionality to unify business processes using an integrated platform.

The strategic collaboration will deploy Callatay & Wouters' proven core banking product "Thaler" and SAP analytics capabilities on a business process platform for banks globally. The collaboration combines the strength of SAP applications and its platform for banks with the software excellence from Callatay & Wouters. Banks and their subsidiaries will be able to apply the integrated offering's scalability and homogeneous standards and services to be enabled to gain competitive advantage, control costs and maintain customer satisfaction.

"The proven technology and business process expertise delivered by SAP, combined with its robust global ecosystem of partners and integrators, is the reason we chose to deploy Thaler, our premier core banking solution, on the business process platform delivered by SAP for the banking industry," said Marc De Groote, CEO, Callatay & Wouters. "The success of our customers was top-of-mind when we formed this partnership. We believe this collaborative effort will make our customers more agile, more efficient and better able to compete in today's demanding market."

"The combined experience and knowledge from this partnership will give midsize banks the best of two worlds -- enterprise strength and scalability as well as the nimbleness of smaller organizations," said Leo Apotheker, deputy CEO, member of the executive board and president, Global Customer Solutions and Operations, SAP AG. "Through this collaborative effort, banks will be able to tap into the business value of SOA delivered by the business process platform from SAP. Such banks will also be able to differentiate themselves for growth and profitability with an IT environment that is flexible and agile."

Callatay & Wouters Thaler Solution

Thaler is an integrated banking solution designed to manage the products and operations for securities, deposits, loans, payments and treasury. The high degree of automation and the online feeding of the accounting and analytics layer results in an important reduction of a bank's operational costs and risks. Thaler enables banks to grow in size and presence and supports quick time-to-market of a variety of products and services to strategically differentiate against competitors. The solution also offers an Internet-based front-office for end customers and branches. Thaler is currently used by 35 banks in 15 countries, representing the major banking domains of retail, private and wholesale.

SAP -- Powering the Next Generation Performers in Banking

Leveraging SAP(R) solutions and enterprise SOA, SAP is enabling a business process platform for the banking industry that is based on the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform to orchestrate industry-specific, reusable enterprise services and business process elements. In coordination with the SAP for Banking solution portfolio, the business process platform is designed to help banks capture business opportunities quickly, efficiently and profitably. SAP's partners enrich the platform by adding services that contribute to the banks' business -- but not to IT complexity. SAP recently announced the broad adoption of a business process platform for banking that is fueled by co-innovation with leading banks including Standard Bank, and leading software solution providers, including SunGard, amongst others contributing to the vision of how adaptable IT enables business growth. (See May 14, 2007 announcement, titled "Banks and Insurers Capitalize on New Business Opportunities Through Co-Innovation with SAP and Partners.")

About Callatay & Wouters

Callatay & Wouters is a leading software and services provider for the banking and finance industry. Founded in 1983, the company now employs over 400 highly skilled specialists who are armed with dual competency in both information technology and the banking professions. Callatay & Wouters has successfully delivered its solutions to numerous banks, several of them being members of international groups, such as Fortis, ING, BNP-Paribas, Rabobank, Commonwealth Bank Australia. The company has developed a strong network of partners and integrators. The company recognizes strong annual growth, while maintaining a remarkably healthy balance sheet and high profitability. Forty percent of its capital is held by institutional investors and 60 percent by its founders. The quality of solutions, high degree of specialisation in the banking sector, as well as experience gained from the numerous projects, are the key factors that have contributed to the success and the current reputation of Callatay & Wouters.

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software*. More than 41,200 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP(R) applications-from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises to suite offerings for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(R) 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.

Copyright (C) 2007 SAP AG. All rights reserved.

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 customers interested in learning more about Callatay & Wouters products:

Sales Division: +32 2 740 14 00, company@c-w.be

CONTACT: Andrea Robillard of SAP, +49 6227 7-43933, andrea.robillard@sap.com, CET; or Tanguy du Parc of Callatay & Wouters, +32 2 740 14 20, tanguy.duparc@c-w.be

All Topics