SAP E-Sourcing Offers Rapid Adoption and Time to Value

by SAP AG

On-Demand Model Gives Companies the Ability to Deploy Quickly and Realize Rapid Return on Investment

SAP AG today announced the SAP(R) E-Sourcing on-demand solution, a new offering that will give companies quicker deployment times and more immediate cost savings in their sourcing and procurement operations. Companies using the on-demand solution will be able to quickly ramp up and engage in sourcing activities, such as online auctions and RFP events, while retaining the option to extend to a complete source-to-pay process through the SAP(R) Supplier Relationship Management application as their needs evolve. The announcement was made at SAPPHIRE(R) '07, SAP's international customer conference, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, April 22 - 25.

New "Power Up" Package Available for a 90-Day Test Drive

SAP also announced that the SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution is available on a test-drive basis to qualified customers. Its new "power up" package includes 90 days to test drive the on-demand solution and experience potential savings using RFP and auction events. During the power-up test drive, companies will be able to access everything they would have as a subscription customer, including immediate access to the software, best practices, user support and training.

The power-up package is being launched at SAPPHIRE Atlanta. This special package is priced at $10,000* and is currently available exclusively in the United States. The SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution is available globally in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. For more details, please visit the GRC, Performance Management, and E-Sourcing Village on the show floor.

The Power of E-Sourcing On-Demand

Increasingly, companies are looking for flexible deployment options. Unlike offerings from point-solution vendors, the SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution offers the best of two worlds: an on-demand model to meet the immediate needs of companies' sourcing and procurement operations as well as the ability to migrate to a proven and fully integrated source-to-pay application as their needs grow and change over time.

"The SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution has helped us to realize an almost immediate return on investment," said Neil Aitken, Head of Central Procurement of First Choice Holidays PLC. "With a minimal investment in time, resources and training, we were able to get the solution up and running and have already seen a substantial increase in procurement savings."

Rapid Return on Investment for Companies of All Sizes

"Companies have been facing continued pressure to reduce costs, which has created a rapidly growing market for e-sourcing solutions," said Albert Pang, research director of enterprise applications at IDC. "While many enterprises have begun to realize the benefits of e-sourcing, we expect that new adaptable and affordable on-demand offerings will quickly put higher levels of procurement savings within the reach of companies of all sizes."

The SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution helps companies automate sourcing efforts and reduce costs through collaborative project management, RFP events and online auctions-allowing, for instance, companies to procure goods or services by posting an RFP online and accepting the lowest bid from a suitable supplier. In addition, it offers rapid deployment as well as scalability for global organizations; effective and secure application delivery for geographically dispersed buyers and suppliers; and a seamless migration path to SAP Supplier Relationship Management and SAP Business Suite as new innovations from SAP bring greater integration and harmonization between on- premise and on-demand solutions.

"Due to its flexible deployment model, powerful capabilities and ease of use, the SAP E-Sourcing on-demand solution is helping procurement professionals in organizations of all sizes and geographies quickly take advantage of the efficiencies and savings available through online auctions and procurement practices," said John Zepecki, GM, SVP, SRM Strategy and Development, SAP. "E-sourcing is a great way for companies to get started in realizing the powerful benefits of supplier relationship management. We remain committed to providing the right tools to strengthen savings and profitability throughout the life of their organization."