Enterprise Software

In bed with SAP – the future for enterprise software?

(COMPUTER WEEKLY) - Enterprise software companies are not traditionally open to negotiation with user groups, but SAP is beginning to forge new links with its end-users.

SAP caused an outcry last year when it announced plans to increase its charges for enterprise support. The move horrified SAP’s user community, prompting user groups to rally together to form an international lobbying group.

The Sap User Group Executive Network (Sugen) brings together a network of 12 user groups around the world. The group scored its first victory in November last year.

After intensive negotiations, SAP took the unprecedented step of agreeing that it would only raise prices if it could show it had delivered business benefits to its customers by meeting an set of key performance indicators (KPIs) agreed with the user groups

SAP has appointed analyst firm Gartner as an independent assessor to decide whether it has met the KPIs at the end of the year. The “frank and detailed discussions” are yielding results, says Alan Bowling, chairman of the SAP UK and Ireland User Group.

“We have made great progress in the way we work with SAP,” he says.

Last week, SAP UK vowed to work more closely with user groups to improve its understanding of the needs of businesses.

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