Microsoft and SAP Announce Open Integration To Deliver Complete Internet Retailing Solution

Microsoft PressPass – Microsoft and SAP Announce Open Integration To Deliver Complete Internet Retailing Solutio

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 26, 1996 —
Microsoft Corp. and SAP AG today announced the two companies will integrate Microsoft® Merchant System with the SAP R/3 TM enterprise software solution, providing corporations and merchants a comprehensive Internet retailing platform that connects merchandising and high-volume transaction capabilities to an organization’s R/3 business processes. The integration between Microsoft’s Merchant System and R/3 is based on open, jointly specified business application programming interfaces (BAPIs), and will be effective shortly after the Microsoft Merchant System and R/3 3.1 become available in the fourth quarter of 1996.

Integrating Microsoft Merchant System with SAP’s R/3 business application solution provides organizations with an Internet retailing platform that is scalable for secure, high-volume transactions, and based on open industry standards. Businesses will be able to deploy this platform quickly and easily, allowing them to rapidly expand their channels for reaching both new and existing customers.

Built on the Windows NT® operating system and the Microsoft Internet Information Server, Microsoft Merchant System is a secure, comprehensive Internet retailing software product that provides companies that want to sell and merchandise over the Internet with the ability to create and operate a compelling, high-volume commerce site with limited custom development.

With its Internet-enabled R/3 3.1 software, SAP will provide companies with robust business processes, such as purchasing, order processing, inventory tracking and allocation, and supply chain management to manage, fulfill and account for orders captured via the Internet.

“Combining SAP’s market-leading R/3 enterprise solution with the state-of-the-art Microsoft Merchant System provides companies with the complete Internet retailing platform they require for expanding their businesses and reaching new customers,”
said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
“Microsoft is committed to enabling companiesworldwide to build compelling Internet commerce sites that integrate into their existing business systems.”

“The tight integration of Microsoft Merchant System with R/3 is the first deliverable from our joint announcement in March where we stated our commitment to develop standard interfaces, or BAPIs, to seamlessly integrate our products,”
said Prof. Dr. h.c. Hasso Plattner, vice chairman and co-founder of SAP AG.
“Our mutual customers will be able to easily and cost-effectively assemble a complete end-to-end Internet electronic retailing and fulfillment system.”

Integrating Internet Commerce Sites With Business Systems

Most current Internet sites that conduct shopping or purchasing transactions today have had to resort to expensive and time-consuming custom development to present products, manage the site and link data to back-end systems. An integrated link between Microsoft Merchant System and SAP’s R/3 will provide enterprise customers with the cost advantages of using their business process technology investments. In addition, customers can easily create retail front ends using Microsoft Merchant System’s sample store configurations and strong development tools.

Microsoft and SAP jointly specified BAPIs to provide customers with a common standard for conducting business. Any client front-end will be able to access any back-end business system through these BAPIs, allowing businesses to conduct transactions between each other whether or not they have compatible core technology systems.

An Open Solution for Internet Selling

SAP and Microsoft are working with the Open Application Group (OAG) and other standards bodies to create a standard open BAPI specification. In addition, SAP’s and Microsoft’s implementation of the BAPI standard will embrace emerging standards from the World Wide Web Consortium and the Internet Engineering Task Force, and will be based on ActiveX TM technologies, including DCOM.

SAPPHIRE ’96 Philadelphia

SAP’s Hasso Plattner and Microsoft’s Bill Gates made the announcement during their joint keynote at SAPPHIRE® ’96, SAP’s annual North American User Conference. This year’s SAPPHIRE, held in Philadelphia, will draw more than 8,000 customers and more than 80 corporate partners to participate in a series of forums for gathering and exchanging information on the future of enterprise computing and business strategies.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

About SAP

SAP is a market and technology leader in client/server business application software, providing comprehensive solutions for companies of all sizes and all industry sectors. Cultivating innovative technologies on a solid foundation of business experience, SAP delivers scalable solutions that enable its customers to continually improve upon best-business practices. SAP products empower people to respond quickly and decisively to dynamic market conditions, helping businesses achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. Founded in 1972, SAP is based in Walldorf, Germany, and employs more than 7,000 people in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Microsoft, Windows NT and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

SAP, SAPPHIRE and R/3 are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of SAP AG.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft or SAP, please visit the companies’ Web pages at http://microsoft.com/presspass/ and (http://www.sap.com/) .

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