Bangkok--18 Jun--PR One Network SAP focuses on three priorities - lowest cost of ownership, continuous innovation and easy consumption of new functionality Kicking off SAP’s largest and most eagerly awaited annual conference in Thailand, Eric MacDonald, SAP’s President of South East Asia stressed the need for companies to increase process flexibility and continuously optimize performance to keep up with the pace of competition. Pressures to innovate, to be compliant, to make more efficient use of systems and processes, to adapt to changing business models and to meet customer demands continue to be top concerns for senior executives. At the same time, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to be connected like never before — to their customers, vendors, sub-contractors and partners. This need for “connectedness” is a direct result of increased globalisation as businesses look to find their competitive advantage in the global economy. Mr. MacDonald noted that companies are rapidly adopting one or both of the following types of networks: collaborative networks, which drive innovation by bringing together companies, their partners and customers; and coordinated networks, which use automated processes to help organisations quickly and efficiently scale up operations profitably. “True business network collaboration can only be conducted on a service-based IT infrastructure that is flexible and efficient enough to allow companies to adapt their business processes to business needs,” said Mr. MacDonald. According to Mr. MacDonald, IT is the key enabler in allowing organisations to respond more effectively to shifting business challenges and opportunities. Therefore, in 2008 and beyond, SAP will focus on three priorities — lowest possible total cost of ownership, continuous innovation, and easy consumption of new functionality — in meeting the needs of its customers. SAP’s new enhancement packages, which are unique in the industry, will provide its customers with the ability to continuously consume SAP innovation without having to go through a software upgrade, hence minimizing disruption. In addition, SAP is making new innovation easy for business users to consume. Through harmonized and embedded interfaces, users get exactly what they need to be productive. Moving into the future, SAP’s product offerings will continue to embrace enterprise SOA to empower businesses and networks with new levels of flexibility, efficiency and insight. According to Khun Patara Yongvanich, Managing Director of SAP Thailand and Philippines, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for over 50 per cent of overall businesses in Thailand. Hence, they have the potential to contribute substantially to the economy and provide a strong foundation for the growth of new industries and the strengthening of existing ones, for Thailand’s future development. “SAP has well recognized that SMEs, as engines of job creation, economic growth and innovation, play a key role in determining the well-being of the Thai economy and society. We are committed to SME customers in Thailand and across all regions. Our new version of SAP CRM clearly reinforces this commitment, through focusing on three priorities — lowest possible total cost of ownership, continuous innovation and easy consumption of new functionality — so as to benefit SMEs in Thailand,” Khun Patara said. In its successful multi-channel go-to-market strategy, SAP continues to engage its partners in Thailand to ensure its SME customers benefit from SAP solutions, he added. The SME customers in Thailand are generated through both SAP Business All — in — One and SAP Business One partners. While SAP continuously develops its distinct solution portfolio for SMEs, SME partners add value through their services, local business know-how and vertical and micro-vertical expertise. With a solid base of qualified SME partners, SAP is well-positioned to meet the growing market demands of the SME segment in Thailand and globally. SAP’s world class portfolio of business software for SMEs, comprising SAP Business One, SAP Business ByDesign and SAP Business All-in-One, continues to attract an increasing number of customers. With its solutions offering evolutionary innovation and flexible growth, SAP actively addresses the heterogeneous requirements of companies of all types and sizes. In meeting the specific needs of SMEs, SAP’s proven best practices, preconfigured generic and industry-specific business processes, together with packaged service offerings, enable SMEs to enjoy lower operating costs, improve operational excellence, gain better business insights and control, as well as grow their businesses flexibly. About SAP SAP is the world’s leading provider of business software*. Today, more than 34,600 customers in more than 120 countries run SAP applications—from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises 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) For more information please contact: Wilailak Pakdee Marketing Manager SAP (Thailand) Ltd.