SAN JOSE, Calif. -- October 13, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc., a leader in networking for the Internet, and SAP AG (NYSE ADR: SAP), the leading provider of inter-enterprise software solutions, today announced that Cisco has joined the SAP partner program as the first SAP Global Network Technology Partner. Working jointly, Cisco and SAP are optimizing intelligent network solutions for mission-critical e-business applications offered within mySAP.com, the SAP Internet business strategy. The joint offering further enables companies to participate in the Internet economy and extend their reach worldwide.
"By further enabling and supporting compelling and innovative e-business solutions such as mySAP.com, Cisco and SAP empower companies to stay at the forefront of the Internet economy and take advantage of its tremendous business opportunities," said Mike Volpi, senior vice president of Cisco's Business Development and Global Alliances. "Industry-leading expertise of SAP in integrating business processes across companies, combined with Cisco's strength in delivering end-to-end networked computing solutions, enables our customers to extend their business through the reach of the Internet and gain competitive advantage through worldwide collaboration, greater efficiency and reduced time to market."
"With the introduction of mySAP.com, a powerful network infrastructure is key, and this alliance between Cisco and SAP will provide tremendous value to our mutual customers," said Karl-Heinz Hess, member of the extended executive board of SAP AG. "The naming of Cisco as our first Global Network Technology Partner is the initial step toward how we will work with our partners to optimize the network infrastructure for delivering SAP solutions."
Together, Cisco and SAP are developing and delivering new business opportunities for the Internet economy. The partnership delivers integrated, highly scalable, Internet-enabled business solutions to support companies of all sizes and across multiple industries. Cisco delivers increased quality of service (QoS) levels for SAP solutions across the global enterprise network. These advanced QoS levels allow customers to prioritize traffic on their networks easily and effectively to guarantee performance for all their business-critical applications.
Cisco and SAP are initially focusing on streamlining the purchasing process within companies to reduce labor-intensive activities and overall transaction costs associated with the procurement of goods and services. The partnership builds upon the leadership positions of SAP and Cisco in the enterprise market. The companies will work jointly to expand the reach of their common customers. "Based upon our customer successes with Cisco, this partnership is a logical extension of our business relationship," said Kevin McKay, CEO and president, SAP America, Inc. "Our mutual customers can fully participate in the Internet economy with increased performance and greater agility by utilizing a network infrastructure optimized specifically for mySAP.com e-business solutions."
About SAP
As the market leader of inter-enterprise software solutions, SAP is leveraging its strength in industry-focused business software and the world's largest enterprise software customer base to deliver mySAP.com. mySAP.com provides an open collaborative business environment of personalized solutions on demand. This enables companies of all sizes and industries to fully engage their employees, customers and partners to capitalize upon the new Internet economy. mySAP.com allows people to harness the power of the Internet to work smarter, better and faster by optimizing supply chains, managing strategic relationships, reducing time to market, sharing virtual information, and increasing productivity and shareholder value.
SAP is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." The SAP World Wide Web site can be found at www.sap.com.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet.For more information visit Cisco PR Contacts
Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
SAP, mySAP.com and all SAP product and service names referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG.
