HP Reseller Channel to Deliver SAP(R) Business One to SMBs LISBON, Portugal, Sept. 4 -- SAP AG and HP today announced they have signed an agreement for another far-reaching alliance, to deliver the SAP Business One solution to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) through HP's distribution channel in more than thirty countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The program will launch initially in Germany -- home to more than 300,000 SMBs -- and then continue in Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Benelux countries. The announcement was made at SAPPHIRE, SAP's international e-business conference being held in Lisbon, Portugal, September 4-6. Under the agreement, HP will help SAP identify, qualify, pre-select, and manage local resellers as part of the HP and SAP Business One Certified Reseller Program. HP and SAP will work on establishing SAP Business One Centers in EMEA to build close-to-market competencies. These centers will provide a venue for SAP to certify partners selected by SAP and HP and will provide a forum for ongoing partner training and technical and pre-sales support. In addition, HP will support certified SAP Business One resellers in the program through sales incentives, marketing campaigns, and distribution management activities. This agreement builds upon HP's strong network of resellers and distributors at a time when SMB IT purchasing is projected to increase. According to industry analyst group Gartner, Inc., "By 2005, more than 65 percent of SMB IT purchases will be made through 'trusted adviser' aggregators, such as VARs and professional services companies, not directly from vendors." In line with analyst projections, HP and SAP believe that this new alliance encompasses both a compelling business solution and on-target access to its intended market. "HP has been one of our most valued and strategic global technology partners for more than a decade," said Leo Apotheker, president of Global Field Operations, and executive board member of SAP AG. "By building on this new business model, leveraging HP's great expertise as an e-business infrastructure solution provider, and integrating its extensive channel network, we are confident that our new SMB cooperation will assist us in delivering SAP Business One solutions that are easy-to-implement, customer-driven, and effective for the market." SAP announced its SAP Smart Business Solutions portfolio for SMBs at CeBIT earlier this year, and with the launch of SAP Business One in Germany this fall, the portfolio will be complete. SAP Business One will complement SAP's SMB solution, mySAP All-in-One, by providing a cost-effective and scalable e-business solution for small enterprises and subsidiaries, with less complexity for business processes. Customers will benefit from SAP's leadership in developing e-business solutions while enjoying an easy-to-customize, easy-to-implement, and affordable solution. "We are excited to combine our successful go-to-market model with SAP's reputation for reliable, robust software solutions," said Jos Brenkel, head of the commercial channel and SMB business, HP EMEA. "Our significant VAR partner network and country-specific coverage provide an ideal channel to bring SAP Business One benefits to SMBs."