Walldorf, Baden-Wrttemberg-based SAP AG’s determined foray into the US market has yielded big fruit in the shape of an agreement with Hewlett-Packard Co that it will offer SAP’s R/3 mainframe-class software to its HP 9000 and HP 3000 users. SAP – it stands for Systems, Applications, Product in Data Processing – derived the client-server R/3 system from its R/2 system for IBM Corp mainframes. The integrated software family links business functions such as accounting, personnel, manufacturing, materials management, sales and distribution and plant maintenance. As part of the agreement, the pair have opened a joint development centre at SAP’s headquarters in Walldorf, staffed by full-time engineers from both companies. SAP’s first new products for the North American market are expected in first quarter 1993.
