SAP Launches Standards-Based Mobile Platform

Immediately after revamping its U.S operations to combat slowing growth,
German software behemoth SAP has targeted the mobile
enterprise market with the launch of the open standards-based SAP
Mobile Engine.

The company, which split its U.S unit into two parts and named Leo Apotheker to serve as
acting head of SAP’s North American operations, said the SAP Mobile Engine
would be based on Java and Web Services technologies, including XML and
SOAP.

The platform is being marketed to help companies extend enterprise
applications to internal and external users in any role, regardless of
location or device in both connected and disconnected environments.

The SAP Mobile Engine, which runs within the mySAP Mobile Business software,
would be sold to businesses to help leverage existing enterprise systems
through mobile applications and technology that establish new ways to
interact with enterprise systems and empower new user communities to
participate in collaborative business processes. It focuses specifically on
handheld devices and complements existing laptop-based technologies, the
company said.

“Mobile applications from mySAP Mobile Business are developed for specific
user needs, ranging from the needs of service workers who use devices for
many industry-specific applications to a consultant who simply tracks time
and expenses on a mobile device for synchronization to a back office system
at a later time,” the company explained.

It said the SAP Mobile Engine would provide capabilities that support mobile
scenarios in cross-industry applications, such as customer relationship
management, human resources, supply chain management as well as
industry-specific applications for the service provider.

As an example, SAP said a service organization can deploy the software from
mySAP Customer Relationship Management on the SAP Mobile Engine to support
its service force anywhere and at any time. It would let businesses deploy
staff and share information at a moment’s notice. “In addition, employees
have the ability to update service records, capture expenses and materials
used, and even place orders for materials not currently available — right
from the job site via the mobile device,” the company explained.

It said the architecture was device-independent and based on a light local
Java-based installation to support all popular mobile devices and can be
deployed across various types of network protocols.