GEC NEWS WIRESAP HANA’s cloud delivery option sets the stage to lure and consolidate its position in all market segments including SMEs
“If you look at our global market statistics, 80% of our customers are in the SME space while here in the MENA region, we are still combating the perception that SAP is only for large companies”
Even though it came into the region (Middle East and North Africa) in 2007, as opposed to its competitors who came during the late 1990s, SAP has seen high double digit growth YoY in the past few years, based on its innovation portfolio and thrust on Cloud computing. Having established its position in the high-end market, SAP MENA is now focusing on placing its stake in the SME market in order to become the key relevant player for their software needs.
Firdaus Shariff, VP, Marketing – Middle East and Africa, SAP MENA said, “If you look at our global market statistics, 80% of our customers are in the SME space, while here in the MENA region, we are still combating the perception that SAP is only for large companies. We have a very strong portfolio for SMEs, with solutions that are very reasonably priced and quick to implement.”
In addition, SAP is also trying to position itself as one of the major players in Cloud computing. At Gitex 2014, the company showcased its Cloud solution portfolio in addition to its Innovation solutions. Opposed to the common perception that SAP is only relevant for very large establishments like Oil & Gas, Telcos and BFSI, the company is now in a different avatar. SAP today has solution offerings relevant to needs of various industries as well as business area heads such as HR professionals and Marketers. As an example, employee life cycle management was demonstrated at the company’s stand at GITEX, demonstrating capabilities for managers to evaluate employees, build career maps, as well as succession plans at the click of a button.
They also showcased the power of SAP HANA, SAP’s in-memory solution, through their anti-collision management solution for smart cities. They demonstrated how on a real time basis, SAP HANA was able to process situational data received from construction sites at Airline, Roadway or Railway projects, and could be used to prevent vehicles and equipment from colliding with each other. The company also demonstrated their smart vending machines at their stand, which can identify and remember a consumer’s buying habits.
“At Gitex, we have showcased our predictive analytics solutions to bring forth the capabilities of Big Data. And customers are able to do all they need through the use of our mobility platform, in order to access the data they need at any time, in any place, on any device” said Shariff.
To support various applications being demonstrated on SAP technologies, the company had 16 partners participating on its stand at GITEX.
Finally…
With Cloud as a clear focus area on the SME segment, SAP in the MENA region is all set to enthrall the market with its innovations. Where it can succeed is if it were to adopt more openness and ease in its demeanor to the market than its competitors.
