SAP
SAP goes all in with the cloud
May 8, 2013: 10:26 AM ETThe German software giant is betting on cloud-based technology and services.
FORTUNE -- In case you haven't heard, SAP is serious about the cloud. On Tuesday the enterprise software giant announced it will offer HANA, its in-memory database, as a monthly subscription service, delivered via the cloud.
A limited cloud-based version of HANA was already available through Amazon (AMZN) Web Services. But SAP (SAP) says customers will now be able to access applications powered by HANA -- think enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management tools -- via SAP's own cloud, which consists of seven data centers around the globe. Next week, the Germany-based company is expected to unveil more cloud-related announcements and share additional details on this new flavor of HANA at its annual customer conference in Florida.
MORE: 25 most popular iPad apps of all time
Last month, in its lastest reported earnings announcement, SAP said HANA software revenue tripled year-on-year, contributing 86 million euros in the most recent quarter. Along with mobile and web-based software, HANA represents new revenue opportunities for the company, whose bread and butter is selling large, on-premise software installations -- and charging costly fees to support and maintain them.
Of course, SAP's not the only traditional software company trying to branch out and prove it's "all in" on the cloud. Late last year rival Oracle (ORCL) unveiled its ambitious goal of owning the entire cloud computing "stack" -- from the underlying infrastructure to the apps. And earlier this week Adobe Systems (ADBE) announced it is getting rid of packaged software; from now on, creatives will have to buy their digital tools via a cloud-based, subscription model only.
SAP says its new offering aims to enable faster deployments and lower, more flexible pricing.
"Customers want more and more options in how they take advantage of the value SAP HANA brings," Vishal Sikka, SAP's head of technology and innovation, said in a release issued Tuesday. "With the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, we are delivering HANA at scale with instant value and no compromise. We are simplifying customers' experience and expanding their choice in how they want to adopt SAP HANA, now bringing it to a massive scale for enterprise mission critical applications -- and we are doing this without disruption through the cloud."
MORE: Government reveals secret Internet
But SAP has yet to announce pricing for the new delivery method for HANA. And while getting up and running will be easier without having to invest in (and wait for) a dedicated, on-premise appliance, it isn't as quite as quick and painless as ordering a book on Amazon. In order to use HANA, customers first need to obtain licenses for HANA and applications that run on top of it. They then need to consult with SAP services workers, to help determine which applications are best moved to the HANA cloud, and to assist in "onboarding and migration."
And just because HANA is now available as a subscription, cloud-based service doesn't necessarily make it easier or cheaper to use. It's still the same product, just delivered via a different mechanism. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. For now, stay tuned to next week, when SAP unveils more details on the new, cloud-based HANA.
-
One year later, SAP hasn't blown it with SuccessFactors
But the software giant has set ambitious goals. Can it reach them?
FORTUNE -- It's been over a year since German enterprise software giant SAP shelled out $3.4 billion for SuccessFactors, a Silicon Valley-based maker of human resources software. Since then, engineers on both sides of the Atlantic have been hard at work getting SuccessFactors's cloud-based apps to work alongside SAP's on-premise offerings, so that customers can more easily adopt the MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Apr 12, 2013 7:13 AM ET -
The supercomputer will see you now
Two of tech's hottest trends - powerful analytics and mobile gadgets - are making their way into hospitals. They could soon be saving lives.
FORTUNE -- Fans of television medical dramas are probably aware of the grim condition known as septic shock. But few people know that sepsis, a disease that causes the body to attack itself in an attempt to fight off infection, kills 258,000 Americans each year. Though easy MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Dec 3, 2012 5:00 AM ET -
Performance reviews remade
There's no shortage of HR software to track employee goals. The next step is to get workers to actually follow them.
FORTUNE -- Stodgy human resources software is getting a reboot. Over the past year enterprise giants IBM (IBM), Oracle (ORCL), and SAP (SAP) have collectively shelled out some $6 billion to acquire companies that make recruitment and compensation tools. Salesforce's new Work.com product lets managers and employees track their goals. MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Oct 17, 2012 5:00 AM ET -
Burberry's Angela Ahrendts: High tech's fashion model
Ahrendts is making Burberry (yes, Burberry) into an innovation machine.
By Beth Kowitt, writer
FORTUNE -- Last May, Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts flew to California from her London headquarters to introduce herself to an executive she thought could be critical to the future of her business: Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff. When the two met at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, they stood in the hall batting around ideas for 15 MORE
Jun 5, 2012 5:00 AM ETPosted in: Angela Ahrendts, Burberry, Marc Benioff, Salesforce Chatter, Salesforce.com, SAP, social media, social networking -
Today in Tech: The lost 'Google phone'
Fortune's curated selection of tech stories from the last 24 hours. Sign up to get the round-up delivered to you each and every day.
* Google (GOOG) is seeking partnerships with automakers to eventually bring its self-driving car technology to real-world drivers. Though, the company still needs to conduct "millions of miles" of testing, and it may take another decade to bring to market. (The Wall Street Journal)
* One good thing to come out of MORE
JP Mangalindan, Writer - Apr 26, 2012 3:30 AM ET -
SAP throws down the gauntlet in database wars
SAP's latest earnings report shows some progress in the software giant's quest to remake itself. Now it wants to become the fastest-growing database company in the world.
FORTUNE -- SAP's efforts to become more nimble and innovative appear to be working—to some extent. Revenue from new products like an in-memory database technology called HANA and cloud-based software from recently-acquired SuccessFactors is growing, but it still makes up a small fraction of MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Apr 25, 2012 3:01 PM ET -
Inside SAP's radical makeover
The mission-critical (but unsexy) software giant lost its way with customers. CEOs Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe think they can make SAP appealing again.
FORTUNE -- At the stroke of midnight on Feb. 15, a new app called Recalls Plus appeared in Apple's App Store. It promised parents real-time alerts on the latest baby formula or car seat recalls, allowing them to share such information with friends. There was nothing MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Mar 29, 2012 5:00 AM ET -
Oracle earnings: Some growth, plenty of SAP-bashing
Between talk about increased software sales and the company's new cloud service, Larry Ellison and his posse took plenty of time to bash their rivals.
FORTUNE -- There are some in the tech media who think covering enterprise technology is a major snoozefest. But it can actually be incredibly entertaining -- especially when Oracle (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison goes off on a tirade against his competitors.
Redwood City, Calif.-based Oracle announced its MORE
Michal Lev-Ram, writer - Mar 21, 2012 10:02 AM ET -
Why Workday has Oracle and SAP worried
Aneel Bhusri and Dave Duffield were pioneers at PeopleSoft — until they were forced out. Now, with brisk sales and an IPO on the horizon, their new venture has big competitors on the defensive.
FORTUNE -- In business, revenge is often swift. Take the sudden firing of a poorly performing CEO, for instance. In the case of Workday, it's been more of a slow-burn.
Founded in 2005 by co-CEOs Aneel Bhusri and MORE
JP Mangalindan, Writer - Mar 12, 2012 12:51 PM ET
