Microsoft, SAP Launch SAP-Microsoft Unite Partner Program

SAP and Microsoft have launched a new SAP-Microsoft Unite Partner Connection program.

The joint partner program will create new opportunities for partners to reach more customers. Created in direct response to partner feedback and requests, the program will help partners of both companies increase their business opportunities more effectively through a better understanding of Microsoft and SAP joint solutions and product road maps.

Designed for members of both the SAP PartnerEdge program and the Microsoft Partner Network, SAP-Microsoft Unite Partner Connection drives alignment and collaboration among SAP, Microsoft and participating partners. Partners can identify, plan and deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that tap the full potential of SAP and Microsoft software to help customers maximize their existing IT investments and scale to meet dynamic business needs.

Initial members of the SAP-Microsoft Unite Partner Connection program include Atos Origin, Logica and Wipro. Through co-innovation, go-to-market support and training, partners will be better equipped to help customers optimize their business planning and technology investments, the companies said in a joint statement.

The two companies also announced the availability of Duet Enterprise software. Kurt DelBene, President, Microsoft Office Division and Vishal Sikka, Executive Board Member, SAP made the announcement at the Duet Enterprise Virtual Launch Summit.

“Customers and partners have frequently requested deeper integration between IT solutions from SAP and Microsoft. Duet Enterprise delivers on that need by combining the power of the SharePoint business collaboration platform and the familiarity of Microsoft Office 2010 applications with business process solutions from SAP,” said Eric Swift, General Manager, Microsoft SharePoint.

“We use Duet Enterprise at Infosys as a framework to standardize the delivery of scalable solutions integrating SAP applications and SharePoint,” said Mandar Kumar Ananda, Senior Project Manager, IT – CRM, Infosys. “We delivered an account workspace solution with information from SAP Customer Relationship Management, documents from Microsoft SharePoint and the tools for teams to collaborate.”

“Duet Enterprise extends the power of SAP applications for many of our customers who also use Microsoft SharePoint,” said Michael Reh, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Information Worker Solutions, SAP AG. “This provides users with streamlined productivity and better decision-making. It is built on project ‘Gateway,’ which enables easy and standards-based access to SAP applications. And together with SharePoint, the software delivers a layer of interoperability that allows customers and partners to focus on creating solutions that drive business growth while helping ensure that all technical integration aspects work reliably together.”