SAP and Microsoft to Use The BizTalk Framework

SAP and Microsoft Work Together to Establish Common Business Frameworks for Electronic-Commerce Content

Companies Will Jointly Develop New XML Specifications to Seamlessly Link Corporations Engaging in Electronic Commerce and Enable User-Centric Internet Business Scenarios

SAN FRANCISCO, California. March 4, 1999.

Today at the Microsoft Commerce Solutions Briefing, SAP AG announced that it will work closely with Microsoft Corp. to develop new content specifications for key e-commerce functionality.

The collaboration will focus on developing new Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications for the SAP Business Framework and Microsoft's BizTalk framework announced today. The BizTalk framework will provide the foundation for SAP and Microsoft to help accelerate semantic interoperability -- a common business language -- by providing schemas for catalog and business document interchange between SAP and Microsoft applications. The interchange will be based on the SAP Business Application Programming Interface (BAPI) and the Microsoft COM infrastructure areas, extended by tight integration into the Microsoft BizTalk Server.

"The Internet is bringing self-service to everyone, and self-service requires easy-to-use and immediately understood user scenarios that seamlessly integrate different parties' systems into friction-free business processes," said Hasso Plattner, co-chairman and CEO of SAP AG. "For years, we have been building and delivering open and scalable Internet applications using content-rich BAPI interfaces. By working together with partners, we continue to evolve and innovate common business semantics based on XML and materializing in the SAP Business Framework and Microsoft BizTalk, so that users can enjoy working in business scenarios that are not limited by software or enterprise boundaries."

"The strong strategic relationship between SAP and Microsoft provides the foundation for us to extend our collaborative efforts to the Internet," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "The substantial expertise and knowledge of business processes that SAP has combined with Microsoft's technology leadership in commerce will provide customers with a strong out-of-the-box solution for electronic commerce. We are excited to combine SAP experience with our leading-edge commerce products -- especially Microsoft Commerce Server -- as a platform for future SAP Internet usage scenarios."

SAP User Scenarios for the Internet

SAP e-commerce solutions, such as SAP Business-to-Business Procurement and SAP Online Store, enable customers to deploy comprehensive intranet, extranet and e-commerce solutions that provide full-cycle, real-time integration between Internet, front-office and back-office systems and feature easy-to-use interfaces for casual users. As a result, companies are able to exploit new business opportunities, extend their reach to new user communities, and execute business processes at Internet speed. In addition, SAP offers Internet solutions within its vertical industry solutions, such as a KANBAN Internet application component for the automotive industry or a consignment stock status information component for the retail industry. SAP delivers a variety of Internet applications, all of which have a strong user-centric focus.

SAP buy-side solutions, such as SAP Business-to-Business Procurement, enable employees to conduct maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) procurement. This user scenario handles the entire requisition-to-payment cycle via one easy-to-use single-entry Web screen, while the purchasing department maintains the benefits of centralized control and power, and can refocus on strategic purchasing operations and economies of scale.
SAP sell-side solutions, such as SAP Online Store, empower anyone, around the world at any hour, to purchase goods in real time. SAP sell-side solutions can easily be adapted to local market conditions and can to react quickly to changing customer and business requirements.
SAP intranet solutions, such as Employee Self Service, enable employees to access structured (data) and unstructured (knowledge) information in real time across the enterprise. SAP Employee Self Service allows employees to view, create and maintain data any time, anywhere, through easy-to-use, Web-based technology. The companies' human resources, payroll and benefits departments are freed up from many routine, day-to-day processing functions they may be spending a great deal of time on.

SAP and Microsoft

SAP and Microsoft have a strong history of working together, streamlining and standardizing business processes. The two companies first collaborated in 1996 to develop BAPIs. During that same year, SAP delivered e-commerce applications using those same BAPIs. In 1997, SAP made Business Objects and BAPIs available through Microsoft's COM standard, and the two companies teamed to deliver the DCOM Component Connector. In 1998, SAP Business Objects and BAPIs became available in the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment.

Both companies will initially focus on the integration of buy- and sell-side business processes and will define XML schemas for catalog and business document interchange between SAP and Microsoft applications within the next six months. The specification that is created will be used to integrate the SAP Business-to-Business Procurement solution and the Microsoft Commerce Server. The newly created XML specification will provide streamlined, accelerated and easy-to-use business processes and eliminate current system boundaries, help companies create more online business, and increase the opportunity to communicate and cooperate with other companies.

About SAP

SAP, the world's largest enterprise software company, provides companies of all sizes with business solutions that deliver A Better Return on Information(SM). SAP products and services integrate an organization from financials and human resources to manufacturing and sales and distribution. This integration enables companies to optimize supply chains, strengthen customer relationships, and make more accurate management decisions. Founded in 1972, SAP today leverages a global network of people, processes and products to assure customer success. SAP is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." The SAP World Wide Web site can be found at http://www.sap.com.

SAP, SAP Business Framework, SAP Business-to-Business Procurement, A Better Return on Information and all SAP product and service names referenced herein are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of SAP AG.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Prepared by Robin Cover for the The SGML/XML Web Page archive.

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The collaboration will focus on developing new Extensible Markup Language (XML) specifications for the SAP Business Framework and Microsoft's BizTalk framework announced today. The BizTalk framework will provide the foundation for SAP and Microsoft to help accelerate semantic interoperability -- a common business language -- by providing schemas for catalog and business document interchange between SAP and Microsoft applications. The interchange will be based on the SAP Business Application Programming Interface (BAPI) and the Microsoft COM infrastructure areas, extended by tight integration into the Microsoft BizTalk Server. "The Internet is bringing self-service to everyone, and self-service requires easy-to-use and immediately understood user scenarios that seamlessly integrate different parties' systems into friction-free business processes," said Hasso Plattner, co-chairman and CEO of SAP AG. "For years, we have been building and delivering open and scalable Internet applications using content-rich BAPI interfaces. By working together with partners, we continue to evolve and innovate common business semantics based on XML and materializing in the SAP Business Framework and Microsoft BizTalk, so that users can enjoy working in business scenarios that are not limited by software or enterprise boundaries." "The strong strategic relationship between SAP and Microsoft provides the foundation for us to extend our collaborative efforts to the Internet," said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft. "The substantial expertise and knowledge of business processes that SAP has combined with Microsoft's technology leadership in commerce will provide customers with a strong out-of-the-box solution for electronic commerce. We are excited to combine SAP experience with our leading-edge commerce products -- especially Microsoft Commerce Server -- as a platform for future SAP Internet usage scenarios." SAP User Scenarios for the Internet SAP e-commerce solutions, such as SAP Business-to-Business Procurement and SAP Online Store, enable customers to deploy comprehensive intranet, extranet and e-commerce solutions that provide full-cycle, real-time integration between Internet, front-office and back-office systems and feature easy-to-use interfaces for casual users. As a result, companies are able to exploit new business opportunities, extend their reach to new user communities, and execute business processes at Internet speed. In addition, SAP offers Internet solutions within its vertical industry solutions, such as a KANBAN Internet application component for the automotive industry or a consignment stock status information component for the retail industry. SAP delivers a variety of Internet applications, all of which have a strong user-centric focus. SAP buy-side solutions, such as SAP Business-to-Business Procurement, enable employees to conduct maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) procurement. This user scenario handles the entire requisition-to-payment cycle via one easy-to-use single-entry Web screen, while the purchasing department maintains the benefits of centralized control and power, and can refocus on strategic purchasing operations and economies of scale. SAP sell-side solutions, such as SAP Online Store, empower anyone, around the world at any hour, to purchase goods in real time. SAP sell-side solutions can easily be adapted to local market conditions and can to react quickly to changing customer and business requirements. SAP intranet solutions, such as Employee Self Service, enable employees to access structured (data) and unstructured (knowledge) information in real time across the enterprise. SAP Employee Self Service allows employees to view, create and maintain data any time, anywhere, through easy-to-use, Web-based technology. The companies' human resources, payroll and benefits departments are freed up from many routine, day-to-day processing functions they may be spending a great deal of time on. SAP and Microsoft SAP and Microsoft have a strong history of working together, streamlining and standardizing business processes. The two companies first collaborated in 1996 to develop BAPIs. During that same year, SAP delivered e-commerce applications using those same BAPIs. In 1997, SAP made Business Objects and BAPIs available through Microsoft's COM standard, and the two companies teamed to deliver the DCOM Component Connector. In 1998, SAP Business Objects and BAPIs became available in the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment. Both companies will initially focus on the integration of buy- and sell-side business processes and will define XML schemas for catalog and business document interchange between SAP and Microsoft applications within the next six months. The specification that is created will be used to integrate the SAP Business-to-Business Procurement solution and the Microsoft Commerce Server. The newly created XML specification will provide streamlined, accelerated and easy-to-use business processes and eliminate current system boundaries, help companies create more online business, and increase the opportunity to communicate and cooperate with other companies. About SAP SAP, the world's largest enterprise software company, provides companies of all sizes with business solutions that deliver A Better Return on Information(SM). SAP products and services integrate an organization from financials and human resources to manufacturing and sales and distribution. This integration enables companies to optimize supply chains, strengthen customer relationships, and make more accurate management decisions. Founded in 1972, SAP today leverages a global network of people, processes and products to assure customer success. SAP is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP." The SAP World Wide Web site can be found at http://www.sap.com. SAP, SAP Business Framework, SAP Business-to-Business Procurement, A Better Return on Information and all SAP product and service names referenced herein are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of SAP AG. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Prepared by Robin Cover for the The SGML/XML Web Page archive.