SAP and Microsoft Extend Alliance for Microsoft SQL Server 2005

The pair have been working together, and say the new offering will enable customers to transition to SQL Server and gain the benefits of a flexible, enterprise SOA (service-orientated architecture) to transform their businesses. SAP and Microsoft are also now setting up a joint lab in Walldorf, Germany, to further optimise SAP Business Suite on SQL Server 2005. This is in addition to the Duet software announcements made at SAP’s last Sapphire event in Atlanta. “The benefits of running SAP solutions on Microsoft SQL Server are clear, and with this joint offering enterprise customers will be able to even more efficiently deploy and operate their SAP environment on SQL Server 2005 while realising a lower total cost of ownership,” says Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. An increasing number of SAP deployments now run on Microsoft Windows and SQL Server – all part of making SAP suitable for users of all sizes. SAP and Microsoft say they will help companies consolidate their database and applications so that they can make more of their existing IT expertise. For users moving to the next generation of SAP business solutions, the joint approach will offer database conversion tools, documented best practices and deployment services support to ensure a non-disruptive transition to enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA.)