SAP Gets Microsoft Nod on Performance Management

I hadn't even had my first cup of coffee yesterday when this press release caught my attention.

SAP announced that Microsoft supports SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation (BPC, formerly known as OutlookSoft) as a preferred solution and are identifying joint marketing initiatives.The press release is carefully worded. It's "a" preferred solution, not "the" preferred solution. There was not a similar announcement from Microsoft. However, any hint that Microsoft will recommend this product to its installed customer base over other products will certainly help SAP's market share in the performance management segment. It also will make it more challenging for competitors Oracle Hyperion and IBM Cognos in the Microsoft customer base.

It makes sense that Microsoft would prefer SAP BusinessObjects' product over others in that it runs on the Microsoft platform and leverages Microsoft SQL Server and Analysis Services, whereas competitive products rely on their own multidimensional databases. Last January, Microsoft announced it was discontinuing the planning module of Performance Point, leaving a gap in its product portfolio.

Beyond the competitive aspects, the announcement is good news for existing BPC customers who were nervous about SAP's continued support of the Microsoft platform. Following SAP's acquisition of OutlookSoft , SAP released BPC for the NetWeaver platform and has been working to get versions for the two platforms at parity. SAP has repeatedly said it will continue to support versions on both platforms, one for SAP customers on NetWeaver, and one for customers on Microsoft. This latest announcement reinforces the pursuit of the performance management market beyond the SAP ERP/business apps customer base.

Regards, Cindi Howson, BI ScorecardSAP announced yesterday that Microsoft supports SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation (formerly known as OutlookSoft) as a "preferred solution"... It makes sense that Microsoft would prefer SAP BusinessObjects' product over others in that it runs on the Microsoft platform...