SAPHY news release:
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Tuesday April 7, 8:04 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SAP Introduces First Comprehensive Solution For the Global Trading Industry
SAP Global Trade(tm) Meets Unique Requirements of Global Trading Companies, Providing Profitability Analysis and Increasing Operational Efficiency
YOKOHAMA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1998-- SAP AG today launched SAP Global Trade(tm), the first and only enterprise solution tailored to meet the needs of the global trade industry, at its Northeast Asia user conference, SAPPHIRE(R) '98 Yokohama.
The solution will introduce new application functionality supporting standard global trade practices and will be tightly integrated with the world-class SAP(tm) R/3(tm) solution, the market-leading client/server enterprise management system. Underlying SAP Global Trade is the SAP Business Framework(tm), which provides advanced integration technology and an open platform that supports interoperability across the extended supply chain.
The SAP Global Trade solution is based on the requirements of Japanese sogo shosha, powerful international conglomerates that trade a wide variety of products including chemicals, oil, energy, machinery, textiles and food. Virtual in nature, these companies create value between supply and demand through coordination and relationships with members of the supply chain. SAP Global Trade will provide companies with real-time information on their entire supply chain, enabling improved business decisions based on market conditions, profitability analysis and increased logistics efficiencies.
''As the first solution of its kind, SAP Global Trade introduces new business processes that can provide a model for global networked companies establishing a virtual supply chain,'' said Dr. Peter Zencke, executive board member, SAP AG. ''The new solution demonstrates how SAP uses expertise gained from working with customers in diverse markets to deliver the best ideas in business practices, which can benefit companies around the world.''
SAP Global Trade is the first SAP solution ever launched from Japan. Driving development of the new solution at SAP development centers in Tokyo and Walldorf, Germany, SAP leverages best business practices from around the world to deliver truly global products. SAP is working with its leading customers in this industry today to develop SAP Global Trade. They include ITOCHU International Inc. (North America) and Marubeni Corp.
Current Challenge Faced by Global Trade Industry
In today's information society, market power increasingly lies with well-informed consumers, who have more buying choices than ever. As mediators and creators of business, trading companies have to create value in the form of speed, efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness while ensuring profitability to stay competitive. Many global trading companies face the challenge of shrinking margins, managing complex business processes, and adapting rapidly to changing markets. To help address these challenges global trade companies are adopting fully integrated enterprisewide systems.
SAP Global Trade will offer a comprehensive solution to meet the trading industry's needs with standard, integrated business processes, real-time information, risk management and profit analysis capabilities, enabling companies to present a consistent face to their business partners. Based on the R/3 System, SAP Global Trade will provide robust accounting, human resources and logistics systems as well as multinational capabilities and decision support.
''SAP Global Trade is significant as the first standard, comprehensive solution for global trade, an industry segment with six of the top 10 largest corporations, whose needs solution providers had previously not addressed,'' said Sam Nakane, CEO and president of SAP Japan. ''The solution will enable a new level of efficiency and synergy in the global trade business, especially in Japan, where nine of the world's top 10 global trading companies have headquarters, and whose trading accounts for a quarter of Japan's gross national product.''
SAP, Solution for Global Trade
SAP plans to offer the following new functionality supporting trading business processes in upcoming versions of R/3 Release 4.0:
New logistics functions. These new business processes will support transactions unique to the trade industry such as agency processing, consigned and entrusted transactions, direct shipping and settlement transactions. New logistics contract forms will completely integrate management of sales and purchasing, price calculation and payment conditions, as well as enable direct posting to accounts payable/receivable and customizable account posting.
Profitability management. Trade profitability simulation and analysis will collect sales, purchase and accounting data for assessing profitability of transactions by trading contract. Trend profitability will also be available, enabling quick and accurate analysis of market trends to assess future profitability and evaluate business risks.
Enhanced risk management. Based on existing R/3 credit management functionality, enhancements will enable credit management by department or division, by type of debt and by due date. Another new feature will include Letter of Credit management.
Enhanced distribution and foreign trade functions. Support for import and export document processing will include collection of import and customs-related data, uploading of legal data, financial documents handling and customs clearing via EDI. New expense management capabilities will support tracking and processing of import and export costs by contract.
Interface technology. Incorporation of Business Framework integration technology including Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPIs), Application Link Enabling and Workflow will support trade relationships by enabling interoperability among trade agents, authorities and banks as well as transport and warehouse partners.
''We're working closely with SAP on the development of SAP Global Trade to ensure that the solution matches requirements essential to the trading industry,'' said Minoru Akimitsu, vice president and assistant general manager, corporate planning, of ITOCHU International. ''We anticipate that enhancing our deployment of R/3 with functionality specific to our industry will give us the tools to address the market with greater speed, responsiveness and efficiency.''
Availability
SAP plans for a phased rollout of SAP Global Trade starting with R/3 Release 4.0, which is scheduled for general availability in the second quarter of 1998. Complete rollout of SAP Global Trade will take place over the year, with full availability expected by mid-1999.
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