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SAP SE

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SAP SE
NameSAP SE
TypePublic (Societas Europaea)
Traded asFWB: SAP, NYSE: SAP
IndustryEnterprise software
Founded1 April 1972
FoundersDietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Klaus Tschira, Claus Wellenreuther, Hans-Werner Hector
Hq locationWalldorf
Hq location cityBaden-Württemberg
Hq location countryGermany
Area servedWorldwide
Key peopleHasso Plattner (Chairman of the Supervisory Board), Christian Klein (CEO)
ProductsSAP S/4HANA, SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba
Revenue▲ €31.2 billion (2023)
Num employees107,602 (2023)

SAP SE is a German multinational software corporation renowned for developing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Founded in 1972 by former IBM engineers, it has grown to become a global leader in business application software, serving over 400,000 customers in more than 180 countries. The company's software solutions are integral to the operations of many of the world's largest corporations and public sector institutions, managing critical business processes in areas such as finance, logistics, and human resources.

History

The company was established in Mannheim in 1972 by Dietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Klaus Tschira, Claus Wellenreuther, and Hans-Werner Hector. Its first major product was SAP R/1, a real-time financial accounting system. The subsequent SAP R/2 system, designed for mainframe computers, expanded its capabilities for multinational corporations. A pivotal moment came with the 1992 launch of the client-server based SAP R/3 system, which propelled the company to international dominance in the ERP software market. Key acquisitions, such as Business Objects in 2007 and Sybase in 2010, significantly expanded its portfolio in business intelligence and mobile computing. The company's transition to cloud computing accelerated under leaders like Bill McDermott and was marked by major purchases including Concur, SuccessFactors, and Qualtrics.

Products and services

The company's core offering is the SAP S/4HANA suite, an intelligent ERP system built on the in-memory SAP HANA database. Its extensive portfolio includes cloud-based applications for human capital management through SAP SuccessFactors, procurement via SAP Ariba, and customer relationship management with the SAP Customer Experience suite. The SAP Business Technology Platform provides a unified environment for database management, application development, analytics, and integration. Other significant products include the SAP Fieldglass vendor management system and industry-specific solutions for sectors like retail, utilities, and healthcare, often developed in partnership with firms like Accenture and Deloitte.

Corporate affairs

Headquartered in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, the company operates a global network of research and development labs, including significant centers in Palo Alto, Bangalore, and Shanghai. It is governed by a two-tier board system with a Supervisory Board chaired by co-founder Hasso Plattner and an Executive Board led by CEO Christian Klein. The company is a constituent of major stock indices including the DAX, Euro Stoxx 50, and the S&P 500. It maintains strategic partnerships with technology giants like Microsoft, Google, and AWS, and its extensive ecosystem includes millions of members of the SAP Community Network.

Technology and platforms

The technological foundation is the column-oriented, in-memory SAP HANA database, which enables real-time data processing. This powers the flagship SAP S/4HANA ERP suite and the SAP Business Technology Platform, which combines capabilities for data management with the SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Integration Suite. The company has heavily invested in cloud infrastructure, offering services through its own data centers and via partnerships with Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud. It is also a major contributor to enterprise artificial intelligence through its SAP Joule copilot and embedded AI capabilities across its application portfolio.

Financial performance

For the 2023 fiscal year, the company reported total revenue of €31.2 billion, with cloud revenue becoming its largest segment. Its market capitalization consistently ranks it among the most valuable companies in Germany and within the global software industry. The company's financial reporting is audited by EY and it is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. Its investor base includes major institutions like BlackRock and the capital of co-founder Dietmar Hopp, managed through Dievini Hopp BioTech Holding.

Criticism and controversies

The company has faced significant criticism, particularly regarding the complex and costly implementations of its traditional on-premise software, often involving partners like IBM and Capgemini. It has been involved in several legal disputes, including a high-profile intellectual property lawsuit with Oracle Corporation. In 2023, it agreed to pay over $220 million to settle DOJ and SEC investigations concerning bribery allegations in South Africa and other countries. The transition to cloud subscription models and products like SAP S/4HANA has also drawn scrutiny from existing customers facing mandatory migration and increased costs.

Category:Software companies of Germany Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Category:Cloud computing providers