The natural high point of Sapphire 2007 was SAP CEO Henning Kagermann's keynote, and the message was clear: SAP is getting serious about this Web 2.0 business. Knowledge sharing, collaboration and self-service features are the tune of the future, which coincidentally goes hand in hand with the Harmony initiative we mentioned the other day. Social networking, wiki-style content building and similar user-driven activities are growing in popularity overall, so it's not surprising that SAP is embracing the Web 2.0 movement.

Basically, we're looking at a shift from a top-down, technically rigid structure to a more fluid, informal way of thinking with a certain trust in that people can find workable solutions to their problems. There are examples where this type of individual empowerment has worked out great, but it's not necessarily a given (browse a few controversial topics on Wikipedia for examples of information integrity breach). By and large, however, it makes a lot of sense and we'll be following this closely in the year ahead.

Kagermann also talked about the new Business Process Platform (BPP) and how they've now expanded it to the whole product portfolio (with Business One being the only exception.) That's in line with SAP's previously stated focus on business processes as well as Hasso Plattner's keynote presentation on Monday. 

A1S, the new on demand ERP solution that has been hinted at for months, was finally unveiled. Scaled for customers with 50-500 users, the product bridges the gap between Business One and All-in-One. It is NetWeaver-based with the same underpinnings as All-in-One, making it a natural fit in SAP's next-gen product portfolio. Further, it has a "try it, then buy it" feature that gives potential customers a chance to see what A1S can do for them before cutting a sizable check. Stay tuned as news editor Jon Franke dives deeper into this topic next week.

Finally, take note that the "my" in "mySAP" has disappeared. As a result, "mySAP ERP 2005" has been renamed to "SAP ERP 6.0". The change is in name only with no additional features.

Matt Danielsson
Editor

Sapphire has been a little odd this year. Not just because Shai Agassi quit and left a sizable keynote spot open (since filled by Philip Lay, managing director of The Chasm Group Advisors,) but because of the uneven pacing. Rather than start with a big bang with all the key announcements on day one, most of the good stuff was withheld until the second day when Henning Kagermann finally took the stage.

But let's not complain too loudly; there were some interesting tidbits to be found. For example, Harmony is an internal collaboration tool that help SAP workers workdwide connect today. It's not unlike IBM's Lotus Connections, and Jeff Nolan said he covered Harmony last year, but we got a glimpse of what's in store for later this year when regular users get to play with these features… And judging by the application product demo, it's pretty darn slick. Assistant Editor Eric Samuels is on the case and hope to have more details on this shortly, so stay tuned.

Another point of interest was SAP and Microsoft's deepened partnership regarding Duet. We've long said Duet is promising, but a tad light on features. If the promises made here today hold water, that may soon not be the case as we look towards Duet 2.0 in 2008 and even Duet 3.0, slated for the next release of SAP's business suite (which will also include Microsoft's next gen Office, including Sharepoint). But for the more immediate future, Duet 1.5 and its Q4 2007 release seems to be the big game in town.

Speaking of Duet, one perhaps less than earth-shattering but notable announcement was the inclusion of Duet as a pre-loaded feature on HP ProLiant servers. There are no new features or clever synergies in play, but it seems like a case where ease of use and availability could make a big difference in helping Duet dig its heels in over time. 

Read Sapphire 2007 quick takes, part 2 here.

Matt Danielsson
Editor

Veteran site expert Axel Angeli isn't known for shying away from controversy, most recently proven in his guest column "Shai is gone — Hurray!". Needless to say, this controversial entry into the Shai Agassi resignation aftermath has sparked quite a bit of debate and more than one set of raised hackles in the SAP world.

Naeem Hashmi, CRO of Information Frameworks, is another veteran expert with a few things to say about Shai debacle. His verdict is perhaps a bit less abrasive than Axel's, but there are certain similarities. Here's his guest column:

Tribute to Shai - Psychology of a Visionary

Almost two years back at the Sapphire '05, a few colleagues asked me: How were the keynotes? My reply: Most keynotes were as usual, but Shai Agassi's keynote was a 'recital'. I sensed then that the euphoria of NetWeaver implementation is wearing down the 'Mind of a Visionary.' Real implementation of NetWeaver, though will be a success, is a long proposition and the visionary mind of Shai just could not recite the same slides over and over, year after year to almost the very same crowd.  

Visionaries starve for new food for thought. Visionaries have a very small 'digestive' tract. They are eager to 'chew' the next unknown 'food for thought' even when present food is still being swallowed, so to speak. That's really my comment meant about Shai's Keynote at the Sapphire '05…  The energy, the excitement on Shai's face was not coming naturally from inside but was much like a directed recital.

A full scale Services Oriented SAP implementation will span several years of hard work with many years of co-existence with good, ol' R/3 modules. This long path was just too much of ESA regurgitation for a visionary mind. SAP now has a good platform and a solid module-oriented 'German-disciplined-team' that will provide rock solid SAP/ESA solutions in the years to come.

And for now, the 'Mind of a Visionary' is getting ready for his next swim in the uncharted waters of a more pressing challenge facing the world, the energy and climate change. And I am sure the 'Mind of a Visionary' will be back in full speed and ready to 'chew' long new 'foods for thought' and the outcome will make significant difference for the generations to come, much more than the ESOA.

Much as Shai is a likeable guy in person, perhaps it is best for SAP and its customers that things played out the way they did? Or will his departure mean that SAP's innovative streak has come to an end, to the joy and delight of the competition? You be the judge. Sound off below or send us an email — we're always interested to hear from you.

Matt Danielsson
Editor

Have you or your team faced a gnarly BI/BW project? Then we want to hear about it! Check out our latest contest where you submit a brief podcast (less than 5 minutes) explaining how you overcame the challenge. 

Great SAP Leaders Among Us is your chance to shine, as well as a chance to win a video iPod or one of several $50 iTunes gift certificates. Never done a podcast before? No worries, we have the tools and directions you need to score a winner right on the contest page. 

Regards,
Matt Danielsson
Editor