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Network operator Verizon and SAP America, a subsidiary of SAP AG, are jointly delivering the SAP CRM rapid-deployment platform to enterprise workers through Verizon’s cloud offering, Computing as a Service. Workers will now be able to access SAP CRM from their desktops or their mobile devices, the companies announced.
As part of the SAP CRM rapid-deployment solution on Verizon’s CAAS, services will be delivered based on the user-subscription license model through which customers can pay per user, per month for the application, the cloud hosting services, infrastructure and management services. CAAS offers enterprise clients an application-delivery system that includes integrated-delivery centers and is underpinned by the Verizon global IP network. Clients can also leverage the Verizon private network for additional protection.
The service, supported by a dedicated help desk operated according to a set of best practices called ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), provides customers with a single point of accountability and a structured-management approach for service-related matters. Clients also have visibility into the Verizon CAAS-based delivery of SAP applications via a secure Web portal.
The SAP CRM rapid-deployment solution, the first in a series of SAP solutions deployed in the cloud by Verizon, can help enhance the productivity of enterprise sales, marketing and service professionals. By accessing SAP CRM and subsequent applications in the cloud, enterprises can benefit from faster deployments. Additionally, enterprises can now integrate their SAP applications with Verizon’s Managed Mobility platform by leveraging the Sybase Unwired Platform to mobilize applications, including the Mobile Sales for SAP CRM application.
“By offering SAP Rapid Deployment solutions via the cloud, SAP is helping companies to expand the strategic capabilities of their work forces,” said Robert Viehmann senior vice president of solution assembly and packaging for SAP AG. “Today’s announcement with Verizon accelerates the value companies can gain from our offerings, while controlling costs for an immediate business benefit.”
In mid-2010, Verizon became a SAP-certified global provider of cloud-based services. Earlier that year, SAP certified Verizon as a global provider of hosting services for the delivery of SAP applications. Verizon also launched an application-management service in January 2010 that offers enterprises end-to-end management of SAP applications and delivery platforms with custom service-level guarantees that extend beyond server and application availability to include transaction and business-process metrics.
“Enterprises are truly changing the way they do business. This is yet another step in our path to deliver -everything as a service’-a path that offers increased flexibility and better economics for our business and government clients,” said Kerry Bailey, group president of cloud strategy and services for Verizon. “Verizon and SAP have joined forces to harness the true potential of the cloud by delivering proven enterprise applications that enable workers to enhance their ability to serve clients and to [offer] better business outcomes. Together, we are opening up a whole new world that allows clients to truly work without boundaries.”