Vodafone Extends Framework Agreement with SAP

By Johanne Torres

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

Business software provider SAP (News - Alert) AG extended the scope of its 2005 Global Framework Agreement with Vodafone to provide business applications and services, based on the SAP NetWeaver platform and mySAP ERP (enterprise resource planning) to the telecom's operating companies globally.

 

SAP's products are said to enable Vodafone and its companies to operate with reduced costs in order to better reach their goals and improve business performance.

 

SAP's NetWeaver platform enables businesses ensure that their master data is accurate, free of duplicated records, and normalized; make disparate applications and business partners' systems work together; and increase the visibility and reach of structured and unstructured enterprise data.

 

The mySAP ERP comprises four individual systems which support key areas of enterprise resource planning—the mySAP ERP Human Capital Management for workforce administration; the

mySAP ERP Financials for the administration of the business' finances; the mySAP ERP Operations for freeing up resources; and the mySAP ERP Corporate Services for streamlining business processes and costs.

 

"It is important to put in place global agreements so that our operating companies can quickly and easily adopt technology solutions that meet their operational needs. SAP's global reach and its proven technologies, will help us to deliver on our ambition to improve efficiency and reduce costs right across the Group," said Vodafone's Global Supply Chain director Detlef Schultz in a statement.

 

Today's news finds Vodafone in the middle of a heated bidding battle to acquire Hutch Essar, an Indian mobile operator. Vodafone reportedly put rumors to rest about placing a bid to acquire Hutch by telling Reuters and other reporters in New Delhi last Wednesday that it will go ahead with the bid in a matter of weeks.

Rumors had begun last month when the telecom made an official announcement about its plans to consider a possible placement of a bid for the mobile operator, which is said to be one of the largest mobile players in India.

According to an AP report, amongst the companies that Vodafone could be bidding against to acquire Hutch Essar are Maxis Communications from Malaysia, India's number two mobile operator Reliance Communications and Orascom Telecommunications of Egypt.

Vodafone could also be racing against the Bharti Group. Interestingly enough, Vodafone has some equity stake in Bharti Airtel, which is comprised in the Bharti Group.