Fully integrated, cost-effective solution, enabled for rapid implementation
Auckland, New Zealand — Leading e-business solutions provider SAP has Team New Zealand, one of the world’s most prominent sailing teams, committed to using its mid market business software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Team New Zealand’s signing coincided with the launch of the business solution in New Zealand.
“Our sailing team has always relied on the use of state of the art technology. We believe that our on-shore team and the whole of Team New Zealand will benefit from using this new system from SAP,” said Ross Blackman, Chief Executive of Team New Zealand.
“Team New Zealand has always been at the forefront of technology usage whether they’re sailing through rough seas or running their on-shore operations,” said Viv Gurrey, Managing Director SAP New Zealand. “We are very pleased to have them onboard as our first customer for this mid market solution in New Zealand.”
Team New Zealand, the only syndicate outside the United States to defend the America’s Cup twice, will initially use the financials module of the software and may roll out the other components in later phases.
SAP will be one of the major sponsors of Team New Zealand as it defends its America’s Cup title in February 2003.
Like many small businesses, the management of Team New Zealand require accurate and timely information that can be produced quickly and efficiently with minimal manual effort and cost. They need clear visibility on expenditure and performance against forecast. The integrated nature of the SAP mid market business solution will mean that the Team New Zealand Management will eventually have the ability to receive the latest information at their fingertips, delivered to them through their own personalised portal.
SAP launched its mid market business solution, an out-of-the-box software suite that can be implemented by any business in five weeks at a fraction of the cost of a regular enterprise software solution, targeted at the SMB market. The software is based on the mySAP.com e-business platform and will provide SMBs an affordable and rapid access to an e-business platform.
“The introduction of this solution into New Zealand will mean for the first time ever SMB organisations in New Zealand will have access to a world class software solution, that is delivered simply, quickly and cost effectively,” said Gurrey. “This suite of software will enable businesses to have a full back-office system up and running within weeks.”
In Australia, SAP had signed up several small and medium business users including Vigil Tech, Massel, Lifespan and Apex Associates since it launched the solution in March.
ABOUT TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup for the first time in San Diego in 1995, beating Young America 5-0 in a best-of-nine-race series. Back home in Auckland in early 2000, Team New Zealand successfully defended the America’s Cup by again winning 5-0; this time against Prada of Italy.
It was the first time the 151-year-old Cup had been successfully defended outside the United States.
Nine international syndicates have issued challenges for the 31st America’s Cup regatta in Auckland in 2002/2003. They comprise three American syndicates, two from Italy and others from the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland and Sweden.
