Business intelligence drives SAP to strong growth year in ANZ

Stan Beer
Sunday, 01 February 2009 15:43

SAP Australia New Zealand claimed a record year of growth in 2008, with strong growth in the retail, utilities and mining industries where investment in infrastructure remained strong. However, the company sounded a pragmatic warning that 2009 will be a "new reality".

In 2008, SAP ANZ recorded overall revenue growth year on year of 33% in constant currency (24% growth calculated in Euro). 2008 software licence revenue for ANZ grew 72% over the previous year (55% in Euro).

SAP ANZ managing director Tim Ebbeck hinted that business intelligence was a key driver of the growth, following the €4.8 billion euros acquisition of Business Objects in late 2007.

“It’s no secret the economy was sluggish for most of 2008, even before the global financial crisis hit in September," said Mr Ebbeck.

"The New Zealand economy was already in recession by the second half of the year.  In this environment, cash is king and process efficiency is the next best thing to growth for delivering profitability.

“Business intelligence, performance management and process management initiatives provide a way to get a handle on cash and liquidity.  BI and analytics help companies measure, manage and report on what's going on in the business.”

Mr Ebbeck concluded: “Of course 2009 will be a very different operating environment for business in ANZ.  However we are focused on sustaining our success in what we call ‘The New Reality’.”