Americas' SAP Users' Group to Launch a Record Number 26 New Influence Councils.

Voice of SAP Customer Heard though ASUG Influence Program

CHICAGO -- The Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG), the world's largest customer-run community of SAP professionals, announced today that it will launch 26 new ASUG Influence Councils at the ASUG Annual Conference April 22-25, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

ASUG Influence Councils are comprised of a small group of SAP customers with expertise in a particular business process or SAP solution area. These councils, who meet regularly both virtually and face to face, provide ASUG members the opportunity to provide feedback on SAP products and services directly to SAP product managers and product definition teams. In 2006, ASUG supported approximately 65 Influence Councils. Increased interest in the program has resulted in the launch of 26 new Influence Councils at the 2007 ASUG Annual Conference, including councils on The Agile Testing of SAP Solutions with SAP Test Acceleration and Optimization and the Business Process Management within enterprise SOA.

"ASUG Influence activities allow members to play an active role in the development of SAP's products, services, and future decisions." says Rick Lloyd, ASUG Director of Influence. "These new councils represent a 40% increase in overall Influence activity - proof that ASUG is committed to bringing our members the highest quality information on strategic planning and best practices on all things SAP."

ASUG currently supports over 70 ASUG Influence Councils, which allow members the opportunity to provide feedback directly to SAP and have their voices heard, shaping the future direction of SAP products and services. Influence Council sessions are typically two hours in duration. The program has expanded to include Influence Update Sessions, which can be conducted virtually or at an ASUG event that provide a report back on the success and customer implemented feedback to SAP products and services. 14 Influence Updates will be available at the 2007 Annual Conference. These sessions provide updates on how ASUG members have affected SAP product development and how member involvement makes a difference.

In addition to the Influence Councils activities and the Influence Updates, Usability Activities will give attendees the opportunity to provide on the spot feedback to SAP Developers, product management experts, and usability experts regarding new and existing solutions. Additionally, these individuals will have the chance to influence SAP's product directions by registering for a one-on-one meeting with those focused on SAP NetWeaver Product Definition.

Active Influence participant, Breck Whitten, Lead Application Analyst at Halliburton, believes that Influence is key to the success of an SAP customer. "My involvement with the ASUG Influence program has been rewarding and has given my company a channel to voice its needs," stated Whitten.

To show the results of the members' participation in the Influence program, ASUG annually publishes its Closing the Loop Report, which illustrates the direct results of ASUG members speaking up and influencing the future of SAP.

Both the ASUG Annual Conference and SAP SAPPHIRE will take place April 22 - 25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Hosting these two breakthrough events in one location will deliver the technological vision, insights, and actionable information SAP customers need to drive profitability and growth. Approximately 14,000 SAP customers, partners and SAP employees are expected to attend the combined events. For complete conference information and to register, visit www.asug.com/2007conference. ASUG members and all licensed SAP customers and partners are encouraged to attend. Additional information on ASUG Influence is available at www.asug.com/2007InfluenceLaunch.

About ASUG

The Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG(R)) is an independent, volunteer-run organization that facilitates knowledge transfer among the community of SAP customers by providing user-driven educational opportunities, professional networking and a forum that provides insight and influence to SAP. ASUG maintains a unique position within the SAP community through its: combination of highly-focused education tools; access to subject matter experts and SAP executives; ability to influence SAP products and services; and personal networking opportunities with SAP customers. As a result, members from any sized organization continuously solve their SAP-related business problems more efficiently and cost-effectively, realizing a significant return from their membership. (Additional information at http://www.asug.com)