HP Introduces Service for Pre-Loading SAP R/3 on UNIX and Windows NT Systems; New Service Reduces Time and Expense of R/3 Implementations.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 1997-- Hewlett-Packard Company today introduced a service for pre-loading, pre-configuring and pre-testing SAP R/3 solutions prior to delivery to customer sites. HP is the only SAP partner to offer this service for HP-UX(1), Microsoft(R) Windows(R) NT or mixed HP-UX/Windows NT system environments.

The new service allows HP customers to slash on-site installation time and minimize disruption to core business activities since the actual pre-loading activities are conducted by HP technicians at a central HP facility. The facility provides high levels of standardization across processes and multivendor technologies, leading to enhanced quality, faster response times and reduced costs due to economies of scale. HP's technicians are trained, certified and experienced and have access to the most up-to-date technologies, including the latest patches, releases and updates.

As part of this service, HP delivers to the customer a pre-integrated solution, including R/3 and database software, HP 9000 business servers or HP NetServer PC servers and other solution components. The HP facility handles the complex logistics of delivering the new system to customer sites, including multiple deliveries in one country or several countries around the world.

This service also is available to customers who order through HP partners that act as the prime contractors for R/3 implementations.

Working with HP's professional services consultants or local consulting partners, customers employing this service define their specific needs and technical requirements in advance. These specifications are then used as the blueprint for the integration activities at the central HP facility. Customers may visit the HP facility to conduct formal acceptance tests prior to taking delivery of their solutions.

"This new HP service strongly supports our ongoing initiative to reduce the implementation time for R/3, and we are, therefore, pleased to see HP make this introduction in response to our customers' needs," said Cheryl Groover, SAP's Global Partnership manager for HP's Professional Services Organization. "We expect this service to appeal to a large number of our customers as we continue to work with our partners to deliver a robust solution efficiently." HP's European Integration Center, located in L'Isle d'Abeau, near Lyon, France, has been performing integrations and internationally deploying customized solutions since 1992, and is the first HP facility to offer this service for SAP systems. In the United States, the Americas Integration Center in Roseville, Calif., is slated to offer this service in the spring of 1997.

HP's worldwide SAP Consulting Practice, a resource of HP's Professional Services Organization, will provide the consultants responsible for defining customers' needs and technical requirements in advance of the pre-loading activities. HP's SAP Consulting Practice provides a range of R/3 application and technology consulting, systems integration, education and project-management services and complementary products for customers implementing R/3.

HP's SAP Consulting Practice recently introduced HP Rapid/3, an accelerated approach for R/3 implementations, which -- like the R/3 pre-loading services -- is designed to speed up R/3 implementation projects. Customers benefit from fixed prices, ensured delivery schedules and performance benchmarks, single-vendor ownership, reduced in-house resource requirements and effective knowledge transfer. HP's R/3 pre-loading services are also available in conjunction with HP Rapid/3.

HP's Professional Services Organization also offers a comprehensive education and training curriculum to support R/3 implementations.

HP's relationship with SAP AG spans more than eight years. During that time, HP has become the leading hardware platform for R/3, with more than 2,700 HP installations worldwide using R/3 software.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 112,000 employees and had revenue of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com .

(1) HP-UX 9.X and 10.0 for HP 9000 Series 700 and 800 computers are X/Open(R) Company UNIX 93 branded products. HP-UX 10.20 is an X/Open UNIX 95 branded product. -0-

Note to Editors: X/Open is a registered trademark, and the X device is a trademark of X/Open Company Ltd. in the UK and other countries.

UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited.

Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Hoffman Agency (for HP)

Rachel Imison, 408/447-5456

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