SAP acquires SaaS-champion SuccessFactors

December 05, 2011 | Author: Adam Levine
(SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard)

SAP (aka the world largest developer of business software) has won the reputation of the SaaS-snail. Not because SAP wasn't trying to build SaaS solutions. It launched StreamWork, CRM On-demand, Business ByDesign. But all these projects were implemented without much desire, so none of them caught the wave. And it's quite understandable. SAP really doesn't need these miserable $50/month per user, when it makes millions just for one-time sale of its monster systems and projects. But with these earned money, SAP can easily buy the title of SaaS-champion. SAP Ventures has long been sponsoring many SaaS-startups. For example, SAP stands behind such projects as SocialText, Box.net, Alfresco. And now, SAP has decided to play a big game and acquired (perhaps the second company on the SaaS market) SuccessFactors for $3.4 billion.



SuccessFactors - is a SaaS talent management system (on SAP's language it sounds HRM = Human Resources Management). It's not like SAP. Rather, it wants to be like Facebook. SuccessFactors is the champion in SaaS project size competition (see the Top 5 largest SaaS implementations). And in 2009, it was SuccessFactors that stolen one of SAP's largest customers - Siemens.

See also: Top 10 Talent Management Systems

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com