If you need proof that SAP is getting more customer-oriented, stop by the SAP Store Try and Buy Kiosks at SAPPHIRE NOW. Sona Venkat, who will be at the kiosks, says, "We want customers to play with the software and evaluate before purchasing and then be able to either instantly buy onsite or get set up to make future purchases."
By investing in the SAP Store as our e-commerce channel, SAP is not only trying to optimize and simplify the overall customer experience but also put power in the hands of the consumers. Sona, Vice President, Ecosystem & Channels Routes-to-Market Marketing says, "We are empowering them to make purchases in a self-service, efficient, online environment. They are able to find and buy the solutions they need 24/7 via website and on device with a few simple clicks."
Sona is also excited that partners have the opportunity to market and sell their solutions via the SAP Store. "From a partner perspective, it is a true sales and marketing engine that gives them access to our 230 K strong customer base," says Sona. The SAP Store enables partners to sell solutions for mobile, cloud, analytic and database and technology portfolios. Last year at SAPPHIRE NOW in Orlando, SAP launched the popular Mobile Apps Partner Program. "The program has been very successful from a recruitment standpoint," says Sona, adding that SAP has recruited over 210 partners in a little less than three quarters and that 120 partner apps are available on the SAP Store. The winner of the first SAP Pinnacle Award for the mobile app innovator category, ExpertIG, whose app is on the SAP Store, will also be at SAPPHIRE NOW, along with all other Pinnacle Award winners.
"To go from launching the SAP Mobile Apps Partner Program last SAPPHIRE to seeing over 200 partners in the program - this has been a career highlight for me," says Sona. No stranger to SAPPHIRE NOW - this will be her ninth - Sona says working with partners to get them into the program, get their apps built and on the SAP Store and then feature them at SAPPHIRE Now, has been "extremely rewarding" for the entire Platform Ecosystem & eChannels team.
Visit Sona at the SAP Store Kiosks at SAPPHIRE NOW or follow her on Twitter: @sonavenkat
