Siebel links software to SAP's R/3
Siebel Systems debuts new integration software to link its Web-based front office software and SAP's R/3.
The new software allows companies to integrate their front and back office applications using off-the-shelf software. The software, the Siebel Enterprise Connector for SAP R/3, includes mapping between Siebel front office data and SAP R/3 data, allowing companies to link their Siebel customer relationship management software with R/3 enterprise resource planning applications.
Other software makers, including Baan and Oracle also plan to offer links between their front-office software and R/3.
Customer relationship management software, or front-office systems, has grown in popularity in recent years as companies seek to extend their business applications to manage complex sales, marketing, and customer service functions. The software is in many ways an extension of enterprise resource planning, or back office, applications popularized by Oracle, SAP, and Peoplesoft. ERP systems manage financial, human resources, and manufacturing information. By linking front- and back-office systems, companies can become more efficient and obtain a clearer picture of their overall business, software makers argue.
The new software from Siebel lets mobile users of Siebel's front office applications retrieve information from SAP R/3 remotely. For example, a Siebel user can now create a quote for a prospect or customer from their laptop computer, while disconnected from the network.
The announcement is part of a major push by Siebel to become top dog in the front office software space.
Last month, Siebel inked a deal with Microsoft to ship its front office applications integrated with Microsoft's SQL Server database.
"The Siebel Enterprise Connector for SAP R/3 is part of Siebel Systems' overarching strategy to make it easy and cost-effective for customers to share information across their organization--between the front office, back office, and even custom-built solutions," David Schmaier, Siebel's senior vice president of products, said in a statement.
Pricing for the new package was not immediately available.