SAP and PeopleSoft: Business Software Solutions
SAP: A Leader in Business Software
SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) is a leading global provider of business software, holding the top position in 20 of the 25 industries it serves. SAP develops software solutions that enhance productivity across various business functions, including customer relations, enterprise resource planning, accounting, and human resources. The company’s revenue primarily comes from software licensing, maintenance services, and consulting, with over 75% of its revenue derived from its 32,000 enterprise customers.
SAP focuses on vertical industries, such as media, to drive growth. A significant growth area is in service-oriented architecture (SOA), which enables customers to connect various applications. SAP’s SOA, known as NetWeaver, is expected to be well-received by its large customer base. The trend towards consolidating software providers is expected to benefit SAP and Oracle, the two largest software companies.
As of December 31, 2009, SAP had more than 95,000 customers in over 120 countries and 163 subsidiaries. In July 2010, SAP acquired Sybase, Inc. In September and October 2009, SAP acquired majority stakes in SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting AG (SAF).
SAP Business One
SAP Business One provides an integrated solution for managing various business aspects, including financials, sales, customer relationships, inventory, and operations. It can be extended with a software development kit and over 550 industry-specific solutions and add-ons.
PeopleSoft: Enterprise Software Solutions
PeopleSoft, Inc. provided human resource management systems (HRMS), Financial Management Solutions (FMS), supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise performance management (EPM) software. It also offered software for manufacturing and student administration. PeopleSoft was acquired by Oracle Corporation in 2005, and its products are now marketed by Oracle.
PeopleSoft Financials and Supply Chain
PeopleSoft Financial Management Solutions (FMS) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) are commonly known as Financials and Supply Chain Management (FSCM).
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (CS) is a separate package designed as a student information system for colleges and universities.
Application Architecture
The original PeopleSoft architecture was based on a client-server approach. With version 8, the suite was rewritten as an n-tier web-centric design called PeopleSoft Internet Architecture (PIA), allowing access to all business functions through a web browser.
Initially, some security and system setup functions required a fat-client machine, but this is no longer the case. The PeopleSoft application suite can function as an ERP system, similar to SAP, or be used for single modules like Student Administration or HCM (Human Capital Management).
PeopleSoft uses Integration Broker to communicate between modules and for web service calls between PeopleSoft and other applications.
Development Platform
Implementation is based on PeopleSoft’s proprietary PeopleTools technology. PeopleTools includes components for creating web-based applications, such as PeopleCode, design tools, security structures, batch-processing tools, and SQL database interfaces. The metadata describes data for user interfaces, tables, messages, security, navigation, and portals. This set of tools makes the PeopleSoft suite platform-independent.