SAP supports the following partner categories, each an excellent opportunity for collaboration and participation:

• BPO providers -- These providers deliver business processes, such as human resources, procurement, and finance and accounting outsourcing, to companies that choose to outsource these processes.
• Hosting partners -- These companies provide turnkey solutions and services by hosting SAP solutions.
• Services partners -- SAP's services partners are consultants who help SAP customers implement and integrate SAP solutions, optimize business processes, and provide strategic business consulting.
• SAP channel partners for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) -- SAP delivers its SME solutions through a network of providers and partners that provide services such as one-stop shopping and turnkey operations.
• Software partners These partners provide complete, technically verified turnkey software solutions that extend and add value to SAP solutions. In addition, third-party software vendors can develop applications based on SAP's standard, release-stable interfaces. Learn more by visiting the software partner opportunity center.

In addition, partners can participate at different membership levels -- from local to global alliance partners whose reach and commitment are worldwide. For more information, see SAP Partner Membership Levels.