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1972 - 1981: The First Years
1972
Five former IBM employees start the company SAP Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung ("System Analysis and Program Development") with headquarters in Weinheim (Germany) and an office in Mannheim (Germany). Their vision: to develop standard application software for real-time data processing.
1973
SAP completes its first financial accounting system - RF.
1975
Companies can now handle their purchasing, inventory management, and invoice verification with SAP's RM system.
An SAP trademark begins to emerge - the integration of all of the company's applications. Materials management data flows directly into financial accounting on a value basis, while invoice verification and posting can be completed in one step.
1977
SAP moves its headquarters from Weinheim to nearby Walldorf.
The company begins adapting its system for customers outside of Germany for the first time. Two companies in Austria decide to implement SAP software.
1978
SAP completes the module Asset Accounting and a corresponding implementation project at a pilot company.
SAP develops a French-language version of the company's accounting software for the farm equipment manufacturer John Deere.
1979
SAP has broken ground on the initial construction of its own data center.
1980
SAP moves into its first facility on Max-Planck-Strasse in the Walldorf industrial park.
SAP expands its product portfolio with RV, a custom development for sales and distribution.
1981
SAP makes its first event appearance at the IT trade show Systems in Munich, Germany.
Approximately 200 companies use SAP software; with the help of its customers, SAP expands its range of products with a production management module.
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1982 - 1991: The SAP R/2 Era
1984
SAP develops the new modules RK (cost accounting), PPS (production planning and control), and RP (Human Resources).
SAP (International) AG is established in Biel, Switzerland.
1986
SAP opens its first international subsidiary in Austria.
With 300 employees, SAP's revenues reach DM 100 million.
After three years in development, SAP's software for human resources management is made available to customers.
The company showcases itself at the world's largest computer trade show CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, for the first time.
1987
IBM's new generation of servers makes SAP's software available to midsize customers; to support the new customers, SAP establishes SAP Consulting.
SAP begins developing SAP R/3.
1988
SAP transforms from a private, limited-liability company into the publicly traded SAP AG; initial public offering.
SAP continues to bolster its global business by opening international subsidiaries, e. g. in the United States.
Dow Chemicals becomes SAP's 1,000th customer.
1990
SAP increases its focus on midsize companies by acquiring a 50% holding in the German software company Steeb and taking over the software firm CAS outright.
1,700 employees help surpass DM 500 million in revenue.
1991
SAP presents the first applications in its SAP R/3 system at CeBIT in Hanover.
Development of a Russian version of SAP R/2
More than 2,200 customers in 31 different countries use SAP software.
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1992 - 2001: The SAP R/3 Era
1992
SAP brings SAP R/3 to the general public.
SAP augments its partner strategy.
1993
SAP begins working with Microsoft.
SAP delivers a version of SAP R/3 with support for kanji characters to the Japanese market.
1995
SAP begins to focus more marketing efforts on midsize companies.
SAP's share is added to Germany's DAX stock index.
1996
SAP introduces its joint Internet strategy with Microsoft. Through open interfaces, customers can now connect online applications to their SAP R/3 systems.
1997
SAP's workforce expands to nearly 13,000 employees - a 40% increase.
1998
Dietmar Hopp and Klaus Tschira resign from the company's Executive Board. The Supervisory Board names Henning Kagermann co-CEO of the company alongside cofounder Hasso Plattner.
Company's debut on Wall Street (NYSE)
2000
With the e-business platform mySAP.com, employees, customers, suppliers, and other business partners can work together across company borders - anytime, anywhere.
2001
SAP expands mySAP.com, making it a comprehensive technology for business applications. As a result, SAP has the architecture it needs to help companies integrate a wide variety of IT systems.
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2002 - 2012: Overcoming Limits: From E-Business to SAP In-Memory Computing
2002
SAP is the third-largest independent software provider in the world.
2003
Hasso Plattner resigns from the Executive Board.
2004
SAP brings the first version of SAP NetWeaver to market.
2006
SAP announces the general release of SAP ERP.
2007
Léo Apotheker is named SAP's deputy CEO.
SAP reveals SAP Business ByDesign, a product designed specifically for small businesses and midsize companies.
2008
SAP successfully completes its acquisition of Business Objects.
The SAP Supervisory Board names Léo Apotheker co-CEO alongside Henning Kagermann.
2009
SAP unveils its SAP Business Suite 7 software.
Henning Kagermann bids farewell to SAP. Léo Apotheker becomes the company's sole CEO.
2010
In February, the Supervisory Board names Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe co-CEOs of the company.
SAP acquires Sybase, the largest business software and service provider specializing exclusively in information management and mobile data use.
First glance at in-memory technology which ushers in a new era of real-time processing in business applications
2011
Initial customers implement the first in-memory product, the SAP HANA platform.
With a total revenue of more than €14 billion and an operating profit of more than €4 billion, SAP records best full year ever.
2012
SAP completes the acquisition of SuccessFactors, one of the market leaders in cloud applications.
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