SAP embarks on extensive software Arabization programme

The company has completed the first stage of the programme with the Arabization of SAP R/3 Enterprise 4.7 and has commenced work on the Arabization of modules within the mySAP Business Suite.

SAP's initiative to Arabize its core solutions highlights the region's importance for the company and their increasing efforts to more fully support the ever-widening base of SAP software users within this market, said Essam Enany, President of SAP Arabia. "In an expanding global market, software that does not accommodate local language preferences no longer inspires user satisfaction. SAP fully recognises the need for the localization of its products, in order to grow its community of dedicated users," he said.

While the provision of Arabic software proved more challenging than any other software localization initiative by the company, the benefits in reaching out to a large potential audience in the Arab world with Arabic as their mother tongue fuelled the drive forward.

The Arabic version of SAP R/3 Enterprise 4.7 offers the same comprehensive functionalities to enable the smooth running of businesses as the English application - with the same ease of use. The developers of the SAP R/3 Enterprise 4.7 Arabic have also considered the unique cultural and country-specific requirements of various countries in the Arab world, including for example, the easy enablement of Zakat, GOSSI and IQAMA (Saudi Arabian residency regulations).

As with SAP R/3 Enterprise 4.7, the Arabic application allows dynamic and flexible upgrades. The Arabic version also has the same concept of application support that the English version has.

SAP expects to soon complete the Arabization of modules within the mySAP Business Suite, such as mySAP Customer Relationship Management, mySAP Supply Chain Management, mySAP Human Resources and mySAP Financials.