Qatar's top trading group NBKS to run on SAP

The Doha-headquartered NBKS Group, which has over 30 trading companies and international alliances with many of the world's leading retail brands including Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Bosch, Michelin and Elf, will start implementing the SAP solution using SAP partner DCS Automotive (UK) Ltd - one of the leading European providers of integrated IT solutions in partnership with SAP Arabia Professional Services. The implementation project will start in May 2006, and will give NBKS a competitive edge in delivering enhanced service, higher efficiency and multi-service capabilities.

In his comments on the implementation, Mr. Paul Maryan, Chief Operating Officer of NBKS Automobiles, said: 'It was clear to us that SAP ERP is ideal for the NBKS Group as it can work across the broad spectrum of our Group interests. However, automotive retail represents the majority of our business and we needed to ensure that we selected a credible SAP business partner with an in-depth understanding of automotive retail and in-house SAP skills with the credentials of implementing large scale dealer solutions. With DCS, we have found a partner who can satisfy all of these requirements and consequently we selected SAP to run across our businesses.'

DCS will deliver SAP Financials across all of the operating divisions of NBKS as well as implementing an HR and Payroll system using standard SAP. During the second half of 2006, DCS will implement SAP DBM® v6 into the Automobiles Division of NBKS, which is one of the largest importers and distributors in the region spanning the Daimler-Chrysler and Mitsubishi franchises. The Automobiles Division of NBKS represents the largest part of the NBKS Group.

In his comments, Mr. Phil Blower, Sales Director, SAP Arabia, said: 'This is a fantastic win for us and further strengthens our position in the Middle East market. The SAP ERP is enhanced by industry-specific features and best practices based on our three decades of SAP experience. Through our consultative-led sales process, we developed a clear understanding of NBKS' broad requirements which enabled us to jointly agree on what was needed to best support their business going forward.'

He added: 'DCS will work alongside SAP Arabia during the implementation process as well as on future projects in the NBKS group.'

The year 2005 has been great for SAP worldwide. Total revenues of the exceeded $10 billion, an increase of 13% compared to 2004, with product sales up 18%. SAP's worldwide market share against its peer group based on software revenues was 62% at the end of 2005, representing a gain of seven percentage points compared to 2004.

The latest IDC study, 2004, covering the MENA software solutions market confirmed that SAP was the number 1 vendor in the region for Enterprise Application Software with a market share of 30%. SAP's peer group share for 2004 was nearly 50%.

SAP expects a further increase in its market share with the IDC Study for 2005 expected to come out soon.