SAP celebrates jump in sales revenues

NEWS German ERP (enterprise resource planning) vendor SAP started the week on a high note with news that preliminary sales results for the first nine months show a rise of $1.2bn. In a statement, SAP executives claimed third quarter revenue was also up "despite an ongoing economic crisis in Japan, as well as unfavourable exchange rates". Pre-tax profits showed an increase of 54 per cent to $3.6bn compared to figures for the same period last year. The preliminary results were in line with company expectations of an estimated 40 per cent revenue growth and a 30 to 35 per cent increase in pre-tax profits. However, analysts noted a 20 per cent drop in growth compared to the same period last year. SAP's results will be announced on 20 October.