EDS announced the adoption of the Run SAP methodology for use in its application management services and hosting operations. Through this adoption, EDS also plans to incorporate the methodology into its consulting practice, where it will leverage its expertise with SAP applications management, gained through the implementation of SAP solutions by more than 800,000 client users globally.

EDS is the first SAP hosting partner and SAP services partner to adopt Run SAP, an operations methodology built upon SAP standards for solution operations that will help IT and business process experts harness their IT landscapes and better implement their enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA) strategies. The adoption of Run SAP will give EDS access to SAP-developed tools in the global support backbone, including training, services, operations methodology and mission-critical support components. As an early adopter, EDS will have an opportunity to help shape Run SAP and play a key role in the direction of the next-generation applications management offering for SAP customers. Through this level of involvement, EDS will leverage its insight and expertise to help clients be successful.

"Run SAP will provide our clients with lower cost and reduced risk through standardized tools and methodologies, as well as greater agility to manage and innovate their SAP platforms," said Bob Hershey, EDS vice president and SAP Consulting Practice leader for Americas and Asia Pacific. "As our clients' business ally, EDS' adoption of the Run SAP methodology globally will enable us to compete more effectively in the enterprise applications market."

"We are pleased that EDS intends to strengthen its long-standing relationship with SAP by adopting the Run SAP methodology," said Uwe Hommel, executive vice president, SAP AG. "EDS will be among the first SAP hosting partners to adopt the end-to-end solution operations approach provided by Run SAP into its application management services and hosting operations."

To best maximize the benefits promised by enterprise SOA, it is essential to closely manage the integration and management of business processes along with software and system components. The implementation of end-to-end solution operations following the Run SAP methodology, including consulting and training, can be supported by SAP Services and SAP partners.

Run SAP will help customers past the go-live phase by focusing on application management, business process operations and administration of the technology platform. The pre-configured operations approach of Run SAP bridges the gap between the technical and functional components of an implementation to guide customers through solution assessment and scoping, defining operations, set up of operations, handover to production and operations and optimization of the system. Customers and partners can also enable their workforce with a specific education curriculum and certifications.

Long-standing Relationship Between EDS and SAP
For more than 17 years, EDS and SAP have partnered to deliver business software solutions that reduce time-to-market and lower clients' total cost of ownership. Since 1997, EDS has deployed SAP solutions to approximately 873,000 users. Furthermore, SAP helps deliver best-in-class enterprise applications as an essential component of the EDS Agile Enterprise Platform and collaborates on industry solutions and enterprise business applications. As a member of the EDS Agility Alliance, SAP provides end-to-end enterprise applications services and the standard underlying applications platform for EDS' leveraged HR, F&A and Procurement BPO utility. The partnership with SAP has helped generate more than $1 billion in total contract sales for EDS.

The EDS Agility Alliance is a coalition of companies globally recognized for their quality, products and value to clients. Its mission is to innovate, develop and deliver the EDS Agile Enterprise Platform - EDS' next-generation global delivery system. Together, EDS and its Agility Alliance partners collaborate to design, build and run a market-leading services platform and develop technology-based services to deliver tangible client results.