Abstract
SAP is the worldwide leader in integrated software companies. It was created in 1972 by 5 ex-executives of IBM. SAP's turn over was 8,5 million in 2005, and continues to raise. Net income is 1,5 billion. In the ERP market, SAP has 12 million users, and more than 100,000 licences set up. The market share of the company is 62%. What is SAP? It is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). That is to say, a software which manages at least three important functions of a company with only one data base. ERP appeared at the beginning of 1990. It was the answer for the big companies users, who wanted to have only one software based on only one IT system, in order to manage all the data they needed to be more efficient in there job. As a result, the users wanted to be able to answer rapidly to the requests of their bosses, their customers and their suppliers. I will explain why people, through the years, needed SAP, then I will give details on how SAP become real, then I will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of SAP. I will describe the steps of SAP installation, the direct result of SAP application (the good and bad results within the company) and finally, I will apply the general information to a company. Why companies needed SAP?
