EU competition decision hands SAP customers more leverage in contract talks
Truce over maintenance fees is a bargaining chip for ECC holdouts – just don't expect a stampede to third-party support
Enterprise customers should use SAP's commitments to the European Commission to reconsider complex ERP migration timelines and gain leverage in negotiations with the German software giant, according to Gartner.
Last week, the European Commission ended an investigation into possible anticompetitive practices after SAP agreed to abolish reinstatement fees and reduce back-maintenance fees, among other concessions.
The case stems from September last year, when the executive branch of the EU launched a formal investigation into SAP's policies for maintenance and support services in Europe, responding to concerns that SAP restricted competition in this crucial aftermarket.
In two papers published late last week, Gartner said the agreement represented an opportunity for users grappling with mammoth ERP migrations.
Thousands of large businesses rely on SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) to run core...
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