Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Prourement / Purchasing ( Answered,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Prourement / Purchasing
Category: Business and Money > Employment
Asked by: benga-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 28 Jul 2002 17:50 PDT
Expires: 27 Aug 2002 17:50 PDT
Question ID: 46275
what does SAP means in Purchasing function?  Most Purchasing use an
acronym SAP.   Is this an abbreviation or a standard word for what? In
plain language what does SAP means in the Procurement world.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Prourement / Purchasing
Answered By: historybuff-ga on 28 Jul 2002 19:16 PDT
 
Hello Benga,

I started out looking for acronyms, and there are plenty of them out
there.  But in this case, purchasing professionals use the term SAP to
refer to the leading vendor of software in their industry.  The
company web site is:

http://www.sap.com

Here is the history of the company, quoted from their web site:

SAP is the world's leading provider of collaborative e-business
solutions. With 44,500 installations serving 10 million users at
17,500 organizations in 120 countries across the globe, SAP ranks as
the world's third-largest independent software provider.

SAP has been in the business of e-business for 30 years. Founded in
1972 by five former IBM systems engineers, SAP now employs more than
27,800 people in more than 50 countries.

The company began trading publicly in 1988. It is listed on several
stock exchanges, including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the New
York Stock Exchange, where it trades under the symbol "SAP."

The company is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, with U.S.
operations headquarters located in Newtown Square, PA.

You can find this information by selecting "History" from the
company's home page.  Additional information can be seen in the press
releases, normally toward the end of the piece.

Information referring to SAP can also be found on this purchasing
professionals' web site:

http://supplychain.ittoolbox.com/Documents/ 


Scroll towards the bottom of the page.
Under the header titled "Visit the ITtoolbox Knowledge Base for:"
select the link "SAP".  This will lead you to a seemingly infinite
knowlege center related to SAP. For example, selecting "general SAP"
leads to discussion groups, forums, training and books.

One more lind I found mentioned SAP in an explanation of the
purchasing process and can be found here:

http://academic.uofs.edu/faculty/gramborw/sap/1030.htm

So, in short, SAP is the name of the German company that is the
leading supplier of purchasing software.  I imagine the company may
stand for something also, but from your question I don't believe
that's what your after.  It may stem from one of the information
technology acronyms listed at the web site below, or it may be some
clever combination of initials only the founders of the company can
decipher.  I would imagine they may answer an email asking the origin
of the company name.  Let me know if you want me to ask them.

http://www.ucc.ie/acronyms/

Type "SAP" into their search window, and scroll down alphabetically. 
You will see several acronyms, several which are related to the
technology field and could account for the origin of the comany name.

Search terms used:
purchasing association acronyms SAP
"purchasing industry" glossaries
"purchasing industry" acronyms

We've both learned a lot on this one!
Comments  
Subject: Re: Prourement / Purchasing
From: pinkfreud-ga on 28 Jul 2002 22:29 PDT
 
I'd like to add a droplet of data to the sea of useful information
provided by historybuff-ga:

SAP is an acronym for Systems, Applications and Products (in Data
Processing,) according to these sites:

http://www.compinfo-center.com/entsys/sap.htm 

http://www.itworks.be/ERP/sap.html

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy