Mumbai: SAP India, the leading provider of business software solutions, has announced its industry-specific channel partners for small- and midsize businesses (SMBs).

The partners include Mahindra Consulting, which offers customised solutions for the automotive suppliers industry; Ygyan Consulting, offering solutions for trading and wholesale distribution industry; and Oak Brook Technologies, which offers solutions to the engineering, construction, pharmaceuticals and textile sectors.

SAP''s offering for the SMB market, mySAP All-in-One solutions will be distributed through this network of channel partners. "With extensive expertise in the SMB market - as well as in specific industries - these partners can deliver the rapid implementation and ongoing support SMBs need for a greater return on investment," says Alan Sedghi, president and managing director, SAP Indian subcontinent.

Along with its partners, SAP will cover all areas including software, hardware and implementation, thereby offering a one-stop solution to the customer. Similar partnerships will be announced to offer mySAP All in One Solutions for other verticals in the next few months.

mySAP All-in-One comes pre-configured and enables rapid implementation, saving up to 40 per cent in time and 30 per cent of cost when compared to traditional implementation approaches. It is a pre-packaged, industry-specific solution with built-in content, tools and methodologies for a cost effective, turnkey deployment.

The solution has been designed keeping the specific needs of the SMB segment in mind - smaller user base and pricing. mySAP All-in-One solutions can be deployed for as few as 10 users. SAP has also decided to offer financing assistance to the customers in conjunction with its partners.

SMB is a strategic focus segment for SAP and the company intends to be the No 1 solution provider for SMBs in Asia Pacific by 2005. In Asia Pacific, SAP has over 6,680 installations of which 3,460 (more than 50 per cent are SMBs). In India, SAP is already in a leadership position with over 160 SMB customers across industry verticals.