SAP launches online developer programme

SAP is to launch an online programme via the SAP Developer Network (SDN) for granting annual, individual user subscriptions to SAP software for development, testing and evaluation, including development and composition tools for the SAP NetWeaver platform.

The scheme is pitched at making it easier for developers and consultants across the SAP ecosystem to gain and expand development experience as well as to test and evaluate SAP NetWeaver.

Sap said the SDN subscriptions programme is targeted to go live in 2007. Additional uses of the SAP software, including commercialisation and production use, are subject to additional agreements.

SDN is the central resource for developers, consultants, IT architects and technology experts within the SAP ecosystem to collaborate, share ideas and create solutions on the SAP NetWeaver platform and to contribute to the pool of shared knowledge among customers, partners, ISVs and SIs. The SDN community has grown rapidly since its launch three years ago, with nearly 600,000 members today.

"Developers are a critical part of the SAP ecosystem, and we will continue to enhance and extend the many resources and tools we offer to the worldwide developer community," said Zia Yusuf, executive vice president, Platform Ecosystem, SAP. "As the demand for SAP NetWeaver skills and technology capabilities are rapidly growing, existing as well as new customers are asking us to continue to grow the SAP ecosystem, strengthen its skill set, and to further enable the development of add-on or customised functionality to meet demand.

"The SDN subscriptions program is intended to support this by adding tremendous value for our developer community. This new online delivery model is intended to make it easier and more affordable for customers, ISVs and SIs not only to use the SAP NetWeaver tools to develop composite applications but also to leverage the shared pool of knowledge available through SDN to its expert members globally."