SAP on Windows NT (SAP Press) - Hardcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

The authors: Dr. Hanns-Martin Meyer, as chairman of the board of iXOS Software AG, is responsible for the department of Professional Services and the R/3 NT Competence Center. Robert Kolbinger works as a project manager in the R/3 NT Competence Center. Stefan Huth has worked for several years as a consultant and project manager in the R/3 Competence Center. Visit us on the World Wide Web at: http://www.awl-he.com/computing http://www.awl.com/cseng

Von der hinteren Coverseite

Back of JacketWindows NT has now succeeded in establishing itself as a platform for SAP R/3. Initial doubts about the suitability of Windows NT as an operating system for a mission-critical application have been eliminated by a considerable number of productive installations. Therefore, the issue of choosing a platform for SAP R/3 (one of the UNIX variations, Windows NT, or OS/400) is much simpler now than in the pioneering days of two years ago.This book is a sort of R/3-NT compendium. It deals with all relevant matters concerning the question of whether and within which limits Windows NT is suitable as a platform for R/3. Inthis way, it also provides the reader with a first orientation for deciding on a specific R/3 platform. The book is based on the experience of the Competence Center for SAP R/3 under Windows NT (iXOS R/3NTC) as well as on information gathered by the authors from many committed experts working on the subject of R/3 under Windows NT, last but not least from SAP itself.Key features:o the positioning of the NT platform as a base for SAP R/3o overview of available databases and processor platformso introduction to the NT functionality relevant for operation of R/3 o Practice-oriented instructions and hints for set-up, installation and configuration of an NT-based R/3 systemo detailed operational conceptso developments and concepts of high availability o Joint developments of SAP and Microsofto outlook on technological developments in the environment of SAP R/3 and MicrosoftThe authors:Dr. Hanns-Martin Meyer, as chairman of the board of iXOS Software AG, is responsible for the department of Professional Services and the R/3 NT Competence Center.Robert Kolbinger works as a project manager in the R/3 NT Competence Center. Stefan Huth has worked for several years as a consultant and project manager in the R/3 Competence Center.Visit us on the World Wide Web at:http://www.awl-he.com/computinghttp://www.awl.com/cseng

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

The history of R/3 under Windows NT has been a triumph. Since its availability as a new platform for R/3 in 1994, Microsoft Windows NT has become the largest single platform. Today, Windows NT can post nearly half of all new shipments of R/3 to its account. This has also led to enormous changes in the hardware manufacturing scene. New R/3 hardware partners, such as Compaq, have suddenly appeared, while others have lost their importance. This development was not guaranteed. In the beginning, many long-term R/2 customers looked at it with suspicion, having just got acquainted with the idea of giving up well-proven mainframe solutions in favor of seemingly much less secure R/3 UNIX platforms. When in Summer 1993 SAP began to port R/3 to Microsoft Windows NT, it came as a cultural shock for many of them. At that time, Microsoft still had a kind of 'jeans and sneakers' image. I very well remember an IT manager who traveled across half of Germany to convince himself of the functionality on site. Unfortunately - and how could it have been otherwise? - the only active system was not available for a demo because of a transport order. What were the advantages that made many SAP customers rethink? In the end, all the advantages boil down to aspects of cost - the Total Cost of Ownership. The opportunity to work in a homogeneous system environment was and still is one of the main arguments in favor of R/3 under Windows NT. I have always called this the '1 for 3' formula. Windows NT can be employed for all three levels of a client/server infrastructure. This applies to the PCs (also known as the front-end or presentation) as well as to the R/3 application and database levels. A factor of at least equal importance was the cost of acquisition. In some cases, there were dramatic differences of up to two thirds between the 'traditional' platforms and the more recent R/3 NT platforms. These advantages for our SAP customers have always been the determining factor for my commitment. Never have I led, nor will I ever lead, crusades for 'esoteric operating system philosophies.' The actual customer advantage due to lower acquisition and operation costs, together with the simplified administration of the system environment, have always been important enough for me to commit myself personally and vigorously in favor of this development. The success of R/3 under Windows NT rests on many shoulders. Above all, I think of the first pilot customers who shared our vision of a simpler, more cost-effective R/3 world. It was their confidence which allowed us to start in the first place. On the other hand, many partners have paved the way to success with much conviction, motivation, and personal commitment. Also, iXOS has made a decisive contribution to this success with its contribution to quality assurance and assistance and service for the first customers.

Ingo Nicolay
Director SAP-Compaq Competence Center