Hasso Plattner, CEO and co-founder of SAP AG, has arrived in SA to meet with President Thabo Mbeki and members of the International Task Force on Information Society and Development this weekend. Plattner, together with leading technology figures such as Carly Fiorina from Hewlett-Packard and SA's Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Thawte Consulting, will advise on issues relating to the local IT and telecommunications policy direction.
The aim of the taskforce is to provide local government with strategic advice to expedite the application of modern communication and information technology in the fields of education, health, commerce and government as well as to ensure that SA takes the lead in assisting Africa to bridge the digital divide.
Plattner will offer his advise and share his experience in adapting to the e-economy, as well as offer his opinion on approaching local government technology and communication transformation. According to Plattner, a modernised approach to administration and an electronic government are two key starting points for achieving change within public and government administration.
"Innovative communication technology creates cost-effective, streamlined, and efficient administration structures that will meet the challenges of being part of a global economy. It is an honour to be part of this special taskforce and I believe that the team will provide best practice advise from all sectors of the IT industry that will assist in promoting economic and social upliftment throughout Africa," says Hasso Plattner, co-chairman of the executive board, CEO and co-founder of SAP AG.
SAP AG is the world leading e-business solution software company worldwide, with headquarters in Germany, a dual listing in Frankfurt and New York and a global turnover of more than $5.8 billion. SAP has firmly established a presence in Africa, which has a client base of more that 247 customers, including many of Africa's prominent enterprises. SAP Africa has established more than eight offices through out the continent and offers industry-specific functionality for more than 21 industries. SAP is in a unique position to help businesses gain competitive advantages in the Internet economy.
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Hasso Plattner is the CEO, co-chairman, and co-founder of SAP AG. He has served as co-chairman since 1997. In 1972, he founded SAP together with four IBM colleagues. An electrical engineer, he is responsible for strategy, marketing, corporate communications and development of SAP solutions in the areas of discrete manufacturing and service industries. He is also CEO of SAPMarkets.
SAP
SAP is the world's leading provider of e-business software solutions. Through the mySAP.com e-business platform, people in businesses around the globe are improving relationships with customers and partners, streamlining operations, and achieving significant efficiencies throughout their supply chains. Today, more than 13 000 companies in over 100 countries run more than 30,000 installations of SAP software. With subsidiaries in over 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP". (Additional information at http://www.sap.com/index.asp)