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SAP is adapting a handful of its mobile applications to run on Windows 8, potentially giving the new Microsoft operating system a boost on mobile devices.
SAP, which is holding its Sapphire Now conference in Madrid, Spain, this week, also disclosed plans to support Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 development on the SAP Mobile Platform, the vendor's software for building mobile applications.
Microsoft launched Windows 8 last month and the availability of applications that run on the redesigned operating system will be a major factor in how quickly businesses and consumers upgrade to it.
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"We are very pleased with the commitment of SAP to Windows 8," said Erwin Visser, Microsoft senior director of Windows commercial, in a statement. He noted that the SAP mobile applications would take advantage of the new Windows user interface "and will help our customers be even more mobile, secure, productive and efficient."
The mobile applications SAP is making available for Windows 8 cover a range of sales, training and recruiting processes and will run on devices with various form factors. The applications will be available in both Microsoft's Windows Store and the SAP Store.
The mobile applications include SAP WorkDeck, software SAP developed first for Windows 8, for "contextual integration" of information sources and processes into a role-based view. It allows managers to process workflows, such as travel, leave and purchasing requests.
Other mobile applications SAP adapted for Windows 8 are in the human resource management realm. They include SAP Manager Insight, which provides managers with information about a company's workforce such as headcount, diversity and talent by location; the SAP Learning Assistant employee training application; and the SAP Interview Assistant recruiting and interview scheduling application.
Rounding out the list are SAP Customer Financial Fact Sheet, which provides sales account managers with information about sales orders, invoices and other financial data; and SAP GRC Policy Survey, which allows employees to review company policy changes and respond to surveys about them.
SAP said it also plans to develop applications for Windows RT, the version of Windows that runs on ARM-based tablet computers, and Windows Phone 8.
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