SAP, Microsoft To Continue Duet

Duet Version 2, by SAP and Microsoft, is due at the end of next year, with a follow on version planned to follow on the next generation SAP business applications and Office wave. SAP posted the news Tuesday morning.

The original Duet, shipping since last year, forges ties between popular Microsoft Office client front ends and the corporate data residing in SAP backend systems

Last night comments by SAP chairman Hasso Plattner seemed to indicate SAP might go its own way on Office-like client functionality but he clarified his thoughts later, saying Microsoft Office would remain a key client access path. He also left the door open for possible integration with other front ends.

Microsoft is using its Windows and Office desktop dominance, and growing Windows Server strength to push its way into back office scnarios.

Last month its Microsoft Business Solutions group finally stated on the record that it would pitch its ERP wares even in the largest enteprises where appropriate. That would put MBS wares on a collision course with MySAP and All-in-1, SAP's crown jewels, although by most reckoning, MBS solutions are better suited to smaller and less complex scenarios than what many enterprises field.

MBS apps already compete head on with SAP's Business One, however.

SAP and Microsoft are both customers of each other's wares.