The Global BusinessObjects Network (GBN), an independent user community for customers of the SAP ® BusinessObjects™ solution portfolio, today announced that it will merge with its parent organization, the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG), the world’s largest customer-run community of SAP professionals. The merger will create one powerful user community and solidify ASUG’s position as the pre-eminent resource for all members of the SAP ecosystem in North America, regardless of their specific data environment.
“The ASUG/GBN merger is a logical and natural next step for the ecosystem, and it’s one that we’ve been working toward during the last several months,” said Abbe Mulders, ASUG chairperson and CIO of Dow Corning. “As SAP continues to integrate the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio, ASUG will provide all SAP customers with the best venue to learn and understand how the integration of BusinessObjects affects their organizations.”
ASUG created GBN last year after SAP completed its acquisition of Business Objects S.A. Since its launch, the community has grown to more than 3,000 members.
“Based on the integration of the BusinessObjects solutions into the SAP portfolio, by merging with ASUG, we can offer our members the strength of a united community and remain in-step with the direction of SAP,” said Mark D. Frederick, GBN steering team chair and senior project manager, Portal and Data Services for Ball Corporation.
Under the leadership of the ASUG customer-led board of directors, ASUG and GBN volunteers will collaborate to determine the appropriate educational and networking opportunities that provide value to all members.
“The Business Intelligence (BI) Special Interest Group (SIG) is one of the most active in ASUG, and we enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to enhance customer-to-customer collaboration for all members of the SAP BusinessObjects ecosystem,” said Katie Newlon, community facilitator for the ASUG BI SIG.
ASUG has expanded its membership offering to accommodate the wide variety of SAP BusinessObjects customers. The new structure, which will go into effect in 2010, will now include a $250 individual annual membership for those SAP BusinessObjects customers who are not SAP ERP users. ASUG’s existing corporate membership offering also will be available for SAP BusinessObjects-only customers with multiple users. All other ASUG membership types will remain the same.
The merger is expected to be complete by the end of 2009. More information will be available in coming months and highlighted at the SAP BusinessObjects User Conference, Oct. 18-21, 2009, in Dallas. John Schwarz, SAP AG executive board member and CEO of Business Objects SA prior to its acquisition, will be the keynote speaker at the event. For more information on the event, visit www.gbnannualconference.org .
About GBN
The Global BusinessObjects Network (GBN) is an independent, member-driven community that brings together customers and partners of the SAP BusinessObjects portfolio to share knowledge and best practices, creating a powerful customer voice. GBN was established by the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG) and leverages ASUG’s relationship with the entire SAP ecosystem to provide members immediate value: a direct connection with SAP for input on product, service, and company direction. For more information, visit www.gogbn.org .
About ASUG
The Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG(R)) is an independent, volunteer-run organization that facilitates knowledge transfer among the community of SAP customers, regardless of their data environment, by providing user-driven educational opportunities, professional networking and a forum that provides insight and influence to SAP. ASUG maintains a unique position within the SAP community through its: combination of highly-focused education tools; access to subject matter experts and SAP executives; ability to influence SAP products and services; and personal networking opportunities with SAP professionals. As a result, members from organizations of all sizes have access to resources that can solve their SAP-related business problems more efficiently and cost-effectively, realizing a significant return from their membership. (Additional information at http://www.asug.com .)