Last spring SUSE announced the addition of a new channel program that provides further assistance to SAP channel partners. Since then SUSE has signed up more than 400 members in 57 countries that are SAP channel partners delivering the version of the SAP Business One application that works with and is powered by the SAP HANA platform.

The SUSE channel program, in conjunction with the overall SUSE partner program operated by PartnerNet, provides members direct access to free SUSE technical training, pre-sales support and installation software. This provides them with the tools they need to deploy SAP Business One version for SAP HANA, running on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Linux technical training through the SUSE Certified Linux Administrator Academy, a 10-week online program, has been the most requested service. In addition, channel partners authorized to resell the version of SAP Business One designed for use with SAP HANA receive access to the SUSE Installation Wizard, a powerful automation tool that streamlines deployment of SAP Business One running on SAP HANA with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Domani Business Solutions in The Netherlands and ECS in the United States are two examples of organizations that deploy the SAP Business One version for SAP HANA and are benefiting from the SUSE program.

"By participating in the SUSE program, we can more effectively support the infrastructure software for the version of SAP Business One for SAP HANA, giving customers a successful implementation of their mission-critical SAP application," said Luc van Alphen, CCO of Domani Business Solutions. "Using SUSE's installation wizard enables us to quickly and easily install the solution within just a few minutes, from configuration to complete installation. SUSE and SAP have both validated the solution stack, helping assure us the products will work successfully together to bring a stable and supported platform to our customers."

Steve King, consultant at ECS, said, "The tools that SUSE provides make managing the version of SAP Business One for SAP HANA a breeze. Because of its stability and ease of use and the efforts by SAP and SUSE, we can rest easy knowing that the platform will continue to help meet the demands of our customers' needs for years to come."

The SAP Business One version for SAP HANA is a scalable, affordable solution with embedded analytics capabilities that helps enable employees to make intelligent decisions. The specialized SUSE partner training and sales support program helps partners successfully deploy, manage and support the application on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, the recommended and supported operating system for use with SAP HANA.

Finn Backer, vice president, Ecosystem and Channels Readiness, SAP Business One Solution Portfolio Management and Solution Centers at SAP, said, "An SAP global technology partner since 1999, SUSE continues to deliver innovation to support customers and partners. Leveraging 14 years of technical, engineering and support collaboration, SUSE is delivering valuable benefits to enable and support channel partners who are deploying SAP Business One on SAP HANA and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server."