• by Ray Schultz , November 29, 2017

Microsoft Corp. and SAP SE are teaming up to deploy each other’s cloud internally and to co-engineer and market joint support services

Users of  SAP S/4HANA Enterprise Cloud, SAP's private managed cloud service, can run it on Microsoft Azure, and SAP will move internal business systems to Azure.

In addition, Microsoft will deploy SAP S/4HANA on Azure to help run its internal finance processes.

The firms say they are doubling down on their commitment to an existing partnership.

They also note that companies are increasingly moving business systems to the cloud.

"As technology transforms every business and every industry, organizations are looking for the right platforms and trusted partners to help accelerate their digital transformation," said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.

The new working arrangement was hailed by clients.

"The strategic partnership announced between Microsoft and SAP is an extremely important development for the Coca-Cola System," states Barry Simpson, senior vice president and chief information officer at The Coca-Cola Company.

He continues, "The value of aligned engineering, sales and delivery between these two strategic partners will allow our system to accelerate our digital agenda.”

"SAP and Microsoft are key partners with Costco, and this alliance will help drive our cloud strategy and digital business forward," adds Jim Rutherford, senior vice president of Information Systems at Costco Wholesale.