“Two Years Ahead of Its Time”

Hans Jakob Reuter is a realist. Although consumer electronics retailer Media Saturn is about to start testing his new business app, Contract2Go, the managing director of SAP partner gicom isn’t jumping for joy (yet).

SAP.info: Mr. Reuter, the retail consumer electronics group Media Saturn is due to begin testing your “Contract2Go” app at the end of August. Does this mean you’re moving into a new field of business?

Reuter: No. Not just yet anyway. If we had to live off sales of business apps alone, we’d starve! What we do know, though, is that the tablet computer is on its way to becoming the primary personal computing device. Researchers predict that, before long, everyone will own a cell phone and a tablet. Processes will transform and concerns about security issues will be overturned.

What is slowing the progress of business apps right now?

IT departments are faced with the dilemma of whether to go for the iOS, Windows 8, or Android mobile operating systems. The problem is that, whatever they decide to do, the market could look completely different in a couple of years’ time. The financial risks of investing in IT infrastructure are currently holding IT decision-makers back from buying business apps and leveraging their added value for the company.

Which is?

With Contract2Go, for example, buyers can simulate various different conditions during a sales negotiation meeting – such as lowering the cash discount overall, but raising the discount for a certain product group. The business app has access to the complete set of supplier data and previous negotiation results, and it offers tools for analysis and simulation. As part of the purchasing process, Contract2Go plays a key role in condition management. It is therefore part of a business software solution and cannot be bought as a standalone solution from an app store.

Read how the app connects with SAP systems on the next page.

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