SAP buys out partner TechniData

SAP has agreed to acquire fellow German software vendor TechniData AG.

TechniData specialises in software and services for businesses in the area of product safety as well as environmental and health safety (EHS). SAP is not releasing terms of the deal for the privately held 500-person firm.

The deal comes after nearly 15 years of collaboration between the two companies. SAP has long relied on TechniData for its own EHS offerings, a role the company plans to continue when TechniData is integrated into the SAP EHS Management suite and SAP Business Suite offerings.

"SAP and TechniData have enjoyed a very productive, long-term relationship, and we are truly excited about joining the SAP family," said TechniData chief executive Juergen Schwab.

"We believe that the scale of SAP’s development and field resources combined with our expertise in the EHS and product safety domains can help us bring the value of sustainability to more customers worldwide."

SAP said that it will give further details about its plans for TechniData in the final months of 2010, when the deal is expected to be finalised.