Software vendor SAP is consolidating its global partner programs under one roof.

The company, based in Germany and known for its ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, announced its umbrella PartnerEdge program at the EMEA Enterprise Services Partner Summit in Amsterdam Oct. 17.

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The new program offers SAP's partners a single point of contact within the company to answer questions and provide guidance, technical services, enablement support and access to online technical and educational material.

The program will help the vendor's partners, both in North America and throughout the world, with better resources, training and marketing, the company said in a statement.

SAP will consolidate the program during the next 12 to 18 months, opening the single program to North American partners sometime in 2007.

SAP's breakout will come through the channel. Click here to read more.

Earlier this year, the company announced plans to make the channel its preferred route to delivering its software to small business users. In the midsize market, SAP uses a hybrid system of both direct and indirect sales. For large enterprises, SAP only uses its direct sales force.

The program is meant to help resellers who deal with the SMB (small and midsize business) market as well as VARs who work with enterprise customers.