SAP is the world's leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, with over 14 million users in 120 countries. Every year, SAP adds 10,000 new customers, all of whom require training and many of whom seek certification. To meet this growing need, SAP partners with qualified training organizations to provide local, global or alternative-delivery training in various areas of expertise. Training institutes that currently participate include universities, public entities and private for-profit companies.

Determine eligibility to become a SAP Education Delivery Partner. To further its customers' ability to use its software solutions, SAP has established a global network of authorized Education Partners who deliver training and certification programs. To become a partner you must 1) meet SAP's criteria for competence and quality, including a business plan, certified instructors and appropriate facilities; 2) have the necessary infrastructure to deliver and support instructor-led classes for SAP solutions; and 3) add value to or fill a gap in SAP's delivery capability and bring significant benefit to SAP and its customers.

Apply to become a SAP Education Delivery Partner. The application must include a business plan (including the training institute's industry perception and position, delivery capability, support infrastructure, resources committed, current market share, marketing plan and sales and lead generation capability); a development plan to teach your employees about SAP; instructors who are certified by SAP to deliver specific SAP courses and topics; and technical infrastructure, teaching methodologies, resources, and evaluation benchmarks that meet SAP quality standards.

Obtain SAP permission. Before beginning to offer SAP training, you must negotiate and sign a Service Level Agreement with SAP. The agreement stipulates all terms of the partnership, including the right to offer SAP coursework, obligations of both parties and financial terms.

Set up training infrastructure and begin offering SAP courses. Infrastructure investments may include computer hardware, SAP software, computer projectors, networking hardware and facilities. Course offerings must be publicized through an effective marketing campaign.