E-business education in Hong Kong has moved to another level with the formation of a strategic alliance between CityU's Faculty of Business and SAP, the world's largest provider of enterprise software solutions, and the largest software supplier globally. The alliance, formally launched on 22 February, will see the creation of a specially fit e-logistics lab located at the Department of Management Sciences, which has strong expertise in the emerging fields of operations management, data mining, and CRM. The new lab will focus on using Internet technologies to make supply chains easier to manage and businesses more competitive-all of which coincides with SAP's corporate vision, said Mr Klaus Zimmer, President of SAP Greater China.

Taking orders in e-commerce is easy, said Professor Richard Ho, CityU's Dean of Business, at the launch ceremony. "But fulfilling them is another story, and that's where e-logistics comes in. With as much as 10% of every product's cost going towards delivery, an ability to maximize supply-chain efficiencies is critical for companies in the cut-throat competition." Hong Kong's business will benefit significantly from better knowledge and operations in its drive to become the e-logistics hub of Asia. Worldwide, e-logistics will grow into a US$920-billion-a-year business over the next five to 10 years.

SAP, apart from advising the University on technology development, has contributed a license for its proprietary software, mySAP.com, for the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Management Sciences Department, meanwhile, will boost its range of e-logistics courses to meet increasing demands from students and the community. The launch ceremony was officiated by Professor Y S Wong, CityU Vice-President (Institutional Advancement), Mr Zimmer, Professor Richard Ho and Mr Lee Boon Lee, Managing Director of SAP Hong Kong Co. Ltd.