SAP’s ERP support services raise antitrust concerns in EU

SAP isn’t the first tech company scrutinized for its business practices. It could eventually be forced to make concessions to avoid hefty fines.

Dive Brief: 

• SAP faces a formal investigation from the European Commission over concerns the company’s provision of support and maintenance services for its ERP software might have affected market competition. The commission, the European Union’s executive branch, launched its investigation Wednesday. 
• SAP provides ERP software to businesses for managing finances, projects and human resources in addition to maintenance and support services for the platform. The commission will investigate whether SAP restricted competition from third-party maintenance and support vendors for its ERP platform. It will also assess whether SAP’s practices constitute exploitative conduct.  
• “We do not anticipate the engagement with the European Commission to result in material impacts on our financial performance,” SAP said in a Thursday statement. The company said it is working ...