Microsoft Corp. and SAP AG today announced a significant expansion of their long-standing relationship based on a shared commitment to Web services as the foundation for the next generation of enterprise software. The two companies detailed a road map for deeper integration between Microsoft® .NET and SAP NetWeaver™, the companies' respective strategic platform initiatives, allowing customers to get more out of business-critical SAP® applications and technologies running in collaboration with Microsoft .NET. The jointly developed solutions will greatly enhance access to SAP NetWeaver functionality for developers using Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET and will increase the interoperability between SAP solutions and the Microsoft Office System. Intrinsic support for industry-standard Web services integration techniques promises to make business integration faster, cheaper and easier, and further unlock the value of business information to enhance productivity and spur better business decision-making. The announcement was made at SAPPHIRE® '04, SAP's international customer conference being held in New Orleans May 11–13.