SAP software brought in €491m for the third quarter of 2004 ended 30 September, up 13 per cent from the same period in 2003. Total revenues were €1.8bn, an 11 per cent year-on-year increase at constant currencies (excluding the impact of shifting currencies). Software revenue in Europe was €249m, up from €201m in the third quarter of 2003. Asia Pacific made sales of €69m, up from €56m last year. The Americas contributed €173m down from €176m in the same period last year.

Henning Kagermann, CEO of SAP, said: "SAP delivered a strong set of results this quarter as we continued to gain share against our peer group. Each of the three regions reported year-over-year growth, resulting in a more balanced performance than we have previously seen this year." Commenting on the ongoing takeover battle between rivals Oracle and PeopleSoft, Kagermann told Bloomberg a merger would benefit SAP but he admitted pricing in the market was still tough but has stabilised.

Total revenue by region reveals the Americas earned €597m, up 13 per cent. Asia Pacific brought in €211m, an increase of eight per cent at constant currency and Europe made €968m - a ten per cent increase.

Headcount also increased eight per cent to 31,582 people as of 30 September. ®

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