The SAP GRC Global Trade Services application, part of SAP solutions for governance, risk, and compliance (SAP solutions for GRC), enables customers to more efficiently navigate the myriad of complex laws governing international trade. With one of the market's broadest set of import and export certifications, SAP GRC Global Trade Services has now achieved certification for the Automated Broker Interface (ABI), which enables customers to automatically file their customs entries directly with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. SAP also announced the SAP Electronic Invoicing for Brazil application (SAP Nota Fiscal Eletronica), a new addition to the SAP portfolio of GRC solutions. This application enables companies doing business in Brazil to meet new requirements to file invoices electronically by providing automated, certified and secure interfaces to both state and federal government systems.

SAP solutions for GRC are part of Business Objects, which combined with the Business Objects enterprise performance management (EPM) and business intelligence (BI) solutions, deliver a comprehensive portfolio for business performance optimization.

Conducting business on a global scale has become increasingly challenging. Today, organizations must comply with frequently changing domestic and global laws, satisfy trade security measures, meet mandatory electronic filing requirements, understand complicated tariffs and collaborate with parties across the supply chain. As companies expand internationally and conduct trade interactions with an increasingly global supply base, managing all of these tasks manually increases the margin for error, which can be costly. Similarly, relying on third parties to manage these critical processes adds expense and risk. As a result, more customers rely on SAP solutions for GRC and the SAP GRC Global Trade Services application to establish a uniform, automated process and enterprise-wide standard for reliable and compliant trade activities.

With New Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Certification for U.S. Customs, SAP Has Broadest Sets of Import and Export Certifications

The new SAP ABI certification enables customers to more efficiently comply with U.S. customs clearance processes and reduce or eliminate third-party import-filing costs by submitting entries directly to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). With the addition of ABI certification to the certification portfolio of SAP GRC Global Trade Services, SAP now has one of the broadest sets of import and export certifications available on the market today. Receiving this significant certification validates the top tier status of SAP GRC Global Trade Services among enterprise vendors for expediting the US import process. The automated ABI interface from SAP GRC Global Trade Services enables customers to more easily comply with mandatory electronic filing requirements, increase visibility into where goods are in the customs process, reduce customs-clearance cycle times and maximize profits by efficiently fulfilling trade agreements.

In addition, the ABI certification allows SAP GRC Global Trade Services customers to prepare for the impending Security Filing regulation, also known as "10+2," which will require importers and carriers to electronically submit additional information on cargo before it is brought into the United States. The "10+2" regulation is part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) strategy to better assess and identify high-risk shipments before they enter the United States.

"The latest certification and solution are the most recent examples of how we continue to lead the market with our solutions for global trade compliance," said Narina Sippy, senior vice president and general manager of the Governance, Risk and Compliance Business Unit, SAP. "Our unified platform for GRC helps customers enact a corporate-wide standard for trade processes throughout the enterprise, which provides them with greater control and insight over their international business transactions. Increasingly, companies rely on SAP to help expedite cross-border transactions while enabling them to more efficiently ensure reliable, compliant trade activities. These new offerings show our customers that as they continue to expand the borders of their business, SAP is one step ahead to anticipate their global trade needs."

SAP Electronic Invoicing for Brazil (SAP Nota Fiscal Eletronica) Enables Companies to More Easily Comply With Brazilian Invoicing Regulations

In response to new Brazilian trade policies that require companies to electronically file a copy of their invoice data for every domestic sale or material movement made, SAP has developed SAP Electronic Invoicing. The new application makes it easier for customers to file invoices for interstate sales by providing automated, certified and secured integration between their own system and state and federal government systems.

Based on the Nota Fiscal process in the SAP ERP application, SAP Electronic Invoicing tracks and registers authorization orders for every invoice issued, cancelled or skipped with the Brazilian government. By automating the invoice tracking-and-registering process, the application saves customers time and money by performing an error-free process that is aligned with Brazilian standards for domestic trade, and tightly integrated with customers financial and logistics processes. SAP Electronic Invoicing also increases supply chain efficiency by proving faster authorization and approval as goods are shipped. This solution is being embraced by companies such as Cosipa, one of Brazil's leading producers of flat-rolled steel.

"We are an international steel provider headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil and serve many states throughout our home country," said Alex Sandro Tavares Barbosa, SAP project manager, Cosipa. "As a result, we have our own customs port that houses 12 million tons of steel annually. This port is critical to the success of our business, and SAP Electronic Invoicing keeps our company on track by helping us manage the movement of our product through our port and across Brazilian state lines. Perhaps most importantly, though, SAP ensures we adhere to the latest Brazilian trade laws when moving goods within the country, and frees up a lot of resources that would normally be spent tracking and accounting for every sale we make."