Annual Report 2007
Letter to shareholders
2/2 previous
Another growth driver is our network of partners consisting of technology and distribution partners as well as system integrators. We consider this network a key strategy for achieving a leading market position in Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). In 2007, we doubled the number of partners to 120.
Operational excellence is another key factor in our Company's success. The continuous improvement of our global processes and hence our efficiency leads to higher profitability. We use the funds we generate from operations to finance our expansion and increase our innovative strength.
For us, innovation encompasses our own software products and solutions as well as the supplementary technologies we acquire, the specialized staff we recruit, and the employee training and development programs we pursue. The successful implementation of our strategy brings us to our next major target, which is for Software AG's revenues to surpass the €1 billion threshold by 2010. We are already ideally positioned in the market. In 2007 Software AG advanced to become the fifth largest software company in Europe, and we have been among the top 25 in our industry, worldwide, since last year. The current consolidation trend in the software sector demonstrates how important a leading position is in such a dynamic industry. We continue to build on our technology, our broad, global customer base, our financial strength, and our high efficiency. We intend to continue our growth with the objective of becoming one of the world's three largest providers of infrastructure software.
Dear shareholders, in order for you to participate in the favorable business trend, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend of €1.00 per share at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. On behalf of all my colleagues on the Executive Board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our employees, customers, partners, and shareholders for their confidence in our Company.
Yours sincerely,
Karl-Heinz Streibich,
Chief Executive Officer
