You (and maybe GP) seem to be assuming that a SINGLE competitor would theoretically try to replace SAP and fail.
But the most likely scenario, I think, is that built-for-purpose competitors will build products that peel away small pockets of SAP's customer base over time.
The irony of course is that a product like SAP is the end result of similar built-for-purpose products being hoovered up and merged together in the first place.
Bit of both. Their (SAP) Convergent Charging module, to which a lot of legacy Sales and Distribution solutions are trying to move to, was acquired. I think they even have patents on the decision trees used in this module?
But the most likely scenario, I think, is that built-for-purpose competitors will build products that peel away small pockets of SAP's customer base over time.
The irony of course is that a product like SAP is the end result of similar built-for-purpose products being hoovered up and merged together in the first place.
Everything is a pendulum!