What NetWeaver is ?
SAP NetWeaver is the next-generation services-based platform that will serve as the foundation for all future SAP applications. NetWeaver comprises several technologies and components: a portal framework, business intelligence and reporting, Business Process Management (BPM), integration, Master Data Management (MDM), a common run-time application server, and the SAP application development and management platform. SAP promotes NetWeaver as offering people, process, and data integration with SAP applications and information. Furthermore, SAP NetWeaver is the basis for SAP to offer composite applications to its customers. Commonly referred to as xApps, these composite applications will be built and managed with SAP NetWeaver tools. They will use existing functionality prevalent in the SAP applications to build out new functionality, or extensions, to the SAP family of products.