SAP buying mobile software firm Syclo

German business software colossus SAP AG on Tuesday announced a deal to buy a US firm specializing in applications for employees tending to work outside of offices. SAP did not disclose financial terms of its agreement to acquire Illinois-based Syclo. "With this acquisition, SAP adds momentum to our already powerful mobile portfolio," said SAP global solutions president Sanjay Poonen. "Syclo brings both domain-savvy expertise and industry-leading solutions...This will drive innovation and mobility in the workplace." Syclo has been successful building and selling applications for workers, particularly in manufacturing, life sciences, and the oil and gas industries, according to SAP. The acquisition comes as employees increasing rely on smartphones and tablet computers while doing their jobs and as mobile gadgets are projected to top personal computers as the most common tools for connecting to the Internet. Syclo has more than 600 customers in 39 countries, according to SAP. "Today's announcement is the next step in delivering a fully-integrated mobile platform and enterprise application portfolio to both Syclo and SAP customers," said Syclo chief executive Rich Padula. "Together, we will expand and accelerate our ability to help businesses run better through mobility." News of the Syclo acquisition came at a San Francisco press event where SAP executives laid out a "road map" to become a powerhouse in business database and mobile device arenas.