As you’ve probably heard the GBN will be merging with ASUG effective January 1, 2010. As a result our local Business Objects User Group (BOUG) will be becoming part of the GBN/ASUG and all of our BOUG board members will be required to be ASUG members. As a general BOUG member you are highly encouraged to also become an ASUG member.

Pros of You Becoming an ASUG Member

• A North American, customer-run, independent organization creating a cohesive community with the power to help influence product, company, and service direction
• Roadmap activities with SAP BusinessObjects product managers, and Special Interest Groups focused on products, processes, or industries
• Educational opportunities through Webcasts and face-to-face events
• Access to existing GBN and ASUG content (discussion forums, recorded events, etc.)
• Leveraging the knowledge of thousands of other SAP/BOBJ users instead of just those in the local STL area
• Ability to attend regional ASUG meetings and a discount at the Annual User Conference
• ASUG will be a combined group, including SAP and BOBJ members (Pro and/or Con depending on your particular situation)

Charges to Current Meeting Setup

• Your email address will be managed by ASUG, who will be the governing entity on meeting announcements. Our ASUG group would be able to take advantage of their on-line registration for meetings, which will be used to track attendance at our local meetings. Note: the BOUG email distribution list will continue to be maintained in addition to the ASUG list so that non ASUG members can stay in the loop about upcoming meetings/agendas.
• No financial support for meeting rooms or catering, with the possibilities of meeting locations altering to be held in “no-charge” facilities

ASUG Membership Fee – End Users
ASUG is adding an affordable, individual rate to its structure at a $250 annual fee for Business Objects-only customers (not SAP ERP customers). Other things to note:

• Conference discount rate for members
• Volunteers also receive a conference discount rate

ASUG’s current corporate rates are available, based on annual revenue, and permit an unlimited number of users.

• Less than $500M: *$1,500
• $500M - $1.5B: *$2,000
• $1.5B - $5B: *$3,000
• More than $5B: *$5,000
• SAP Business One customer companies: *$500
• Public Sector organizations: *$1,500

Independent consultants (indepentently employed consultants who offer SAP consulting services) incur an Annual Membership rate of $500 (limited to one person)