Members can choose their engagement type and SAP says they can move into additional types without a major financial investment. A partner could have a core business of selling SAP software and later building and service applications. The program establishes four tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum, which replace Bronze, Silver and Gold. I guess this is an example of program inflation. Anyway, Platinum is available by invitation only and generally for global VARs. SAP also introduced the second phase of Open Ecosystem. Last year the basic layer was rolled out, which gave prospects limited access to a restricted portal so they could explore doing business with the software company. The new level, Open Ecosystem specialized, is for those "that want to try out a lighter relationship with SAP in the Build, Sell, or Service engagement without the financial commitment that is required of silver and gold partners." The other element, eContracts, is designed to produce contracts that can be executed in less than 24 hours.