Creation of Academic competence centres is the up-to-date and efficient mechanism of co-operation between large international corporations, including IT-sector, and educational institutions. In the article authors discussing key questions of conceptual development of the SAP competence centres, usage of modern business-oriented software in the educational process, as well as issues of curriculum development and professional certification. Main directions of competence centres further development are shown on SAP Academic competence centre in SPbSPU case and using corporate information software SAP ERP as educational tool.