sap

Friday, August 22, 2008

erp cost and sap price

Comparing product pricing between vendors is difficult on the best of days. However, as you may guess, this is often the very first question we get, ?How much does it cost?? The tables below are intended to quickly answer that question so we can get on with the real issues. We asked the accounting software vendors whose products are covered on this site to price the retail cost for eight core modules (general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, inventory, order entry, job costing, and system manager) for 1 user, 3 users, 5 users, 10 users, 25 users, 50 users, and 100 users. The results are presented below. Even with this approach there are comparison problems. For example, some products include a report writer in the GL while others charge extra. Still, these prices offer a reasonable basis for comparison. Remember the more the product costs, the less the price relates to the total cost of the product over its economic life

This information was last updated on Sunday, August 12, 2007

Small to Medium Business SMB (Low-End)

Single

5

10

25

(Companies with revenues up to $20 million)

User

Users

Users

Users

AccountMate LAN

$995

$2,995

$5,485

$12,955

AccountMate for Express

$2,000

$4,000

N/A

N/A

Adagio

$5,950

$7,450

$8,450

$13,450

Sage BusinessVision 50

$995

$5,495

$9,995

$14,985

Sage BusinessWorks

$3.479

$7,274

$8,474

$12,664

CYMAIV Financial Management System

$4,760

$7,140

$9,755

$15,345

MAS 90

$10,775

$14,375

$16,375

$22,375

NetSuite

$4,800

$7,500

$12,000

$25,500

Open Systems, Inc. OSAS

$2,400

$8,800

$14,350

$19,850

Open Systems, Inc. TRAVERSE Business Edition

$2,400

$8,800

N/A

N/A

QuickBooks Enterprise

$3,000

$3,000

$4,500

$7,500 (20)

Sage Accpac

$4,455

$6,435

N/A

N/A

Sage Pro ERP

$9,955

$13,935

$18,910

N/A

SAP Business One

The $3750 per user license includes access to all modules within SAP Business One: Financials: GL, AR, AP; CRM: Sales Opportunities and Service Management, Inventory, Banking, Human Resources. This affordably priced new solution, starting at approximately $11,000, can be implemented in as little as four weeks, and can be expected to provide one hundred percent return on investment within six months of implementation. Discounts begin at the 6 user level. For more information, visit www.sap.com/smb/ businessone/



Enterprise Accounting Software (EAS)

Single

5

10


25

100

(Companies with revenues up to $500 million)

User

Users

Users


Users

Users

AccountMate for SQL

$3,000

$7,000

$13,000


$31,000

$121,000

Sage Accpac

$995

$5,495

$9,995


$14,985

$32,450

Sage Accpac Online Enterprise

Varies with user count and modules selected

Sage Pro ERP Enterprise Edition

$16,955

$20,935

$25,910


$40,089

$104,765

Epicor Enterprise

N/A

$35,750

$84,500


$120,000

$225,000

e-Synergy

$1,000

$5,000

$10,000


$25,000

Call

Macola ES

$13,800

$17,300

$23,300


$41,300

$131,300

MAS 500

N/A

$43,500

$83,500


$113,500

$155,000

mySAP All-in-One

mySAP All-in-One is a flexible, prepackaged solution that can easily meet a customers specific neds. MySAP All-in-One solutions are industry specific, fixed price and timeline solutions from SAP Business Partners based upon mySAP Business Suite. SAP customers can also purchase either the entire suite of SAP software or they can purchase individual solutions such as mySAP CRM, mySAP Business Intelligence, etc. Price is based upon 2 elements: Named Users and Software Engines. Depending on your organization?s size and the number of users, the implementation of a mySAP All-in-One solution can be within 12-14 weeks and for as little as $250,000. For more information, please visit: www.sap.com/solutions/smb/ allinone/ prepackagedsolutions/

NetSuite ? NetSuite, Inc. (per year)





$45,000
75 user

$63,000

SYSPRO

$10,400

$14,400

$16,800


$24,000

$64,000


Source
http://www.salmon.ca/

supply chain management erp, SAP SCM

SAP SCM: Collaboration, Planning, Execution, and Coordination Across The Adaptive Supply Chain Network

You face enormous pressure to reduce costs while increasing innovation and improving customer service and responsiveness. SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM) enables collaboration, planning, execution, and coordination of the entire supply chain network. SAP SCM provides broad functionality for enabling adaptive supply chain networks and integrates seamlessly with both SAP and non-SAP software by excelling in these ways:

  • Delivers planning and execution functions that are integrated by design
  • Supports best practices and provides preconfigured software for enabling collaborative business, accelerating implementation, and reducing costs
  • Recognized by key industry analysts as the market-leading supply chain management application

SAP SCM software has helped the best-run companies in multiple industries to improve their supply network, efficiency, utilization, and responsiveness.


SAP SCM

Collaboration, Planning, Execution, and Coordination Across the Adaptive Supply Chain Network

In an age of intense competition, supply chain efficiency and adaptability are not just requirements for success. They are necessities for survival.

The SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM) application can help your organization transform a linear supply chain into an adaptive supply chain network, in which communities of customer-centric, demand-driven companies share knowledge, intelligently adapt to changing market conditions, and proactively respond to shorter, less predictable life cycles.

Many companies across the globe have used SAP SCM to improve their business and operations processes. In fact, SAP SCM is the only supply chain application that integrates collaboration, planning, execution, and coordination of the entire supply chain network – empowering you to:

  • Synchronize supply to demand – Balance push and pull network planning processes. Replenish inventory and execute production based on actual demand.
  • Sense and respond with an adaptive supply chain network – Drive distribution, transportation, and logistics processes that are integrated with real-time planning processes.
  • Provide networkwide visibility, collaboration, and analytics – Monitor and analyze your extended supply chain.

Built on the SAP NetWeaver platform, SAP SCM enables adaptive supply chain networks by providing not only planning and execution capabilities to manage enterprise operations, but also visibility and collaboration to streamline and extend those operations beyond corporate boundaries.

The result: measurable improvements through cost reductions, service-level increases, and productivity gains – ultimately leading to stronger profit margins.

SAP Supply Chain Management

  • Demmand and Supply Planning
  • Procurement
  • Manufacturing
  • Warehousing
  • Order Fulfilment
  • Transportation
  • Real world Awarness
  • Supply chain Visibility
  • Supply Network Collabolaration
  • Supply Chain Management with Duet

source :http://www.sap.com

Free SAP Resume, SAP resumes, Free example SAP Resume

We are the experts for your SAP Resume. What we will do -

In an increasingly technology based world, proficiency in SAP is becoming more and more sought after. Many companies and organizations are turning to SAP to effectively manage inventory, production and wip levels.

SAP is becoming a widely used tool across major operations plants and facilities.
As an experienced SAP professional you must use your resume to demonstrate the expertise you have developed throughout your career.

You must provide a prospective employer with evidence of your knowledge, experience and ability to use SAP effectively providing support and assistance in the programming and training where necessary of others.

Your resume should reflect your excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills. Demonstrate an ability to absorb new information, and put this information to work, continually upgrading and improving your knowledge of SAP.

Single out specific achievements and areas where you have excelled throughout your career. Detail your daily activities and responsibilities as you create a detailed profile of your potential for a prospective employer.


Resume 1

Samples represent that of an actual working technical professional found on the WEB and modified to protect the privacy of these professionals. Human names, company names, colleges, software product names are intentionally made up.

Don K. Dennis
56 Old Town Road
Irving, Texas 75459

PROFILE:

  • 6+ years of Functional Expertise in SAP MM, PM & PP with touch points in Purchasing, WM, and FI/CO.
  • Involved in over 40 implementations Globally.
  • 3+ years as Global Manager for MM functions covering 120 sites.
  • Skilled in 3.0, 4.5 and 4.6 clients of SAP
  • PP/MM Configuration enhancement skills in 4.5 & 4.6
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
  • SAP Clients DEC Unix 4.0 D , AIX 3.0, 4.5B, 4.6C with configuration in 4.5B and 4.6C
  • Internet HTML. Training webpage designer.
  • Client / Server Oracle Forms/Reports, VB, Access, Crystal Reports, COBOL400, RPG400.
  • Applications Windows 2000, Windows NT, Access, Power Point, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Lotus Notes, CSI Vibration Analysis
  • Industries Automotive, Food and Beverage, Aircraft, Paper, Pharmaceutical, Industrial
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
  • HTML Certification-Techneon Learning Institute
  • SAP Boot camp-Garden and Plants
  • TSTI Assoc. of Mech
  • Almeda BS CS
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Techneon AIS, Irving, Texas
04/2001 to present

SAP Implementation/Sustaining Manager
  • Co-Lead PP upgrade from 3.1 to 4.6C.
  • Mapped system requirements for Job Functions.
  • Led As Is To Be functions in the upgrade from SAP 3.1H to SAP 4.6 for PP module.
  • Created / presented Training materials for upgrade.
  • Designed and implemented training materials for End Users highlighting upgrade enhancements and new functionality.
  • Enhancement Configuration of Navigational Profiles.
  • Gathered information from Business Units on screen navigation downtime and configured Navigation buttons for great user speed to work.
  • Enhancement Configuration of MRP Controllers, mail delivery and screen displays.
  • Led MRP Automation Project.
  • Configured UOM project enhancement.
  • Created various MRP, Planning, Purchasing SAP Training Webpages.
  • Utilized HTML experience to role out User Friendly Webpages for End Users and Management to view the latest enhancements and Problem Fixes.
  • Configured Planning Time Fence project.
  • Gathered system requirements for MRP/Planning to utilize Planning Time fence to more closely adhere to Production Schedules.
  • Designed Security Profile Upgrades for MRP Users.
Garden and Plants, Malden, Ohio
03/1999 - 04/2001

Global MM Manager
  • Global leader for MM implementations.
  • Mapped As Is-To Be system requirements for Implementations.
  • Coordinated system upgrades i.e. quarterly system enhancements and 3.0 to 4.5 upgrade.
  • Led MM efforts with e-Business team to develop and implement MM requirements for on-line catalog ordering and EDI Purchase Order delivery.
  • Designed Basis specifications for Auto Material creation.
  • Developed all training material, Job Aids, Presentations, CBA s.
  • Gathered system requirements for End User to Super Users and designed and implemented training.
  • Designed Global Security Profiles for Security Team.
  • Designed Role layouts and worked with Security Team to role out for 120 sites.
  • Configuration Enhancements for MM module, MRP Mail receipt, Inventory Work Process etc.
  • Worked with End Users and ABAP Team to map and deliver a wide range of reporting and automated upload tools.
  • Managed 3 teams of 10 Globally.
  • Managed Project timeline and milestones for each team.
  • Managed budget for each team.
  • Member of Change Review board.
  • Led User Conferences for 4 regions End Users to roll out new functionality and updated training.
  • Venue of all End Users in each of the 4 regions attended for New Enhancements and functional training packages.
Garden and Plants, Arlington, Texas
09/1998 02/1999
North American Implementation Team Leader
  • Performed data clean up from legacy to SAP. Conversion of all materials to Global Standard, Creation of materials in SAP Client, and download to site.
  • Performed over 100 training classes for SAP, MM, and PM.
  • Developed Work Process Flows for Departments.
  • Mapped each work process per SAP role and delivered for Standardization of 120 sites Globally.
Garden and Plants, Arlington, Texas
09/1990 06/1998

Manager



Resume 3

Samples represent that of an actual working technical professional found on the WEB and modified to protect the privacy of these professionals. Human names, company names, colleges, software product names are intentionally made up.

Warren A. Greene
2301 Wesley Street
Milwaukee, WI 53227

SUMMARY:

  • 5 year consultant and project lead with MBA, and 4.6b experience
  • FI/CO, SD, TR consultant to 6 SAP R/3 implementations AP/AR/TR/CM/CR/GL/CCA/PCA/PA
  • Accounts Receivable FI-AR & Credit Management TR-CM Project manager on 4 implementations
  • Lockbox TR-CM Configuration on 3 implementation
  • Vertex Sales & Use Tax manager to 2 SAP R/3 implementations
  • DART Data Retrieval Tool and Archive Project Manager
  • Profitability Analysis consultant to 3 SAP R/3 implementations
  • Project Manager on 5 SAP R/3 implementations
  • Integration specialist with configuration experience in FI/CO TR & SD
  • Report Specification experience 6 implementations
SAP Training
  • AC010 - Financial /Management Accounting Reporting
  • AC040 - Cost Management and Controlling
  • AC225 - Accounts Receivable and Configuration
  • BC660 - Data Archiving
  • AC250 - Configuration & Organization in Financial Accounting
  • CA705 - Basics of the Report Painter and Report Writer
  • CA710 - Advanced Functions of Report Writer
  • CA950 - Configuration of Taxes and Purchases
  • WC620 - Vertex / SAP Sales & Use Tax Training
  • L0930 - LIS - Logistics Information Systems
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Sr. SAP Applications Consultant
1996 - 2002

Crystal Modules, Ellisburg, PA
5/02-8/02

Project Consultant - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Responsibilities:

  • End user testing and training
  • Write Business Process Procedures
  • Develop Interfaces and Conversions
  • Lockbox testing
Andrews Paper, Great Falls, NY
1/02-5/02

Project Lead Consultant - All Modules

Manufacturer of Paper and Packaging Products with 10 Plants nationally, with all modules except HR implemented on 4.6B version of SAP.

Responsibilities:

User Support

  • Help completion of Sales Orders through Invoicing
  • Modification of Purchase Order entry to facilitate Accounts Payable
  • Cycle Count of Inventory Procedures
  • Profitability Analysis Reports changed depending on requirements
  • Reconciliation of Accounts and addressing errors
  • Provide support to Auditors with necessary downloads of information
  • Aid in the standard use of SAP eliminate the need of Consultants
  • Corrections to Profitability and Financial Reports - Form and selection criteria
  • Create line layouts and display variants

Customization of SAP

  • Change Configuration for executing a Cycle count and frequency
  • Modify Release strategy for Purchase Order Requests
  • Revise and delete Terms of payment
  • Risk Categories and Credit Rep. Groups
  • Credit Limit Check on Sales Document Types
  • Account Assignment Group and Define and Assign Account Keys
  • Create Condition Type
  • Tolerance Groups for GR/IR clearing
  • ABC Inventory indicators changed to aid Cycle Counts
  • Creation of new Work Centers

Training and Development of Training Materials

  • Sample Documents
  • Recurring Documents
  • Account Assignment Models
  • Reversing of FI Documents
  • Customer and Vendor Master Record Entry
  • Year end Closing Procedures
  • G/L Account and Cost Element Entry
  • Input of Annual budget by Cost Center and Profit Center
  • Maintenance to Credit Master
  • Release of Orders from Credit Hold
  • Teach how to set Machine Hours Rate and Mass Roll-Up
  • Developed a procedure to enter a Request for Credit

ERP Design

  • Credit Management utilization of risk Categories
  • Develop ABAP Query and Report Writer Reports
Baron Services, Springfield, VA
2/01-12/01

Project Lead Consultant - FI/CO/TR/SD/ASAP

Major distributor of laundered uniforms nationally with 96 locations. 4.6B version of SAP with FI, MM and AP fully implemented.

  • Responsibilities and project scope include the conversation of Customer and Accounts Receivable Master Data and develop daily interfaces from Legacy system to SAP to implement FI-AR. Order processing and Billing will remain in Legacy environment on separate Databases.
  • Cleaned legacy customer master data. Reviewed customer address data, credit limits, dunning, line item displays, and carry forward balances.
  • Trained and advised team members on SAP functionality.
  • Mapped and specified with programmers all conversions and interfaces from Legacy system to SAP.
  • Completed Hardware sizing requirements for the project.
  • Followed ASAP Implementation methodology and designed the business processes, wrote blueprint phase documentation and completed configuration during realization phase.
  • Full configuration of the project covering the following modules: FI-AR, CO-CCA, CO-PCA, FI-GL, TR-CM, SD-MD and SD-CR

    Configuration includes: GL accounts, Account determination, Field Status Groups, Enterprise Structure - Credit Control Area and Business Areas , Account Groups, Document types, Customer and Document number ranges, Terms of payment, Clearing functions - Posting Keys, Reason Codes, Automatic clearing, Account assignment, and Tolerance groups , Bank master data, Closing & reporting, Interest calculation, Statements, Dunning, Credit Management functionality and Lockbox processing.

  • Tested Sales/Use tax functionality using Vertex.
  • Created methodology to accept Credit Card Payments and post Automatically.
  • Design and develop Line layouts, Variants, Account assignment Models and Work Lists.
  • Laid out integration and scenario testing.
  • Specified 17 Reports required due to Business requirements. Worked with ABAP programmers and completed testing.
Bolton Companies, Milwaukee, WI
6/00-2/01

Project Lead Consultant - FI/CO/SD/ABAPQuery/Vertex

Major distributor of restaurant supplies and equipment. 4.0B multi-company sales oriented environment with FI, CO, SD, MM, and WM.

  • Managed Project for Credit and Accounts Receivable implementation addressing needs for Training, Configuration & testing of core FI-AR, Customer and Credit Master Data conversion, defined and practiced steps needed for the integration process, and Report development.
  • Configuration includes: Account Groups, Document types, Customer and Document number ranges, Terms of payment, Clearing functions - Posting Keys, Reason Codes, Automatic clearing, Account assignment, and Tolerance groups , Bank master data, Interest calculation, Statements, and Credit Management functionality.
  • Cleaned legacy customer master data. Reviewed customer address data, credit limits, dunning, line item displays, and carry forward balances.
  • CO-PA configuration included building the operating concern, developing value fields & characteristics, configuring summarization levels for reporting and assessments, cost center assessments to segments, CO-PA reporting, forms, planning, derivation rules and structures, product and customer hierarchy, PA settlement, realignments, and integration issues with Sales & Distribution.
  • Project Manager of Vertex configuration in both SAP, Master Data cleanup and Quantum Tax Decision-Maker.
  • Addressed Reporting Issues by developing ABAP Query and ABAP specified Reports.
Kruger Power Systems, Denton, WI
4/99 - 6/00

SAP Project Member - FI/CO/SD/DART/Archive

Manufacturer of Electrical Transformers and supplies for the Utility industry

  • Member of FI/CO Team to improve SAP performance through implementation of ERP principles.
  • Responsible for researching OSS Notes and transporting to Production Client.
  • Trained Credit Department to utilize SAP functionality correctly.
  • Specified programs and reports to be completed by ABAP programmers to aid Customer Service and the Credit Personnel to service customers.
  • Sales/Distribution SD Tested pricing procedures, availability checking, credit management, sales quotes, printed sales orders.
  • SAP Project Team trainer in Report Painter and Report Writer.
  • Project Manager for the implementation of DART, Data Retrieval Tool - Data extract required for Federal, State and Municipal Tax Audit purposes.
  • Project Manager for FI/CO and SD Archiving Project - This entailed the selection of a team of users who would support decisions made for Archive Objects.
  • Instrumental in CO-PA configuration, which included building, the operating concern, developing value fields & characteristics, configuring summarization levels for reporting and assessments, cost center assessments to segments, CO-PA reporting, PA settlement, and integration issues with Sales & Distribution.
  • Started fact-finding Project as to the feasibility of Activity Based Cost Accounting for product cost development. Trained in CO-ABC Activity Based Cost Accounting.
Marvin Chemical Manufacturing, Euless, IL
3/99-4/99

SAP Consultant - MM

Chemical Manufacturer of Water Treatment products

  • Develop Report Writer Programs specific to analyze Order-related Product Costing requirements.
  • Design LIS Information Structures to analyze Material and Order Costs.
  • Create Transparent Tables to address specific reporting needs to be use in Report Writer.
  • Train Client Personnel to use Reports and create them in the future.
TDS Industries, Redwood City, IA
3/98-3/99

SAP Lead Functional Consultant - FI/CO/SD/MM/Vertex

Chemical Manufacturer of Fertilizer and Distribution of supplies for the Agriculture Industry

  • Responsibilities as a Project Consultant are to define Feasibility, address Customizing needs for Terra Industries, Configuring with the IMG and Prototyping Accounts Receivable, Sales & Use Taxation and Credit.
  • Presented Re-engineering developments by means of As-Is and To-Be Modeling to identify gaps, to Project Management to update the Business Plan. Defined and practiced steps needed for the integration process.
  • Involved with the Project Planning on a weekly basis as well as delivering status to Steering Committee.
  • Full configuration of the project covering the following modules: FI-AR, FI-AP, FI-GL, and SD-CR

    Configuration includes: GL accounts, Account determination, Field Status Groups, Account Groups, Document types, Customer and Document number ranges, Terms of payment, Clearing functions - Posting Keys, Reason Codes, Automatic clearing, Account assignment, and Tolerance groups , Bank, Interest calculation, Statements, Dunning, and Credit Management functionality.

  • Accounts Receivable FI-AR Cleaned legacy customer master data Reviewed customer address data, credit limits, dunning, line item displays, and carry forward balances.
  • Teamed with Treasury Department to Configure TR-CM Cash Management. Cash Management configuration included account management, electronic bank statement, account groupings, Lockbox processing, liquidity forecast, cash management position, manual check deposit, cash concentration, and the payment program.
  • Developer of SAP Modifications which involves Interfacing Open Invoices between Legacy System and SAP, ABAP Program for Credit Reporting, and Treasury ABAP Modification to track financing arrangements.
  • High level of experience with SD-CR Credit and SD-MD Master Data developed on this project. Contributed and exposed to SD-BF Basic Functions, SD-BIL Billing, SD-CAS Sales Support and SD-SLS Sales.
  • Accounts Payable FI-AP Cleaned legacy vendor master data Reviewed vendor address data, purchasing limits, line item displays, and carry forward balances.
  • Instrumental in CO-PA Profitability Analysis configuration, which included building, the operating concern, developing value fields & characteristics, configuring summarization levels for reporting and assessments, cost center assessments to segments, CO-PA reporting, PA settlement, and integration issues with Sales & Distribution. Familiar with CO-PC Product Cost Controlling and CO-PCA Profit Center Accounting used in the Configuration of this project.
  • Member for Reporting Team utilizing CO-PA Profitability Analysis, LIS - Logistics Information Systems and SIS - Sales Information Systems.
  • Special Ledger FI-SL Tested FI-SL configuration to other SAP applications, General Ledger Accounting FI-GL , Profit Center Accounting EC-PCA , and Cost Center Accounting CO-CCA .
  • Functional Trainer for the SAP Implementation team in Report Painter and Report Writer.
  • User Trainer and Developer of training documentation for Taxes, Accounts Receivable and Cash Management.
  • Project Manager of Vertex configuration in both SAP and Quantum Tax Decision-Maker.
Ashland Corp., Fort James, WI
7/96-3/98

SAP Team Lead - FI/CO/MM

Paper Manufacturer and Napkin Converter & Distributor

  • Responsible for Configuration and Implementation changes of SAP Controlling CO , Financial Account FI and Procurement MM Modules.
  • Utilized Re-engineering techniques to enact improvements in financial systems, procedures, processes and practices.
  • Fixed assets FI-AA required configuration of asset classes, account determination, screen layout, asset under construction, capitalization, acquisition, depreciation, disposition, and reporting.
  • Managed and reviewed Projects and Internal Orders by use of CO-OPA Order & Project Accounting.
  • Prepared annual Forecast and Budget by use of CO-PA Profitability Analysis.
  • Material Master MM - Reviewed and tested purchasing groups, purchase requisition, purchase orders, contracts, price determination process, material types, and valuation classes. Reconciled goods movement processing, goods issues, and goods receipts.
  • Used Modules CO-CCA Cost Center Accounting and CO-OM Overhead Cost Control daily in analytical responsibilities.
  • Responsible for interfacing data between Legacy System and SAP.
  • Manager of team to provide both Functional Training to company employees.
  • Member of ABAP Report development committee involved with Analyzing, Tuning and SAP Modification.
  • Developed Report Painter and Report Writer programs to meet needs of management.
  • Project Manager for conversion of payroll time keeping system to KRONOS and integration with LAWSON payroll program.
  • Developed Activity Based Cost Accounting System using OROS software and interfaced with SAP.
Prior Positions

Beta Laval - Westford, WI
7/95 to 7/96

Assistant Controller
Manufacturing of Dairy Industry pipes, values and fittings

Stevenson Paper, Inc. - Westford, WI
1976-1995

Wholesale Paper and Industrial Products distributor

Controller - Wisconsin
1992-1995
Branch Manager - Green Bay
1987-1992
Operations Manager - Milwaukee
1976-1987

Education

Master of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin Major: Accounting


Source

http://www.portnov.com/

Sap Project Implementation

SAP Implementation is the whole of processes that defines a complete method to implement SAP software in an organization. The SAP implementation method described in this entry is a generic method and not a specific implementation method as such. It is based on best practices and case studies from various literature sources and presents a collection of processes and products that make up a complete implementation method to allow any organization to plan and execute the implementation of SAP (ERP) softwar

Introduction

The implementation of SAP software, such as SAP R/3 is almost always a massive operation that brings a lot of changes in the organization. The whole process can take up to several years. Virtually every person in the organization is involved, whether they are part of the SAP technical support organization (TSO) or the actual end-users of the SAP software. The resulting changes that the implementation of SAP generates are intended to reach high level goals, such as improved communication and increased return on information (as people will work with the same information). It is therefore very important that the implementation process is planned and executed with the usage of a solid method. There are various SAP implementation methods, such as IBM’s Ascendant. An example of how one company, Robert Bosch GmbH, implemented SAP R/3 over 10 years is available . This study shows that designing IT architecture is very critical in SAP implementation practices.

Overview

Figure 1: SAP Implementation process-data diagram


The SAP implementation process is made up out of four main phases, i.e. the project preparation where a vision of the future-state of the SAP solution is being created, a sizing and blueprinting phase where the solution stack is created and training is being performed, a functional development phase and finally a final preparation phase, when the last tests are being performed before the actual go live. For each phase, the vital activities are addressed and the deliverables/products are explained.

The process-data diagram that is depicted at the right, gives an overview of all of these activities/processes and deliverables. The four gray boxes depict the four main implementation phases, which each contain several processes that are in this case all sequential. The boxes at the right show all the deliverables/concepts that result from the processes. Boxes without a shadow have no further sub-concepts. Boxes with a black shadow depict complex closed concepts, so concepts that have sub-concepts, which however will not be described in any more detail. Boxes with a white shadow (a box behind it) depict open closed concepts, where the sub-concepts are expanded in greater detail. The lines with diamonds show a has-a relationship between concepts.

Many of implementations are also done with ASAP(Accelerated SAP) methodolgy evolved from best practises in SAP.

Activity table

The following table provides a summary of all of the activities that form the SAP implementation process. These activities will be described with more detail and elaborated with examples in the rest of this entry.

Activity Sub-Activity Description
Project preparation Craft solution vision Refine and communicate a SOLUTION VISION of the future-state of the SAP solution, to sketch a design that meets both business and financial requirements. The focus should be on the company’s core business and how the SAP solution will better enable that core business to be successful.
Design and initially staff the SAP TSO Design and staff the key positions of the SAP Technical Support Organization (TSO), the organization that is charged with addressing, designing, implementing and supporting the SAP solution.
Sizing and blueprinting Perform cost of ownership analysis Perform a COST OF OWNERSHIP ANALYSIS to determine how to get the best business solution for the least money i.e. to determine where and when the costs are incurred within the context of the SAP solution stack.
Identify high availability and disaster recovery requirements Determine all HIGH AVAILABILITY and DISASTER RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS, to plan what to do with later downtime of the SAP system
Engage SAP solution stack vendors Select the best SAP hardware and software technology partners for all layers and components of the SAP SOLUTION STACK, based on a side-by-side sizing comparison
Staff TSO Staff the bulk of the TSO, i.e. fill the positions that directly support the near-term objectives of the implementation, which are to develop and begin installation/implementation of the SAP data center.
Execute training Train the various members of the SAP TSO, like data center specialists, high availability specialist and network specialists and train the end-users to give all the required SAP knowledge and skills
Setup SAP DATA CENTER Build a new SAP DATA CENTER facility or transform the current data center into a foundation capable of supporting the SAP SOLUTION STACK
Perform installations Install the (My)SAP components and technological foundations like a web application server or enterprise portal.
Round out support for SAP Identify and staff the remaining TSO roles, e.g. roles that relate to help desk work and other such support providing work.
SAP functional development Address Change Management Develop a planned approach to the changes in the organization. The objective is to maximize the collective efforts of all people involved in the change and minimize the risk of failure of implementing the changes related to the SAP implementation.
Address SAP systems and operations management Create a foundation for the SAP systems management and SAP computer operations, by creating a SAP OPERATIONS MANUAL and by evaluating SAP management applications.
Perform functional, integration and regression tests Test the SAP business processes, by executing functional tests to ensure that business processes work, integration tests to ensure that the organization’s business processes work together with other business processes and regression tests to prove that a specific set of data and processes yield consistent and repeatable results.
Final Preparation Perform systems and stress tests Plan, script, execute and monitor SAP STRESS TESTS, to see if the expectations of the end users, defined in service level agreements, will be met.
Prepare for cutover Plan, prepare and execute the CUTOVER, by creating a CUTOVER PLAN that describes all cutover tasks that have to be performed before the actual go-live
Go Live Turn on the SAP system for the end-users



PROJECT MANAGEMENT TIPS

  • Know and communicate the business goals. What will the project cost, and wh1t are the returns? If you don't know where you're headed, you won't know whether you've arrived at the right place.

  • Get users involved early. The best time to involve users is at the definition stage. No one can do a better job of telling you what they need from technology than the people on the front line; there's no sense giving them a new e-mail package when what they really need is a phone.

  • Manage the risks. Business risk: If the project's ROI is based on winning new contracts, what happens if you don't win them? Technical risk: Is the project based on mature or bleeding-edge technology? Good projects have fallback plans; good sponsors know the risk level and the fallback plans before they sign up.

  • Keep one eye on the scope. Once the goals are defined and the functions of the system are targeted, hold them steady. Require a business case for making any significant changes to a project that's already underway.

  • Put accountability in the right places. Don't accept IS excuses for late delivery. However, it is up to the business line to use the system and achieve the business goals.

  • Get people excited. If they believe in it, they'll usually find a way to make it successful. If the benefits are not obvious, you may want to sweeten the package with new desktop systems or a new service that users will get excited about.


  • Source
    http://www.erpgenie.com/general/project.htm
    http://en.wikipedia.org