Having made the investment in SAP, you want to get the most out of the system. We asked some experts in the SAP community for their suggestions on solutions that will help you to do just that, so you might find something you need to add to your wishlist for 2014. Freya Purnell reports.
1. Supply chain event management
As the name suggests, these solutions help to improve supply chain effectiveness and reduce costs by proactively managing and automating supply chain events as they occur. Real-time notifications of specific events such as depleted inventory or delayed shipments are sent to supply chain managers, allowing them to take fast corrective action. This results in improved customer satisfaction and overall supply chain efficiency.
Consider: SAP Event Management, an application within SAP Supply Chain Management; Manhattan Associates’ Supply Chain Event Management; TridentGLOBAL Supply Chain Management Solution.
2. Process automation using Optical Scanning Recognition
Automating the scanning of paper documents into SAP improves efficiency, reduces errors and in the case of financial processes, can reduce cycle times. Commonly used for processes across the order-to-cash and procure-to-pay cycles, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and order management as well as HR-related processes, they improve data input quality while significantly reduced the amount of manual processing time required. Finance and HR personnel can then be freed up to focus on handling exceptions.
Consider: Solutions from ReadSoft, Esker, Kofax and OpenText.
3. Augmented reality
A developing technology, augmented reality (AR) enables smart devices to create overlay displays when a user points the device’s camera at an augmented reality marker. SAP, together with smart eyewear company Vuzix, is piloting an augmented reality solution which can be used in an industrial or warehouse environment. Pulling data in real-time from machine-to-machine sensors and SAP systems, enterprise information is displayed before the worker’s eyes – such as instructions on what and where to pick inventory, how to handle maintenance, and safety messages to prevent accidents.
Consider: AR was showcased at SAPPHIRE in connection with SAP Extended Warehouse Management, but this innovation is still at the pilot stage.
4. 3D visualisation
When connected with SAP, 3D visualisation solutions enable the visual navigation and interrogation of an entire product or asset and all its associated data in a unified environment. Although 3D visualisation can be utilised across a variety of business areas, it has particular application in the enterprise asset management space. Delivered via mobile device, it can provide rich information for maintenance and other operations. For example, product and plant CAD data can be integrated with business data to visualise repair procedures.
Consider: SAP Visual Enterprise, available in a Rapid Deployment Solution for manufacturing.
5. Data scrambling
Enhancing data security and protection, these tools provide the ability to scramble or anonymise sensitive data within SAP, such as personnel, customer and vendor information.
Consider: Epi-Use Data Secure; SAP Test Data Migration Server.
6. Organisational charting
Organisational charting tools grab human capital management data from your SAP system, and provide a fast simple way to create detailed and up-to-date organisational charts. The layout and level of detail of org charts can be customised to suit the target group. Being able to visualise critical organisational data can also enhance strategic decision-making and workforce planning.
Consider: Ingentis org.manager; Nakisa Org Management.
7. Kiosks
For users without access to a computer but who might need to use SAP from time to time to lodge a leave request, submit a form or raise an incident or notification, kiosks can be the answer. Offering standard self-service technology via a touch-screen, kiosks can also incorporate ID card reader technology, providing easy identification of personnel. Kiosks can also be configured to provide simple and intuitive workflows, eliminating the need for any familiarity with SAP.
Consider: ROC Self Service eXpress Kiosk; DynaTouch kiosks.
8. Mobile productivity tools
Managers and executives are now demanding more capability in terms of being able to be productive when on the road or away from their desk. A new generation of mobile productivity tools plug into SAP to enable users to action simple business processes such as approvals for purchase orders, leave, invoices, timesheets and expenses. Some of these solutions are available across the full range of mobile devices and operating systems, and offer a sexier, more streamlined user interface to make them enjoyable to use, therefore increasing efficiency and productivity and reducing administrative delays.
Consider: SAP Fiori; IQ.OneList from IQX; SAP Approval Solutions from 10seconds Software.
9. Application Lifecycle Management
As SAP environments become more complex, so does Application Lifecycle Management (ALM). Using a product such as SAP Solution Manager can help to maintain business continuity through the lifecycle of requirements definition, design, build and test, deployment, operate and optimisation. ALM helps to determine the current use of SAP solutions, analyse software innovation and accelerate adoption.
Consider: SAP Solution Manager.
10. User interface personalisation
When you want to personalise SAP users’ GUI screens without programming, SAP Screen Personas can do the job. Providing a simple drag and drop interface, the solution provides an easy way to hide fields users do not need, streamline tasks by automating repeated keystrokes, and improve visual appeal by displaying only the information the user needs in their workflow. This results in optimised useability and productivity.
Consider: SAP Screen Personas.
11. Change control tools
Managing change within SAP system is also becoming an increasing challenge for IT departments and application management. Change control solutions help to monitor the state of change in the SAP landscape, record progress on new requirements for SAP system changes, and track and control changes at the transport level. They also help to provide an audit trail for the system and help to ensure system stability.
Consider: SAP Solution Manager; Rev-Trac and Salt from Revelation Software Concepts.
Inside SAP would like to thank Fujitsu, KALTech and Windsor Business Solutions for their suggestions and contribution to this article. Do you have other suggestions for must-have solutions? Share your thoughts on our Inside SAP LinkedIn group. This article was first published in the Inside SAP Yearbook 2014.
