By Nathan Dukes
BlueScope Steel CIO Andrew Baker has revealed the company’s plan to move to a Web Dynpro user interface platform.
Baker said the plan was to move system users over to a web based platform they were used to, having used internet based platforms for several years.
“(Our employees’) ability to take up browser based technology because of what they’ve experienced at home and on the internet makes the whole process so much quicker,” he said.
BlueScope Steel plan to make their HR, payroll, ESS (employee self service) and MSS (manager self service) systems available only through Web Dynpro.
“It’s all going to be browser based- no other types of screens. Same with our infrequent users of Sales and Distribution functionality. It’s going to have browser based capability, so that they can interact with it in a way that they’re familiar with, and I’m looking forward to the results of it.”
Baker unveiled the plans in his keynote address to delegates at the Mastering SAP Technologies Conference in Sydney yesterday.
The company is hoping uptake will be similar to the good results they experienced in the United States with a similar web based interface, GUIXT.
Although the web based platform will dominate their existing environments, the company will combine the Web Dynpro platform with the standard GUI for a group of users who demand the extra functionality it offers.
“I think the Web Dynpro/GUIXT (platform) works best for the more occasional users, but the power users tend to want to stay on the standard GUI because it’s got a lot more functionality and they also get around it very quickly,” Baker said.
Implementation has already begun for some of the smaller sections of the project. Baker said the more complicated Web Dynpro implementations will be 12 months away.
Baker said power users wouldn’t change over to the Web Dynpro platform in the near future, suggesting the split would remain for at least another five years.
