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Discover SAP
Are you new to SAP and want to learn more about it? Are you a decision-maker, consultant, or manager, who needs to gain a holistic understanding of SAP? If so, this book is for you. This practical, reader-friendly guide for busy professionals provides insight into SAP's history, vision, and strategies. You'll learn about the key areas of SAP, including
Financials, CRM, SAP NetWeaver, enterprise SOA, Business Intelligence, and more.
1 Discover the Overall SAP Landscape
Gain a solid understanding about SAP the company and its suite of products by exploring the company history and future plans.
2 Explore Core SAP Applications
Learn how to benefit from SAP products, including Financials, CRM, HCM, SCM, SRM, Analytics, and the Small to Midsize Business offerings (SAP Business One, SAP Business All-in-One, and SAP Business By Design).
3 Understand the SAP Technology Platform
Explore the details of SAP's Enterprise Service-Oriented Architecture (Enterprise SOA) approach, and the technology that enables it - SAP NetWeaver.
4 Learn How SAP Works in the Real World
Case studies show you how SAP products and solutions are used in real-world companies, and notes and tips demystify the features of SAP's products.
5 Navigate Topics as You Like
Read the book by chapter or from start to finish, and take advantage of the useful glossary, SAP roadmaps, and Web resources.
Highlights Include:
* Enterprise Computing
* Financials
* Human Capital Management
* Customer Relationship Management
* Supplier Relationship Management
* Strategy for Small to Midsize Businesses
* SAP xApps and Composite Applications
* Duet and SAP Interactive Forms by Adobe
* Governance, Risk, and Compliance
* SAP Implementation Support
* SAP NetWeaver and Enterprise SOA
CONTENTS:
Who This Book is For ... 21
What You'll Discover ... 22
Navigational Tools for This Book ... 23
What's In This Book? ... 23
PART I SAP and Enterprise Computing - The Basics
1 SAP: The Company ... 31
The Beginnings of SAP ... 31
Examining the Growth of SAP ... 32
... SAP in the 1980s ... 33
... SAP in the 1990s ... 34
... Entering the New Millennium ... 36
SAP Today ... 36
... SAP's Approach to Growing Its Business ... 38
... SAP's Products: An Overview ... 39
Conclusion ... 43
2 The SAP Approach to Enterprise Computing ... 45
What Is an Enterprise? ... 46
It All Starts with Information ... 47
Early Days of Enterprise Computing ... 47
... How ERP Grew ... 48
... The Integration Challenge ... 49
... Connecting the Dots ... 49
Growing Products Based on Best Practices ... 50
... Matching Products to Business Processes ... 50
How SAP Connects with Business ... 52
Where SAP Is Headed ... 53
... Making the Underlying Technology Invisible ... 53
... Adding Functionality to Midsize Companies ... 54
... Providing User-friendly Access to Business Applications ... 55
What's Behind the Benefits? ... 56
Conclusion ... 57
3 Enterprise Computing Basics ... 59
When Applications Are Built On Services ... 60
... What Is a Service? ... 60
... SAP's Blueprint for Services ... 61
An Overview of SAP NetWeaver ... 62
... What SAP NetWeaver Does ... 62
... Connecting IT and Business Requirements ... 63
... Keeping Things Open ... 64
... Using Composite Applications ... 64
Portals, Roles, and Self-Service ... 65
... Reaching Users Through Portals ... 65
... Everybody Plays a Role ... 66
... Getting More Efficient with Self-Service ... 67
Conclusion ... 69
PART II SAP Products
4 SAP ERP Financials ... 73
How SAP ERP Financials Fits in an Enterprise ... 74
... Optimized Cash Flow ... 74
... Better Business Insight ... 75
... SAP ERP Financials and Analytics ... 76
... Improved Compliance ... 77
A Closer Look at SAP ERP Financials ... 79
... Key Features and Functions ... 79
... Industry-Specific Financial Management ... 82
SAP ERP Financials Case Study Number One ... 83
... Phase 1: Cash, Debt, and Investment Management ... 84
... Phase 2: Global Cash Visibility ... 86
... Phase 3: Straight-Through Processing ... 86
... Phase 4: Hedging of Foreign Exchange ... 87
SAP ERP Financials Case Study Numbers Two ... 88
... The Challenge ... 88
... The Solution ... 89
Conclusion ... 89
5 SAP ERP Human Capital Management ... 91
How SAP ERP HCM Fits in an Enterprise ... 92
... Workforce Process Automation to Improve Efficiency ... 92
... Improving Talent Management ... 93
... More Efficient Workforce Deployment ... 93
... Gaining Insights through Workforce Analytics ... 93
A Closer Look at SAP ERP HCM ... 94
... Key Features and Functions ... 95
... Talent Management ... 96
... Workforce Process Management ... 98
... Workforce Deployment ... 99
... Self-Services and HCM ... 100
SAP ERP HCM Case Study Number One ... 101
... The Challenges ... 102
... The SAP Solution ... 102
... Looking Toward the Future ... 103
SAP ERP HCM Case Study Number Two ... 104
... The Challenge ... 104
... The SAP Solution ... 104
... The Benefits ... 105
Conclusion ... 105
6 SAP ERP Operations ... 107
SAP ERP Operations Overview ... 108
... Procurement and Logistics Execution ... 108
... Product Development and Manufacturing ... 109
... Sales and Service ... 109
... Collaborating with Value Chain Partners ... 110
A Closer Look at SAP ERP Operations ... 111
... SAP ERP Operations Solution Map ... 111
... Overview of SAP ERP Operations ... 112
... Procurement and Logistics Execution ... 113
... Product Development and Manufacturing ... 116
... Sales and Service ... 117
SAP ERP Operations Case Study Number One ... 119
... The Challenges ... 119
... The SAP Solution ... 120
... The Benefits ... 120
SAP ERP Operations Case Study Number Two ... 121
... The Challenges ... 121
... The SAP Solution ... 122
... The Benefits ... 122
Conclusion ... 122
7 SAP Customer Relationship Management ... 125
How SAP CRM Fits in an Enterprise ... 126
... SAP CRM Solution Map ... 126
... SAP CRM in an Enterprise ... 127
A Closer Look at SAP CRM ... 128
... SAP CRM Overview ... 128
... Marketing ... 130
... Sales ... 131
... Service ... 133
... E-Commerce ... 135
... Interaction Center ... 137
... Channel Management ... 139
... SAP CRM Technical Details ... 141
SAP CRM Case Study Number One ... 142
... The Challenges ... 143
... The SAP Solution ... 143
... The Benefits ... 144
... Looking Toward the Future ... 145
SAP CRM Case Study Number Two ... 145
... The Challenges ... 146
... The SAP Solution ... 146
... The Benefits ... 146
Conclusion ... 147
8 SAP Supplier Relationship Management ... 149
How SAP SRM Fits into an Enterprise ... 150
... Sourcing ... 150
... Contract Management ... 151
... Procurement ... 151
... Supplier Management and Collaboration ... 152
A Closer Look at SAP SRM ... 152
... Key Features and Functions ... 153
... Purchasing Governance. ... 153
... Sourcing ... 155
... Contract Lifecycle Management ... 155
... Collaborative Procurement ... 156
... Supplier Collaboration ... 157
... Supply Base Management ... 158
SAP SRM Case Study Number One ... 159
... The Challenges ... 160
... The SAP Solution ... 160
... Looking Towards the Future ... 160
SAP SRM Case Study Number Two ... 161
... The Challenge ... 161
... The SAP Solution ... 162
... The Benefits ... 162
SAP SRM Customer Fast Facts ... 162
Conclusion ... 163
9 SAP Product Lifecycle Management ... 165
How SAP PLM Fits in an Enterprise ... 165
... Support for Discrete and Process Industries ... 166
... SAP PLM Solution Map ... 167
... SAP PLM's Value in Your Enterprise ... 167
A Closer Look at SAP PLM ... 168
... Overview of SAP PLM ... 168
... SAP PLM and Its Relation to Other SAP Products ... 169
... Product and Project Portfolio ... 170
... Lifecycle Process Support ... 172
... Lifecycle Data Management ... 174
... Corporate Services ... 174
SAP PLM Case Study Number One ... 176
... The Challenges ... 176
... The SAP Solution ... 177
... The Benefits ... 178
... Looking Towards the Future ... 178
SAP PLM Case Study Number Two ... 178
... The Challenge ... 179
... The Solution ... 179
... The Benefits ... 179
Conclusion ... 180
10 SAP Supply Chain Management ... 181
How SAP SCM Fits in an Enterprise ... 182
... The Adaptive Supply Chain ... 182
... Visibility of Information ... 184
... Velocity of Response ... 185
... Sharing with Partners ... 185
... SAP SCM Solution Map ... 187
A Closer Look at SAP SCM ... 187
... Overview of SAP SCM ... 188
... Supply Chain Planning ... 190
... Supply Chain Execution ... 192
... Supply Network Collaboration, Design, and Analytics ... 194
... Using RFID in SAP SCM ... 195
SAP SCM Case Study Number One ... 195
... The Challenges ... 196
... The SAP Solution ... 197
... The Benefits ... 197
SAP SCM Case Study Number Two ... 198
... The Challenges ... 199
... The SAP Solution ... 199
... The Benefits ... 200
Conclusion ... 200
11 SAP's Strategy for Small to Midsize Enterprises ... 201
SAP's Support of the Small Business and Midsize Company
Market ... 202
The Challenges Facing Small to Mid-Size Companies ... 202
Bringing Enterprise Computing to Smaller Companies ... 203
... The SAP SME Portfolio ... 204
How SAP Business One Works for
Smaller Businesses ... 205
... The SAP Business One Solution Map ... 205
... Managing Accounting and Financials ... 208
... Connecting with Customers ... 209
... Handling Operations and Distribution ... 211
... Streamlining Administration and Reporting ... 213
... Enabling E-Commerce ... 214
SAP Business All-In-One Overview ... 215
... What Is SAP Business All-In-One? ... 215
... What Comes with SAP Business All-in-One? ... 216
... The SAP Business All-in-One Adoption Experience ... 217
The New Solution: SAP Business ByDesign ... 218
... An Adaptable Suite of Functionality ... 220
... Underlying Technology ... 221
Small Business and Midsize Company Case Studies ... 222
... SAP Business One Case Study Number One ... 222
... SAP Business All-In-One Case Study Number Two ... 224
Conclusion ... 225
PART III Essential SAP Tools
12 Understanding SAP xApps and Composite Applications ... 229
Understanding Composite Applications ... 229
... What Is a Composite Application? ... 230
... Where Do Composite Applications Come From? ... 231
... Composite Application Benefits ... 232
SAP xApps ... 233
... SAP xApp Resource and Portfolio Management ... 233
... SAP xApp Sales and Operations Planning ... 234
... SAP xApp Product Definition ... 235
... SAP xApp Cost and Quotation Management ... 236
... SAP xApps for Mobile Business ... 237
Conclusion ... 238
13 User Friendly SAP - Duet and Adobe Interactive Forms ... 239
Duet: Providing Information Workers with What They Need ... 240
... Key Functions and Features ... 241
... How Does Duet Work? ... 244
... Examples of Duet in Action ... 245
The Paperless Office: Adobe Forms ... 246
... The Need to Go Paperless ... 246
... Streamlining Business Processes ... 247
... Interactive Forms in the Workplace ... 249
... Interactive Forms Extend Outside Your Organization ... 251
Conclusion ... 251
14 Addressing Governance, Risk, and Compliance Management ... 253
The Current Need for GRC ... 254
... Governance ... 254
... Risk Management ... 254
... Compliance ... 254
The Role of GRC in an Enterprise ... 255
... How Businesses View GRC ... 255
... The Need for an Integrated Approach ... 256
SAP Solutions for GRC ... 258
... Four Levels of SAP GRC Software ... 258
... The Horizontal and Vertical Compliance Solutions ... 260
... SAP GRC Access Control and Process Control ... 260
... SAP GRC Global Trade Services ... 261
... SAP Environment, Health and Safety (SAP EH&S) ... 261
... SAP Risk and Sustainability ... 262
The GRC Maturity Model ... 262
... Phase I: Informal Ad-Hoc Phase ... 264
... Phase II: Reactive, Fragmented, Implementation Phase ... 264
... Phase III: Consolidation Phase ... 264
... Phase IV: Operational Excellence Phase ... 265
Where SAP GRC Is Headed ... 265
SAP GRC Case Study Number One ... 267
... SAP's Solution ... 268
... The Solution in Place ... 268
SAP GRC Case Study Number Two ... 269
... The Challenge ... 269
... SAP's Solution ... 270...
... The Benefits ... 270
Conclusion ... 271
15 User Productivity Tools for Information Workers ... 273
Portals and Roles ... 273
... Understanding Portals ... 274
... Understanding iViews ... 275
... Assigning Roles ... 276
... How SAP NetWeaver Suppots Portals ... 277
Collaborative Tools ... 279
... Workspaces ... 279
... Discussion Forums and Wikis ... 279
Self-Service ... 280
... Employee Self-Service Workspaces ... 280
... Manager Self-Service Workspaces ... 282
Mobile Productivity ... 284
Conclusion ... 285
PART IV Technology Overview
16 Enterprise Service-Oriented Architecture ... 289
Enterprise Computing Challenges ... 289
Understanding Web Services ... 290
... What Is a Web Service? ... 290
... Service-Oriented Architecture ... 291
Enterprise Service-Oriented Architecture ... 291
... How SAP Has Enhanced SOA ... 292
... The Importance of Business Processes ... 293
... How Enterprise SOA Fits In To a Business Setting ... 294
... Enterprise Services Bundles ... 294
... Enterprise SOA and SAP NetWeaver ... 296
... Implementing Enterprise SOA ... 297
Conclusion ... 297
17 SAP NetWeaver as an Enterprise Platform ... 299
Role of SAP NetWeaver in Your Enterprise ... 299
... An Integration Platform ... 300
... A Composition Platform ... 301
... Repository of Enterprise Services ... 302
... A Data and Analytics Manager ... 302
Providing an IT Roadmap ... 303
SAP NetWeaver Components ... 305
... SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence ... 305
... SAP NetWeaver Application Server ... 307
... SAP NetWeaver Portal ... 308
... SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure ... 309
... SAP NetWeaver Master Data Management ... 309
... SAP NetWeaver Mobile ... 310
... SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure ... 311
SAP Tools for Developers ... 312
... SAP Composite Application Framework ... 312
... SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio ... 313
... Web Dynpro ... 313
... SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer ... 314
... SAP Adaptive Computing Controller ... 314
... SAP NetWeaver Solution Manager ... 314
The Future of SAP NetWeaver ... 316
... Helping Users Get Things Done ... 316
... Providing More Tools for Developers ... 316
... Improving Enterprise SOA Governance ... 317
SAP NetWeaver Case Study Number One ... 317
... The Challenge ... 318
... The Solution ... 318
... Looking Ahead ... 319
SAP NetWeaver Case Study Number Two ... 319
... The Challenge ... 320
... The SAP Solution ... 320
... The Benefits ... 321
Conclusion ... 321
PART V The Solution in Place
18 Preparing for an SAP Implementation ... 325
Important Considerations ... 325
... Assessing Your Own Business ... 326
... Understanding Implementation Costs ... 327
... Dealing with Change ... 328
Planning for Success ... 329
... The Enterprise SOA Adoption Program ... 330
... SAP and the SAP Community ... 332
Who Can Help You Implement? ... 333
... SAP Service Portfolio ... 333
... SAP Service Portfolio: Planning Phase ... 334
... SAP Service Portfolio: Building Phase ... 336
... SAP Consulting ... 338
... SAP Service Portfolio: Running Phase ... 340
... SAP Operations Support Options ... 341
... SAP Services Tools and Programs ... 343
Getting Information ... 344
Support in Action: A Case Study ... 345
Conclusion ... 346
19 SAP Solution Manager ... 349
What Is SAP Solution Manager? ... 349
... SAP Solution Manager Overview ... 350
... The SAP Solution Manager Approach ... 352
SAP Solution Manager Contents ... 353
Solution Manager Case Study ... 356
... The Challenges ... 356
... The Solution ... 357
... The Benefits ... 357
Conclusion ... 357
The Next Step ... 358
20 Conclusion ... 359
Helpful Resources ... 359
Going Forward ... 360
Appendix ... 361
A Glossary ... 363
B SAP Resources ... 371
... SAP Communities and Alliances ... 371
... Certification ... 372
... Websites and Blogs ... 372
... Publications ... 372
... SAP Offices ... 374
... Office Directory: United States ... 374
... Branch Offices/Sales Partners ... 374
... Worldwide Country Sites ... 378
C SAP Solution Maps ... 379
... SAP ERP ... 379
... SAP Customer Relationship Management ... 388
... SAP Supplier Relationship Management ... 392
... SAP Product Lifecycle Management ... 401
... SAP Supply Chain Management ... 404
... SAP Business One ... 411
D Bibliography ... 419
... Books ... 419
... Web Resources ... 419
... SAP Presentations and White Papers ... 419
... Relevant Business Legislation ... 420
Index ... 421
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