A warm welcome to the Introduction to ERP & SAP and SAP Projects course by Uplatz.

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning

ERP is a suite of software applications that an organization uses to integrate and manage its business activities such as finance and accounting, warehouse operations, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, supply chain processes, transportation, distribution, quality control, along with sales and marketing.

A complete ERP system also includes enterprise performance management and software that assists in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting of business activities and results.

SAP stands for Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing. SAP ERP is an enterprise resource planning software developed by the German company SAP SE founded in 1972 by Wellenreuther, Hopp, Hector, Plattner, and Tschira.

SAP ERP incorporates the key business functions of an organization.

SAP system consists of a number of fully integrated modules, covering virtually every aspect of business management. SAP is #1 in ERP market and one or more of its modules are implemented by most of the large and medium corporations across the globe.

Due to its reach and widespread implementation, SAP technology/applications provide huge career prospects across organizations. As SAP consultant, you can earn upwards of $100,000 per annum.

Introduction to ERP & SAP and SAP Projects- Course Curriculum

1. Introduction to ERP

• ERP Definition

• Characteristics of ERP

• Products of ERP

• Benefits of using ERP

2. Introduction to SAP

• SAP History

• SAP Product line

• New Products of SAP

• Relation of New SAP Products with the core product

• Industry specific Products

• Type of SAP Projects

• Type of SAP Roles

• Architecture of SAP

• System Landscape

• Types of data used in the SAP system

3. Initial Screens

• How to login to the SAP system

• SAP Client / GUI

• SAP Session - What it is

• How to open a new Session

• Create new Sessions

• Navigation between Sessions

• Transactions and Activities

• Shortcuts or Transaction Codes

• SAP Easy Access screen

• SAP IMG screen

• Difference between Easy Access and IMG screens

4. Enterprise Structure

• What is Enterprise Structure

• The different types of Enterprise Structure

• Company structure in real time

• Company structure for each process

• Enterprise Structure terms in real time against those used in the SAP system

• Definitions of the elements of enterprise structure

• Creation of Enterprise Structure elements in the SAP system

• Assignment of the Enterprise Structure elements in the SAP system

5. Types of SAPProjects and their Implementation

Description of the Video Lectures

Lecture 1 - In this session, we learn about what ERP and SAP is, Business Process Integration and Different Functional Areas.

Lecture 2 - In this session, we learn about Advantages of ERP, different SAP Modules, SAP Financial Accounting, SAP Controlling and SAP Sales & Distribution.

Lecture 3 - In this session, we learn about SAP Materials Management, SAP Supplier Relationship Management, SAP Customer Relationship Management and SAP Human Resource.

Lecture 4 - In this session, we learn about SAP Implementation Project.

Lecture 5 - In this session, we learn about SAP Support Project, Roll Out Project, SAP Upgradation Project and SAP Expansion Project.

Course Objectives

a) Learn about ERP and its applications in the industry

b) Learn about SAP and its solution portfolio

c) Get introduced to important SAP modules

c) Understand different types of SAP Projects

SAP Projects can be of various types:

1. SAP Implementation Project

This is divided into two types.

Big Bang Project: This type of project aims to go live with all modules across all departments at the same time. The SAP implementation life cycle is followed end-to-end for the full scope of the company’s financial and logistical business processes. This approach may be used for smaller companies to keep costs low, as there is only one implementation life cycle to execute. However, the necessity for planning is amplified and the risk of missing deadlines is high.

Pros:

Quick to implement: You can implement the new system in a short time in your entire organisation using this approach.

Uniformity: Big Bang implementation allows the usage of a single system in the entire company.

Cheaper: As the entire company is using a single system, it involves lesser funds.

Cons:

Difficult testing: Full testing is quite difficult under this approach before going live.

Wider scope of issues: Due to the implementation of a new system in the entire organisation, the scope of potential system issues increases.

Phased Project: A phased project is an alternative to Big Bang approach, where a set of modules are identified in an initial phase, then further integrations will be added later. For example, a company may decide to implement financial and analytical modules in the first phase like Finance (FI), Controlling (CO) and Human Capital Management (HCM). Then plan a second wave to incorporate logistics modules such as Materials Management (MM), Production Planning (PP) and Sales and Distribution (SD). In a third phase they may opt to implement remaining modules. In reality, the phased approach will include several end-to-end implementations- One for each phase. This leads to a longer implementation timeline and therefore higher cost, but much lower risk and steady performance in the long run.

Pros:

Better adjustment: Due to piece by piece SAP implementation of the entire system, everyone gets enough time to properly adjust and adapt to the new system.

Comprehensive testing : Incremental testing is possible under this approach.

Easy to fix smaller Problems: Phased SAP implementation allows you to find out the smaller bugs and issues in a single area which allows the technical team to fix them quickly.

Cons:

Costly: The longer timelines result in higher implementation and consulting costs.

Delay in ROI: Return on Investment is delayed due to the large time gap between this starting and the final date of implementation.

2. SAP Support Project

SAP support project is also known as an issue tracking system because it handles tickets. Under this project, the errors and bugs from end users are forwarded to the support team to solve them.

The pros and cons of this project are similar to that of SAP implementation projects.

3. Roll Out Project

A roll out project is one in which centralised processes are defined and implemented at a central office, then deployed at different subsidiaries. For example, a company may begin their SAP roll out at their headquarters. This initial implementation may follow big bang or phased approach. Every country has its own set of tax, customs and legal regulations. Every legal entity registered as a company should adhere to the legal requirements of its respective country. Processes are defined centrally and country-specific changes are carried out during roll out.

Pros:

Speedy: It increases the speed of the new implementation project and helps you meet deadlines.

Controlled Budget: SAP roll out projects don’t need everything new, so helping you to implement the new system with in controlled budget.

Cons:

Existence of Old Systems: The only disadvantage is you still need same software from your current system.

4. SAP Upgradation Project

It is a periodic project that companies implement to upgrade their system to the latest version. Under this project, the goal of the company is to technically upgrade and to cover the evolution of the SAP technical enhancement package.

Pros:

Benefits from Innovations: An upgradation project allows your company to enjoy the benefits of innovations.

Cons:

Critical testing: The SAP upgradation project requires deep testing to identify critical issues which can lead to the failure of the entire system.

5. SAP Expansion Project

All companies opt for the SAP expansion project during its growth years. However, there are certain cases under which an organisation is obliged to opt for this SAP project is

At the time of acquiring a new company from the same industry.

During an opening of a new branch at a new geographical location.

When a company wants to expand its existing facilities.

The pros and cons of this project are similar to the Implementation Project.