Database Reference
In-Depth Information
supported by a centralized IT function. In contrast, because of the end-user orienta-
tion of ERP packages like SAP as well as the online availability of data on all aspects of
company operations, SAP permits the rationalizing of many processes. This could be in
terms of eliminating sequential wait periods for approvals, acknowledgements prior to
further processing, collating status updates from various departments before compiling
the latest positions on inventory, and so on.
In enterprise-wide integrated packages like SAP, many of these facilities and features
become available automatically as a part of the architecture of the system. Thus, such
process steps could be eliminated entirely from the business processes.
c.
Standardization of Processes
:
Every plant or office site
of
a company develops its own
character and culture, which is a result of the company's recommended corporate envi-
ronment blending with the local situations. Such local practices have strong adherents
and generate loyalty and pride. These factors often harm the progress of implementing a
fairly uniform system, even if it's a computerized system like SAP, across the organiza-
tion at all of its sites and offices.
The Chief Project Officer (CPO) must take ample measures to ensure the broad
acceptance within the organization of standardized implementation. This can be
ensured by
i. The rapid implementation at the pilot site
ii. The rapid rollout of SAP at other company sites and offices
iii. The deputation of key personnel from all sites for the teams at the pilot sites, even at
the risk of overstaffing these teams
iv. The judicious selection and documentation of functionalities for implementation at
the pilot sites
v. The democratic and transparent process of standardization based on the predefined
criteria of value addition in terms of customer friendliness, quality, timeliness, costs,
and so on
vi. Configuring and customizing the maximum possible functionality at the pilot
site, keeping in view the businesses and practices prevalent at all other sites and
oices
2.
Centralized Base Reference Coniguration
: A company can experience the real payoff of imple-
menting an ERP like SAP only when it has implemented SAP at all of its plants, facilities,
and offices. Traditional computerized systems have a much more difficult time implement-
ing standardized processes across all locations of their organizations. Since a SAP project
entails implementing both best-of-business and standardized processes, it leads to fairly
standard implementation solutions across all of its sites.
A company should plan to implement a fairly comprehensive functionality at its pilot site.
This is termed as the centralized base reference configuration (CBRC). This can simply be
transplanted at each of the rollout sites in the subsequent stages of the project. Such an approach
engenders faster customization, training, integration testing, and, finally, go-live stages.
7.3.4 Converting Changed Business Processes into SAP Functionality
Implementing SAP solutions to meet business requirements is always a daunting task. It gets
even more challenging when the business processes within an organization are complex and the
standard functionality provided within the SAP solution is not enough to meet even 80% of the
business requirements.
