SAP An Executive's Comprehensive Guide

by Norris, Grant; Wright, Ian; Hurley, James R.; Dunleavy, John R.; Gibson, Alison

• ISBN13: 9780471249924
• ISBN10: 0471249920
• Edition: 71st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-06-15
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

* Covers all key technical SAP aspects of concern to IS professionals

Author Biography

GRANT NORRIS, BS, MBA, is a senior director in Coopers & Lybrand’s National SAP practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has worked designing and installing enterprise systems for a variety of organizations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He has been implementing SAP software since 1988, starting with SAP R/2. IAN WRIGHT, BS, is a manager in Coopers & Lybrand’s National SAP practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His background is in designing and installing financial systems with C&L and other major consulting firms. He has worked with SAP software in Europe and North America since 1990. JAMES R. HURLEY, BA, MBA, CAGS, CPA, is the partner responsible for Coopers & Lybrand’s National SAP practice in the United States based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has a strong background in applying technology to business with C&L and other Big 6 consultancies. He has been implementing SAP R/3 in North America since its introduction in the U.S. in 1992. JOHN DUNLEAVY, BA, MBA, ABD, CPA, is a senior partner in Coopers & Lybrand’s Telecommunications, Media, and Utilities group based in Parsippany, New Jersey. He is the coauthor of Reinventing the CFO: Moving from Financial Management to Strategic Management. He has been involved in implementing SAP R/3 since 1995. ALISON GIBSON, MA, CMA, is a manager in Coopers & Lybrand’s Integrated Strategic Services practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has experience in designing and installing information systems and now specializes in IT strategy. She has worked in the installation and selection of SAP software in Europe, North America, and the Pacific Rim since 1988.

Table of Contents

PART I: THE EXECUTIVE VIEW	1	(94)
Chapter 1 Who Is SAP, and What Is R/3?	3	(12)
SAP at 25	3	(2)
R/2 and R/3: The Highlights	5	(2)
Why You Might Consider Installing R/3 in Your Business	7	(2)
SAP's Strategy	9	(2)
Why Is SAP So Successful?	11	(1)
Is SAP in Your Future?	12	(3)
Chapter 2 What Is the Business Case for Implementing SAP Software?	15	(14)
Begin with Information Technology Strategy	15	(4)
Key Themes of Concern to the Chief Information Officer	19	(3)
What Is ERP Software and Why Would It Benefit a Company?	22	(1)
Distinguishing Features of SAP	23	(1)
Building the Business Case	24	(3)
Business Case Essentials	27	(2)
Chapter 3 How Will an SAP R/3 Implementation Affect Finance Organizations?	29	(12)
CFO: From Finance Management to Strategic Management	29	(11)
How SAP Software Affects the CFO and the Finance Organization	40	(1)
Chapter 4 How Will an SAP R/3 Implementation Affect Manufacturing, Distribution, and Sales Organizations?	41	(12)
Manufacturing Issues	41	(3)
Distribution and Logistics Issues	44	(6)
Sales Issues	50	(3)
Chapter 5 Are We Ready to Implement SAP R/3?	53	(16)
Common Myths about SAP R/3 Implementations	54	(2)
Get Real Regarding Resources	56	(3)
Can We Do It Ourselves?	59	(1)
Company Personnel Are the Key	60	(1)
Program and Project Management	61	(3)
Why Executive Buy-In Is Essential for Project Success	64	(1)
10-Point Readiness Checklist	65	(4)
Chapter 6 What Do I Need to Know About SAP R/3 Functionality?	69	(10)
Architecture	71	(2)
Finance	73	(1)
Logistics	74	(1)
Human Resources	75	(1)
Industry Specific	76	(3)
Chapter 7 What Will the R/3 Implementation Entail? An Executive Overview	79	(10)
Risk Management	80	(1)
Program and Project Management	81	(2)
Change Management	83	(1)
Process Redesign	84	(3)
Methodologies	87	(2)
Chapter 8 Competitors to SAP	89	(6)
The Big Four	89	(4)
Where Will They Be in 2000?	93	(2)
PART II: THE IMPLEMENTOR'S VIEW: TOOLS AND ISSUES	95	(80)
Chapter 9 Partnering for Success: Proceed with Care	97	(10)
Why Use a Consulting Partner?	98	(1)
Types of Consulting Partners	98	(2)
SAP's Consulting Presence	100	(1)
Seek Counseling, Not Just Consulting or Implementation	101	(1)
Using Multiple Consultants	102	(1)
Key Questions to Ask when Selecting a Consultant	103	(1)
Other Things to Look for in the Consulting Relationship	104	(1)
Getting the Most Out of Consultants	105	(2)
Chapter 10 Methodologies	107	(12)
Benefits of Using a Methodology when Implementing R/3	108	(3)
Similarities in All R/3 Methodologies	111	(1)
SAP's ASAP Methodology	111	(2)
Summit R/3 Methodology	113	(6)
Chapter 11 Tools	119	(8)
Implementation Team Tools	119	(6)
End-User Tools	125	(1)
Bolt-On Software	126	(1)
Chapter 12 Process Redesign	127	(12)
How R/3 Helps with Process Redesign	130	(2)
Approaches to Redesign	132	(1)
How to Redesign with SAP	133	(1)
Designing the To-Be State	134	(3)
Documenting the To-Be State	137	(1)
Four Keys to Success	137	(2)
Chapter 13 Risk Management	139	(8)
Four Steps in the Risk Management Process	139	(8)
Chapter 14 Project and Program Management	147	(16)
Project Management	147	(2)
Project Structures	149	(6)
Project Planning	155	(2)
Project Execution and Control	157	(2)
Program Management	159	(4)
Chapter 15 Change Management	163	(12)
Easier to Manage Change During Growth	164	(1)
Risks to Organizational Change	164	(2)
Change Management Process	166	(3)
Change Management Approach	169	(2)
Organizational Culture and Its Relation to Change	171	(2)
A Final Word	173	(2)
PART III: THE IMPLEMENTOR'S VIEW: THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS	175	(84)
Chapter 16 Understanding Enough about R/3 Functionality to Drive the Implementation Process	177	(34)
Architecture	183	(1)
Finance	184	(7)
Logistics	191	(8)
Human Resources	199	(6)
Industry Specific	205	(6)
Chapter 17 Initiation and Planning	211	(8)
Project Initiation	212	(2)
Strategy Analysis	214	(1)
Process Design	215	(2)
Start Right	217	(2)
Chapter 18 Getting SAP in Place	219	(8)
Prototype	219	(2)
Develop	221	(1)
Transition	222	(2)
Sustain	224	(3)
Chapter 19 Deployment Options	227	(10)
Factors That Affect Deployment and the Approach Taken	228	(2)
Keys to Deployment Success	230	(1)
Problems Commonly Faced in Deployment	231	(1)
Implications of Poor Deployment	232	(1)
Deployment Examples: Successful and Unsuccessful	233	(4)
Chapter 20 Integration Management	237	(8)
SAP System Architect	239	(1)
Tasks of Integration Management During the Phases of the Implementation Life Cycle	239	(4)
Integration Management Is Key	243	(2)
Chapter 21 SAP Tools	245	(4)
Business Engineering Workbench	245	(2)
SAP's Demo Model	247	(1)
Business Engineer	248	(1)
Chapter 22 Third-Party Tools	249	(10)
Implementation Tools	250	(2)
Archiving and Warehousing Tools	252	(2)
System and Network Management Tools	254	(1)
Communication Tools	255	(3)
Scan the Marketplace	258	(1)
Glossary	259	(10)
Index	269