Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What SAP product supports project-based teams?

  SAP's SuccessFactors Dynamic Teams could help support project-based teams in the workplace and solve associated challenges. Learn more about the new capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP IBP help address supply chain challenges?

  As supply chain issues continue to affect companies, SAP's Integrated Business Planning could help improve users' supply chain management. Learn how.  Continue Reading

• Should SAP users move from APO to IBP?

  SAP is emphasizing its Integrated Business Planning product and moving its Advanced Planning and Optimization tools out of the spotlight. Learn whether users should transition to IBP.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP's predictive analytics improve SCM?

  SAP's predictive analytics could help users with their supply chain management as supply chain problems persist. Learn more about how these capabilities could benefit users.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP's Signavio acquisition help companies?

  Learn about process mining's capabilities and how Rise with SAP users could potentially benefit from the company acquiring process mining company Signavio.  Continue Reading

• Is Rise with SAP a good fit for you?

  The service Rise with SAP is likely a good fit for some organizations but not for others. Learn how to decide if SAP's new offering is right for your company.  Continue Reading

• Rise with SAP vs. S/4HANA Cloud: What are the differences?

  Learn more about Rise with SAP vs. S/4HANA Cloud and SAP's vision for Rise with SAP.  Continue Reading

• What types of companies can use Rise with SAP?

  Certain types of companies will gain more from using Rise with SAP than others. Here are the kinds of organizations that are best suited for using SAP's new offering.  Continue Reading

• Which SAP software supports sustainability?

  SAP is releasing new sustainability software to give organizations the environmental data they need to achieve climate targets. Learn more about each type.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP Product Footprint Management work?

  SAP Product Footprint Management can help companies assess and manage their environmental impact. Learn about some of the software's capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Work Zone for HR help enable a digital workplace?

  Part of SAP SuccessFactors HXM, Work Zone for HR is a digital workspace meant to boost employee experience. Learn more about its features and functions.  Continue Reading

• What is SAP Field Service Management and what can it do?

  Organizations need to get more from their technicians and field workers, and SAP Field Service Management is meant to help. Learn what it can do.  Continue Reading

• What Qualtrics integration questions should IT ask of SAP?

  Qualtrics has certain technical integration challenges, and IT needs to address questions to uncover what they are and how they will affect the implementation. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• Why are some SAP customers resisting S/4HANA?

  SAP has touted S/4HANA as the natural successor to ECC, but many customers are resisting the move. Here are some of the reasons why.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP AMS simplify ERP administration?

  A number of companies offer SAP Application Management Services, which can help offload some of the administration duties required to manage SAP ERP. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• Does Infoporter aid SAP ERP HCM-Employee Central data migration?

  Learn how SAP data migration tool Infoporter assists in moving from SAP ERP HCM to SuccessFactors Employee Central and why IT teams might find it helpful.  Continue Reading

• What are some SAP license optimization best practices?

  Optimizing SAP licenses is critical in today's insecure business landscape. Here are some best practices organizations can follow to lower costs and get the most from their investment.  Continue Reading

• How can customers stay on SAP ECC and continue to innovate?

  Many SAP customers are reluctant to move to S/4HANA just yet -- or maybe ever. Here are some ways companies can optimize the SAP ERP Central Component and find ways to innovate.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP for Me simplify SAP ecosystem management?

  SAP for Me is meant to serve up the most important information about a customer company's SAP technology ecosystem. Here's a look at just what that means.  Continue Reading

• How can SuccessFactors CPM improve performance management?

  Learn how SuccessFactors Continuous Performance Management can help more organizations realize that a good employee experience requires ongoing performance management.  Continue Reading

• How should organizations deploy SAP Industry Cloud?

  SAP Industry Cloud offers preconfigurations and next-generation features. Learn what the software is, how it can help and what implementation options exist.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Analytics Cloud help boost business agility?

  SAP Analytics Cloud is meant to boost business agility, which business leaders need now more than ever. Take a look at the tool's features and how it might help.  Continue Reading

• How is SAP Climate 21 meant to reduce CO2 emissions?

  SAP released program to help companies go green and achieve better sustainability. Here's a look at Climate 21 and its Product Carbon Footprint Analytics.  Continue Reading

• What do SAP leadership changes signify for company strategy?

  SAP recently announced that Jennifer Morgan was no longer co-CEO and that Christian Klein would take the helm. Learn what that means for the company's strategy.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP tools help during a COVID-19 economic downturn?

  Managing cash flow, anticipating demand and getting insight into data are three critical ways to manage COVID-19's effects. Here are a few tools meant to provide those capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Data Custodian boost public cloud data control?

  Public cloud technology has evolved, but business leaders still worry about its ability to manage and protect their data. Learn how Data Custodian may help.  Continue Reading

• What is a benefit of Qualtrics Text IQ sentiment analysis?

  The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound effect on consumers. Text IQ provides sentiment analysis to understand just what that effect is -- as it evolves.  Continue Reading

• How can Employee Central boost localized COVID-19 compliance?

  The SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll Localization is one of the systems' core benefits. Now, SAP has released COVID-19 legal changes monitoring.  Continue Reading

• Is the SAP ECC support deadline extension important?

  With an extension to the SAP ERP Central Component end-of-support deadline, customers are wondering what it means for them. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• What capabilities does Qualtrics EmployeeXM offer?

  Employee Experience Management tools from Qualtrics are meant to give managers and HR concrete ways to gather feedback and support workers. Here's a look at five features.  Continue Reading

• What are some key SuccessFactors onboarding capabilities?

  Onboarding is critical to employee experience and a company's reputation as a talent destination. Learn about SuccessFactors functionality to help improve this important process.  Continue Reading

• 7 best practices for using SuccessFactors Talent Management

  With tools to cover the employee journey, SAP SuccessFactors Talent Management has a wealth of functionality. Here's how to make sure you get the most out of it.  Continue Reading

• What should CIOs do with SAP ECC support ending in 2025?

  SAP customers are faced with a tough decision: Move to S/4HANA or figure out how to extend support. Here's some expert advice on how to determine the right path forward.  Continue Reading

• What are some SAP public cloud benefits for IT teams?

  Some companies are facing decisions about whether to move to an SAP cloud and if so, which one. Here's a look at the SAP public cloud option and what it offers.  Continue Reading

• Is SAP Cloud Platform architecture the same as SAP cloud migration?

  With so many SAP products using the term 'cloud,' understanding what Cloud Platform is -- and isn't -- can be confusing. Here's a quick intro to help bring clarity to the issue.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding support crossboarding?

  Onboarding a new hire is one thing, but what about when an employee simply moves from their role into a different one at the same company?  Continue Reading

• How can SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding help retain employees?

  A well-run onboarding process can also be a savvy retention tool. Here's how the SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding module can help provide a positive experience for new hires.  Continue Reading

• Where can I get SAP SuccessFactors online training?

  The SAP Learning Hub has a wealth of resources for training, certification and knowledge sharing for users and administrators of the SuccessFactors suite.  Continue Reading

• Why is SAP Cloud Platform Portal crucial to application development?

  As SAP continues to evolve in the cloud, it's important your company does the same. To ensure a more seamless migration, start with SAP Cloud Platform Portal as your entry point.  Continue Reading

• When should you switch over to SAP Cloud Platform Portal?

  Consolidating on ABAP and moving off a mixed Java-ABAP environment are major reasons to shift from SAP Enterprise Portal to SAP Cloud Platform Portal.  Continue Reading

• What are the top 5 reasons to move to SAP Cloud Platform Portal?

  Gavin Quinn of Mindset Consulting shares why organizations should take advantage of the portal to ensure their users are getting the best experience possible.  Continue Reading

• Where does SAP S/4HANA public cloud fit in two-tier ERP?

  S/4HANA public cloud provides a less disruptive route to digital transformation than some options -- including the on-premises S/4 -- and smoother migration from legacy SAP.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Master Data Governance improve ERP master data?

  These nine key components of SAP MDG help ensure regulatory, legal, environmental and financial compliance of your master data and improve operational efficiency.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP S/4HANA digital core enable digital transformation?

  The S/4HANA digital core is an initiative of SAP to help companies turn big data emanating from various sources, such as sensors, into actionable insights. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• Which SAP C/4HANA deployment options create great customer experience?

  Companies looking to SAP to help them create great customer experience should understand C/4HANA deployment options and which is best for them.  Continue Reading

• What order-to-cash cycle controls in SAP ensure compliance?

  SAP Sales and Distribution, a component of SAP ECC, has a number of available functions to help create a better order-to-cash cycle. Here's a look at 10.  Continue Reading

• What are the options for SAP Ariba integration with SAP ECC?

  Your company's current SAP ERP landscape is critical in choosing how to integrate Ariba and ERP Central Component. Here's a look at what you need and the three options you'll have.  Continue Reading

• Why is the ASAP implementation methodology critical for ECC?

  Unlike the Agile approach of project management with its shorter timelines, the Waterfall approach of project management for SAP ECC takes a longer approach to ensure success.  Continue Reading

• What are three ways SAP Material Ledger improves product costing?

  Implementing SAP Material Ledger in a manufacturing environment expedites the month-end financial closing process through inventory valuation at actual costs. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• What ensures audit compliance in the procure-to-pay cycle in SAP?

  Creating certain business controls -- such as configuring payment tolerances and using source determination only -- in SAP ERP Central Component can help ensure audit compliance.  Continue Reading

• What does a smooth, post-acquisition ERP transition entail?

  Continuing to use existing ERP systems and enlisting ERP services support are just two key areas that CIOs must focus on after a company is acquired. Here's more.  Continue Reading

• What is the best way to upgrade to SAP Process Orchestration?

  Upgrading from SAP Process Integration to SAP Process Orchestration is possible, but learn why many companies are opting for a side-by-side migration from PI to PO and some of the steps involved.  Continue Reading

• What KPIs can assess demand-driven MRP when using SAP ERP?

  Setting up demand-driven metrics and using analytics to monitor them can provide benefits such as helping to reduce working capital commitments and improving service levels.  Continue Reading

• How is the recurring inspection process in SAP QM activated?

  The recurring inspection functionality available in the SAP Quality Management component can help effectively maintain materials that are managed in batches and have expiration dates.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to write an SAP support ticket?

  Try other avenues first, but then prepare an SAP support ticket that will clearly describe and recreate your incident, so SAP can assign it to the right experts.  Continue Reading

• What kitting process functionalities does SAP EWM offer?

  The kitting process can be triggered either from SAP ECC or SAP EWM in kit-to-stock and kit-to-order business scenarios, and reverse kitting is available in EWM. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• What inventory valuation methods does SAP's MM offer?

  Here's a look at five SAP inventory valuation reporting methods, how they can boost your inventory management efforts and why the financial account team should be involved.  Continue Reading

• What inventory KPIs are available in SAP MRP Monitor?

  MRP Monitor fills the inventory reporting and analyses gap that exists in SAP ECC, with analyses that enable materials planning success. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• What core components are included in an SAP APO overview?

  SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization enables companies to better sense market demand, quickly react with timely supply, and meet and maintain higher service levels.  Continue Reading

• What core components does the SAP ERP system include?

  The SAP ERP system -- also known as ECC -- is the foundation for many companies' ERP implementations. Here's a look at its core components and what each one does.  Continue Reading

• How can you reduce the bullwhip effect with demand-driven MRP?

  Reducing the bullwhip effect requires a fundamental and strategic shift from supply-focused materials planning to demand-focused materials replenishment.  Continue Reading

• How does ECC handle SAP Vendor Evaluation for services?

  In SAP ECC, Vendor Evaluation gives you an easy way to evaluate vendor performance for services such as equipment maintenance or building maintenance. Here's a look.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP CTM in SAP ATO improve supply chain management?

  Capable-to-Match is a subcomponent of SAP APO that enables better demand and supply controls by balancing production constraints, supplier lead time and transportation lead time.  Continue Reading

• What are the inventory KPIs that can be measured in SAP ECC?

  Being able to measure inventory performance through regular monitoring provides the necessary visibility to improve them. Here's what you should know.  Continue Reading

• How does intent-based navigation work in SAP Fiori Launchpad?

  Read these tips to understand the underlying architecture and programming rules for customizing the SAP Fiori Launchpad for specific users and their roles.  Continue Reading

• What can a materials planner do to better manage inventory?

  Creating material groupings, assigning replenishment strategies and ensuring timely monitoring for changes are some important keys to effective materials planning.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP Pool Asset Management improve the use of shared assets?

  The Pool Asset Management tool enables easier scheduling and cost allocation of resources that employees share, such as vehicles. Here's a look at how it works.  Continue Reading

• How can project planners decide between SAP PPM and SAP PS?

  Web-based Project and Portfolio Management gives teams a way to pitch ideas and manage projects, but on-premises Project System still fits into the project landscape. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Quality Notification help improve product quality?

  SAP Quality Notification can help handle customer complaints for defective products, defective products produced in-house and defective materials supplied by a vendor. Here's a look at how it works.  Continue Reading

• What are key features in discrete manufacturing production type?

  Discrete manufacturers reap greater business benefits when they ensure planning, procurement, inventory, capacity and quality management are integral parts of their SAP ECC implementation.  Continue Reading

• What business benefits does SAP S/4HANA Finance offer CFOs?

  SAP S/4HANA Finance's intuitive interface, coupled with real-time information, is answering the needs of enterprise CFOs. Here's a look at seven of its features.  Continue Reading

• How can I use Git and GitHub for SAP software development?

  Assembla, Bitbucket, GitHub, Mercurial and Subversion are some of the open-source version-control and collaboration platforms available for managing SAP development projects.  Continue Reading

• How can SAP Missing Parts improve the production planning process?

  The SAP Missing Parts Information System can help prevent production or maintenance disruptions by alerting planners to impending material or component shortages.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of using SAP capacity requirements planning?

  An expert explains how companies can integrate SAP's capacity requirements planning functionality to optimize production when demand for products exceeds supply.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of using Release Strategy in SAP MM?

  Making SAP MM's Release Strategy feature part of procurement processes can provide better business controls and reduce typical procurement headaches.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP Planned Delivery Time help with procurement?

  SAP Planned Delivery Time can help cut inventory carrying costs, writes expert Jawad Akhtar.  Continue Reading

• Do you need an SAP data mart, or an SAP data warehouse?

  Do you need an SAP data mart, or a data warehouse? It depends if you need to deploy data across an enterprise, or need something more focused.  Continue Reading

• Why The Charmer Sunbelt Group Is Sticking with SAP WM

  Although alcohol wholesaler The Charmer Sunbelt Group has considered some parts of EWM, find out why it feels EWM isn't a good fit for its industry.  Continue Reading

• The case for a phased SAP HANA implementation

  Installing SAP HANA is no easy task. Read about why Scotts Miracle-Gro decided on a phased rollout of its HANA implementation.  Continue Reading

• The business case for integrating Hadoop with SAP HANA

  Adobe tracks everything its users do and dumps the data into Hadoop. How did the company make the business case for integration with SAP HANA?  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis?

  Confused by the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis? Developer Ethan Jewett explains how to tell them apart.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between different SAP production types?

  In this tip, expert Jawad Akhtar outlines how to differentiate between discrete, process and repetitive production types and how SAP ERP supports them.  Continue Reading

• Quick fixes for the most common post go-live SAP error messages

  There are a number of SAP error messages that can occur post ERP go-live, writes Jawad Akhtar. Here's how to knock them out.  Continue Reading

• How to fix a slip print-out error in an SAP Smart Form

  An SAP user is looking to fix an error with a packing slip print-out in an SAP Smart Form.  Continue Reading

• Assigning personnel numbers in SAP HR

  An SAP HR users wants to know how to assign a person to two different personnel numbers in SAP HR while generating a single invoice.  Continue Reading

• Creating an SAP IDoc for sales orders

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to create an SAP IDoc along with sales order details when sales orders are created, changed or cancelled.  Continue Reading

• Using separate trading partner fields in SAP function FB01

  An SAP R/3 4.7 user wants looking to post a document entry using different trading partner fields for credit and debit for function FB01.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP standard reports to track changes in SAP HR

  A SearchSAP.com reader is looking for a standard report that can track changes made to the hierarchy of SAP HR with SAP transaction code PPOME.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP change documents to make change logs visible

  A SearchSAP.com reader who is writing a program to update SAP tables wants to know how to make updates visible in a change log by using an SAP change document.  Continue Reading

• Using audit report to track changes to employee data in SAP HR

  Find out how to track changes to employee data using an audit report in SAP HR, and learn how to configure the audit report to pick up changes to the data retroactively.  Continue Reading

• Configuring SAP EDI for sales orders

  Learn how to configure SAP EDI for sales orders.  Continue Reading

• Locating user email addresses in SAP SU01 transaction code

  A SearchSAP.com reader who stores user email addresses within the SAP SU01 transaction code and wants to know where to locate the data.  Continue Reading

• Creating a function group for an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator

  Learn how to create a function group and authorization group using an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator on a Z table.  Continue Reading

• How can I get an ABAP program displaying Excel data to wrap text?

  Learn how to display details from a Microsoft Excel database table using the Wrap Text function when developing an SAP ABAP program.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving content from an SAP workflow attachment

  An SAP user wants to know how to retrieve the content of an SAP workflow attatchment.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between SPFILE and PFILE in Oracle?

  One reader asks about the difference between SPFILE and PFILE and advice for setting Oracle 10G parameters for SAP ECC6. Read an expert's take here.  Continue Reading

• Make function module calls in SAP from an external system

  How to make function module calls in SAP from an external system  Continue Reading

• Error when clicking the SAP GUI logon button

  An SAP user receives a curious error message when he clicks the logon button in the SAP GUI.  Continue Reading

• Changing a customer message priority level after it's sent

  I mistakenly sent a customer message with the wrong priority level. How can I change the priority level of the message sent?  Continue Reading

• Fixing inconsistencies in TemSe and Spool systems

  I have found some inconsistencies in TemSe and in the Spool system. Please let me know the causes of these inconsistencies. How can I analyze and rectify these inconsistencies?  Continue Reading