Showing posts with label SAP S/4HANA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAP S/4HANA. Show all posts

Monday, June 9, 2025

How SAP S/4HANA Empowers Modern Enterprises to Save Millions

As organizations face mounting pressure to modernize operations, improve agility, and lower costs, many are turning to SAP S/4HANA—SAP’s next-generation ERP platform. Built on the SAP HANA in-memory database, SAP S/4HANA represents a significant leap forward from traditional ERP systems, offering real-time analytics, streamlined business processes, and intelligent automation.

More than just an upgrade, SAP S/4HANA is a comprehensive reimagining of enterprise resource planning, purpose-built for the digital age. And while the cost of migration or implementation might seem high, the long-term savings and performance improvements often far exceed the initial investment. From reducing operational costs to increasing productivity and improving decision-making, SAP S/4HANA empowers businesses to thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven world.

In this article, we’ll explore four impactful ways investing in SAP S/4HANA can lead to millions in savings.

1. Real-Time Data and Streamlined Processes Drive Operational Efficiency

One of the most compelling advantages of SAP S/4HANA is its ability to unify and simplify core business processes. Thanks to its in-memory computing capabilities, SAP S/4HANA enables companies to analyze and act on data in real—time, eliminating data silos and reducing long wait times for reporting.

The platform consolidates transactional and analytical data into a single source of truth. This simplifies everything from finance and procurement to supply chain and manufacturing operations. By minimizing redundancy and improving visibility across the organization, SAP S/4HANA helps reduce bottlenecks and wasted resources.

SAP s/4hana

For example, financial closing cycles that once took days can be reduced to hours using real-time accounting and embedded analytics. Inventory management becomes more effective with integrated planning and forecasting tools that enhance accuracy and minimize holding costs. By streamlining operations across departments, companies can dramatically reduce overhead while increasing agility.

Bottom Line: Companies that leverage SAP S/4HANA to unify their operations often see significant operational cost reductions over time.

2. Automation and AI Reduce Labor Costs and Human Error

Manual processes and repetitive administrative tasks consume valuable time and increase the risk of human error. SAP S/4HANA tackles this challenge head-on with built-in automation tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning.

Features like SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) enable businesses to automate tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, and order management, among other routine workflows. With SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) and embedded AI capabilities, SAP S/4HANA goes a step further—learning from historical data to recommend next steps, flag anomalies, or initiate preventative actions.

The result? Dramatic gains in efficiency and accuracy. Employees are freed from repetitive tasks, allowing them to shift their focus to higher-value activities. Automated compliance checks reduce the risk of penalties, and predictive maintenance helps avoid costly equipment failures.

3. Improved Decision-Making with Embedded Analytics

In today’s volatile business landscape, data-driven decision-making is critical. SAP S/4HANA supports this with embedded analytics and real-time dashboards that offer immediate visibility into KPIs, operational performance, and market trends.

Gone are the days of waiting for end-of-month reports or manually compiling data from disparate systems. SAP S/4HANA integrates reporting and analysis directly into business processes. This enables managers and executives to make smarter, faster decisions based on current, accurate data.

With tools like SAP Fiori, the user experience is modern and intuitive. Dashboards can be customized by role or department, giving each user the insights most relevant to them. Advanced analytics—such as predictive modeling and scenario simulation—can also be used to test strategies before they are implemented.

Cost-Saving Example: A manufacturing firm utilizing SAP S/4HANA's real-time analytics can identify excess production costs earlier, adjust purchasing decisions, and prevent surplus inventory—saving millions of dollars annually.

4. Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Through Cloud Flexibility and Scalability

Modern enterprises require flexible and scalable systems that can adapt to their evolving needs. SAP S/4HANA is available in multiple deployment options: on-premise, private cloud, public cloud, or hybrid. Each provides advantages in cost control, scalability, and system maintenance.

By migrating to the cloud, particularly the SAP S/4HANA Cloud edition, organizations can reduce the costs associated with maintaining legacy systems, including hardware, software updates, and infrastructure overhead. SAP handles updates and system enhancements, ensuring your environment is always running the latest version with minimal disruption.

SAP s/4hana

Additionally, SAP S/4HANA’s modular approach allows companies to implement only the capabilities they need and scale gradually. This avoids significant upfront investments and reduces the IT burden.

Future-Proofing Your Investment: Cloud-based SAP deployments also facilitate the integration of emerging technologies, such as IoT, blockchain, and AI, enabling companies to stay ahead of the curve while controlling costs.

Bonus: Built-In Risk Mitigation and Compliance Tools

Risk and compliance management are no longer optional; they are now business-critical. SAP S/4HANA includes governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) functionality to help companies identify and mitigate threats proactively.

From financial auditing to cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, SAP S/4HANA provides businesses with the tools to minimize exposure and prevent costly fines or disruptions. The system can automatically detect fraud patterns, enforce segregation of duties, and generate real-time audit trails.

Companies in heavily regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing benefit especially from these built-in protections, which are difficult to replicate with legacy systems.

Why Companies Are Making the Switch to SAP S/4HANA Now

As SAP plans to end mainstream maintenance for SAP ECC by 2027, businesses that haven’t yet made the shift to S/4HANA are facing growing urgency. The transition is more than a software upgrade—it’s a business transformation initiative.

While some organizations may be hesitant due to cost or complexity, the long-term savings in operational efficiency, automation, and IT modernization make a strong business case. Early adopters consistently report better performance, faster innovation cycles, and improved competitiveness.

Partner with Approyo to Maximize Your SAP S/4HANA ROI

Successfully transitioning to SAP S/4HANA requires the right expertise and experience. From strategy and planning to implementation and ongoing support, Approyo helps organizations of all sizes unlock the full value of SAP S/4HANA.

Whether you’re upgrading from ECC, launching a greenfield implementation, or optimizing an existing deployment, our experts are here to ensure your success every step of the way.

Ready to discover how SAP can drive significant savings for your business? Contact Approyo today to speak with a certified SAP expert.

Monday, June 2, 2025

The Phased Approach to SAP S/4HANA Migration: Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Value

Transitioning to SAP S/4HANA is a transformative journey that unlocks greater agility, streamlines operations, and provides real-time data insights. Yet, the path to successful SAP S/4HANA migration is rarely straightforward. Rushed or disorganized implementations can create disruption, inflate costs, and jeopardize long-term outcomes. That’s why many organizations are turning to a phased approach—one that reduces risk, maintains business continuity, and builds value step-by-step.

Instead of a single sweeping transition, a phased migration breaks the process into strategic stages, each with clear objectives and checkpoints. This approach not only aligns IT and business goals but also ensures that technical challenges are addressed before scaling. Let’s explore how a phased SAP S/4HANA migration works, what each stage entails, and why this method offers the best roadmap for long-term success.

Why a Phased SAP S/4HANA Migration Delivers Better Outcomes

Full-system migrations can overwhelm IT teams, delay operations, and increase vulnerability to errors. In contrast, a phased approach distributes change across manageable increments, allowing teams to validate functionality, stabilize environments, and gather user feedback as they go.

SAP S/4HANA Migration

This methodology not only protects mission-critical operations from unnecessary downtime but also provides the flexibility to optimize each stage based on real-world learnings. The result? Smoother adoption, stronger performance, and a clear path to digital maturity.

Phase 1: Strategic Assessment and Planning

Before any technical work begins, a successful SAP S/4HANA migration starts with a comprehensive evaluation of your current SAP landscape. This phase includes:

  • System Inventory: Cataloging all existing SAP applications, customizations, and integrations.
  • Business Alignment: Defining long-term business goals and mapping them to SAP S/4HANA capabilities.
  • Gap Analysis: Identifying discrepancies between the current-state architecture and the future-state design.
  • Roadmap Development: Outlining a timeline, resource allocation, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

By establishing a clear vision and foundation, organizations can move forward with confidence and precision. This planning phase also highlights whether a greenfield, brownfield, or hybrid migration strategy is most appropriate.

Phase 2: Landscape Preparation and Optimization

With a roadmap in place, the next step is preparing the system landscape for migration. This includes:

  • Data Cleanup: Eliminating outdated, redundant, or incomplete records.
  • Infrastructure Readiness: Assessing whether existing hardware, networks, and storage can support SAP S/4HANA, especially if considering SAP on Azure or a private cloud deployment.
  • Security and Compliance Audits: Ensuring systems meet modern governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) standards.

This stage is where foundational upgrades, such as migrating to SAP HANA, may also occur. Leveraging managed infrastructure and cloud transformation services ensures that your environment is fully optimized for what's ahead.

Phase 3: Pilot Rollout and Testing

Rather than moving the entire enterprise in one leap, a phased SAP S/4HANA migration includes a controlled pilot rollout. This step targets a limited scope—perhaps a business unit or a set of core functions—to test real-time performance and gather feedback.

Key activities during this phase include:

  • Data Migration Testing: Verifying data accuracy and completeness post-migration.
  • Process Validation: Ensuring workflows, reports, and user roles behave as expected.
  • User Training: Equipping key personnel with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively navigate the new system.

Insights gained here influence how the broader rollout is refined, enabling teams to adjust their technical strategies and training plans accordingly.

Phase 4: Full Deployment and Optimization

Following a successful pilot, organizations move into full deployment. This phase involves:

  • Staggered Rollouts: Migrating remaining business units or regions in waves to manage complexity.
  • Post-Go-Live Support: Resolving unexpected issues quickly with managed support services.
  • Performance Monitoring: Using real-time analytics tools to monitor system health, performance, and user experience proactively.

Even after deployment is complete, optimization remains an ongoing priority. Predictive analytics, IT transformation consulting, and continuous system audits ensure the environment evolves in step with business goals.

Transitioning Smoothly Between Phases

Each phase of the migration builds on the previous one. Smooth transitions depend on detailed documentation, strong communication between technical and business stakeholders, and the use of governance frameworks to manage scope and compliance.

Photographer: Gorodenkoff

Choosing a provider with experience across every layer—from infrastructure to compliance to post-migration optimization—makes a measurable difference in how well each phase is executed and the overall value delivered.

Why a Phased SAP S/4HANA Migration Is Future-Proof

A step-by-step approach creates space for innovation, learning, and adaptation. It provides organizations with the agility to modernize at a sustainable pace while minimizing the risks often associated with rapid transformation.

It also opens the door to complementary strategies—like deploying SAP on Azure for scalability, integrating managed security solutions, or adopting disaster recovery protocols—that enhance long-term resilience. With the foundation laid, organizations are better equipped to leverage automation, predictive insights, and agile workflows for ongoing improvement.

Partnering with Approyo for SAP S/4HANA Migration Success

Navigating a SAP S/4HANA migration requires more than just technical upgrades—it demands a clear vision, deep expertise, and consistent execution at every phase. At Approyo, we offer comprehensive SAP service technology, featuring extensive capabilities in hosting, managed services, upgrades, and migrations. From initial assessment to ongoing optimization, we support customers running any SAP-supported core functionality with tailored, scalable solutions that meet their specific needs.

Whether you're moving to SAP S/4HANA, exploring hybrid cloud environments, or enhancing IT performance with predictive analytics, our global team is ready to deliver secure, future-ready solutions. Please don't hesitate to contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

To learn more about how you can leverage SAP to drive innovation and improve your business operations, visit Grow With Approyo.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

How Migrating to SAP S/4HANA Can Streamline Hotel Operations

Every hotel, regardless of size or brand, operates as a high-stakes coordination hub. Multiple departments, fluctuating occupancy, time-sensitive service delivery, and dynamic pricing models demand flawless communication and agile infrastructure. In this environment, legacy systems often hinder progress, resulting in data silos, inefficiencies, and lost revenue opportunities. Migrating to SAP S/4HANA provides hotel operators with a unified, intelligent foundation that eliminates fragmentation, enhances transparency, and empowers teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Hotels that rely on SAP S/4HANA gain real-time insights, centralized control, and streamlined operations. This advanced ERP platform modernizes core processes, including billing, resource allocation, and inventory management, while enabling predictive analytics for informed, future-ready decision-making.

Centralized Operations Improve Agility and Efficiency

Hospitality success hinges on agility. From front-desk operations to housekeeping and supply chain coordination, aligning internal systems is crucial to maintaining a brand's reputation and profitability. Legacy ERP platforms often struggle to keep pace with the rapid changes in guest demand, room turnover, and service personalization.

SAP S/4HANA provides a unified digital core that connects all operational departments. Housekeeping can automatically receive updates about check-outs and rush requests. Front desk teams gain access to real-time occupancy data and service records. Finance departments can analyze labor costs, inventory levels, and revenue streams in a single dashboard.

SAP S/4HANA for hotels

With SAP S/4HANA's in-memory computing, hotels can process vast amounts of transactional data in real time. This capability enables faster decisions regarding room upgrades, staffing needs, or emergency maintenance, giving hotel operators a competitive edge.

Tighter Coordination Between Teams

Using SAP S/4HANA, operations and guest services are no longer siloed. Staff across departments operate from a single source of truth. Communication becomes data-driven, not guesswork-based. This enhances workflow efficiency and ensures a consistent guest experience, even during periods of peak occupancy.

Automation Reduces Human Error

The system’s automation capabilities reduce manual data entry, helping to minimize costly errors in areas such as double bookings or incorrect invoices. Automation also accelerates processes such as end-of-day reports and payment reconciliations, freeing up staff for more strategic or guest-facing tasks.

Integrated Billing Enhances Accuracy and Transparency

Billing is a make-or-break moment in the guest journey. Discrepancies, delays, or inflexibility in payment systems can erode trust and lead to friction. Legacy systems often struggle to reconcile room charges, minibar usage, and third-party services within a single billing framework.

SAP S/4HANA transforms billing by providing fully integrated finance capabilities that align front-office activities with back-office accounting. The result is a seamless flow of data from reservation to final invoice.

Real-Time Revenue Recognition

With SAP S/4HANA, revenue is captured and allocated in real time. As guests add services, such as spa treatments, in-room dining, or late checkouts, charges are instantly reflected in the billing system. This supports accurate revenue recognition and ensures compliance with international financial standards.

Consolidated Billing for Personalized Guest Experiences

The platform enables consolidated invoices that include all guest services in one view. This not only simplifies the payment process but also provides a more personalized and polished experience. Detailed billing records help identify guest preferences and spending patterns, which can be used for future marketing or loyalty programs.

Dynamic Room Availability Management Increases Occupancy

Room availability is the lifeblood of hotel profitability. Double-bookings, outdated availability displays, and inefficient forecasting tools all result in lost revenue. SAP S/4HANA’s integration of real-time data analytics and intelligent forecasting tools solves these challenges at the core.

Live Inventory Updates Across Channels

SAP S/4HANA connects availability data across internal systems and external booking engines. When a room is booked, canceled, or updated, the system reflects those changes immediately across all platforms. This eliminates the risk of overbooking and ensures that every available room has the maximum chance to generate revenue.

SAP S/4HANA

Forecasting Informed by Predictive Analytics

Using predictive analytics capabilities powered by SAP HANA, hotels can anticipate high-demand periods, optimize room rates, and make proactive staffing decisions. Forecasting becomes dynamic, adjusting in real time based on market data, past performance, and booking trends.

From Modernization to Transformation

Transitioning to SAP S/4HANA isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a strategic move that allows hotels to future-proof their infrastructure. The platform enables cloud transformation, advanced security, and complete scalability for evolving business needs.

With intelligent data at their fingertips, hotel operators can pursue more ambitious business goals—whether expanding to new locations, personalizing loyalty programs, or integrating AI-driven guest services. SAP S/4HANA supports continuous innovation, empowering hotels to remain competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.

Choosing the Right SAP Partner Matters

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a complex and high-value initiative that requires expert planning, deployment, and ongoing support. Partnering with a trusted provider ensures that the migration not only modernizes IT systems but also unlocks meaningful operational improvements throughout the organization.

At Approyo, we provide full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and managed services, upgrades, and migrations for customers running any SAP-supported core functionality. With over a thousand SAP environments under management globally, we specialize in helping businesses transform with SAP S/4HANA, SAP on Azure, predictive monitoring with Overwatch™, and more.

Please feel free to contact us today for more information on SAP solutions and how we can help your hotel streamline operations with confidence.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Building a Data-Driven Culture with SAP Embedded Analytics

Modern enterprises no longer have the luxury of waiting for end-of-day reports or quarterly reviews to inform their strategies. Today, success depends on acting fast, backed by accurate, real-time insights. SAP embedded analytics delivers this capability directly within the core of SAP S/4HANA, allowing decision-makers to extract actionable intelligence from live data without leaving their operational workflows.

Integrating analytics into everyday tasks is not just a technical upgrade but a catalyst for cultural change. With SAP embedded analytics, organizations can foster a truly data-driven environment where business users are empowered to make smarter, faster decisions based on real-time information.

SAP Embedded Analytics

The magic of SAP embedded analytics lies in its seamless combination of data processing and business logic. Instead of waiting for external systems to crunch numbers, users can visualize and act on data instantly within SAP applications. This immediacy changes how businesses respond to challenges and opportunities alike.

A significant advantage of this system is its intuitive design. Thanks to the integration with SAP Fiori, analytics are presented through easy-to-navigate dashboards that streamline access to key data points. The user experience feels natural, enhancing adoption across departments and reducing reliance on IT for everyday reporting needs.

Key Features That Drive Real-Time Decision-Making

Transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach starts with the right tools. SAP embedded analytics includes several standout features designed to support this shift.

SAP embedded analytics

Smart Business KPIs: Intelligence in Context

Smart Business KPIs embed operational intelligence directly into the business process layer. Users can measure, monitor, and react to performance indicators in their regular workflow.

  • Real-Time Tracking: Stay up to date on key metrics without delay.
  • Threshold Alerts: Automatically trigger notifications for critical variances.
  • Contextual Relevance: KPIs adapt based on roles and business needs.

This dynamic KPI system ensures performance metrics are always visible and always relevant.

CDS Views: Tailored Analytics for Every Role

Core Data Services (CDS) views form the backbone of the data model in SAP embedded analytics. They enable organizations to build custom reports and dashboards perfectly aligned with specific business requirements.

  • Custom Reporting: Focus analytics on what matters most to each team.
  • Interactive Visuals: Explore data through intuitive charts and graphs.
  • Role-Based Access: Control visibility and permissions to ensure security and relevance.

These features put advanced analytics capabilities in the hands of business users, not just analysts or IT teams.

From Technology to Culture: Empowering Business Users

While tools and features lay the foundation, creating a data-driven culture means changing how people interact with data daily. SAP Embedded Analytics enables this shift by giving business users the autonomy to explore and analyze data independently.

Self-Service Reporting and Visualization

One of the cornerstones of a data-driven organization is self-service analytics. With drag-and-drop capabilities and ready-to-use templates, business users can quickly generate reports without technical support.

Collaboration Across Teams

When analytics are embedded across operations, collaboration becomes easier. Sales, finance, operations, and marketing can align their efforts through a shared, data-backed understanding of performance and priorities.

Building Data Literacy

Encouraging business users to explore data also improves data literacy across the organization. The more comfortable teams become with interpreting insights, the more effectively they can contribute to strategic initiatives.

SAP embedded analytics

Practical Use Cases for SAP Embedded Analytics

Bringing SAP embedded analytics into the fold doesn’t just benefit the IT department. It creates tangible value across core business functions:

  • Sales Teams monitor deal pipelines and conversion rates in real-time, adapting strategies to meet targets mid-quarter.
  • Finance Departments access up-to-date cash flow and budget utilization data, improving forecasting accuracy.
  • Operations Managers track inventory and supply chain metrics live, adjusting procurement or logistics in response to shifts in demand.

Integrating analytics where decisions are made makes these teams more agile and effective.

Actionable Steps to Strengthen Your Analytics Culture

A successful rollout of SAP embedded analytics requires more than software implementation. It takes thoughtful planning, strategic enablement, and cultural support.

  • Train Business Users: Equip users with the skills and knowledge to navigate and utilize analytics tools confidently.
  • Invest in Governance: Define clear ownership of data and metrics to maintain consistency and trust in reporting.
  • Partner with Experts: Work with experienced providers to design, implement, and optimize your embedded analytics environment for maximum impact.

Bringing It All Together with Approyo

Embedding analytics into SAP environments is a strategic investment, but getting it right requires deep expertise. That’s where we come in.

At Approyo, we specialize in deploying and optimizing SAP solutions, including SAP embedded analytics. With our support, businesses can unlock the full power of real-time insights and empower their teams with advanced, intuitive analytics capabilities. From SAP S/4HANA migrations to cloud infrastructure and predictive monitoring with tools like Overwatch™, our comprehensive services are designed to enhance visibility, improve decision-making, and reduce complexity.

A data-driven culture isn’t a distant ideal—it’s a competitive necessity. And with Approyo as your partner, it’s entirely within reach. Contact us today.

Monday, October 7, 2024

SAP S/4HANA for the Future: How Digital Supply Chain Solutions Drive Innovation

As industries evolve in a digitally driven world, businesses increasingly rely on advanced technologies to stay competitive. One powerful tool that is reshaping supply chain strategies is SAP S/4HANA. With its integration of digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), SAP S/4HANA is leading the way in transforming supply chain management. By embracing these innovations, companies can enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and unlock new growth opportunities.

The Role of SAP S/4HANA in Digital Transformation

SAP S/4HANA plays a pivotal role in the digital transformation of supply chain management by providing a centralized platform that integrates cutting-edge technologies. This next-generation ERP solution allows businesses to break away from outdated systems and leverage digital tools that drive efficiency and innovation. SAP S/4HANA is designed to optimize supply chain processes using real-time data, predictive analytics, and automation—enabling organizations to adapt quickly to market changes.

Using AI, machine learning, and IoT within SAP S/4HANA adds layers of intelligence to the supply chain, helping companies make data-driven decisions and anticipate future challenges. These digital tools enable proactive rather than reactive management, a key differentiator in today’s fast-paced business environment.

SAP S/4HANA digital transformation

Leveraging AI for Smarter Supply Chains

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer in supply chain management, and SAP S/4HANA integrates AI-driven capabilities to optimize critical processes. Through AI, businesses can automate routine tasks, streamline workflows, and improve accuracy across the supply chain.

For example, AI in SAP S/4HANA can enhance demand forecasting by analyzing historical data and external market conditions. This predictive capability helps businesses accurately anticipate demand fluctuations, enabling them to adjust their production and inventory levels accordingly. AI also powers intelligent procurement systems, allowing organizations to optimize supplier selection and negotiate better terms based on real-time market insights.

By leveraging AI within SAP S/4HANA, businesses can move beyond traditional, manual supply chain operations and embrace intelligent automation, reducing costs and increasing operational agility.

Machine Learning for Predictive Insights

Machine learning is another transformative technology integrated into SAP S/4HANA that helps businesses unlock predictive insights. Unlike traditional analytics, which rely solely on historical data, machine learning algorithms continuously learn from new data, identifying previously hidden patterns and trends.

In supply chain management, machine learning can be applied to various areas, such as inventory optimization, demand planning, and supplier performance analysis. For instance, machine learning algorithms within SAP S/4HANA can analyze sales trends and customer behavior to forecast future demand more precisely. This capability allows businesses to reduce stockouts, avoid overproduction, and minimize excess inventory.

Additionally, machine learning can monitor supplier performance by analyzing critical metrics like lead times and delivery accuracy. Organizations can use these insights to improve supplier relationships, negotiate more favorable contracts, and ensure a more reliable supply chain.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Supply Chain Connectivity

The Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionizes supply chain management by enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of assets throughout the supply chain. SAP S/4HANA integrates IoT capabilities, allowing businesses unprecedented visibility into their operations.

IoT devices can track the movement of goods, monitor equipment performance, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. By collecting real-time data from these connected devices, businesses can optimize logistics and provide more accurate delivery times. For example, warehouse IoT sensors can monitor inventory levels and automatically trigger replenishment orders when stock reaches a predetermined threshold. This level of automation reduces the need for manual intervention, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

SAP S/4HANA's IoT capabilities also extend to predictive maintenance. Sensors can detect equipment malfunctions before they occur, allowing companies to address potential issues proactively and avoid costly downtime.

Unlocking New Growth Opportunities with Digital Innovation

Integrating digital tools like AI, machine learning, and IoT within SAP S/4HANA enhances operational efficiency and unlocks new business growth opportunities. By digitizing supply chain processes, organizations can expand their operations into new markets, launch innovative products faster, and improve customer satisfaction.

SAP S/4HANA AI integration concept

For example, with improved demand forecasting and real-time visibility into supply chain performance, businesses can introduce new products more confidently, knowing they can efficiently meet customer demands. Furthermore, by using predictive analytics to optimize pricing strategies, companies can increase profitability and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

In addition to driving operational excellence, digital innovation through SAP S/4HANA enables organizations to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and industry trends. Whether it’s enhancing the customer experience or improving sustainability practices, SAP S/4HANA's future-facing capabilities help businesses stay ahead of the curve.

The Future of Supply Chain Management with SAP S/4HANA

As the future of supply chain management continues to evolve, businesses that embrace digital tools like those offered by SAP S/4HANA will be better positioned to lead their industries. Organizations can create more intelligent, efficient operations that adapt to market dynamics and customer needs in real time by integrating AI, machine learning, and IoT into their supply chain strategies.

SAP S/4HANA’s ability to deliver real-time insights, automate processes, and provide predictive capabilities makes it a cornerstone of digital transformation in supply chain management. Companies that leverage these technologies will improve their operational performance and unlock new growth opportunities in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Learn how SAP S/4HANA can unlock the future potential of your business and transform your supply chain operations. Visit Approyo for more information on how SAP solutions can revolutionize your supply chain strategies.

Friday, October 4, 2024

Streamlining Supply Chain Operations with SAP S/4HANA

Operational efficiency is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in supply chain management. One transformative solution that has emerged to meet this challenge is SAP S/4HANA. This advanced enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite enhances visibility, facilitates real-time data analysis, and integrates processes seamlessly, making it an essential tool for organizations aiming to optimize their supply chain operations.

Enhancing Visibility Across the Supply Chain

A core advantage of SAP S/4HANA is its ability to provide enhanced visibility throughout the entire supply chain. In today’s interconnected environment, companies must track inventory levels, supplier performance, and real-time demand fluctuations. SAP S/4HANA offers a unified view of supply chain data, allowing organizations to monitor every aspect of their operations from a single platform.

This visibility helps businesses identify potential disruptions and enables them to respond proactively. For instance, if there is a delay in shipping, teams can quickly assess the impact on overall operations and make necessary adjustments. By enhancing visibility, SAP S/4HANA empowers organizations to make informed decisions that optimize performance and minimize risks.

SAP S/4HANA

Leveraging Real-Time Data for Informed Decision-Making

Real-time data is essential for effective supply chain management, and SAP S/4HANA excels in this area. The platform’s advanced analytics capabilities allow organizations to access up-to-the-minute information regarding inventory levels, supplier performance, and customer demand. This immediate access to data is critical for decision-makers who need to respond quickly to changing conditions.

With SAP S/4HANA, businesses can analyze historical data alongside current metrics to accurately identify trends and forecast future demands. This capability enables companies to optimize inventory management, ensuring they maintain the correct stock levels to meet customer needs without overstocking. As a result, organizations can improve their cash flow and reduce storage costs, driving overall efficiency.

Streamlining Process Integration

Another significant benefit of SAP S/4HANA is its seamless integration of various supply chain processes. Traditional supply chain management systems often operate in silos, leading to communication gaps and inefficiencies. SAP S/4HANA breaks down these barriers by providing a centralized platform that connects different functions, such as procurement, manufacturing, and logistics.

This integration enhances team collaboration and ensures that everyone is working with the same data set. For example, when sales forecasts change, the procurement team can be immediately notified to adjust their sourcing strategies accordingly. SAP S/4HANA promotes agility and responsiveness within the supply chain by streamlining process integration.

Improving Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is vital for any successful supply chain, and SAP S/4HANA provides the tools necessary to optimize this process. With its real-time tracking and advanced analytics, organizations can gain insights into their inventory levels, turnover rates, and demand patterns. This information is invaluable for making informed decisions about stock replenishment and minimizing excess inventory.

Furthermore, SAP S/4HANA’s predictive analytics capabilities allow businesses to forecast demand accurately. By leveraging historical data and market trends, organizations can plan their inventory more effectively, ensuring they have the right products available when customers need them. This proactive approach reduces stockouts and enhances customer satisfaction, ultimately driving business success.

Enhancing Supplier Collaboration

Effective collaboration with suppliers is a critical component of successful supply chain management. SAP S/4HANA facilitates improved supplier relationships by providing a platform for real-time communication and data sharing. This capability allows organizations to collaborate more effectively on forecasting, production planning, and inventory management.

With SAP S/4HANA, businesses can access detailed supplier performance metrics, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and drive better outcomes. Organizations can enhance their supply chain resilience and agility by fostering more robust supplier relationships.

SAP S/4HANA

Driving Continuous Improvement

In today’s fast-paced business environment, continuous improvement is essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. SAP S/4HANA supports this process by providing businesses with the insights they need to continually refine their supply chain operations. Through advanced reporting and analytics, organizations can evaluate their performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify opportunities for enhancement.

For example, companies can analyze lead times, order accuracy, and delivery performance to pinpoint areas that require attention. By leveraging these insights, organizations can implement process improvements, driving greater efficiency and effectiveness in their supply chain operations.

Embrace the Future with SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA stands out as a powerful solution for streamlining supply chain operations. By enhancing visibility, enabling real-time data analysis, and integrating processes, this platform significantly empowers organizations to improve their operational efficiency. Companies that leverage SAP S/4HANA can make informed decisions, optimize inventory management, and foster better supplier collaboration.

Visit Approyo for more information on how SAP solutions can transform your supply chain management strategies. Ready to discover the potential of SAP S/4HANA and take your supply chain operations to the next level? Call us at 877-277-7696 or email us at info@approyo.com.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

How SAP S/4HANA Helps Your Business

Leveraging advanced technologies is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in today's competitive business environment. SAP S/4HANA, with its integrated AI and machine learning capabilities, offers transformative benefits that drive innovation and operational efficiency.

This post explores how SAP S/4HANA revolutionizes business operations, streamlines process with real-time data analytics and enhances predictive analytics through machine learning. Discover how these advanced features can help your business achieve a strategic advantage and prepare for future growth.

Streamlining Operations with Real-Time Data Analytics

One of SAP S/4HANA's benefits is its real-time data analytics capabilities, which can significantly streamline business operations by providing instant insights and facilitating informed decision-making. With real-time data processing, businesses can access up-to-the-minute information, enabling them to respond swiftly to market changes and operational challenges. This immediacy in data availability eliminates the lag associated with traditional batch processing, ensuring decision-makers have the most current data at their fingertips.

SAP S/4HANA’s real-time analytics features include the Universal Journal, which consolidates financial and operational data into a single source of truth. This integration allows for comprehensive financial reporting and analysis, reducing the time spent on data reconciliation and increasing accuracy. Additionally, the system’s embedded analytics provide intuitive dashboards and reports, enabling users to visualize data trends and patterns effortlessly.

Benefits of SAP S/4HANA

Use cases demonstrating operational efficiency gains are abundant. For instance, in supply chain management, real-time analytics can monitor inventory levels, predict stock shortages, and optimize order fulfillment processes. In manufacturing, real-time data can track production metrics, identify bottlenecks, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). These capabilities improve operational efficiency and contribute to cost savings and increased productivity.

By leveraging SAP S/4HANA’s real-time data analytics, businesses can make proactive decisions, anticipate market demands, and optimize their operations. This strategic use of data ensures that companies remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Driving Innovation Through Integrated AI

Integrated AI capabilities in SAP S/4HANA drive innovation across various business functions, enabling companies to stay ahead in a competitive market. AI applications in predictive maintenance, for example, allow businesses to anticipate equipment failures before they occur. By analyzing historical data and identifying patterns, AI can predict when machinery will likely fail, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

In demand forecasting, AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to predict future market trends and customer demand. This capability helps businesses optimize inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and improve customer satisfaction. By accurately forecasting demand, companies can align their production schedules and supply chain operations more effectively, increasing efficiency and profitability.

Customer relationship management (CRM) also benefits from AI integration in SAP S/4HANA. AI-driven insights enable personalized customer interactions by analyzing customer behavior, preferences, and purchase history. This level of personalization enhances customer engagement and loyalty, driving sales and revenue growth. Additionally, AI can automate routine CRM tasks, freeing up time for sales and support teams to focus on high-value activities.

These examples illustrate how integrated AI in SAP S/4HANA fosters innovation and operational excellence. Businesses can transform operations, improve decision-making, and deliver superior customer experiences by leveraging AI. This strategic use of AI ensures that companies remain agile and competitive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Machine Learning for Enhanced Predictive Analytics

Machine learning significantly enhances predictive analytics within SAP S/4HANA by identifying patterns and trends that traditional analytics might miss. These advanced models analyze vast datasets to uncover insights that drive proactive business strategies. By leveraging machine learning, businesses can more accurately anticipate market shifts, customer behavior changes, and operational risks.

One of the key benefits of machine learning in predictive analytics is its ability to learn and adapt continuously. Machine learning models refine their predictions as new data becomes available, ensuring businesses always have the most relevant and up-to-date insights. This dynamic capability allows companies to respond swiftly to emerging trends and make informed decisions that mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.

Machine learning also plays a crucial role in risk management. By analyzing historical data and identifying risk factors, machine learning models can predict potential issues before they escalate. For example, machine learning can detect fraudulent transactions in financial services by recognizing unusual patterns. Supply chain management can forecast disruptions and suggest alternative strategies to maintain continuity.

These capabilities enable businesses to implement proactive measures, reducing the likelihood of adverse outcomes and enhancing overall resilience. By integrating machine learning into their predictive analytics framework, companies can achieve higher precision and foresight, driving strategic advantage and operational excellence.

Achieving Competitive Advantage with SAP S/4HANA

The advanced features of SAP S/4HANA provide businesses with a significant competitive edge in the market. By integrating AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics, companies can streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation. These capabilities enable businesses to respond more quickly to market changes, optimize processes, and deliver superior customer experiences.

Several companies have successfully leveraged SAP S/4HANA to achieve strategic advantages. For instance, a global manufacturing firm implemented SAP S/4HANA to enhance its supply chain management. By utilizing real-time data analytics and predictive maintenance, the company reduced downtime by 20% and improved overall equipment effectiveness. This increased production efficiency and cost savings, positioning the company ahead of its competitors.

Benefits of SAP S/4HANA

Another example is a retail giant that adopted SAP S/4HANA to optimize its inventory management and demand forecasting. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the retailer accurately predicted customer demand, reducing stockouts and excess inventory. This optimization improved customer satisfaction and resulted in a 15% reduction in inventory costs, giving the retailer a significant market advantage.

These case studies illustrate the benefits of SAP S/4HANA and how its advanced features can drive competitive advantage. By harnessing the power of AI, machine learning, and real-time analytics, businesses can transform their operations, enhance efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. This strategic use of technology ensures that companies remain agile, innovative, and competitive.

Future Prospects: The Evolving Role of AI and Machine Learning in SAP S/4HANA

The future of AI and machine learning within SAP S/4HANA holds immense potential for continued innovation and growth. We expect even more sophisticated predictive analytics, enhanced automation, and deeper integration across business functions as these technologies evolve. Upcoming trends include the development of more advanced AI algorithms, increased use of natural language processing, and greater emphasis on personalized customer experiences. Businesses must stay abreast of these advancements and invest in continuous learning and technology upgrades to harness these capabilities fully. By doing so, they can ensure sustained growth, operational excellence, and a lasting competitive edge.

For more information on the benefits of SAP S/4HANA and how it can transform your business, visit Approyo.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

SAP and Microsoft Announce Project Embrace to accelerate adoption of SAP S/4HANA

Building on a joint commitment to simplify and modernize customers’ journeys to the cloud through project “Embrace,” SAP SE and Microsoft Corp. announced an extensive go-to-market partnership — from conceptualization to sales — to accelerate customer adoption of SAP S/4HANA and SAP Cloud Platform on Microsoft Azure.

Today’s new, preferred cloud partnership brings together SAP and Microsoft, along with a global network of system integrators, to offer holistic bundles that provide customers with unified reference architectures, road maps and market-approved journeys to illuminate a clear path toward the cloud. As part of this simplified customer journey, Microsoft will resell components of SAP Cloud Platform alongside Azure. This unique offering is aimed at more easily migrating SAP ERP application and SAP S/4HANA customers from on premise to public cloud.

Under the banner of project ‘Embrace’, SAP, Microsoft and a global ecosystem of system integrators including Approyo will combine to offer “holistic bundles” designed to provide customers with unified reference architectures and strategic roadmaps in the context of cloud.

SAP will lead with Microsoft Azure to move on-premise SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA customers to the cloud through industry-specific best practices, reference architectures and cloud-delivered services. This includes future deployment and migration of existing direct SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud customers leveraging hyperscaler infrastructure. However, SAP continues with its long-standing policy of supporting choice for those customers who request alternatives based on business requirements.

"I am proud to have the Approyo team working with Microsoft Azure and SAP on Project Embrace" added Christopher M. Carter, CEO of Approyo

Specifically, project “Embrace” on Microsoft Azure will provide customers with:
  • A simplified move from on-premise editions of SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA for customers with integrated product and industry solutions. Industry market bundles will create a road map to the cloud for customers in focused industries, with a singular reference architecture and path to streamline implementation.
  • Collaborative support model for simplified resolution. In response to customer feedback, a combined support model for Azure and SAP Cloud Platform will help ease migration and improve communication.
  • Jointly developed market journeys to support customer needs. Designed in collaboration with SAP, Microsoft and system integrator partners will provide roadmaps to the digital enterprise with recommended solutions and reference architectures for customers. These offer a harmonized approach by industry for products, services and practices across Microsoft, SAP and system integrators like Approyo.

Read the Full Announcements:

From Microsoft:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2019/10/20/new-cloud-migration-pairing-offers-enhanced-customer-experience/

From SAP:
https://news.sap.com/2019/10/sap-microsoft-partnership-cloud-migration-offerings/

Friday, October 18, 2019

You're invited! A Real-Life Journey on the Upgrade to SAP S/4HANA 1809/1909 Webinar

Back by popular demand! Did you miss SAP TechEd in Las Vegas? Our CEO Christopher Carter delivered a popular session at the event, A Real-Life Journey on the Upgrade to SAP S/4HANA 1809/1909, to a standing room only crowd. The Approyo team has moved many different companies to S/4HANA and now is your chance to learn about real-life situations and scenarios for moving to SAP S/4HANA 1809/1909 in this SAP TechEd bonus webinar.

A Real-Life Journey on the Upgrade to SAP S/4HANA 1809/1909
Presenter: Approyo CEO Christopher Carter
Date: Wednesday, October 30
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST

Join us for a discussion of the methodology and the process used to migrate to SAP S/4HANA 1809/1909. We will discuss the pitfalls, the success, and the overall project. We will not dig into the details on failed activities but will give everyone a sense of the timing and skill set needed to be able to accomplish such a herculean task.

Don't miss out, Register today! 

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Approyo Welcomes New Client Services Manager Jason Hilderbrand

Approyo is proud to announce that after an extensive search Jason Hilderbrand has been selected to be the company’s next Client Services Manager. Jason brings an MBA from the University of Wisconsin and over 4 years of extensive SAP Basis experience across a host of support dependencies including managing projects, fixing any service issues, tracking service metrics, and helping lead the professionals responsible for getting services delivered to clients.

As the Client Services Manager, Jason’s role focuses on keeping clients satisfied with the Approyo's services, while working with businesses and end-users to help them resolve issues and answer questions. Jason is the liaison between an Approyo and its customers.

“The relationship with our customers is always our first priority,'' said CEO of Approyo Christopher Carter. “Jason’s appointment only bolsters our argument that great people build long term relationships, and that's how we do business with our customers.”

Friday, October 11, 2019

SAP Fiori 101 (Updated - 2019)

SAP Fiori is a framework that provides the porting of applications on mobile devices and was released in 2013. It enables applications to be used on desktop computers, tablets and smartphones. SAP Fiori supports HTML5. The initial release had few applications to start and gradually increased to complete the SAP Business Suite.

SAP Fiori is the UX of the Intelligent Enterprise that changes the way you work. It equips designers and developers with a set of tools and guidelines to create apps for any platform faster than ever – providing a consistent, innovative experience for both creators and users. SAP Fiori enables you to turn new ideas into great apps as quickly as the market demands.

Three types of Fiori apps:
  • Transactional apps - which allow users to perform SAP transactions on mobile devices as well as desktops. For instance, there is a transactional app for creating a leave of absence request and another for approving a purchase order.
  • Fact sheets - which display information about key business objects in SAP. For example, there is a fact-sheet app for viewing a central purchase contract; it allows users to also drill down into related entities, such as vendor contacts, items under contract, and terms.
  • Analytical apps - which allow users to display key performance measures and other aggregate information about the business.
SAP Fiori 2.0
SAP Fiori 2.0 was released in October 2016 and is the leading design for all SAP applications providing a harmonized user experience across on premise and cloud solutions. A new visual theme – named Belize – comes along with light and dark flavors. Using SAP S/4HANA, the UI Theme Designer allows you to adapt the theme to your corporate identity.

SAP Fiori 3 - September 2019 update 
SAP has chosen to deliver the SAP Fiori 3 innovations in a stepwise approach. With SAP S/4HANA Cloud 1908 and SAP S/4HANA 1909, the very first step becomes available to end users: the new Quartz theme as a successor of the Belize theme used with SAP Fiori 2.0, and the new shell header bar, which also replaces the viewport introduced with SAP Fiori 2.0.

Designed and developed by all SAP product teams, SAP Fiori 3 offers a more consistent and integrated experience across the entire SAP portfolio. This helps decrease training time, increases application effectiveness and provides consistency of use across devices from anywhere. Embedded artificial intelligence in SAP Fiori 3 provides intelligent home pages that show everything a user needs to focus on, and supports proactive business situation handling, which offers explanations, insights and proposed actions.

The new SAP Fiori 3 theme “Quartz Light”
The new Quartz theme is lighter and more neutral, to blend more into the background, giving application content the center stage. It is simple and minimalistic, making it easy for customers to theme it to their brand.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Approyo Welcomes Brandon Paulos and Femi Shah

Approyo is proud to announce that we have expanded our team again, this time welcoming Brandon Paulos and Femi Shah to our headquarters in Wisconsin.

Both Brandon and Femi join the Approyo team after previously working in the summer internship program as members of the Approyo Service Delivery team. Brandon and Femi will now be Jr. SAP Basis Administrator, working with our customers and partners to manage and support their SAP needs.

Brandon says his big draw to Approyo was the opportunity to work with developing and new technologies in a fun work atmosphere.  And Femi added that she is excited to be part of a fantastic team and culture that supports learning and development.

 “We are pleased to add Brandon and Femi to our growing top-notch team in Wisconsin. We are proud to be based in Wisconsin, where there is an exponential amount of growth in the technology sector,” says Christopher M. Carter, CEO of Approyo.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Approyo Among “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” For Second Year in a Row According to Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur Magazine recognized Approyo, a leading enterprise SAP HANA Solutions Provider headquartered in Milwaukee, as one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” on its 2019 Entrepreneur 360™ List, the most comprehensive analysis of private companies in America. This is the second year in a row that Approyo has been honored by Entrepreneur Magazine for its impact, innovation, growth, leadership, and value.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for the second consecutive year,” says Christopher M. Carter, CEO of Approyo. “2019 has been a great year of growth for the team at Approyo and this recognition further validates our success in the SAP ecosystem. Thank you to our team, partners and customers.”

"Every entrepreneur knows that a healthy business isn't just about growth. It's about being well-rounded—growing your culture and your systems as strongly as you grow your revenue," says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. "That's why we're excited to celebrate these companies with our fifth annual Entrepreneur 360. The companies that make the ranking have pushed boundaries with their innovative ideas, fostered strong company cultures, impacted their communities for the better, strengthened their brand, and grown impressively as a result."

Honorees were identified based on the results from a comprehensive study of independently owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to measure five metrics reflecting major pillars of entrepreneurship — innovation, growth, leadership, impact and business valuation.

For additional details on the E360 List and the companies recognized, visit: entrepreneur.com/360

About Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
For 42 years, Entrepreneur Media Inc. has been serving the entrepreneurial community by providing comprehensive coverage of business and personal success through original content and events. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, GreenEntrepreneur.com and publishing imprint Entrepreneur Press provide solutions, information, inspiration and education read by millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide. To learn more, visit entrepreneur.com.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Approyo Announces Promotion of Tim Reiss to Vice President of Service Delivery


Approyo is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Tim Reiss as Vice President of Service Delivery.

Mr. Reiss has solid leadership experience with a highly customer-oriented focus. He has broad experience in all SAP delivery activities and developing quality service delivery teams.  As part of his role, Mr. Reiss will develop and implement new delivery policies for the organization and work closely with our clients to ensure their satisfaction.

Prior to Approyo, Tim held a variety of senior positions including Managing and supervising SAP Basis teams and service delivery for Virtustream and Symmetry. 

“Tim is a highly experienced SAP Basis executive, with a solid track record of building and leading high performing teams, as well as a strategic focus on world-class customer care,'' said Christopher M. Carter, CEO of Approyo.  “He has been a great asset to our company over the past year and his skills are exactly what Approyo needs to best leverage the opportunity presented by the market.”

Mr. Reiss had this to say regarding his new position leading the team at Approyo, “It’s exciting times ahead, we have a number of customers in production to support the ever-increasing demand for SAP Basis.” Mr. Reiss continued, “I’m looking forward to the challenges on this journey. I know with the support of Approyo's highly skilled engineering specialists, we’ll continue to lead the way with innovative solutions and firmly establish Approyo as a trusted partner in the SAP market.”

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

SAP Releases SAP S/4HANA 1909

With the 1909 release of SAP S/4HANA, SAP continues to focus on delivering leading-edge value in three key areas: intelligent automation, insight and prediction, and next-generation best practices. Intelligent automation, insight and prediction, next-generation processes: SAP S/4HANA 1909 is the Intelligent Enterprise Foundation and brings many new and innovative capabilities to the market. View the complete announcement on www.SAP.com

Foundation of a Digital Core
  • An architecture that delivers a scalable foundation to transact at the highest possible automation
  • A system of intelligence that supports and steers the business using embedded analytics, simulation, prediction, and decision support to run LIVE business
  • An end-to-end experience that can be faster implemented, consumed, and adapted
  • An open architecture to allow connectivity and adoption of micro-services

What makes the Digital Core intelligent?

  • A digital age UX: Conversational UI´s and natural language processing allows us to target a hands-free ERP by 2020.
  • Automation of business processes: Automation mainly addresses companies´ bottom lines and helps to reduce costs. We strive for an automation of 50% of all ERP business processes within the next 3 years.
  • The next generation of business processes: We provide a streamlined architecture and a technology that did not exist before. We aim to increase the top line by providing an infrastructure which allows us to completely rethink value creation and service tasks.

While the list of new capabilities in SAP S/4HANA 1909 is extensive, it is important and consider the big picture. In 2017, the number of SAP S/4HANA innovations was 966, in 2018 it was 2,389, and now, in 2019, it stands at 3,312: an increase of almost 3.5 times! User experience (UX) innovations have gone from 646 to 1,048, and to now 1,496 — up by more than double in three releases.

Major SAP S/4HANA 1909 Highlights from SAP


  • In finance, improvements in the continuous closing process will drive increased process efficiency and faster insights into your business. Integration of SAP Analytics Cloud with financial planning provides quicker, clearer insight so you can run your business more effectively. 
  • In manufacturing, intelligent robotic process automation (IRPA) helps deliver predictive material resource planning (pMRP) so you can better serve your customers while reducing inventory costs.
  • Predictive analytics now helps improve sales forecasts and delivery performance. Added blockchain capabilities make supplier quotes more secure.
  • Improved integration across all lines of business drives end-to-end processes that lead to improved customer-centricity.

View the complete announcement on www.SAP.com

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise and SAP S/4HANA with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. We are already helping our customers start the move the SAP S/4HANA 1909. Get started today...

Friday, September 20, 2019

SAP S/4HANA: The Speed and Power of Simplification

SAP S/4HANA eliminates the complexities of legacy ERP databases, giving organizations a vastly simplified digital core with access to business-critical data in real time. The “S” in SAP S/4HANA is a nod to SAP's legacy business suite. SAP S/4HANA is optimized for SAP HANA, which supports a data model that simplifies the business computing environment dramatically. To take full advantage of this design, SAP S/4HANA was created to reimagine and recode the business suite from the ground up.

REUNIFICATION
Traditionally, the typical enterprise computing environment has been split between online transactional processing (OLTP) and online analytical processing (OLAP). This split is a compromise made long ago: each system gets a copy of the original transactional data, commonly in a different data model, with each optimized for the type of workload (OLTP versus OLAP) in that system. This compromise, though, comes at the cost and complexity of managing two separate environments and moving data between them. Because SAP HANA can support performing analytical calculations and transformations on the fly, organizations can now bring OLTP and OLAP together again. Gone are the complex “helper structures” (indexes and data aggregate tables) that are used to overcome system performance issues running at the speed of disk. Now, with a simplified data model and the speed of in-memory processing, organizations can perform analytics on all data (live and historical) in a single environment – in the moment, as needed.

SIMPLICITY
By redesigning ERP for SAP HANA, the SAP S/4HANA reduces the number of tables dramatically across a wide range of functions. Take, for instance, finance and controlling. While in the past, data was structured in subledgers (accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, asset accounting, cost center accounting, and so on), today they run on a single universal journal. This universal journal brings together postings related to finance (FI) and controlling (CO) in one single source table. The integrity of financial data is guaranteed by design, eliminating reconciliation effort between FI and CO and ensuring that every-one can always access the most current data. Teams are aligned and more effective because the complexity has been removed. Forecasting is faster and more accurate. Key performance indicators such as days sales outstanding (DSO) are avail-able in real time on a granular level. Profit center reporting, profitability analysis, and other real-time analytics performed on top of the universal journal become a reality.

As much as this simplification helps SAP, it also helps our customers. The SAP Tax Compliance application, for example, helps to streamline tax compliance through an automated tax control framework and now runs in SAP S/4HANA instead of a separate system that requires data replication. This application provides an enterprise-wide repository of compliance checks and enables corrections continuously during the current declaration period, freeing tax specialists from searching for anomalies. This simplification to a single source of truth supports new benefits – such as a comprehensive enterprise search. Now business users can search for master data and documents across different LoBs and across systems for a holistic view of the enterprise with zero latency in a modern user interface. At the same time, a built-in authorization framework helps to minimize administrative overhead and enable single sign-on so that users can work across LoBs in a secure fashion, without impediments.

INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY FOR THE INTELLIGENT ENTERPRISE
A simplified data model is imperative for intelligent technologies, such as machine learning. Traditional database models that maintain acceptable performance only with added complexity simply cannot scale to meet the needs of machine learning deployments. To run simulations, train algorithms, and improve visibility into what’s coming next, technologies need a data model up to the task. SAP S/4HANA is leveraging machine learning technology in the solution itself. One example is accelerated accounts receivable. With legacy databases and complex data models, accounts receivable can be an error-prone process that crosses multiple systems to match purchase orders to invoices. With SAP Cash Application software on SAP S/4HANA, machine learning technology does the matching automatically – and gets better over time with the addition of new data.

THE DIGITAL CORE
With SAP HANA as its foundation, SAP S/4HANA serves as a digital core for the business – one that helps drive business agility, improve customer experiences, and increase business performance.

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. Get started today... 

Join the Approyo Team at SAP TechEd Las Vegas

lass="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> SAP TechEd is just around the corner and if you are looking for an educational session that can help ease your entry to SAP S/4HANA, you must add Approyo CEO Christopher Carter's session to your agenda today! Plus our CTO Sean Gilmour will be on-hand at the event and sharing the stage with Dell.
​​
A Real-Life Journey on the Upgrade to SAP S/4HANA 1809
Wednesday, September 25   
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Session ID: CAA221
Add to Calendar

Join us for a discussion of the methodology and the process used to migrate to SAP S/4HANA 1809. We will discuss the pitfalls, the success, and the overall project. We will not dig into the details on failed activities but will give everyone a sense of the timing and skill set needed to be able to accomplish such a herculean task.
​​
Integrate SAP Edge Services with Dell Gateways for IoT
Tuesday, September 24
2:00 p.m - 2:30 p.m
Session ID: DS98061
Add to Calendar

This demo session shows customers and partners how to minimize efforts for integrating IoT gateways together with SAP Edge Services, into SAP landscapes using a Dell Gateway for IoT with SAP software. Find out how these precustomized IoT gateways can be delivered preinstalled, pretested and prevalidated through SAP Edge Services. Approyo CTO Sean Gilmour will be a special guest for this session.

Meet with the Approyo Team!
Our experts will also be on-hand throughout the show. To secure your 1:1 meeting with an expert and learn why "Approyo > Bacon", click here.

We look forward to seeing you at TechEd!

Monday, September 16, 2019

How can the Intelligent Enterprise Impact the Mining Industry?

The digital economy is disruptive. Mining companies need strategic priorities that drive transformation. SAP supports a reimagined set of E2E business scenarios to support the strategic priorities of working in a digital environment.

  • Make the business more predictable, sustainable, and safer - Advanced predictive analytics and machine learning integrated with real-time information help make vast operational data more actionable. Predict outcomes or exceptions to support the right decision-making, making mining more predictable, sustainable, and safer for the workforce
  • Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and workers - Transform interactions with all stakeholders into an interactive, collaborative, and responsive network to strengthen relationships, digitalize data exchanges, make the business more agile, increase profitability, and digitalize the worker.
  • Enhance operational and commercial agility - Achieve real-time visibility into operations and run a mine like a factory based on advanced planning and execution to increase agility by combining IT and operational technology (OT) along the entire pit-to-customer process.
  • Increase productivity through automation - Digitalize and automate manual processes and focus on value-added processes for employees while automating operations to keep workers out of hazardous environments.

Supporting next practices in mining with intelligent ERP
Transformation in the mining industry is occurring at a rapid pace. Changes in technologies, business environment standards, and the need for agility require constant adaptation. Mining companies must be able to respond to rapidly changing conditions yet still comply with all standards. How does a digital core with a true single source of truth help?

Mining companies must respond to rapid change
A digital core is an IT architecture that offers stability and long-term reliability for core enterprise processes yet also provides the flexibility to adapt quickly to new opportunities, challenges, and regulations. In today’s environment, mining companies cannot continue with old ways of working, so they need to change how they operate. This impacts the industry and its IT –the backbone of modern business –which has to be agile to ensure compliance. Support for mergers and acquisitions is also required to ensure swift adaptation to changing markets.

Mine smarter, not harder
The ability to respond quickly is an essential part of managing a mining business. To do this, simulation, prediction, and analytical capabilities are important components. For example, this can be the simulation of profitability scenarios to identify the best method of mining or to determine the best time to sell a mine.

Generate additional value from data
While overall processes in mining do not change much, the speed of business is disruptive. Mining companies need the computing capability to carry out complex algorithms with large data sets to support timely, real-time analysis. The base data comes from sensors that enable precise digital twins of equipment and processes. In a mine, data sets will be available that can be used by machine learning to improve equipment efficiency and availability. This provides more-reliable information for all related processes. For example, mine production output can be planned and executed more reliably.

Addressing innovative opportunities
In the commodity business, you have to differentiate yourself. Mining companies must improve customer interactions as well as increase operational efficiencies to gain a competitive edge. This impacts every facet of business, including end-to-end (E2E) processes across departments and even company borders. Collaboration and sharing of resources will be part of the new operating models –from customers to mine operations.

The Intelligent ERP
Bringing SAP S/4HANA and SAP Leonardo technologies together as a digital core will result in a more flexible and intelligent enterprise. To achieve next-generation business processes, mining companies need an intelligent ERP solution. For example, machine learning can help in daily business by helping ensure the correct spare part is ordered by using image recognition to identify the correct version. Early adopters have already begun this journey to gain the competitive edge for a top seat in the next-generation mining business.

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. Get started today...