SAP keeps companies connected to their most valuable processes by offering a full view of the product life cycle and other key business operations. In fact, 77% of the world’s transaction revenue comes into contact with an SAP system.
Businesses that choose to run SAP often do so after a period of a thorough investigation into the costs, benefits, and capabilities that SAP can offer. Here, we’ll discuss some of the main talking points of SAP systems so that you can discover the ways that SAP can take your business to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAP?
SAP is a company that provides enterprise resource planning software, which centralizes data and operations for businesses. SAP enables each department across an organization to share information and access common data in order to optimize overall business operations performance and management.
What does SAP stand for?
SAP is an acronym that stands for System Applications and Products in Data Processing.
What does SAP software do?
SAP collects, stores, and processes data across business applications and functions in one simplified platform. Effective communication is the key to the success of any organization, and SAP allows businesses the necessary transparency to improve productivity in areas such as:
- ERP
- Accounting
- CRM
- UX
- Network management
- Spend management
- Intelligent supply chain
- HR
- Compliance
- And more
Increased Transparency and Productivity with SAP
Today’s business models are shifting from fragmented data management where each business function operates and is stored in separate databases to a holistic and centralized data management perspective.
Instead of each department process being separated into different systems and applications, SAP software allows all business functions and operations to be visible and accessible from one streamlined interface. Because company data can be stored in one location, the data is also processed and organized from that location as well.
Data centralization is important in business operations for a number of reasons. First, it reduces instances of data duplication which can become costly as data storage needs grow over time. It also allows businesses to accelerate workflows with access to real-time insights across an organization.
Many organizations use legacy systems that have data stored from years of analytics, which is an appealing case for those companies that wish to build their own connected interface. But because the average web developer has less than five years of experience, this can be quite an undertaking.
That’s where SAP comes in: to help companies raise productivity, enhance customer experience, and increase revenue.
Key Business Benefits of SAP Solutions
SAP software provides companies with the ability to make data-driven decisions faster than ever before by utilizing machine learning tools that can analyze and organize information in an actionable way.
One of the greatest benefits of implementing SAP software solutions is its versatility. SAP applications can be tailored specifically for industry needs and even down to organizational needs as well. Additionally, the innovative technologies that SAP uses ensure that businesses are equipped with the tools they need to power their business for years to come. Cloud-based solutions and smart automation tools bring top-of-the-line tech to even small and mid-size enterprises.
Businesses also choose SAP because it allows processes and workflows to be fully customized for a number of network configurations. Whether your company uses the public or private cloud, or a hybrid of on-premise solutions, there are many ways to implement SAP systems with the tools that you need and nothing else.
Streamlined Implementation
Switching over an entire business ecosystem is a huge undertaking, but there are many SAP implementation services that simplify the process of deploying SAP solutions. A team of experienced professional developers assists companies with planning and creating an environment with limited errors, redundancies, and data loss.
The support that SAP implementation services give to organizations is essential to the continued growth and profitability of small and medium-sized businesses in particular. While larger enterprises may already have the resources readily available to implement SAP on their own, most smaller organizations will not typically have those kinds of resources on hand.
Enterprise Resource Planning
Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, is a kind of application system software that helps businesses manage staple business functions such as sales, marketing, procurement, supply chain, orders, fulfillment, and more. This unified system provides clear insights into business functionality while also producing real-time insights that are accessible across an organization.
ERP software makes sense out of big data, helping companies maintain profitability while also increasing their sustainability in the long term. SAP software solutions bring ERP solutions to life, with an ERP that integrates with data from all your other business applications as well. This means that you can make use of all of your resources in order to create accurate reports and forecasts.
Centralized Data
SAP solutions are a centralized platform where business data can be stored, organized, and processed in meaningful ways. In a centralized system of information and data management, company data is maintained within a central location and accessible by various departments.
Additionally, each department can access information from other departments. This creates a unified and holistic view of business operations so that each department is well aware of their integral role in the business, as well as being aware of the key insights and data that can be used across departments.
A centralized data management solution such as SAP software eliminates common data errors such as duplication, discontinuity, and redundancy so that the information being analyzed is as accurate as possible. This means that the results of your forecasts and reports are bound to be more accurate, too. Increased accuracy, increased visibility, and increased data value are possible with SAP solutions.
SAP HANA
SAP HANA is the foundation of SAP systems. With the ability to encompass database and data management, it is a single database that adds flexibility especially for multi-model features and developing applications. What makes SAP HANA different from traditional relational databases is that it is in-memory (vs. storage) and that data is stored in columns rather than rows which dramatically speeds up data access, while reducing the DBA workload.
It’s also responsible for the agility and speed that SAP solutions bring to organizations. SAP HANA works at top speeds to deliver analytics and insights that can help improve business operations. 24/7 support and regular updates and enhancements that include machine learning and AI functionality are another reason why more businesses choose SAP.
Cloud, On-premise, or Hybrid
SAP HANA can be deployed both in the cloud and on-premise, which means that for any business systems set up there is an SAP solution available. Many businesses with on-premise data centers want to protect their legacy systems so that they don’t risk losing any of their vital business data that has been accumulated over time. Fortunately, on-premise, hybrid, and cloud SAP solutions are available to meet any number of specific business needs.
As more companies continue to accelerate their digital transformations, migrating to the cloud or a hybrid cloud environment is a vital next step that SAP solutions can also streamline. If it’s time to move to the cloud, there are many integrations and services that can help your organization plan, organize and deploy SAP in the cloud.
Security
Cybersecurity is one of the top concerns for organizations large and small in the wake of a series of major supply chain cyberattacks and ransomware attacks at the end of 2020. Is a centralized data system really safe? Can operating business applications with cloud-based platforms lead to data breaches? What about protecting customer privacy?
The fact is that SAP cloud solutions come equipped with security applications to help monitor your network, connections, IoT devices, and more. SAP solutions provide professional cybersecurity protection around the clock in addition to continuous leak detection and IT security management. SAP also helps you manage compliance regulations so that you can protect your assets and your customers, too.
Final Thoughts
Data is more manageable than ever before despite the alarming rate that big data continues to grow. SAP solutions connect over 5 million organizations to the enterprise resources and communication solutions that they need to operate in the Digital Age.
The need for data storage and simplified integrations has grown rapidly since more vendors and suppliers are looking toward business processes that can match their customer’s need for speedy delivery and accurate results. An SAP system provides a single platform where business apps can interact, communicate and share data in real-time so that employees can focus their efforts on less tedious backoffice matters.
Digital transformation and the sweeping adoption of business technologies such as SAP have helped businesses overcome their competition on a global scale. The need for an organized and central database is growing as companies collect more data, and develop more complex business functions. Customer expectations are evolving as well and the future of business relies on speed and connectivity.
Taking the leap into an SAP system that keeps crucial business data all in one place, up-to-date solutions, and easy access for authorized users no matter where they are located is an important next step for many businesses that want to remain relevant and competitive in the coming years.