Denormalized database requires rethinking

SAP has started a paradigm shift with S/4 Hana, which at the same time revolutionizes the entire ERP suite and enables a continuous transition for the customer. FI and CO processes have already been merged, logistics and warehousing optimized, enabling fact-based, responsive decisions for purchasing, for example.

In order to meet the business case in both the short and medium term, a holistic approach from business and IT is essential that both optimizes the transition to Hana and S/4 Hana by means of a master plan based on facts, optimizes the operation and sourcing of the infrastructure in terms of costs, takes enterprise information management into account, and supports the business department with experience during the transition.

The existing information from a SharePoint installation should be integrated and the connection to Office 365 taken into account. Media discontinuities and disjoint data islands can thus be avoided.

This results in a goal-oriented program based on a master plan that is aligned with IT's business mission. An important point is the customer-specific use of the technology provided by SAP to improve and innovate business processes.

It is essential to analyze and implement these improvements at an early stage, as this is the only way to gain a decisive edge over market competitors.

Some examples

The changeover to the paperless factory with a digital vehicle file at an automotive manufacturer not only requires conversions when switching to a corresponding information structure, but also a solid and robust identity management.

This requires a front end for production staff that is optimized for their environment and requirements.

The use of the cloud is on the rise, and its agility gives it a decisive edge in reducing "time-to-market". However, without appropriate processes and governance, the cost of what should be cost-optimal infrastructure can get out of hand as the procurement process runs in minutes.

The often still rudimentary management tools of the cloud providers must be further developed to enable active management here.

A front end for purchasing not only requires structured data from the S/4 Hana system, but also quality reports and supplier evaluations, e.g., directly from SharePoint.

The benefits for preparing supplier meetings, for example, are clear. This information does not necessarily have to be integrated via a Fiori interface; it is just as conceivable to integrate the Fiori app into a corresponding interface for purchasing.

Alegri has approximately 2000 person-years of consulting experience and has in-depth experience in consolidating, preparing and presenting information to target groups for the digital workplace of the future through a multitude of SharePoint projects.

Through practical experience with S/4 Hana in the areas of Simple Finance and the modernized functions of Logistics, customers are advised on the target-oriented use of S/4 Hana.

All these possibilities require a solid and well-founded basis: Hana as a largely denormalized database requires a rethinking and rethinking of many processes, concepts and ways of working that were previously considered set.

Alegri can also support this change with many years of know-how and experience. The consultants bring years of Hana experience since 2012.

The proprietary framework for managing and optimizing the runtimes of SAP systems in the cloud ensures cost-optimized operation: resizings and the coordinated start/stop of SAP systems in the cloud can be performed in this way, even without SAP Landscape Manager.