The BRIM project from SAP's point of view

Optimal results with support from SAP directly

Since, in addition to SAP SD, various in-house developed billing systems were also used for the various postal services, these were also to be centralized and harmonized. In order to be able to react flexibly to new services in the future, the decision was made to use SAP BRIM as the billing and invoicing system. E-3 Magazine spoke with Kirsten Hussung, Chief Business Process Consultant at SAP Germany and a SAP BRIM consultant for almost ten years.

"SAP BRIM is an SAP solution geared towards bulk billing and billing of services, which maps the entire consumption-to-cash process in an integrative and future-oriented way and is on SAP's strategic roadmap."

Kirsten Hussung, Chief Business Process Consultant, SAP Germany

Ms. Hussung, how should SAP BRIM be viewed in the overall context of SAP solutions?

Kirsten Hussung, SAP: BRIM consists of the S/4 Hana components SAP Convergent Invoicing, Customer Financial Management, SAP Contract Accounts Receivable and Payable FI-CA and Subscription Order Management, SOM. The SAP Convergent Charging component responsible for rating and charging is located outside of S/4 Hana. And importantly, it can also make sense for users of classic SAP ERP to switch to SAP BRIM even before migrating to S/4, especially if complex services and mass data predominate.

Where do you see the strengths of the billing solution?

Hussung: Clearly in process automation for handling the consumption-to-cash process for mass data, and with high scalability. Despite the bulk current account, it greatly simplifies complex billing processes to create a consolidated invoice, regardless of the upstream systems and data structures. The functionality of dependent BITs, i.e. Billable Items, supports the billing and invoicing of partner fees or credit notes, both in the intercompany area and for external business partners. I also see the fact that BRIM is integrated end-to-end with S/4 Hana Finance, Treasury as well as Controlling as a major advantage for a 360-degree view of accounts receivable. 

Does a company using SAP SD now have to "turn this off" when implementing SAP BRIM?

Hussung: No, not at all, both solutions have their raison d'être. For example, anyone who invoices materials and classic products can do so via SD, and in parallel use BRIM for other services, such as digital services with mass billing. After all, it makes no sense for a machine manufacturer who sells perhaps a hundred machines a year to invoice them via SAP BRIM. However, if he sets up a few machines and offers contract manufacturing as pay-to-use or factory-as-a-service, possibly even via a digital marketplace, then BRIM can certainly be the complementary billing solution for this.

What would you recommend to put such a mammoth project on a secure footing right from the start? 

Hussung: From my experience, I know that it is extremely important to have a central core team for such large projects, if possible across all project phases, in which those responsible for the project on the customer side as well as the consultant side meet regularly. In this way, tasks can be distributed among different shoulders, but everyone still has an understanding of the common approach, and no one drifts off in a different direction in the various subprojects. This core team can then be involved again and again in the subsequent projects and also motivate the users. Good communication is also crucial for the success of the project - and that is not always easy with so many people involved.

And what is most important from your consulting experience with BRIM?

Hussung: The key issues are process harmonization in order to achieve uniform, consistent processes across all areas. Here, it is important to really pass this on to the end users. This is the only way to show the departments where the benefits, the added value, lie for them when the processes are harmonized, when invoicing processes and accounts receivable processes are uniform. Care should also be taken to discuss and develop everything together with the business side throughout the entire project, because they know best what the optimal solutions are for them.