SAP S/4HANA Implementation: Streamline Operations with SAP’s Leading ERP Solution

In this rapidly evolving world of ERP systems, SAP S/4 HANA has indeed turned out to be one of the most popular tools among businesses of all types. SAP S/4 HANA is a high-level ERP suite that is built on SAP S/4 HANA in-memory database. It allows businesses to acquire real-time insights into their business operations and streamline their various business activities. The companies are also able to acquire an excellent return on their investment. As per the latest data, companies that are using SAP HANA to improve operational efficiencies had, on average, achieved an ROI of 679% over a five-year period. So, here are going to provide you with a complete guideline on how exactly you can implement SAP S/4 HANA in your existing system:

SAP S/4 HANA – Which Operational Model Should You Opt For?

SAP HANA comes in different editions. So, you need to do your research well and pick one such edition which is appropriate for your business type. Here are the details of each edition:

SAP S/4 HANA On-Premise

This version can be hosted in your data centre. You can either choose a hyperscalar or a data center provider of your choice for implementing this product. In this edition, you will have to ensure that your hosting provider or data center operator can offer you all the technical prerequisites for the implementation process. In this kind of implementation process, you can define the landscape for the implementation all by yourself.

In the case of an on-prem SAP S/4 HANA implementation, your company will be fully responsible for purchasing the necessary hardware and administering and installing the software. You will also be required to have a capable IT team install this system in your data centre.

SAP S/4 HANA Public Edition

This edition is a cloud version of the on-prem release. This release is the base on which the on-prem version rests. However, it has been built from scratch to run natively on the cloud. The public edition is mostly suitable for all those companies that are willing to avail of the various benefits of SAP S/4 HANA without having to incur the entire cost of ownership. The implementation process is also reasonably fast.

This release is completely maintained and hosted by SAP, making it easier to install and maintain. The overall cost associated with it is also quite low. This is the reason why most medium to small-scale companies choose to opt for the public edition of SAP S/4 HANA cloud. It also supports different business areas.

SAP S/4 HANA Private Edition

This particular operational model makes use of the same codebase as the on-prem edition. However, it is hosted by SAP in a premium or hyperscale data centre provider of your choice, like Azure, Amazon Web Services, or Google Cloud Platform. The SAP S/4 HANA private implementation is perfect for all those companies that operate in regulated industries like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, defence, or government sectors and wish to have complete control over their SAP HANA deployment process.

Although this release offers you greater control over your application and IT infrastructure, the implementation cost is a lot higher. So, if budget is not a constraint for you, then this is the edition that you need to go for. The private edition also offers greater data security. You are also able to carry out all your business operations with maximum ease and efficiency.

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Choosing an SAP Implementation Partner

Before you start transitioning to SAP ERP, it is important that you get into the right implementation partner for your business. SAP S/4 HANA implementation partners bring in the necessary expertise and best practices. These make sure that you are able to make the most out of your SAP implementation process. Here are some of the different types of SAP implementation partners for you to choose from:

SAP Systems Integrators

They can bring a wealth of knowledge, resources and global coverage to the SAP S/4 HANA implementation process. A lot of big names are already making use of system integrators to help them with the implementation process. These SAP implementation partners offer their services across multiple industries. They also have the necessary knowledge to help you meet almost any kind of SAP requirements. However, SAP system integrators are mostly ideal if you operate a large-scale business with diverse and complex requirements.

SAP Partners & Resellers

If your company does not want to work with global system integrators, then you may opt for the services of a SAP reseller or partner. This is often the most suitable option for small and medium-scale businesses that deal with agile SAP implementation projects. SAP classifies its resellers and partners into multiple categories based on the services they provide. It also offers yearly awards to the partners and resellers that are most competent and follow a highly innovative implementation approach. So, you must go for one SAP reseller or partner who has been given a really good ranking by SAP. This will ensure that your implementation process gets carried out most appropriately.

Building a Team

Simply hiring a SAP implementation partner is not enough. It is equally important for you to have your own team ready to work with them on an end-to-end basis. Your in-house team must have the right knowledge to get the SAP implementation done accurately. This will ensure that the project operations get carried out without any kind of delay. The exact size of the implementation team will completely depend on how complex the project is.

Here are some of the key members of an SAP implementation team:

SAP Implementation Project Partner

It is really important for you to have an internal SAP S/4 HANA implementation project partner who would manage the operations of the project on an end-to-end basis. The project manager will ensure that your business goals are fulfilled. A good project manager makes sure that your project gets implemented on time and within your budget. For bigger projects, you may also consider hiring additional project managers for different functional areas of your business.

S/4 HANA Key Users

You must also appoint multiple key users and make them a part of your S/4 implementation process. For example, you may appoint a finance head as the key user for your finance department. The finance head will be able to ensure whether the financial aspects are met. You can also bring in key users for every single department that will be availing of the benefits of SAP S/4 HANA, like logistics, supply chain, procurement, production, and beyond.

Executive Manager

The executive manager will dedicate his complete time and focus on the operations of the SAP implementation project. Implementing SAP is a challenging affair. It comes with a lot of risks. The executive manager ensures that the risks are mitigated on time. This allows the implementation process to be carried out smoothly.

Change Management Professionals

These individuals are a big part of the SAP S/4 HANA implementation journey. They will help your company understand the exact impact of SAP implementation. They will quantify the benefits of SAP implementation on your behalf and document the changes. The change management professionals will also be responsible for conducting training on SAP usage and implementation.

SAP Best Practices

Although the SAP S/4 HANA implementation process can be complex, it offers endless possibilities. When configured and customised correctly, it can help you fulfil any business requirement. By leveraging SAP best practices in your SAP S/4 HANA implementation guide, you will easily be able to reduce the implementation cost, time and risks. You will also be able to avoid the need to build all your SAP implementation modules from scratch. By following the SAP implementation practices, you will also be able to customise your SAP systems to the best of your abilities.

How does Silver Touch help you to implement SAP S/4 HANA?

SAP S/4 HANA implementation partners can really benefit your company. The experts at Silver Touch Technologies take your core business needs into account. With them, you can easily get your SAP system customised so it aligns with your company requirements. The company will also offer you ongoing support and maintenance for your SAP systems. This will guarantee maximum uptime and business efficiency. To learn more about the SAP implementation process, get in touch with the Silver Touch SAP experts.

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