SAP Business Suite 7.0 - SRM Perspective
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In November 2008, SAP Germany held a grand series of workshops to mark its launch of SRM 7.0 Ramp-up, which was a part of SAP Business Suite 7.0. The workshop aptly titled "SAP SRM 7.0 RKT Workshop" remained true to its title and Capgemini was privileged partner to be a part of this knowledge transfer. Among several other 60 major global participants, myself, representing SAP Procurement Solution Management - Capgemini Belgium, Edwin Wouters - Senior SRM Consultant and Martin- putters - Profession Group Leader SAP SRM from Capgemini Netherlands took part in the workshop and gained rich insights.
The five-day intense workshop showcased the new and exclusive features of SRM 7.0 and how it is poised to help companies across the globe gain from this. SAP Germany discussed and elaborated on its global availability and release strategy to mark the entry of this Solution offering.
Participants from Capgemini were exposed to the fine details of:
- SRM 7.0 Product Knowledge and Deltas
- SAP's roadmap towards Procurement Solution Offering
SRM 7.0 - Highlights
General
- Sourcing and Procurement share by Revenue - SAP - 22 % (Leader - Forrester Research, 2007).
- SRM 7.0 is part of SAP Business Suite 7.0 ( ECC 6.0, SRM/CRM/PLM/SCM 7.0).
- SAP Business Suite 7.0 is being referred as ‘Stable Core'. Further modifications would be done by Enhancement Packs (EhP).
- Year 2009 - ERP 6.0 EhP5 - Others EhP1.
- EhPs eliminate major Upgrades.
- EhP offers ‘Pick and Choose' against ‘All or None' of Version Upgrades.
- Business Suite 7.0 offers UI harmonization across all solutions.
SRM 7.0
- Improved User Efficiency - Harmonised Roles across ERP and SRM.
- Purchasing Documents' Work Center (Quick selection criteria, work list for follow-on actions).
- Central Contract - combination of GOA and local SRM Contract.
ERP PO can be created by referring SRM Central Contract as Source of Supply.
- Centralised Sourcing - ECC PR can lead to SRM RFx.
- Bidding Engine enhancements - confirmation of Supplier's intention to respond to RFx, flexible bidding capabilities for Supplier like withdrawing bid, comparing bid verions, etc.
- New Auction type - Dutch Auction (Price starts low and goes up every X minutes, and the first bidder to ‘raise his hand' wins).
- Enhanced Sourcing -
ERP Service PR can lead to SRM RFx.
SRM RFx can lead to ERP PO/Contract.
- Collaborative Service Procurement -
SUS can now handle Services (with Hierarchy) along with usual Direct Materials.
SUS Vendor can respond to SRM RFx which can lead to creation of Service Entry Sheet in ERP.
- Transfer and Mapping of Texts across various SRM documents and also with ERP docs.
Long Text of SRM SC can be transferred to SRM RFx and also to ERP PO created from RFx.
- Team Purchasing Concept -
Users can define procurement substitues and make SCs accessible to them. Substitutes can search and take over Team SCs.
- Supplier Evaluation - Questionnaire creation and Supplier survey cockpit. BI reporting integrated.
- Technology Enhancements -
- Enhanced UI with WebDynpro (allows low cost customization)
- Harmonised UI for seamless usability across ERP and SRM
- Process controlled Workflow - BRF (Business Rule Framework).
- Non-disruptive innovation via EhP (Enhancement Pack).
- Robust Mobile and Desktop support.
Another highpoint of the workshop is that Capgemini has been chosen to be a ramp-up Customer for SAP SRM 7.0 Solution. For Capgemini, this is an added feather to its cap and Capgemini will already have a reference implementation when SAP announces un-restricted shipment of the Solution offering.
It was indeed a great sight to see several of the SAP partners come under one roof and it also provided for a good opportunity to network and extend our contacts to build future partnerships/business relationships. And myself being ex-collage of SAP and also being the part of the SRM 7.0 Development within SAP, along with Edwin and Martin capitalized on this.
For the participants, the workshop couldn't have been better timed for it also added to the Christmas cheer and festive glitter.
To sum up, It was a very good learning experience and indeed a delight to interact with so many key partner members. The workshop acted as a window to the SRM 7.0 Ramp-up initiative and am sure it will open many doors for all of us in Capgemini. It gives us more reasons to celebrate while ushering in the New Year!!