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re: SAP implementation question
Posted on 6/15/13 at 9:02 pm to TigerFanatic99
Posted on 6/15/13 at 9:02 pm to TigerFanatic99
seems like you could have someone build a custom package for what you need for much cheaper than probably just purchasing sap, much less having it implemented.
I remember fooling with sap about 10 years ago for purchasing and it was really crappy.
I remember fooling with sap about 10 years ago for purchasing and it was really crappy.
0
Posted on 6/15/13 at 9:15 pm to cptigger
I'm not familiar with SAP but I have a lot of experience with Oracle ERP implementations. Bottom line is all these multi-year, multi million dollar implementations, if not planned and 'phased' well can turn into CFs.
I've seen as many succeed as fail. You have to start small to go big. Else you will go down in flames.
As to the benefits, once your business reaches a certain size and complexity, off the shelf software, spreadsheets and home grown customer applications will not do the job. SAP and Oracle are not 'sexy' but they have a whole lot of functionality needed to support large enterprise level complexity. You can go best of breed and do a bunch of apps to try and replace these behemoths but then you bite off more than you can chew again in terms of integration.
So many parts to this problem.
I've seen as many succeed as fail. You have to start small to go big. Else you will go down in flames.
As to the benefits, once your business reaches a certain size and complexity, off the shelf software, spreadsheets and home grown customer applications will not do the job. SAP and Oracle are not 'sexy' but they have a whole lot of functionality needed to support large enterprise level complexity. You can go best of breed and do a bunch of apps to try and replace these behemoths but then you bite off more than you can chew again in terms of integration.
So many parts to this problem.
This post was edited on 6/15/13 at 9:16 pm
Posted on 6/15/13 at 9:31 pm to siliconvalleytiger
The ERP system has to be bought into in every level and every profit center.
It's so much more than software.
I wonder how far some of these systems will take us in 20 years....
It's so much more than software.
I wonder how far some of these systems will take us in 20 years....
Posted on 6/15/13 at 9:36 pm to dewster
quote:
I wonder how far some of these systems will take us in 20 years....
I look at large implementers like SAP and Oracle and at least in the last 10 years, I haven't seen them change all that much. There really isn't that much competition when it comes to enterprise level back office systems.
There are 'cloud' offerings out there like salesforce and workday and others but I don't consider them enterprise. They don't have the bells and whistles to run billion dollar plus companies. Cloud players are still very much niche.
Posted on 6/15/13 at 10:20 pm to siliconvalleytiger
This. While SAP has everything you could ask for regarding customer account management, it lack in customer communication tracking and management. We use Salesforce in combination with it.
Posted on 6/16/13 at 3:43 am to TigerFanatic99
This is why there are so many SAP and Oracle consultants at most of the major firms in the world. 
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:58 am to lynxcat
This is also why both SAP and Oracle can charge exorbitant amounts of money for the products, end of life them within 7 years and then force you to upgrade and pay even more in implementation costs.
It is a monopoly and leads to the worst customer experience with little or no recourse if you are a large enterprise with complex business needs.
Both companies have also 'bought out' most of their competitors at this point so don't expect it to get any better anytime soon.
It is a monopoly and leads to the worst customer experience with little or no recourse if you are a large enterprise with complex business needs.
Both companies have also 'bought out' most of their competitors at this point so don't expect it to get any better anytime soon.
Posted on 6/16/13 at 12:14 pm to lynxcat
...and why becoming proficient in SAP can become lucrative if you are willing to travel.
This post was edited on 6/16/13 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 6/16/13 at 1:59 pm to siliconvalleytiger
quote:
This is also why both SAP and Oracle can charge exorbitant amounts of money for the products, end of life them within 7 years and then force you to upgrade and pay even more in implementation costs.
It is a monopoly and leads to the worst customer experience with little or no recourse if you are a large enterprise with complex business needs.
Both companies have also 'bought out' most of their competitors at this point so don't expect it to get any better anytime soon.
With that said, the business world would come crashing to a halt without SAP and Oracle. I'm too lazy to look up the market share (also because they buy the competitors) but I would bet it is quite significant.
Companies rely on their products...but they do proverbially have you by the balls.
Posted on 6/16/13 at 2:00 pm to dewster
quote:
...and why becoming proficient in SAP can become lucrative if you are willing to travel.
Yes but that line of work sounds terrible. Doing SI for a living is just not my thing...
Posted on 6/16/13 at 2:06 pm to lynxcat
That's exactly my point. They have the market cornered. There aren't very many options outside of those 2. I was in the SI business for Oracle and experienced this firsthand.
Posted on 6/16/13 at 5:55 pm to siliconvalleytiger
I like Salesforce for CRM...at least that is what I have heard is gaining more traction from people that do this for a living. Cloud application and more agility seems a big plus.
Surprised the government hasn't forced Oracle and SAP to breakup the oligopoly.
Surprised the government hasn't forced Oracle and SAP to breakup the oligopoly.
Posted on 6/17/13 at 10:26 am to lynxcat
I'm a software developer/consultant for Microsoft Dynamics AX. ERP software is a huge tank on your budget, although once you have implemented it, you will potentially be much better off. Some companies will get throttled by implementing an ERP package, and most of that boils down to poor management from what I have seen. The company undergoing an implementation needs to be ready to pay up the costs up front, as it will be cheaper in the long run.
Posted on 6/17/13 at 11:10 am to cptigger
quote:
My company is currently implementing SAP. needless to say it has been and continues to be the biggest CF ever. I blame much of it on my company for lack of preparation. Question I have is, has anyone recently gone through this and what can I expect moving forward?
Is SAP that beneficial as far as efficiency is concerned? What benefits are there to it?
Fwiw I'm a sales rep and the issue is that the office has no clue what they are doing. Really making it hard on the sales force and our customers.
As an ERP consultant. You're in for a long road. I trained on SAP while in school, I hated it. SAP has the potential to bankrupt your company so be careful.
I would recommend making a cheat sheet for all the entry codes and work to make sure it was setup properly to capture everything you need to capture. The implementation cycle is long and very difficult.
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:21 pm to oklahogjr
SAP = slow arse process
Posted on 6/17/13 at 9:51 pm to lynxcat
quote:
Yes but that line of work sounds terrible. Doing SI for a living is just not my thing
Do it for the federal government like I do. Travel to client site usually just means getting the next Washington Metro ride. 2-3 times a year I get to travel outside of DC, which is fine.
Posted on 6/17/13 at 10:04 pm to foshizzle
It isn't the travel...I just hate tech implementation work. It is necessary and extremely important but it is not where my interests lie.
Posted on 6/17/13 at 10:25 pm to Asgard Device
quote:yes...started doing SAP consulting with a big firm back in 1995...left them to go independent in 1999 and never looked back. most projects were 12+ months long. most of the times, they were painful for all involved, but some were very smooth...depends on management's willingness to dedicate the necessary time and resources on the analysis and design end.
The kind feller that runs this site is a SAP guy as well, I think.
Posted on 6/18/13 at 1:17 pm to cptigger
quote:
My company is currently implementing SAP. needless to say it has been and continues to be the biggest CF ever.
quote:
has anyone recently gone through this and what can I expect moving forward?
continues to be the biggest CF ever.
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