A quick guide to SAP

SAP is a massive topic area, so it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re in a rush or just want to know the basics, this guide is for you. SAP was founded in order to develop software which helps companies manage their operations and customer relations. They have grown to be one of the leading producers of such software and are often the first port of call for the management of business processes. They create solutions for data processing and information flow for organisations.

The Origins of SAP

SAP stands for Systems, Applications and Products, originally named ‘Systemanalyse Programmentwicklung’ in German. The company was originally started in 1972 with only five people. Over the decades, the company has grown exponentially, with influence across the world, although they are still based in Walldorf, Germany.

Now, SAP has over 105,000 employees! They are the company that set the standard for enterprise resource planning software and they have continued to expand on this with the introduction of SAP software. Having introduced multiple versions of their software, as well as constant improvements for businesses, SAP now has over 230 million cloud users.

What is SAP software used for?

SAP software solves all sorts of problems- including the control of business functions, optimising workflows and how data is stored. One example of this is the problem of shared data which needs to be accessed by multiple businesses. Separate businesses traditionally store all their own operational data for themselves. This means that it is difficult to access when it comes to sharing information and accessing data when businesses want to collaborate. As well as this, it means that the same information is stored by more than one company meaning that both companies have to pay the cost to store the data.

SAP is a solution for businesses that allows you to centralise data management. This way, you can save money on data storage as well as eliminate the likelihood of mistakes and errors. It helps a business to better manage its processes since all members are able to gain access to insights throughout the entire enterprise in real-time.

Accelerated workflow, operational efficiency, productivity and customer experience all stand to be improved by the use of advanced SAP software. All of these benefits also lead to even higher profits. The advantages are clear, so it’s understandable why SAP has amassed so many users over the years.

What is ERP software

ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is software which includes programmes that assist in a whole range of business areas. This includes things like procurement, production, materials management, sales, marketing, finance, human resources and more. These fundamental elements can be greatly helped with the use of ERP software.

What does SAP do?

SAP systems help any business improve its profits through a whole host of benefits. No matter what the size of your company or the industry that you work in, SAP can offer you help. It can be adapted alongside changes in business and will continue to grow sustainably.

Whether you have a smaller business, a growing company or even one that is already established, SAP can help. The software can be used to collect data on a platform and process it. This can be used across industries. Anything from purchasing materials to producing items and customer satisfaction can be supported by SAP.

SAP can be put in place at your location or it can be used more remotely from the cloud. Either way, it can be used to support companies by allowing them to analyse and design their value chain. As well as this, SAP software can be hugely beneficial when it comes to predictions. It can be used to build forecasts and look at what is likely to happen or be needed in the future. For example, it could be used to predict when you may need to repair a machine or what sort of financial gains you will receive in the coming period of time.

SAP can also help your business by linking your operational data about the processes in your business to experience data, which encompasses how the customer feels and interacts. Looking at the links between these two data sets can help you to gain a deeper understanding of the results you are receiving in order to improve the experience for your customers, and in turn, boost sales and profits.

What SAP solutions are there?

There is a whole range of SAP solutions that can be provided for you, no matter what your industry or how large your business is. Some of the solutions that may be a good choice for your business include:

· ERP and finance
· Network and Spend Management
· Digital Supply chain
· Industry Solutions
· Experience Management
· Business Technology Platform
· HR and People Management
· CRM and Customer Experience
· Small and Midsize Enterprises

With such a range of options available, there is sure to be something that caters to the needs of your business, so if you want to enjoy the many benefits of SAP solutions today, it is as simple as choosing the ones that are right for you.

Who can help with SAP?

Here at Bluestonex, we have the experience and knowledge to help you find specialist solutions that can really make a difference for you. We are a Shropshire-based software and services company with a focus on SAP technology. With years of practice and understanding, our team is equipped to help you when it comes to forming a strategy and finding the best solutions that can work wonders for your business.

Building strong foundations through the use of SAP allows your business to grow and expand, ensuring that your systems can thrive. So, to find out more about setting up your SAP solutions, simply get in touch with our friendly team today.