Realizing and Operating Enterprise Systems

Objectives  Outline the realization phase  Discuss transition approaches  Describe enterprise system operations from “go live” to support

Installation steps  Size the system  Decide on installation type  Check on installation requirements  Install and configure hardware, network and base software  Design file layout  Install central instance  Define database  Build and load database

Configuration  Modifying “plain vanilla” enterprise system to support organization  Industry specific settings  Unique characteristics of particular industry or market segment  Company specific settings  Unique characteristics of company

Interfaces  Programs that that allow enterprise system to exchange data with legacy systems  Inbound and outbound  Almost always custom-built

Authorizations Business Processs Executive Board Executive Officer Strategic Planner Managerial Accounting Managerial Accounting Manager Managerial Accounting Specialist Managerial Accountant Project Accountant Financial Accounting Management Financial Accounting Manager Financial Accountant Tax Accountant Joint Venture Accountant Marketing Marketing Executive Product/Brand Manager Marketing Research & Analysis Manager Procurement Sales Executive (Key) Account Manager Sales Representative Sales Administrator Service Service Executive Field Service Representative Service Center Technician Resource Management Resource Manager Procurement Procurement Executive Strategic Buyer Purchasing Agent Maintenance & Facilities Management Maintenance & Facilities Executive Maintenance Manager Maintenance Clerk Maintenance Engineer Real Estate Administrator Roles Employee Manager Purchasing Agent Manager Employee

Change levels in SAP R/3 Basis System Software Customer programs R/3- Applications (SAP Standard) Customer develop- - ment Enhance ments Customizing Modification user exits

Data conversion  Need to transfer historical or legacy data to new system  Requires custom programs  Similar to interfaces  Usually one-time uploads

Transition approaches Old New Parallel Transition OldNew Phased Transition New Old Pilot Transition Direct Cutover Old New

Testing  Unit or function testing  Includes data conversion programs, interfaces, and authorizations  Occurs throughout realization phase  Integration testing  Final step before “go live”

Go live and support  Quality assurance checks and evaluations  Optimization and refinement of the production environment  Follow-up training and assessment of end- user needs  Refinement of systems administration procedures  Project review

Summary  Outlined the realization phase  Discussed transition approaches  Described enterprise system operations from “go live” to support