What is the difference between a public and private SAP access ?

IDES24 offers both public and private SAP access for S/4 HANA or ECC 6. What is the difference?

The "simple" public SAP access is used by several users from different organizations. Here you have constant changes and movement in the data, as many people work and practice on it at the same time.

Private SAP access is only accessible to you and your team. In this case, a special dedicated "SAP Client" is set up for you. Almost all data and settings are therefore in your hands.

Accordingly, private SAP accesses are more expensive than public pool accesses. But what are the detailed advantages of having your own SAP client?

The following five factors can help you decide whether a private SAP client is right for you or not.

1. Reliability

The entire team has access to the same data set and can collaborate quickly and reliably. No one can change your data or configuration because your SAP client is private. This means that once you make adjustments, everything stays the same. If you use the framework for sales demos, training scenarios, exercises or as a development platform, for example, this security is important.

2. Privacy and Data Protection

When you use a private SAP client, no one else can view your SAP client or see what you are working on. Everything is exclusively for use within your team. This means that you can also work with sensitive company data.

Furthermore, other team members cannot access ABAP users' development data because they have their own private namespace.

3. Performance

An elastic server hosts many of our private SAP client options. Depending on the number of users logged in, the server performance adjusts immediately. This means that server load times remain optimal at all times.

4. SAP Test Environment

It is much better to let employees work on a training or test server than on your live SAP system. A small mistake could have fatal consequences and cause high costs. to eliminate such a chaos. Private SAP access is a great way for developers to prepare for migration to a newer version or release of SAP (e.g., an S/4HANA implementation project).

5. Adaptability

Flexibility is a big advantage when you want to win over a customer. It is never a good idea to work with a data set that is locked because someone else is using it.

With IDES24, there is no time limit on how long you can be logged in. You have full control over which release you want. Private SAP clients are available for ECC 6.0, S/4HANA 1809, S/4HANA 1909 and S/4HANA 2020.

Your next Steps:

What is the difference between SAP IDES and BBP?

• BBP and IDES are both the pre-installed data packages in an SAP system, such as fictitious companies, customers and other sample data.

• The big difference is that BBP is a much smaller data set. Instead of thousands of available customers or suppliers in IDES, BBP contains only a few dozen of such data.

• IDES was available for the releases SAP R/3 and SAP ECC
  BBP is now included from S/4 HANA

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SAP IDES (Internet Demo & Evaluation System) consists of a set of basic configuration settings for all standard SAP modules and also contains large amounts of sample data (i.e. customers, suppliers, companies, transactions, etc.).

IDES was first published in 1995 and was available for the SAP R/3 and SAP ECC releases. However, IDES no longer exists for the new SAP S/4 HANA system. It was replaced by SAP BBP, Business Best Practices.

BBP (Business Best Practices) packages are very similar to IDES - they also contain basic configuration settings and sample master data and sample transactions. The big difference is that BBP is a much smaller data set. Instead of 1000 available customers or suppliers in IDES, BBP contains only a few dozen such data.

SAP Best Practice (also known as SAP Rapid Deployment Solutions, SAP RDS) is a standardized content database to support implementation projects with executable business processes. It is based on the comprehensive and flexible model that the SAP Best Practices team has cultivated from implementations in more than 50 countries with over 10,000 customers.

When we log in to both systems, ECC and S/4 HANA, and look at company and customer data, for example, the difference becomes visible:

IDES Data in SAP ECC

BBP Data in S/4 HANA

So we see that the large amount of sample data in IDES has been significantly reduced in BBP, and perhaps SAP has realized that you don't necessarily need thousands of customer and company data - some selected sample data is probably sufficient to test, try, learn and work in an SAP system.

What do you think?

5 steps to become a SAP EWM Freelancer

The demand for SAP EWM freelancers is growing worldwide. With projects already underway and a lack of talent to support these upgrades and implementations, SAP EWM freelancers seem to have an endless stream of project offerings.

The demand for SAP EWM knowledge means that junior and senior consultants alike are considering further training in this area. If you already work in SAP WM, TM, LE, Logistics or SCM, the transition to work as an SAP EWM consultant can be a lucrative career step. So what do you need to do to become a fully qualified SAP EWM Freelancer?

1) TRAINING IN SAP EWM

It may seem obvious, but the training is the first step in implementing your first SAP EWM project. For SAP consultants who are currently working with a management consultancy or on a permanent contract, your company can provide such training either by sponsoring you to attend a training course or by conducting it internally. The last option is particularly useful if your company is upgrading to EWM anyway.

If you plan to conduct the training yourself, SAP is of course the most renowned training provider. There are local training facilities, but these should be thoroughly examined before registration.

2) READ INTO SAP EWM

SAP Press provides some reliable resources that complement learning in seminars and training courses. Here are some basic books that will help you get started on your journey:

• SAP EWM Architecture and Programming

• SAP Warehouse Management in SAP S/4HANA: Embedded EWM (SAP PRESS)

• Warehouse Management mit SAP EWM

In parallel, YouTube demos and tutorial videos by experts from the EWM sector will have a great learning effect.

These resources should also be seen as a complement to certification training rather than a cheap substitute.

3) PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Besides reading, anyone who is serious about a solid start as a SAP EWM Freelancer should gain practical experience with the system - e.g. with a SAP EWM access.

Many freelancers, consultants and experts recommend that newcomers to the field get access to an IDES server. Access to an IDES server allows you to practice building your warehouse from scratch and work in a risk-free environment. This practice will help you to take the first steps in your first project with a little more confidence.

4) STAY IN TOUCH WITH SAP EWM SPECIALISTS

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to find and connect with like-minded experts in a field. This is no different in the freelancer area of SAP EWM. Use this platform to meet with experienced professionals, share experiences and resources.

An insider tip for getting to know experts is to contact good SAP blog operators. The more they write, the more you can learn from them.

5) DEVELOP A WHOLE UNDERSTANDING OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT

Chances are good that you come from the SAP WM, LE, TM, Logistics or SCM areas and already have extensive experience with warehouse processes and standards. For any successful SAP EWM consultant, it is essential to have a strong foundation in warehouse management outside of SAP. This knowledge enables you to go beyond the basics and generate special added value in your projects.

SAP Certification: Overview and career opportunities

SAP is a global company specializing in business software, including customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supplier relationship management, and more. SAP began in 1972 in Waldorf, Germany, under the leadership of five former IBM engineers who wanted to offer standardized software for integrating business processes. Today SAP has more than 345,000 customers and more than 84,000 employees.

SAP reports that 87 percent of Ford Global 2000 companies and 98 percent of the 100 most valuable brands use SAP solutions. In addition, 100 percent of the top scoring companies reported by Dow Jones also use SAP, and 4 out of 10 major German companies rely on the ERP system from Waldorf. 
To meet the need for qualified professionals, SAP offers an extensive certification program to ensure excellent product and customer support and to close the IT skills gap. The SAP certification program currently includes more than 350,000 certified SAP experts worldwide.

Overview of the SAP Certification Program

SAP offers more than 150 certifications, each of which is focused on a specific SAP product. You can search SAP certifications on the company's Website by product, solution category or delivery method, and location. Certifications are typically found at the associate, subject, or professional level, which can be understood as follows:

User certifications: These are aimed at people who are not yet familiar with SAP solutions and have familiarized themselves with SAP technologies in manuals or training courses. 

Expert certifications: These build on the references of the associate level and identify professionals with skills in specific components or roles. 

Professional certifications: These certifications distinguish people with a sound knowledge of SAP solutions and practical experience.

No prior knowledge, training or other certifications are required for Associate and Professional level certification. To receive a professional certificate, candidates must have an Associate level credential.

Furthermore, SAP certifications do not require re-certification. But to ensure that your qualifications remain current, SAP monitors your logon credentials and notifies you if one or more of your logon credentials are out of date. The company develops delta checks when an SAP solution is released that has undergone significant changes. Certification holders must take one or more delta exams within six months to keep their skills, knowledge, and certifications up-to-date.

SAP certification exams

User and Professional Level certifications require a single exam. For Professional Certification, candidates must pass both the Professional and the User exams. You can purchase an exam voucher from the SAP Web site and take the exam at an SAP Training Center.

Some certifications are available in the cloud via SAP certification. With SAP Certification Hub, you can take up to six exams over a 12-month period for an annual subscription of €500. (The fee for certification in the cloud is roughly equivalent to the cost of an exam at a physical test center. So it may be worth taking the time to check which certificates are available through the Cloud Program.

SAP Solution Categories

Those familiar with SAP certifications may recall that in the past, certifications were classified according to job roles such as system administrator, system architect, and developer. While job roles still play an important role in the certification program, SAP now classifies its certifications by solution categories. This makes it easy for SAP professionals to find training and certifications that match their areas of interest and expertise within a company. There are different solution categories:

•      SAP Ariba Procure-to-Pay (P2P)

•      SAP Business One

•      SAP BusinessObjects

•      SAP Customer Relationship Management

•      SAP Enterprise Resource Planning

•      SAP HANA

•      SAP NetWeaver

•      SAP Solution Manager

•      SAP Supplier Relationship Management

•      SAP Supply Chain Management

•      SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP Sybase ASE) 

•      Enterprise Mobility Solutions

•      Industry Solutions

In these categories, most certifications fall into the user level, but you will also find many professional and specialized certifications in the entire SAP certification portfolio. SAP lists all current certification exams here. Since we cannot cover all categories and certifications in this article, we take a look at some of the most popular SAP certification solution categories to give you an overview of what SAP has to offer.

SAP NetWeaver

SAP NetWeaver is a popular platform; here you can find SAP NetWeaver certifications that focus on managing SAP applications such as ERP, CRM, Java, and ABAP, as well as Business Warehouse, Portal, integration technologies, and development. The available certifications vary by category, but here are some examples of these current certifications:

Administration: Technology Associate - SAP NetWeaver 7.4,
Technology consultant OS/DB Migration for SAP NetWeaver 7.4

Warehouse: Application Associate - Business Intelligence with SAP NetWeaver 7.0

Portal: Technology Associate - SAP Enterprise Portal 7.4.0

Technologies for process integration: Development employees/technology employees - Process integration with SAP NetWeaver 7.31

Programming of ABAP: Development employees - ABAP with SAP NetWeaver 7.40 or 7.50

SAP also offers numerous NetWeaver training courses, including training for project teams.

SAP Solution Manager

When you think of technical support, think of SAP Solution Manager. SAP Solution Manager enables professionals to manage complete SAP-based solution environments, including selection and implementation, daily operations, and ensuring system reliability.

SAP offers numerous training opportunities and certifications to prepare professionals for working with SAP Solution Manager. Training is divided into several subcategories, including general solution overviews, project management, End-to-End solutions, configuration, and application.

SAP offers various certifications for those responsible for implementing and maintaining systems with Solution Manager, including several Certified Technology Associates specializing in change control management, business process monitoring, and business process interface monitoring. Each certificate comes with its own roadmap of recommended training.

One of the interesting SAP Solution Manager certificates is the SAP Certified Associate Project Manager. This certificate goes beyond traditional project management skills and focuses specifically on the validation of skills required to manage SAP projects. The exam topics include data management, key results in the work process, business process management, management of technical solutions including the ASAP methodology, implementation of SAP projects, Enabling-tools, key concepts for ASAP, training within the SAP methodology, change management, SAP NetWeaver capabilities, test and cutover management, and "Running SAP like a factory" with enabling tools.

SAP Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP Sybase ASE)

SAP maintains a complete training and certification portfolio for anyone interested in DB administration, integration, security, development, or performance. In addition to SAP ASE, these include SAP IQ, SAP Replication Server, SAP Power Builder and SAP Power Designer.

The SAP ASE portfolio has two subcategories: ASE Administration and ASE Development. Each offers an individual Technology Associate certificate.

The ASE Administration track includes the Technology Associate - Database Administrator for SAP Sybase ASE 15.7. Exam topics are:

•     Database-Backup

•      Serverconfiguration

•      Tuning with Logical Process Management

•      Transactions with Transact-SQL functions

•      Architecture and Installation

•      Maintenance 

•      Security

•      Table Management

•      Database Management and 

•      Data Analysis

The training focuses on SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and includes a fast-track course for career starters. Other courses include System and Database Administration, Performance and Tuning: Configuring Adaptive Server Enterprise and Powering On with Sybase Adaptive Server.

In the ASE Development area, SAP offers the SAP Certified Technology Associate - Development Consultant for SAP Sybase ASE 15.7. This exam validates a candidate's knowledge of data analysis, query optimization and statistics, query access methods, join processing, table and index structure, transaction concepts, stored procedures and optimization, and ASE performance tuning and basics. Recommended courses include Fast Track to SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise and Performance and Tuning: Adaptive Server Enterprise 16.0 Query Optimization.

Related professions, training and resources

SAP certifications affect almost every business process in all major industries. A quick search on online job exchanges provides insight into the range of jobs available for SAP-certified individuals. A sugar manufacturer in Minnesota is looking for an SAP developer to design, build, monitor, test, and optimize SAP ERP applications. A leading technical service provider is looking for an SAP administrator who "owns" all aspects of the customer's SAP application infrastructure and is focused on managing SAP Incident, Problem, Risk, and Change Management A global SAP Business One Value-Added Reseller is looking for an SAP technical sales representative to provide consulting and support services for SAP ERP solutions to its customers.

Whether you are a business analyst, business process owner, developer, IT administrator, team leader, trainer, power user, or executive working with SAP products, you will find a wide range of career opportunities. SAP offers classroom training at its SAP training centers around the world. There are also live virtual classrooms taught by SAP experts that include access to live SAP systems for immersive learning. You can also attend interactive e-learning courses that complement classroom training by registering for a single course or subscribing to multiple courses.

The SAP E-Academy offers training courses to help you become familiar with specific SAP solution areas and prepare you for certification exams. You receive one to five months of access to self-study courses. SAP e-Learning provides access to individual courses for anyone interested in an individual course. Candidates who want to deepen their knowledge can register for Live Access, which enables them to practice existing knowledge in a supported SAP environment. If none of these learning options is suitable for you, take a look at the SAP Learning Hub, which provides round-the-clock access to all the courses you require.

Finally, SAP provides sample questions for most CERT exams, formerly current questions from previous live exams. You can view sample questions by clicking the PDF link for sample questions on the Web page of an exam.

Visit training.sap.com to learn more about the opportunities in the area of SAP training.

5 steps to a successful ERP implementation

It is time to consider a new ERP system for your organization? And it's your job to ensure that it is successful? These 5 tips will help you to achieve a smooth implementation. You will learn how to define your scope, involve the right people in your process, why ERP training is important and more.

1. Define the requirements

Before addressing any aspect of ERP implementation, you need to define the scope of requirements. In the description, focus on a few key factors such as:

• The selection of proven business processes and system requirements

• Make a complete list of requirements

• Define your pain points and your challenges

• Which systems are currently in use?

• Define what you can optimize

• Set yourself realistic goals

Remember - the more details you can formulate now, the easier the implementation in the future. Defining the new ERP requirements precisely also makes it easier to select the system. You can also include this information in the supplier proposal to ensure that all requirements are considered before implementation. The choice for an Enterprise Resource Planning software package is endless. Each vendor has its own specific advantages and characteristics. Once you have addressed your pain points and business process needs, selecting a vendor will be much easier. 

Select employees who will help with preparation and information searches and provide feedback. Make sure to include people from different business areas, because it is you who will ultimately use the new system. Don't keep this project exclusively in the IT department. Allow selected end users to help with your selection process.

Do not rush through this important first step!

2. Think unconventionally

Avoid unnecessary "customizing" and individual adjustments. Any additional customizing of the system that is built into this project will usually cause difficulties in the long run regarding future upgrades, bug fixes and support.

Research indicates that individual customizing of ERP systems takes up most of the time of an ERP project. These statistics also show that customizing can be a necessary evil. However, it is important that you have these additional upgrades under control to avoid long delays and large cost overruns.

3. Consider future enhancements

When planning, you and your team have focused on what features are necessary for go-live, and that is extremely important. But you also need to think about the "next steps" that need to work in the future. During step #1, you can create a "wish list" of features that the staff has requested but which are not yet necessary to get started.

Keep these features on hand so that they can be purchased as soon as time and budget permits. This step will help you keep track of the long-term success of your ERP program and evaluate ERP vendors.

4. The importance of choosing a team

As mentioned in step 1, it is important to involve employees outside the IT department in ERP development. Those who work on the system every day are usually best able to formulate which functionalities are missing, how business processes can be improved and problems in the current system can be localized. Listen to them.

A big advantage is also that the user experience will be easier if everyone feels they have a voice in the process and the new system, rather than suddenly finding themselves in front of the new system. The feeling of being confronted with a fait accompli is usually very unpleasant. Involve managers and department heads from each functional area. These managers are responsible for talking to the employees and will help to collect and pass on information.

Changes in routine are initially negative for most people. A holistic communication strategy therefore helps employees to build up an understanding of why this change is necessary. If the employees are involved in identifying problem areas and making improvements, "heroes" are created among them, which make their work much easier.

Create your teams early and communicate with them. Create a precise plan and make sure you are in line with your vision with the business decision makers.

5. Training

Training, education and even more training. Be sure to provide adequate training for your personnel. If your staff is well involved, they will be more motivated to attend user training. You may even be able to get end users to be curious about the new solution. 

A successful ERP implementation requires a strong training program. If employees do not know how to use the new system, they will not get the most out of all the new functionality you have worked so hard on. This missed step will make the implementation less successful.

End user training is essential for your successful ERP implementation. Don't skimp on this part of your ERP budget.

End users who are not well trained will start working with workarounds on a daily basis and leave new functionality unused. This in turn will cause difficulties with many other interfaces and reduce the potential for savings. 

Good luck.