SAP meaning is "system, applications, and products in data processing."
This content is focused on the mySAP ERP application, which is the follow-up product to SAP R/3 softwre, mySAP ERP is one of the applications within the mySAP business Suite,
- mySAP ERP
- mySAP Supply Chain Management (SCM)
- mySAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- mySAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
- mySAP Product Lifestyle Management (PLM)
mySAP ERP is an application that is designed for mid-size to large customers, as opposed to SAP Business One, which is the application SAP designed for smaller organizations.
mySAP ERP is built on the SAP Netweaver platform, which is an open source business process platform that permits customers to create, among other things, tailor-made business solutions. These customized applications can be used in conjunction with powerful, already existing application of Netweaver to integrate with mySAP ERP, creating solutions ranging, for example, from seamless integration with Microsoft Office to customer- or supplier-facing web portals.
This content is not a general list of functionalities found in the mySAP Business Suite, nor does it focus on all applications within mySAP ERP, nor is it a list of release notes listing the differences between R/3 and ECC. It is instead a compilation of over a decade of consultants' hands-on SAP Sales and Distribution implementation advice, all based upon the latest release of my SAP ERP.
SAP Application Integration
SAP is an ERP software product that seamlessly integrates the different functions in a business (such as sales, procurement, and production). SAP provides rich functionality in each of these business areas without sacrificing the convenience of an integrated system.
These applications update and process transactions in real time, allowing seemingly effortless integration and communication between areas of business. For example, you can create a billing document and release it to Accounting and observe the updated billing values in a customer analysis immediately, without having to wait for day-end or month-end processing.
THE SAPGUI
The SAP graphical user interface, or SAPGUI, runs on all well-known operating systems.
The appearance of the screens and the menus displayed on them are configurable.
In ERR there anr numerous SAPGUIs. For example, the basic SAP screen looks similar to Figure 1-1. This screen will be referred to as the SAP menu. It is often obtainable by using transaction code [S000].
There's also a GUI available for SAP processes, for users without direct access to thier desktop computer. Thie is possible through the use of a web portal as seen in (The portal SAPGUI).
Customizing Tools
The cornerstone to SAP is the ability to configure the system to meet the needs of your business. This is done by customizing or adapting the system and application to respond like your business.
This is the process of mapping SAP to your business processes. An example of a business process would be capturing a customer sales order.
This process of configuring SAP is generally time consuming and costly, as one needs to fully understand the business processes and then find a solution in SAP to meet these requirements and customize it in the system while at the same time taking into account best business practices, international standards, and possibly a bit of business re-engineering.
The objective of this content is to teach you how to develop and enhance the Sales and Distribution module of mySAP ERP to its fullest potential, using time-saving tips and techniques, in order for you to effectively meet your business objectives.
From SAP version 3, the reference SAP Customizing Implementation Guide was available. Prior to version 3 of SAP, customizing of the system had to be carried out via menu paths and transaction codes, requiring considerably more time. For the purposes of the book we will be using the functionality found in mySAP ECC 5.0 and mySAP ECC 6.0 (ECC-ERP Central Component) as a reference.
Figure 1-3 is an example of the Implementation Guide (SAP Customizing Implementation Guide) or customizing screen, which we will call the SAP Customizing Implementation Guide.
This screen is the backbone for mySAP ERP configuration and determines how the system functions. We will be using the screen extensively for the purpose of configuring the Sales and Distribution module.
mySAP ERP Applications Overview
mySAP ERP applications are categorized into three core functional areas: Logistics, Financial, and Human Resources. Of these three functional areas, there is a further subdivision into applications or modules. In addition to these applications, SAP has created industry-specific solutions (ISs). A few examples of these are.
- IS-OIL For oil companies
- IS-T For the telecommunications sector
- IS-B For banks
- IS-Retail For retail
In addition to these industry solutions there are standard cross-application components. These tools are not dedicated to one unique application or module; they ard used throughout the system to integrate and automate SAP processes.
The following is a brief description and overview of a few of the major functional areas in SAP.
Financial Applications
This application component contains, among others, the following modules:
- FI Financial Accounting
- CO Controlling
- EC Enterprise Controlling
- IM Investment Management
- PS Project System
Human Resources Applications
The Human Resources module includes support for salary and payroll administration, as well as areas such as work schedule models. This core functional area is country-specific, due to country-related taxes, employee benefits, and employment laws.
This functional area contains, among others, the following modules:
- PA Personnel Administration
- PT Personnel time Management
- PY payroll
Logistics Applications
Logistics (referring to the supply chain) is the largest of the three functional areas. It includes, among others, the following modules:
- SD Sales and Distribution
- MM Materials Management
- PP Production Planning and Control
- LE Logistics Execution
- QM Quality Management
- CS Customer Service
We will be focusing on the Sales and Distribution (SD) module of mySAP. Refer to www.sapww.com for more tips and tricks relating to these and other modules.
Sales and Distribution Module (SD)
The Sales and Distribution module remains one of the key modules in mySAP ERP. It has always been one of the largest and most complex modules in SAP.
The SD module is made up of the following multiple components:
- Basic Functions and Master Data in SD Processing (SD-BF)
- Pricing and Conditions (SD-BF-PR)
- Extra Charge (SD-BF-EC)
- availability Check and Requirements in Sales and Distribution
- Credit and Risk Management (SD-BF-CM)
- Material Sorting (SD-BF-AS)
- Output Determination (SD-BF-OC)
- Sales (SD-SLS)
- Scheduling Agreements for Component Suppliers (SD-SLS-OA)
- Customer Service Processing (SD-SLS-OA)
- Foreign Trade/Customs (SD-FT)
- Billing (SD-BIL)
- Payment Card Processing (SD-BIL-IV)
- Sales Support: Computer-Aided Selling (CAS)
- Electronic Data Interchange/IDoc Interface (SD-EDI)
- Shipping (LE-SHP)
- Transportation (LE-TRA)
- Reports and Analyses (SD-IS-REP)
- Business Package for Internal Sales Representative (mySAP ERP)
In the content we will explain how to configure the majority of these components in the system.