The Config Team Combines Software and Services Offerings to Modernize SAP Supply Chains
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Key Takeaways
⇨ The Config Team utilizes a strategic approach, combining software innovation with credible consulting to address complex supply chain challenges, highlighted by their integrated solutions such as PreBilt™, which enhances real-time inventory management.
⇨ Their products, including CodingControl™ and IDoc Management Console™, empower businesses to streamline operations and improve efficiency by automating manufacturing processes and enabling quicker resolution of IDoc failures without heavy IT involvement.
⇨ The Config Team emphasizes co-innovation with clients, offering workshops and tailored solutions that leverage their expertise in SAP supply chain modules, allowing businesses to tackle specific challenges with bespoke applications that integrate seamlessly with existing systems.
Software and credible, pragmatic consulting can be a powerful combination in solving today’s complex supply chain challenges. One of the SAP partners at the recent MasteringSAP Connect event in Gold Coast, Australia, The Config Team, has laid out a strategy for serving supply chain organizations in the SAP space that can be depicted as a triangle with innovation in the center, and software, consulting, and Application Management Services (AMS) at the three points. The family-owned company recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and specializes in the design, development and implementation of SAP (ECC and S/4HANA) supply chain solutions that deliver integrated end-to-end supply chain processes.
“The software piece of the business solves the often-challenging UI/UX of SAP supply chain applications and allows The Config Team to reach a much larger population of end-users than is possible with just consulting,” said Andrew Moses, Managing Director at The Config Team.
One of the company’s software offerings is called PreBilt™, which is a rapid-deployment, low-code mobile RF solution. With direct integration to SAP, PreBilt delivers real-time stock visibility across the end-to-end supply chain. Companies that are running their warehouses on SAP Inventory Management (IM), Warehouse Management (WM), Stockroom Management (StRM) or Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) can benefit from PreBilt’s mobile inventory management capabilities. Compatible with SAP ECC and S/4HANA, PreBilt is designed to digitize warehouse transactions. The product enables processes such as goods receipt, putaway, picking and inventory counting, to be completed more quickly, more efficiently and with greater accuracy. With barcode scanning capabilities and real-time analytics, PreBilt is an intelligent mobile solution in its own right that has reduced supply chain operational costs for customers.
CodingControl™ is another product from The Config Team, which is an SAP certified IoT platform that integrates SAP to production line devices to send the right data to the right device, at the right time. Compatible with both SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA, CodingControl facilitates the data flow from SAP to one, or multiple, devices including primary coders, video equipment, secondary case labellers and palletizers. The product serves manufacturers battling product waste and recalls, production re-works and downtime, often attributable to a disconnected manufacturing environment that relies on multiple human touch points to manage and control the production line.
The third solution in The Config Team’s product portfolio is the IDoc Management Console™, which provides a central cockpit to view and manage failed IDocs. This solution takes IDoc resolution away from IT teams and puts it in the hands of business users, for quicker, more effective results.
Moses explained that consulting remains an important part of the business strategy with a loyal customer base and ample opportunities aligning with the SAP cloud roadmap, but acknowledges the potential of software to reach more customers globally. The company sells its software products directly to customers and through resell and referral partners including SAP. The company is expanding into the Australia market and remains committed to maintaining a smaller company culture. The company has always emphasized the importance of culture fit in hiring and has a graduate academy to develop talent. The academy has been running for six years and has over 40 talented participants, and is a foundational pillar of the corporate culture.
The Config Team has a history of co-innovating with its customers, in emerging areas like AI. The team is looking at AI solutions as a means to maximize productivity and provide real-time insights for supervisors. They are also constantly working to make SAP more user-friendly, and have recognized the potential for AI to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
What this means for Mastering SAP insiders
Talk shop with existing The Config Team clients. Learn how best to leverage The Config Team’s portfolio of products and services by talking to existing clients. One example is Sigma Healthcare, which needed to transition from manual, paper-based processes to a more efficient system in their new distribution center. The Config Team implemented SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) with Material Flow System (MFS) integration, automating conveyor operations and enhancing picking and packing processes, leading to improved operational efficiency, increased picking accuracy, and enhanced user engagement. Another example is Rather Outdoors, which acquired a company using SAP and needed support to manage and optimize their inherited SAP systems. The Config Team provided support across SAP EWM processes, ECC, IBP, and roles and security, operating through a helpdesk system for incidents, service requests, and change management. And another example is Deli Home, which sought to enhance warehouse operations across multiple sites by implementing a mobile solution integrated with SAP EWM. The Config Team deployed PreBilt™ for EWM to execute SAP EWM transactions on mobile devices within five warehouses across the Netherlands. The implementation streamlined processes such as goods receipt and picking and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
Don’t forget about The Config Team’s SAP Application Management Services (AMS). With strategic planning, problem management and root cause analysis included in AMS, The Config Team aims to maintain SAP supply chain systems to meet long-term needs, reduce TCO and ensure systems continue to operate at peak performance levels. The company staffs an expert Basis and Security and Authorizations (S&A) team to proactively manage SAP system security and integrity. SAP AMS offers 24/7 global coverage, providing functional and technical services to ensure seamless operations, all backed by a dedicated Service Delivery Management (SDM) offering. Contracts are customized to meet specific business requirements, ensuring that support aligns with organizational needs.
Co-innovate tailored solutions with The Config Team. Supply chain leaders can join collaborative workshops and design thinking sessions with The Config Team to identify specific supply chain challenges and develop tailored SAP solutions. Both teams brainstorm and prototype innovative solutions, leveraging The Config Team’s expertise in SAP supply chain modules. Clients can also create bespoke applications or enhancements that address unique business requirements. The opportunity is to work closely with The Config Team’s development experts to design and implement custom SAP functionalities, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.
