SAP Process Integration


Role of Process Integration in Creating the Connected Enterprise

As organizations grow, so does the complexity of business processes that help organizations function efficiently. Organizations today want to embrace agility and resiliency to mitigate business uncertainties. To achieve these goals, they need to build end-to-end visibility and flows. Integration of siloed business processes is critical for building end-to-end views with the enterprise. This is where process integration comes into play. Process integration capabilities allow organizations to weave multiple processes into one flow, often tracking how information flows within enterprise systems. This integration, hence, provides a cohesive, end-to-end view of the business.

Role of Process Integration in Creating the Connected Enterprise

As organizations grow, so does the complexity of business processes that help organizations function efficiently. Organizations today want to embrace agility and resiliency to mitigate business uncertainties. To achieve these goals, they need to build end-to-end visibility and flows. Integration of siloed business processes is critical for building end-to-end views with the enterprise. This is where process integration comes into play. Process integration capabilities allow organizations to weave multiple processes into one flow, often tracking how information flows within enterprise systems. This integration, hence, provides a cohesive, end-to-end view of the business.

What Is Process Integration?

Point systems and applications within organizations have grown exponentially in the last few years. This has built fragmented business process data across multiple systems within organizations. Business process integration (BPI) enables organizations to weave their people, data, and applications in one cohesive view. Not all integrations are that comprehensive. Process integration can be simple as well, known as native integration, where the integration focuses on data flow, or it can be comprehensive like third-party integrations.  SAPinsider Process Automation SOM research report covers this aspect in detail.

Key Considerations for SAPinsiders

Map and understand process interdependencies. While the focus is on integrating processes and increasing end-to-end efficiency, it is critical to understand process interdependencies. Comprehensive business process mapping on key processes needs to occur simultaneously to understand interdependencies. Build swim-lane-style process maps that clearly illustrate how each process interacts with the other. Leverage best-in-class process mapping and design methodologies like SIPOC diagrams.

Use process integration to facilitate process automation. It is important to understand what the drivers are for inefficiencies and errors in a process. Methodologies like Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma can be useful to perform the analysis. Some of the most widely used and effective root cause analysis methods are Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Scatter Plot diagram, Fishbone diagrams, and Pareto charts. These need to be developed in conjunction with process maps.

Formulate a process visibility strategy. Process visibility remains a key aspect of any process transformation. However, it is important to realistically pre-define what is the desired level of process visibility and evaluate the feasibility of attaining that level of visibility.

Embrace intelligent automation. Technology today allows us to take process automation beyond merely automating manual, non-value-adding tasks. Process automation enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning allows you to further stretch the boundaries of process enhancement and move towards building a truly intelligent enterprise of the future.

1303 results

  1. Next Generation Self-Service Reporting with SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 4.0

    Published: 19/May/2011

    Reading time: 10 mins

    Learn about some of the new capabilities of SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 4.0 and how you can connect the tool to your SAP NetWeaver BW data. Key Concept SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 4.0 provides end users with self-service reporting capabilities. It allows users to create and edit their own reports and provides them with a...…

  2. How PCI Security Compliance Requirements Affect Your SAP System

    Published: 15/January/2007

    Reading time: 11 mins

    Card issuers are requiring merchants, banks, service providers, and card processors to take stringent measures to protect stored data. Establishing user security roles and minimizing end-user access to non-encrypted card data within your SAP system is essential for compliance. Key Concept The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) represents a common set of...…

  3. Thorough Process Documentation Maximizes Your Use of SAP Integration

    Published: 11/February/2010

    Reading time: 14 mins

    Learn how process documentation benefits your organization by streamlining business processes both prior to and after an SAP ERP Human Capital Management implementation. These recommendations for documenting processes ensure users understand procedures and that process measurement and controls are managed efficiently. Key Concept Process documentation is an area in which organizations often invest considerable effort,...…

  4. Achieve Complete Integration of Your Inter-Company Transactions within SAP ERP

    Published: 06/May/2010

    Reading time: 12 mins

    Take a detailed look at the configuration steps within SAP ERP that are necessary to process an inter-company transaction from start to finish. Key Concept Many companies consist of multiple subsidiaries and each is regarded as a separate legal entity. Some companies create this type of distinction for legal and regulatory reasons, while others simply...…

  5. Use These Two Reports to Correct Wrong Start and End Dates for OM Objects

    Published: 27/October/2010

    Reading time: 14 mins

    Learn how to change the start and end dates of objects in Organizational Management without creating data inconsistencies. You can correct objects created with wrong start or end dates. Key Concept In Organizational Management an object comes into existence only when infotype 1000 (object) is created. After it is created, you can create other infotypes...…

  6. SAP’s Overlooked Electronic Kanban Can Bring New Efficiencies to Your Shop Floor

    Published: 01/June/2004

    Reading time: 19 mins

    As a logistics professional, you might know that Kanban is a system to manage the execution of a manufacturer’s shop floor/distribution processes. It is a variation on the “two bin” system where parts are delivered to an assembly area in bins or other containers, one material per container. In Kanban, the assembly worker uses the...…

  7. A Checklist for Developing Your Global Template

    Published: 23/March/2009

    Reading time: 14 mins

    Discover the components of a global template and the advantages of implementing it across an enterprise. Key Concept A global template is a common approach and solution across geographies and markets. A global template formulates the strategy for business processes, system architecture, implementation methodology, change management, hardware, and value realization. The global template typically consists...…

  8. Easily Tie Compensation to Targeted Performance by Integrating SEM’s Balanced Scorecard with HR

    Published: 15/January/2006

    Reading time: 13 mins

    Learn how to integrate the Balanced Scorecard with HR to compare goals of the employees with company objectives. You can tie employees’ personal scores from the Balanced Scorecard to their salary. Key Concept Strategic Enterprise Management (SEM) defines strategies, scorecards, perspectives, objectives, measures, and initiatives. You can also form scorecard hierarchies and groups. In addition,...…

  9. Manage Documents with More Efficiency and Less Effort Using the SAP Business Document Service and SAP Desktop Office Integration

    Published: 15/November/2003

    Reading time: 2 mins

    Making it easy to store and access documents in a coordinated and centralized way delivers very real rewards for your organization. While you can create a homegrown solution or purchase an off-the-shelf product for this purpose, if you are running SAP Release 4.6A or higher you already have a robust and flexible document management solution...…

  10. Tips for Mapping Physical Production Operations to the Optimal Manufacturing Type in SAP ECC

    Published: 22/October/2013

    Reading time: 16 mins

    Management The requirement to integrate your SAP system with a shop floor system can have a profound impact on which manufacturing type you adopt. Learn the characteristics of each manufacturing type in an SAP system and the master data and transactional steps required to implement each in SAP ERP Central Component (ECC). View a decision...…