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Implementing SAP R/3 Nancy Bancroft with Henning Seip and Andrea Sprengel 1997 | 334 pages ISBN: 013889213X |
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| $46.00 | Softbound print book | Out of print (?) | |
Preface
Preface to the Second Edition
Following the success of Implementing SAP R/3, Manning Publications asked author Nancy Bancroft to prepare a revision, focusing specifically on the details of configuration and the experiences of companies outside the U.S. as well as those involved in multinational implementation projects. Additional information in several other areas has been added to the original text as well.
Accordingly, we located two experts in configuration, Henning Seip and his partner Andrea Sprengel. Seip and Sprengel recognized the need for high-end configuration support during the implementation and maintenance phases of the SAP system life cycle. Together, they developed a full-service help desk for SAP's customers, providing expert implementation and post-implementation support using remote consulting techniques. This innovative service has been recognized as filling a critical need to reduce consulting expenses by the Gartner Group, the leading IT industry research and analysis organization. Together, they have prepared the more technical additions to the original manuscript resulting in the chapters The R/3 Basis Technology and Configuring SAP R/3.
Bancroft began a research effort focused on locating companies outside of the U.S. Several of these case studies are added throughout the text. In addition, a section titled Multinational Implementation Challenges has been added to Chapter 11. Based on this research on enterprise-wide systems solutions, a monthly newsletter, The ERP Insider: Enterprise Systems and Solutions, is now available.
The authors would like to thank Karin Schemmer of RTL and Dinesh Gambhir of Ernst & Young LLP for their review of the manuscript and their advice on the technical chapters. We also want to thank Karin Schemmer for the story of the RTL implementation and Brent Glendening, Ashok Bakhshi, and LLoyd Seltzer of Schindler Elevator Corporation for their support throughout this project.
We hope you will find this second edition of Implementing SAP R/3 to be even more helpful than the first.
Nancy H. Bancroft
Evergreen, Colo.
bancroft@rmi.net
Henning Seip
New Canaan, Conn.
hseip@TheConsultantsNetwork.com
Andrea Sprengel
New Canaan, Conn.
ASprengel@TheConsultantsNetwork.com
Preface to the First Edition
SAP's product R/3 has become an extremely popular choice for medium to large companies that need an integrated software product which will provide all the basic business automation. Implementing such a major change in any organization presents significant challenges. This book was written to provide guidance in that endeavor.
Late in 1995, I initiated a research study of R/3 customers-- companies that are in the process of implementing R/3 or that have completed its implementation. I interviewed more than 30 individuals representing over 20 companies. Several companies were studied in greater depth than others because of the universal nature of their experiences. This continuing research was not sponsored by SAP, since it was felt that an objective view would be most useful. SAP has, however, been most gracious in providing experts in their technology and implementation process, as well as access to several of their customers. The study also included discussions with consultants in some of the "Big 6" consulting firms.
This book will present an implementation approach which emphasizes methodologies that deal with the challenges inherent in all large system changes. It will also identify the issues specific to the implementation of SAP R/3. Change management approaches that have been found to be highly effective in a variety of settings and that are being modified to respond to the unique R/3 challenges will be identified. I will identify the critical rules that cannot be broken for the implementation team, the sponsoring executives, the project team members, and the ultimate users of the system. The book includes clear models and diagrams, along with many examples taken from real-life situations.
There are many people who contributed to making this book possible and I am unable to mention them all here. I interviewed people in over twenty companies. All were helpful and forthcoming with details of their particular projects. Information about some companies was obtained from the trade materials, Sapphire (the annual SAP Users Conference), or conversations with outsiders. Some companies are mentioned explicitly in the book, while others provided contextual material.
I wish to thank several individuals who have been of particular help in this project.
At SAP, Claire Herm, Dennis Ladd, Tyrone Scott, and Michael Spaventa graciously spent many hours on the phone with me, and provided details of the system I could not obtain elsewhere. I also want to thank Peg Culotta for arranging numerous contacts, including my attendance at Sapphire 1995.
Symmetrix, Inc. provided early support in this project. Erich Almasy hired me to write the initial articles about SAP. Eli Hauser provided invaluable research help.
Hanley Brite, my partner and husband, provided editorial and content review of the chapters regarding teams, change, and reengineering. As always, I am grateful for his encouragement and support.
Finally, I wish to thank Marjan Bace and all the production people at Manning Publications for their enthusiastic and helpful response to this book.
Nancy H. Bancroft
Evergreen, Colo,
bancroft@rmi.net
DESCRIPTION
SAP's R/3 is a robust integrated enterprise-wide system. Implementing SAP R/3 is a best seller that has significantly aided companies in meeting the challenges of implementing this complex package.Implementing SAP R/3 focuses on the major implementation demands of R/3; issues faced by a project team in a highly complex technical, business and change management situation. It is based on an objective research study of over 30 companies that have implemented R/3. Nearly 100 people were interviewed, including executives, project managers, change management specialists, consultants in the "Big 6," and SAP employees.
To further aid the reader, the second edition has been enhanced by the addition of detailed technical information regarding the R/3 system. Two new chapters have been added: The R/3 System in Depth and Configuring SAP R/3. Understanding the system and knowing how to configure it are the concerns most often expressed by both buyers and potential SAP customers. The chapters are full of graphical examples of the concepts expressed.
In addition, material has been added throughout the book to provide greater understanding of the pitfalls that can arise when companies implement R/3. In particular, a number of international real-life examples have been added to the book in order to provide a global view of enterprise-wide systems and solutions.
Translation rights for Implementing SAP R/3 have been granted for India and Slovenia. If you are interested in learning where to buy this book in a language other than English, please inquire at your local bookseller.