1.
Cloud Computing
• Cloud computing can be defined in simple terms as the delivery of a software
product to a user via the Internet.
• The user typically accesses the cloud product through a Web browser or a
lightweight (meaning small and simple) application for a computer or mobile
device.
• Cloud computing is not a completely new concept, rather it simply represents
the latest stage of the development of computing and the Internet.
• To better understand how cloud computing will impact ERP system
development, it is useful to review the development of SAP’s ERP systems
with the advent of the Internet.
• SAP introduced its first version of SAP NetWeaver, a collection of
components that support business transactions over the Internet by providing
seamless connectivity of diverse applications.
• SAP’s NetWeaver platform is a collection of modules, including Enterprise
Portal, Mobile Infrastructure, Business Intelligence, Master Data
Management, and Exchange Infrastructure.
2. Sales Order Processing
• Sales orders can start from a quotation or inquiry.
• Information was collected from the customer to support the quotation.
• Critical sales order processing steps include:
▪ Recording the items to be purchased
▪ Determining the selling price
▪ Recording the order quantities
▪ Check the Accounts Receivable tables in the ERP database to confirm
the customer’s available credit
▪ If a customer has sufficient credit available, the order is completed.
▪ If not, the ERP system prompts sales personnel to reject the order.
▪ Call the customer to check on recent payments or contact Accounting
to discuss any extenuating circumstances.
3. ERP Modules
▪ Plant Maintenance (PM) module
▪ manages maintenance resources and planning for preventive
maintenance of plant machinery in order to minimize equipment
breakdowns
▪ Asset Management (AM) module
▪ helps the company manage fixed-asset purchases (plant and
machinery) and related depreciation
▪ The Human Resources (HR) module
▪ facilitate employee recruiting, hiring, and training
▪ Project System (PS) module
▪ facilitates the planning for and control over new research and
development (R&D), construction, and marketing projects
▪ Financial Accounting (FI) module
▪ records of transactions in the general ledger accounts
▪ Controlling (CO) module
▪ serves internal management purposes, assigning manufacturing costs
to products and to cost centers so the profitability of the company’s
activities can be analyzed
▪ Workflow (WF) module
▪ is not a module that automates a specific business function
4. ERP Implementation
▪ The Development (DEV) system is used to develop configuration settings
for the system, as well as special enhancements using the code.
▪ These changes are automatically recorded in the transport directory, which is
a special data file location on the DEV server.
▪ Changes recorded in the DEV system are imported into the Quality
Assurance (QAS) system, where they are tested to make sure they function
properly.
▪ If any corrections are needed, they are made in the DEV system and then
transported again to the QAS system for testing.
▪ Once the configuration settings and the programs pass testing in the QAS
system, all settings, programs, and changes are transported to the
Production (PROD) system, which is the system the company will use to
run its business processes.
EPC diagram Ch7 slide26
EPC diagram with organizational and data elements
Ch7 slide 12
Maria is a Fitter salesperson who travels frequently for her job. After Maria incurs travel expenses
on her personal credit card, she completes a paper expense report, makes a copy for her records,
attaches receipts for any expenses over $25, and mails the report to her zone manager at the branch
office. The manager, Kevin, reviews the report and either approves it or mails it back Maria with
a note asking for an explanation, verification, or modification. Once Kevin approves the expense
report, he mails it to the corporate office.
Figure 4: Deployment or Swimlane flowcharting for Fitter’s Expense Reporting Process