The SAP ERP system is a robust, powerful platform that has the power to connect everything your business does in one location, including supply chain management.
Unfortunately, the supply chain is often overlooked when it comes to using an ERP system. Many companies utilize SAP to support business processes, finance/accounting, project management, customer relationship management (CRM), and other functions. It’s time for the supply chain to receive proper attention!
The best way for supply chain managers to have a seat at the table is by utilizing an SAP ERP integration that connects all supply chain activity to the central hub of business operations. Then, your team can receive and share critical information to make informed decisions. Plus, your company will benefit from a more streamlined supply chain that saves time and money.
So, what’s the best path forward to set up your supply chain for success? Let’s dive into how an SAP integration works for the supply chain.
The True Value of an SAP ERP Integration for the Supply Chain
When set up correctly, SAP can help your company manage every aspect of the supply chain. SAP offers a holistic solution that can provide you with oversight into each of these areas:
- Buying
- Planning
- Scheduling
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Storage
From our experience working with companies in the supply chain, each of these functions is often siloed. Sometimes silos result from physical distance, communication gaps, or the sheer size of the operation.
For example, buying data is kept separate from the manufacturing team, and warehouse storage information is not visible to buyers. (Even worse, this data is typically located in multiple, complex spreadsheets that other departments can’t read or interpret.)
SAP helps break down silos and brings critical data together to help each team in the supply chain make informed decisions. When fully integrated, the supply chain runs like a well-oiled machine that supports the needs of everyone:
- Buyers can use a list of vendors to make purchasing decisions.
- Planners can see when orders are scheduled to arrive.
- Schedulers can manage the production plan with knowledge of when products will be available.
- Manufacturing can improve productivity because they know when materials will arrive and be available.
- Logistics teams can better coordinate the movement of products throughout the supply chain.
- Warehouse operators can optimize warehouse logistics by planning when and where to store products arriving at the facility.
In the SAP platform, all the data generated by specific teams in the supply chain can be shared, viewed, and accessed in real-time. And, if supply chain data is integrated with the entire company, other teams outside of the supply chain can make better decisions.
For example, customer service can address questions from a valued customer about the status of their order. The customer service team can instantly view the latest update in the system and provide the customer with a specific update on when the order is expected to be shipped.
Customer service and supply chain teams will be pleased because they no longer have to experience communication waste tracking down or providing the latest information. Everything is visible within the platform.
Take the Next Step Tapping into the Power of SAP
We understand that companies have many software tools. If you are considering migrating to the SAP platform, you might also wonder how it works managing the other supply chain tools you utilize.
Don’t worry. CloudLogix can help. We are experts at blending the use of SAP tools and technologies with other supply chain applications to integrate all data in one location. As an authorized SAP partner, we can help with any SAP integration elements that are required to maximize your company’s investment in software tools.
For example, you may have a separate fulfillment software system that manages how your company receives notice of a customer order, processes the order, and delivers the order. No problem! We can set up an integration that harmonizes all of that data in the SAP platform to create a centralized view of each order status.
Then, each team in the integrated supply chain will be able to execute their part of the process with ease. And, once an order is fulfilled, all of that data can be shared internally with other supply chain teams and externally with company departments such as accounting and finance.
Sounds pretty good, right? The question we are often asked, though, is how to turn this opportunity into the reality of how your supply chain actually runs and operates. Here’s how it works.
Work With CloudLogix to Optimize Your Supply Chain
The benefit of working with CloudLogix is that we have been in your shoes before. We are supply chain logistics professionals who have experienced your challenges firsthand. We know how difficult it is to enact change and introduce process improvements.
That’s why we start with an overall assessment of your current operating reality, then build toward operational improvements.
- We’ll review the supply chain software tools your company is currently using.
- We’ll identify opportunities to incorporate the supply chain into your company’s overall business environment.
- We’ll create a roadmap for SAP integration.
- We’ll look at the processes that your teams are currently following.
- We’ll identify areas to replace manual processes with automation.
- We’ll automate areas that are compensated with spreadsheets, emails, and phone calls.
- We’ll set up SAP ERP integrations with other software tools you utilize.
Just like SAP ERP is a holistic solution to support the supply chain, we take a holistic approach to analyze your supply chain. This way, we can deliver the right solution that will get you up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We focus on minimizing disruption and maximizing productivity so that you can realize time and cost savings. We have the resources and knowledge about SAP to make this transition as seamless as possible.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation about your current use of supply chain software tools. Let’s set you up with an SAP ERP integration that works for your company’s specific needs!
