SAP Solution Manager (SOLMAN) Template Projects
In my previous post I discussed some of the functionality available in Solution Manager (SOLMAN) to capture and build business process scenarios, processes and steps. Once you captured this information it could be readily transformed into a test plan and SOLMAN functionality used to execute, manage and monitor testing.
This is good functionality and once your business scenarios, processes and steps are in SOLMAN you can use them as a baseline for additional projects.
Consider the “global template” scenario that crops up in companies today: a core set of business processes are designed and rolled out on a global basis – the only deviations allowed are those mandated by local legal requirements (a.k.a. localization). On top of this there are the business scenarios that fall outside of the business template. You don’t want to build a standard implementation project from scratch each time for the core business processes. This is where template projects save you time and effort.
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SAP WM/IM Consultant
Location: Northern Virginia, USA
Start Date: April 2010
Duration: 7-8 months
Description:
DataXstream is searching for a highly qualified, experienced and deliverables focused SAP Functional Consultant with expertise in inventory management (IM) and warehouse management (IM) for a project starting in April 2010. The position requires functional expertise with additional technical understanding and skills. This position requires you to work with the client and the implementation team to design, configure, test and deploy an SAP-based solution. The work will also identify and produce specifications for custom development objects.
The client expects to make informed decisions based on guidance from a proactive consultant who presents options for how to execute business processes and functions along with the pros and cons of those options.
The responsibilities of the position start after project inception and continue through go-live, user training and post go-live. If you meet or exceed these standards and would like to be a part of a highly skilled SAP consulting team please attach your resume and your completed application form below.
BD53 Doesn’t Play Well With Others
I recently posted a blog about how to implement field-level IDOC reduction for the HRMD_A message type. In short, the standard SAP transaction to reduce IDOC segments and fields (transaction BD53) can’t be used because the field-level reduction is ignored by SAP. My solution leveraged TVARV as a repository for the fields to clear. Read the whole solution here. A colleague of mine was very quick to point out that instead of using TVARV as the method for controlling which fields are cleared, I should have continued to leverage transaction BD53 for the IDOC reduction maintenance and changed my code to look up field level reductions in table TBD24.
What a great idea! Too bad I hate this suggestion… and it’s all SAP’s fault!!
SAP Integration Optimization
In any SAP implementation, there are a multitude of tasks and specialties happening all at once in preparation for Go-Live. Priority tasks such as business blue-printing and SAP core module configuration (FI/CO, MM, SD, etc.) take precedence over integration technologies such as ALE, XI/PI, and IDocs, as these are widely viewed as the “plumbing” of the SAP landscape. This SAP “plumbing” is needed, but “hidden in the walls” of the ERP system, and is rarely architected and managed at an Enterprise level. In larger ERP implementations, it’s very common for different groups to integrate to various systems independently and without regard to what other teams are doing. Legacy technologies may be incorporated as quick fixes, with plans to decommission later. Some teams may use a custom point-to-point integration approach, other teams will utilize IDocs, others will send messages to XI/PI via BAPI’s, and others may customize standard interfaces or use flat files.
After the system goes live, there may be a time period of stabilization, with a frantic scramble to make the system operational. Additionally, over several years, different projects and technologies will be incorporated. In larger companies, this can mean thousands of interfaces using dozens of different technologies coexisting in the support infrastructure. This “Band-Aid” approach to integration is typically never thought of as inefficiency that can be addressed to save real money in the organization, but merely viewed as a black box, or something the organization has to “live with.“
Even though the integration may fundamentally work well enough to run the business, there is definite and achievable ROI in re-architecting and optimizing the integration processes, especially in larger companies that have thousands of interfaces and hundreds of ways to connect them!
The return on investment of any project in SAP can have varied measures of success. Integration projects are no exception. Unique problems associated with company specific architecture impact the overall return. Listed below are the top seven identifiable ROI areas in integration technologies:
- Greatly increase cost savings in new development
- Reduce or eliminate the maintenance cost of multiple middleware technologies
- Provide better system performance during interface operation, speeding up the effective speed of the SAP system for end users
- Reduce the workload of users responsible for resolving errors, freeing them up to be productive on essential business tasks
- Reduce charge backs by retailers for improperly formed EDI
- Reduced head count by middleware consolidation
- Reduced hardware cost
To read more about these cost saving techniques please download the whitepaper here or simply click on the “Learn More” tab to the right to request this and other DataXstream white papers.
FortiusOne & DataXstream Partner To Deliver Visual Intelligence To SAP Customers
FORTIUSONE & DATAXSTREAM PARTNER TO DELIVER VISUAL INTELLIGENCE TO SAP CUSTOMERS SAP DATA TO BE ANALYZED AND VISUALIZED THROUGH FORTIUSONE’S GEOIQ
Arlington, VA – May 4, 2009 – FortiusOne, the leading provider of rich, dynamic Visual Intelligence, today announced their partnership with DataXstream, an SAP integration leader.
DataXstream will be integrating SAP enterprise data into FortiusOne’s GeoIQ for Enterprise. Through FortiusOne’s GeoIQ, enterprise customers can easily analyze and visualize their SAP enterprise data.
DataXstream’s integration solutions are built with standard integration design approaches and techniques while delivering robust designs to effectively manage high volumes, accurately deliver data when it is needed and recover from error events when they occur.
“Our partnership with DataXstream greatly extends our current reach into the enterprise market,” said Tony Bansal, President and CFO of FortiusOne. “By leveraging DataXstream’s extensive experience fusing cutting edge technologies with existing enterprise solutions, we can deliver Visual Intelligence solutions to all SAP business users. Enterprise decision makers can easily monitor critical business indicators for making tactical and strategic decisions like never before.”
DataXstream’s innovative implementation with FortiusOne’s GeoIQ will provide decision makers across the enterprise with a ‘geographic dashboard’ of dynamic data feeds of both SAP enterprise data and external data, such as demographic, GDP or foreclosure data. While FortiusOne’s GeoIQ currently supports the most commonly used data formats, such as spreadsheet data, shapefiles or Google Earth KML, DataXstream extends GeoIQ’s support to include SAP ERP data.
“We see huge potential in this collaborative partnership,” said Timothy Yates, CEO, DataXstream. “In extending the capability of FortiusOne’s GeoIQ, we can now offer our SAP customers access to GeoIQ’s cutting edge visualization and analysis capabilities.”
FortiusOne and DataXstream will be exhibiting their joint capabilities at the ASUG Annual Conference, May 11-14, booth number 858. Stop by or contact us to set up a meeting.
About FortiusOne FortiusOne develops rich, dynamic Visual Intelligence that enables business executives to readily identify trends, opportunities and threats and make the best decisions to succeed. By using the most advanced technology and an extensive range of economic, political, environmental and geographic data sources to deliver real-time dynamic geospatial representations, FortiusOne is the world’s leader in developing Visual Intelligence for commercial enterprises and government agencies. Users can easily correlate and visualize their proprietary data, existing GIS, BI, LI, and CRM data, and GeoCommons’ repository of almost 9,000 data layers to create insightful maps and reports to empower decision making.
About DataXstream DataXstream is an SAP Integration Leader in Systems Integration Architecture Consulting. Since 1997 DataXstream has consistently delivered robust, business-oriented, scalable solutions for a wide variety of SAP integration implementations. DataXstream brings an unsurpassed level of technical and functional expertise to engagements and frequently provides top level talent to large and complex projects run by SAP America. A partial list of clients and industries served by DataXstream is found by clicking here.
FortiusOne contact: Ruth Stiver, ruth.stiver@fortiusone.com, 703.647.2142 DataXstream contact: Doug Foss, dfoss@dataxstream.com, 757.941.4883
DataXstream Press Release – Xstream Connector from DataXstream Certified by SAP
Williamsburg, VA: February 20th 2009
Xstream Connector from DataXstream Certified by SAP SAP has formally certified DataXstream’s Xstream Connector product and Cforia’s connector integration. This is the culmination of extensive joint development by the two companies and provides customers with a standard, repeatable and fully supported mechanism to transfer data from SAP to Cforia’s application.
The Xstream Connector provides a packaged software solution that can be installed at a client site and have fully functional connectivity and data transfer established between an SAP system and Cforia in less than a day. Delivered via the SAP AAK (Add-on Assembly Kit) the Xstream Connector uses standard SAP messaging and output control techniques to seamlessly move data from SAP to Cforia in near real-time. The Xstream Connector contributes to the shortening of overall Cforia implementation timelines allowing SAP customers to rapidly reap the benefits of enhanced work flows focused on driving cash flow optimization.
About DataXstream, LLC Since 1996 DataXstream has been providing world class integration and infrastructure consulting services to companies running SAP. DataXstream specializes at integrating heterogeneous platform landscapes to deliver seamless business solutions. In recent years the DataXstream portfolio has expanded to include software development and certification for SAP complimentary products. DataXstream is a preferred vendor and referral partner for SAP.
About Cforia Software, Inc Cforia Software, Inc. (Cash Flow Optimized, Real-time Information Access) develops solutions that enhance cash flow management. Cforia’s software products extend the functionality of accounting systems like SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft and JD Edwards. Cforia’s customers are found in North America and Europe.
DataXstream Announces Virtual Integration Infrastructure at SAP® TechEd 2008 Las Vegas
Customers Can Integrate Now with Virtual Integration Infrastructure from DataXstream
LAS VEGAS, NV – Sept. 9, 2008
DataXstream today announced at SAP® TechEd 2008 Las Vegas availability of its Virtual Integration Infrastructure (VII): a powerful integration platform delivered as a utility service. DataXstream VII provides simplicity and affordability by pairing a comprehensive hosted integration platform with DataXstream’s deep integration experience.
“This is a great opportunity for DataXstream to maximize the value we bring to customers,” said Tim Yates, DataXstream CEO. “Our Virtual Integration Infrastructure allows us to implement full-functioned, end-to-end enterprise application integration (EAI) infrastructure in a matter of weeks. With DataXstream VII we free customers from the burdens of implementing and managing integration scenarios. We enable their IT resources to focus on activities that provide greatest business impact.”
The Virtual Integration Infrastructure (VII) by DataXstream is the world’s first offering in the burgeoning Middleware-As-A-Service (MAAS) market. By leveraging the first full-functioned EAI platform available as a service, DataXstream delivers world-class integration capabilities at a fraction of the cost and time of a traditional implementation. This type of utility based computing in the cloud is gaining momentum because it lowers development and support costs while meeting business requirements. MAAS is especially suitable for organizations that would not like to maintain an in-house data movement and transformation infrastructure.
In addition to a world-class technical solution, the VII platform is supported by DataXstream’s deep integration expertise. DataXstream integration specialists work with customers every step of the way—interface design, build, implementation, and support—to ensure integration scenarios not only fulfill the business needs for system integration, but do so in a cost-effective, robust, and secure manner.
“DataXstream VII scales with you,” said Craig Stasila, principal technical architect. “Our support team monitors system usage and availability to ensure that you have the resources you need, when you need them.”
DataXstream’s utility pricing means you only pay for the resources you use–similar to your mobile telephone bill. All inclusive pricing means an end to up-front software costs and maintenance fees, the overhead of server maintenance, hardware and operating system support, and the ever-increasing heating and cooling requirements of a modern IT infrastructure. DataXstream VII offers a real cost savings over any alternatives.
SAP TechEd 2008 is SAP’s largest ecosystem education event of the year, which is being held Sept. 8-12. DataXstream is exhibiting at TechEd in booth 23.
About DataXstream, LLC Since 1996 DataXstream has been providing world class integration and infrastructure consulting services to companies running SAP solutions. DataXstream specializes at integrating heterogeneous platform landscapes to deliver seamless business solutions.
In recent years the DataXstream portfolio has expanded to include software development and integration of products complementary to SAP applications.
DataXstream is a participant in the SAP Referral program.
SAP and all SAP logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
SAP TechED 2007
DataXstream will be exhibiting at the SAP TechEd 2007 in Las Vegas, October 1 – 5. Come see what the DataXstream has integrated SAP with. Also, enter your name for a chance to win an Apple iPhone.
Let the DataXstream Team show you how we can make your next project a success.
SAP SAPPHIRE / ASUG 2007
DataXstream will be exhibiting at SAP ASUG 2007 in Atlanta Georgia April 22 – 25.
Can SAP make toast? Come let the DataXstream team show you how and don’t forget to enter your name in our giveaway. One lucky winner will take home a GPS.
Let the DataXstream show you how we can make your next project a success.
SAP TechEd 2006 – Thank You
Thank you to all who visited us at SAP TechEd 2006
Thank you everyone who stopped by out booth at the 2006 SAP TechEd Convention in Las Vegas. We hope you enjoyed our toaster demonstration. We at DataXstream certainly enjoyed pulling the toaster project together. Some of the reactions we got from those that stopped by our booth were priceless. We hope that it demonstrated for you the depth of our knowledge and capability with SAP XI and SAP system integration. Make sure you come by our booth at ASUG 2007 to catch the toaster in action again and influence our next integration project which will be unveiled at TechEd 07. Congratulations to all our Toaster winners.
