An
implementation project requires a lot of careful thought beforehand. We need to
think about what we want to accomplish, the optimum sequence, and the business
cases that are best suited to our needs. But SAP has already done a lot of the
thinking for you and packaged its findings in the following tools. They are
then described in more detail in the following chapters organized according to
the corresponding
Accelerated
SAP phases.
Accelerated
SAP (ASAP): A comprehensive solution
for the introduction of the R/3 System in your enterprise. ASAP and most of its
tools can be used independently of an R/3 installation.
The
tools available for Accelerated SAP are:
· The Project Estimator, an
internal SAP tool which enables SAP consultants to accurately gauge the
required resources, the costs and the time frame of implementation. The Project
Estimator takes into account the project scope and several project and risk
factors.
· The Concept Check Tool, a
tool enabling carry out quality checks on the project preparation, technical
infrastructure and R/3 configuration settings. This is done mainly during the
first two implementation phases of the R/3 project. In this way you are alerted
to potential data volume and configuration conflicts that could lead to
performance issues if not addressed.
· The Implementation Assistant:
The ASAP navigation tool that accompanies you through the five phases of
implementation down to the task level. It includes a description and a detailed
"how-to" for each task in the Roadmap. Along with that, many tools,
templates and documents are hyperlinked to the task.
The Implementation Assistant contains the
following elements:
ASAP
Implementation Roadmap and
Project Plan. The Roadmap contains the five phases, from which you
can drill down into work packages, activities and tasks. The Project Plan
contains three components, a budget plan, a resource plan and a work plan.
The
ASAP Roadmap is the successor of the R/3-based Procedure Model, which was used
until Rel. 3.1 in R/3 implementation projects.
Knowledge Corner, containing tips and tricks for configuration from
consultants, detailed documentation on SAP’s implementation services,
information on technical tools, as well as simplification guidebooks and
R/3 Customizing wizards.
Question and Answer Database
(Q&Adb). Using the R/3 Reference Model
structure, the Q&Adb is used to assist in gathering requirements for
business processes, conversions, reports, interfaces, enhancements and
authorizations. The database provides useful questionnaires to help you
define the process needs and also serves as a repository for all this
information. Since it is a database, it allows for flexible reporting. The
business requirements generated from the Q&Adb are collectively known
as the Business Blueprint.Business
Process Master List, to manage configuration, testing
and the creation of end user documentation. The Business Process Master List is
linked to pre-written Business Process Procedures (BPPs), detailled end-user
documentation for R/3 transactions.
Issues Database: supporting project management, this database supports
the entering, monitoring and managing of issues that come up during the
project.
R/3 Business Engineer: The implementation tools for the high-quality
configuration of the R/3 System are:
R/3 Reference Model: Comprehensive graphical process flows describing the
R/3 functionality from different points of view. It contains scenarios,
processes and functions, as well as components. The R/3 Reference Model
can be viewed using SAP's Business Navigator and the Business
Navigator Web, or using third-party modeling tools available from
modeling partners.
Implementation Guide (IMG): Used to configure all system parameters for the
business processes in R/3. It contains project management functionality
and a menu-driven view of all R/3 Customizing activities. Every activity
can be documented in detail, and responsibilities and statuses can be
assigned.
Preconfigured systems:
- Preconfigured US and Canadian clients: Provides a head start on baseline configuration. It includes a preconfigured US/Canadian chart of accounts, print forms, account determination, units of measure, etc. The predefined test sequences that are included can be a starting point for integration testing.
- Preconfigured industry systems: A number of complete preconfigured clients consisting
of an industry-specific model and preconfigured business processes for the
needs of a particular industry in R/3 are available. For more information
on preconfigured systems, see the description of Phase 2, Business
Blueprint
