The vision behind SAP software development was to help businesses run better in a sustainable manner and improve people’s lives in line with the modern technology. The innovation was intended to tackle day to day economic, environmental and other social problems by providing necessary tools to create significant impact (SAP). Since its introduction, the software has helped to solve some issues in the modern society. From the review of customer testimonials, below are some of the challenges that SAP has helped to address.
What Problems Did the Software Solve?
Provided Solution to ERP On Wildlife Management Problem Due to Poaching
One of the significant problems which have had a tremendous negative impact on natural resource conservation efforts is wildlife poaching in South Africa’s National conservancy organization. SAP helped to solve the problem of poaching of Rhinos and elephants according to as explained in the story (Elephant Rhino and People). The software brought a simple, efficient and effective way of monitoring locations of herds through use of drones in those conservancies where wildlife is at high risk of poaching.
New Capabilities for Poaching Management
To make it more successful, SAP innovation brought new capabilities. First, the software provides real-time data processing with the capacity to analyze the data collected within 24 hours. Second, the software can turn this data into tracking for workers in the field (Elephant Rhino and People). Moreover, through SAP mobile application, the rangers can detect herd movement, anticipate their behavior, and prevent them from moving into high-risk locations. Also, the ERP introduced life-saving operation technique to enable the ERP air force to be more responsive.
Efforts Required by The Organization
Regarding efforts required for the implementation, SAP requires that the organization management is tailored in line with technology advancement. Implementation, therefore, requires the employees to dedicate their time to new training on software management and design. Also, the conservancy management must ensure the wildlife have chips for easy monitoring (ERP).
Risks During and After Implementation
Some risks are associated with the implementation process. First of all, SAP required very high initial capital which the conservancies do not have. The risk of failure due to poor project implementation also places the program at high risk. The Conservancy lacked the required human resource expertise to run the software which puts its success at high risk. After the implementation, there is a risk of exposing wildlife to other risks other than poaching (Elephant Rhino and People). When rangers are working on computers, they will fail to notice other stresses and challenges wildlife face which can only be possible from physical contact. This will pose another threat to survival.
How SAP Has Changed the Operations of the Organization
With the use of SAP, the work of rangers has been made easier. Initially, the rangers used to move around the park physically in troops to monitor the safety of the herds. This placed them at high risk of physical injuries (Elephant Rhino and People). Today, the drones do the monitoring more cost-effectively.
It Provided a Solution to Vestas to Reduce the Cost of Energy Production
With the aim of turning energy into a more affordable resource for worldwide customers, SAP and Vestas came up with a software which would standardize onsite planning and provide real-time data on all field operations to the management (SAP). From the partnership with SAP, the result was the faster execution of activities which reduced labor and crane rental costs, and by extension relieved the consumer the cost burden (Vestas Company). It also helped to improve planning in the organization to pave the way for continuity in service improvement.
New Capabilities for Energy Supply Solutions at Vestas Company
The SAP created a One-Plan cloud-based application for Vestas which had capabilities of giving field workers highly reliable information whether offline otherwise. The communication from the management could be received in real-time, thus boosting productivity (Vestas Company). With the cloud platform, organizations can build need-based applications for successful execution of ideas.
Effort Required to Implement SAP for Vestas Management
The project, first of all, required a long-term partnership with SAP for its successful implementation. Also, the organization needs to invest a lot of capital associated with technology projects implementation (Vestas Company).
Risks During and After the Implementation of SAP for Solutions
Organization structure and culture provided a risk of failure of the project during implementation; it seemed the goals were not aligned with such changes. After the execution, the software changed the planning roles to one where forecasting is done through predictable business models. These risks render the organization unable to deal with supply and demand planning gaps as a result.
How SAP changed the Way the Company Manages Operations
Vestas is now able to get real-time data about customer needs and use that in developing its products, which enhances need-based production. It also provides faster processing of data and better employee management, delivery of faster, more efficient and cheaper wind turbine installations, compared to the past.
Improved banking Power of the People in Rural Latin America
SAP worked with the bank, Compartamos to create a mobile application which could enable people from small communities, far away from the bank to save to reduce risks of any losses (SAP).
Capabilities and Efforts for the Application Implementation
It enables people to transfer money from their mobile phones to bank accounts without having to move any distance. The app provides faster, cheaper and safe way of saving to improve accessibility to credit (SAP). To implement the strategy, the bank work in collaboration with SAP, also there was recruitment and appropriate training of new staff to help in creating awareness among the locals.
Risks Associated with The Application
One of the dangers of the program is that the application could be exposed to cybercriminals who might take advantage of this group. Most of the people are not able to own mobile phones, thus threatening the success of such interventions.
How the Application Changed Operations of the Bank
First, the bank can now reach a broader customer base without having to crowd in the bank. This reduces paperwork hence decreasing operation costs (SAP). The application is capable of managing transactions without the help of bank employee; this has helped reduce the need for a human resource which in turn reduces management costs. It also makes monitoring of transactions by the bank management easier than before.
SAP – My Thoughts and Observations
From the Sap site, ERP vendors work in collaboration with SAP to ensure their objectives are achieved. This is because the vendors tend to promote the strengths of using SAP as software in their management plan. There is a close link between achievements supported in ERP with SAP sites.
Works Cited
Elephant Rhino and People. Transforming Elephant and Rhino Conservation. n.d. .
SAP. Banking Power to The People. n.d. 19 April 2018. .
Vestas Company. Turning air into opportunities. n.d. 19 April 2018. .
