Sap: An Executive'S Comprehensive Guide

Crucial Help for Getting the Most from Today's Information Systems Technology Deciding what type of information systems your company will need to stay competitive into the twenty-first century is a highly complex and risky exercise. SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide provides the information you need to assess your options realistically and make the most informed decisions possible. Written by a team of business, financial, and information systems professionals who have extensive experience with SAP system implementations at Fortune 500 companies, this book:
* Explores the strategic role of client/server enterprise computing now and in the next century
* Helps you to evaluate your company's long-term IS requirements
* Offers an impartial look at SAP R/3 strengths and weaknesses
* Outlines the costs and benefits involved in implementing SAP R/3
* Helps you decide whether SAP R/3 is right for your organization
* Shows you how to make SAP R/3 an integral part of process redesign
* Covers all key technical SAP aspects of concern to IS professionals

GRANT NORRIS, BS, MBA, is a senior director in Coopers & Lybrand's National SAP practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has worked designing and installing enterprise systems for a variety of organizations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He has been implementing SAP software since 1988, starting with SAP R/2. IAN WRIGHT, BS, is a manager in Coopers & Lybrand's National SAP practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His background is in designing and installing financial systems with C&L and other major consulting firms. He has worked with SAP software in Europe and North America since 1990. JAMES R. HURLEY, BA, MBA, CAGS, CPA, is the partner responsible for Coopers & Lybrand's National SAP practice in the United States based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has a strong background in applying technology to business with C&L and other Big 6 consultancies. He has been implementing SAP R/3 in North America since its introduction in the U.S. in 1992. JOHN DUNLEAVY, BA, MBA, ABD, CPA, is a senior partner in Coopers & Lybrand's Telecommunications, Media, and Utilities group based in Parsippany, New Jersey. He is the coauthor of Reinventing the CFO: Moving from Financial Management to Strategic Management. He has been involved in implementing SAP R/3 since 1995. ALISON GIBSON, MA, CMA, is a manager in Coopers & Lybrand's Integrated Strategic Services practice based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has experience in designing and installing information systems and now specializes in IT strategy. She has worked in the installation and selection of SAP software in Europe, North America, and the Pacific Rim since 1988.

Partial table of contents:

THE EXECUTIVE VIEW.

Who Is SAP, and What Is R/3?

What Is the Business Case for Implementing SAP Software?

Are We Ready to Implement SAP/R3?

What Do I Need to Know About SAP R/3 Functionality?

Competitors to SAP.

THE IMPLEMENTOR'S VIEW: TOOLS AND ISSUES.

Methodologies.

Tools.

Process Redesign.

Risk Management.

Change Management.

THE IMPLEMENTOR'S VIEW: TOOLS AND ISSUES.

Methodologies.

Tools.

Process Redesign.

Risk Management.

Change Management.

THE IMPLEMENTOR'S VIEW: THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS.

Initiation and Planning.

Getting SAP in Place.

Deployment Options.

SAP Tools.

Third-Party Tools.

Glossary.

Index.