In the fast-paced world of technology, businesses are constantly evolving to keep up with market demands. While SAP S/4 HANA offers powerful functionalities to revolutionise operations and drive efficiency, it’s disheartening to see that many customers aren’t fully utilising the potential of S/4.

In this article, I want to explore the common pitfalls of carrying over old R/3 habits into SAP S/4 HANA and provide insights on how to leverage its new functionalities to the fullest extent.

Understanding the Challenge

One of the key challenges faced by businesses transitioning from R/3 to SAP S/4 HANA is the tendency to replicate old working methods.

For instance, in the R/3 era, users would run the Available to Promise (ATP) once a day overnight. However, in S/4, Advance ATP can be executed much more frequently, for example, once every few hours.

So why run it more often? The most common answer, because they can. Not for any definable business benefit, but because it is now possible.

While this may seem like a simple change, it’s crucial to realise that running ATP more frequently alone doesn’t guarantee improved outcomes. The key factor missing is that users aren’t reviewing the ATP results nor are taking corrective action based on the ATP results.

Embracing Complexity

Businesses should also consider utilising more complex rules, such as customer prioritisation, different allocation scenarios, as to both gain valuable insights into stock availability. This enables proactive corrective actions and ensures streamlined operations, ultimately resulting in improved customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, transitioning from old R/3 habits to the advanced functionalities of SAP S/4 HANA requires a conscious effort to break free from the comfort zone. By avoiding the pitfalls of carrying over old working methods, businesses can leverage the full potential of S/4 and drive significant operational improvements. Let’s not waste the opportunities presented by S/4, but rather embrace change.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or drop us a note to discuss your plans in more detail.