There are a huge number of programs and integrated systems on the market that make it easier to work not only for individual users, but also for entire companies. So, large organizations acquire a set of software tools so that employees can easily cope with all the difficulties that are usually encountered in project management, etc.
ERP
Before you understand the SAP program , what it is and why you need to, you will have to approach this issue from a different perspective. Any such software is based on the whole system, which is called ERP.
Translated from English, this abbreviation means "enterprise resource planning", which allows us to fully understand the main purpose of such programs as SAP. First of all, ERP is an organizational strategy for integrating processes in production, helping to manage labor resources, financial management and asset management. The strategy easily copes with balancing and optimizing production resources. This is all due to the presence of a package with application software such as SAP.
Development
Before most users learned about such software, the strategy itself should be implemented. So, for the first time she appeared in 1990. Lee Wiley worked on it. He analyzed the market and realized that soon there would be a need to create a multi-user system. The specialist predicted that the employees of large companies will miss the assistant for managing the resources of the organization, which can be related not only to the main tasks of the company, but also to a specific department.
In the 1990s, this concept found its fans. It was supported by manufacturers of various application software. So the SAP R3 program became popular. It was designed to support the development of the material flow adjustment package, mainframe and Oracle Applications.
Company
As mentioned earlier, there were a large number of such programs. The user could choose any of the proposed ones. Among them were simple "light" versions for small organizations, and there were giants of such systems. So, at one time the SAP program appeared. What is it, we will analyze further, and now briefly about the company itself.
This is a German organization that is popular for its work on software. It was founded back in 1972. At first, only five employees who already had experience in a similar field began to work in it.
Ten years ago, the company decided to expand and bought a French company that worked on the development of analytical software. A year later, the American company Visiprise appears in the SAP arsenal, a couple of other acquisitions take place a couple of years later.
Work
Of course, not only the SAP program was born from the “smart” hands of specialists from a German organization. What is this users learned a little later. But in general, the specialization of software has not changed since its inception. The company has developed automatic systems to manage the enterprise. They perform a large number of tasks, including accounting, conducting trade, tracking finances, goods, personnel and warehouses.
Most software is specially adapted to the legislative framework of each country. In addition to purchasing this set of applications, the company helps to install it using proprietary implementation technology.
Program
If you do not know anything about the SAP program, what it is and what it is for - no problem. In general, this is the most popular component of such systems, created by the German company of the same name. It works on the basis of ERP-systems, focuses on giant corporations and medium-sized companies. But for small private enterprises it is not suitable, as it will not be used to the full.
As mentioned earlier, software appeared in the early 1990s. It was developed based on the RF line, which was later renamed R / 1. In the mid-2000s, a different R / 3 index appeared, but immediately ceased to be used as a whole, and the software system began to bear the name of its developer.
Initially, R / 3 was not the usual set of letters and numbers. R can be adapted as a Realtime. That is, the developer hints to the user about the quick operation of the system, updating of information, operational adjustment, etc. The number "3" began to mark the main innovation, which then first appeared specifically in this program - this is a three-link model of work.
Russia
As mentioned earlier, the SAP accounting program can work with a number of organizations from different countries. This is due to the fact that the developers have introduced support for the legislative framework of each of the states. Of course, the system could not get around such a large country as Russia.
SAP ERP has acquired a number of functional tools, among which are visible modules that work with Russian localization. Their main task is to ensure the correct implementation of the requirements of the laws of Russia.
Such localization is equipped with interactive reports, printed forms, functional interactive transactions, which are not, for example, suppose in the German system. Initially, realizing the need for such local solutions, the developers allowed to install the necessary package together with the program. That was until the sixth version of the software. Further, there was already a special supply for the Russian Federation. The work and support of this software are carried out by specialists of the SAP CIS department.
Set
The description of the SAP program should be continued with the development of this software. So, in 2004 a large set was released - the NetWeaver software platform. It was equipped with a number of applications that not all enterprises would need. Nevertheless, now a platform was available for users with portal and integration solutions, with the implementation of applications for smartphones and tablets, with corporate repositories, knowledge management, etc. This set of systems was updated to version 7 in 2008 and remains in this state until now.
Popularity
Not surprisingly, such applications are becoming popular around the world. Work in the SAP program practically does not require certain skills. Although learning to work with her is not easy. Currently, the program is used by more than 183 thousand customers. Most of all, it is popular with large and medium enterprises.
If we translate these values into the number of users, then we have received more than 12 million unique employees. Each of them uses installed copies, which are now more than 91 thousand.
In 2007, it was possible to obtain statistics that showed that software is popular in 120 countries. By 2008, the German company expanded its staff to 44 thousand employees. In 2010, SAP revenue amounted to more than 12 billion euros, of which almost 2 billion amounted to net profit.
In Russia and other CIS countries, a set of systems is also in demand. The company itself appeared on the Russian market in 1992. At the moment, the company has more than 800 employees from the CIS. In Russia, such a system occupies almost half of the entire market. This allows you to earn over 60 million on Russian users.
Training
The main problem that a user of the SAP program may encounter is training. Due to the huge set of tools, quickly understanding the operation of this software is difficult. If you find yourself in a company that uses this kit, then most likely you will have to undergo additional training.
Of course, most often employers are looking for employees who already have skills and experience working with SAP. But if the specialist is really very good, but does not know how to work with this software for some reason, he will be taught. He will take additional courses. It is interesting that he will need instructions for working with the SAP program.
This is also due to the fact that each company forms certain modes, special modules, customizing templates specifically for its enterprise. But if you want to learn how to deal with this application yourself, then there are already many books and tutorials on the Internet that teach this.
conclusions
Like any program, SAP has its own advantages and disadvantages. It allows for easy global integration, does not have huge volumes of updates, and makes it possible to promptly correct information in real time. Errors are almost never encountered in this case.
Software creates an effective workplace for each employee, has an intuitive interface and its easy configuration. Collects data to use it to improve software, is engaged in most well-known organizational areas and many other tasks.