SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide [Hardcover]

Grant Norris (Author), Ian Wright (Author), James R. Hurley (Author), John R. Dunleavy (Author), Alison Gibson (Author), John Dunleavy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471249920 | ISBN-13: 978-0471249924 | Publication Date: June 1, 1998

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

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Increasingly, corporations are turning to client-server systems to help streamline their financial reports and gain a competitive edge. The transition is invariably complex and risky. This guide introduces SAP (Systems Applications and Products)--a comprehensive set of programs for accounting, manufacturing, and sales--and helps financial managers decide if this is the right client-server system their corporation should select.

From the Inside Flap

Enterprise organizations the world over are turning to integrated software solutions to help them realize their strategic redesign and resource planning initiatives. Of the major providers of these enabling technologies, one company, Systems, Applications and Products (SAP), stands out above the rest as offering the most comprehensive and versatile package of client/server business applications. Nine out of ten of America's largest companies now use SAP R/3 software, as do eight of America's ten most profitable companies. Analysts expect SAP to continue to dominate the world market for at least another decade. But exactly what is SAP, and is it right for your company? In what ways can SAP improve performance and increase productivity and profits? How much will an SAP implementation cost your company? What short- and long-term effects can you expect SAP R/3 to have on your organization's financial, manufacturing, distribution, sales, and human resources functions? How does one accurately assess a companys strategic information systems requirements and make a business case for SAP? Are there competing systems that might be a better fit with your organization? SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide answers these and many other questions about SAP software solutions. Written by an interdisciplinary team of business, finance, and information systems professionals, all of whom have had considerable experience with SAP implementations, it covers the full range of management, strategic planning, auditing, systems planning, and implementation issues of vital concern to CEOs, CFOs, and IT executives and professionals considering the move to client/server business systems. With the help of numerous examples and real-life case studies, the authors cut through the media hype to provide an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of SAP R/3 software and to supply top management with the information they need to make informed decisions about implementing SAP R/3 in their organizations.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471249920
• ISBN-13: 978-0471249924
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,212,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading - A great overview of SAP, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide (Hardcover)

An excellent introduction to SAP by people who live and breath it.

This book has excellent sections on Business Case, Functionality (showing the links between modules, not just functions)and Deployment Options. It really helped me understand what I was going into implementing SAP for my company.

The Book has only two dissappointing sections. The chapter on process reengineering could have been better structured and applied, Hammer has better material. The walk through of methodology in chapters 17 and 18 was dry, uninspiring and again unapplied. More could have been written on ASAP.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very High Level Overview, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide (Hardcover)

This book should only be purchased by those individuals that have just heard the letters S, A, and P all in a row for the first time. If you have absolutely no idea what SAP is, have no idea what an ERP is, or your company is still using punch cards, then this book is for you.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very factual description of the best ERP worldwide, January 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: SAP: An Executive's Comprehensive Guide (Hardcover)

This book is designed for managers and deciders who are in an evaluation phase and compare different ERP solutions. R/3 is a world-class integrated ERP solution and the less risky possible choice. If there is any doubt left, this book will convince the reader. SAP is not just a piece of software, it's also a culture and a club. Belonging to it is a real asset in someone's career.