An introduction to SAP NetWeaver

Posted on November 11, 2011 by booksonsap

What is SAP NetWeaver?

SAP NetWeaver is a computing platform designed by the German software company SAP AG. It hosts a large number of applications that have been created using the SAP ABAP programming language, although it is also compatible with C, C++, and Java EE. SAP NetWeaver is a fully integrated platform for applications and technology, and due to the resultant decrease in IT expenditure it brings about it has become increasingly popular with organizations.

SAP MDM and SAP MDH

SAP NetWeaver consists of a variety of individual products. One of these is SAP Master Data Management, also known as SAP MDM. There are essentially five key uses for this component. Firstly, it can consolidate content, meaning that data is cleansed and any duplication removed. Secondly there is Master Data Harmonisation, whereby that data can then be redistributed to SAP applications. With central MDM all of the data maintenance occurs in the central, rather than the client, system. There is also rich content management that deals with content such as video and image files. Finally, global data synchronization involves the transfer of transaction information.

SAP Business Warehouse

Another important component of SAP NetWeaver is SAP Business Warehouse, otherwise known as SAP BW. This software is used for SAP Business Intelligence, and includes features for analyzing data, creating next generation reports, and general data warehousing. The latest version of SAP BW is 7.0, and it was released in 2006. It included for the first time the BW Accelerator, which was designed to vastly improve the performance of queries. SAP Business Warehouse has been designed to be easily configured to provide for each organization’s individual requirements.

SAP Netweaver Portal

SAP Business Warehouse operates through the SAP NetWeaver portal, which provides security and authorization of user profiles. Authentication of user profiles can be made with a user name and password from a single access point or SAP log on tickets. The SAP NetWeaver portal allows complete collaboration between users with the use of tools such as email and instant messaging. It also provides features for customization and personalization, meaning that organizations can use it in the way that best suits them.

Why SAP Netweaver

SAP NetWeaver is an innovative platform that includes many features to benefit organizations. SAP have designed it to be very flexible to allow businesses to use only the components that are suitable for them. Its functionality for collaboration is one of its most advantageous features, and many organizations have embraced it to make their IT operations more efficient and their operations generally more productive.

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Review of the best SAP Query books

Posted on December 22, 2011 by booksonsap

SAP Query Reporting (Stephan Kaleske)

The Content

Stephan Kaleske’s book is a comprehensive guide to the SAP query tool and how it can be used for the creation of reports. Detailed instructions are given on the use of all of the main features of the tool. For example, the author covers traffic symbols, rankings and statistics, and even integration with Microsoft Office. There are also in-depth instructions given on querying information from SAP modules such as Materials Management and Production Planning.

The Audience

This book is perfect for anybody who wants to learn about SAP query reporting or has to use the tool in a professional capacity. It includes information on every important feature of query reporting, meaning that it can give even inexperienced users a good understanding of how to create high quality reports efficiently. The research that has gone into this book is so thorough that even people who have previously used the SAP query tool will be able to improve their skills.

The Review

There is no question that Stephan Kaleske’s book is a vital resource for anybody with an interest in SAP query reporting. The book is only four hundred pages long, but the amount of detail that is included in each section is impressive. The content is well written and the instructions are easy to follow. Anybody who reads this book should be left with a complete understanding of how to use the SAP query tool to formulate reports.

SAP Query Reporting (Danielle Larocca)

The Content

Danielle Larocca’s book begins by explaining the details of configuring and using the SAP query tool before moving on to more advanced use and integration with Microsoft office. The author describes how to integrate graphics into reports, how to perform a range of calculations, and how to schedule jobs. She covers many more topics over the twenty-three chapters of this book, and she also helpfully gives recommendations for the best uses of the SAP query tool in a business environment.

The Audience

This book is suitable for any user as it explains how to use the query tool to create reports with a variety of SAP modules. Readers do not need to be in possession of any programming skills in order to find value in the content. The author has designed the book to read like separate tutorials, meaning that it is very easy to follow. It could prove to be extremely useful to people who want to learn the basics of SAP query reporting, as well as more experienced users.

The Review

This is a highly organized and detailed book that undoubtedly makes SAP query reporting easier to understand. The author explains her points clearly, and the step by step instructions that she provides are greatly appreciated. Background information is provided along with the detail to provide a context for the instructional content. This book is a good guide to using the SAP query tool for any SAP user, and it is therefore recommended as a learning resource.

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What is SAP Query and how can it help you to compile reports.

Posted on November 22, 2011 by booksonsap

Overview

SAP Query is a tool used within organizations to compile reports without the need for any prior knowledge of the ABAP programming language. It can therefore be extremely fast and efficient. By making correct use of the SAP Query tools users can create a wide range of different types of reports. For example, reports can be generated that are based on certain statistics, standard lists, or ranked lists. They can be presented as tables, spreadsheets, or in a number of other formats.

SAP Query Components

There are five main components that make up SAP Query. The first is Queries, which is utilized by end users to maintain queries. Using this component queries can be defined, changed, or executed. Lists can also be generated. Secondly there is the InfoSet Query component, which provides an alternative means by which to maintain queries. The user has to be assigned to a specific role in order to use this component.

Infosets

The third of the five components is InfoSets. This is used by a system administrator to maintain InfoSets. They will determine which InfoSets are to be used by each individual end user or user group. Fourthly there is the User Groups component. This allows the effective maintenance of a number of user groups. The system administrator can use this component to allow each member of a user group to execute a query regardless of who defined it. Finally, there is the Translation/Query, which is used for language comparison. It allows all of the different types of text that is generated with queries to be compared.

SAP Query and Ad-hoc reporting

SAP consultants and professionals can make use of SAP Query tools to create very effective reports. SAP Query reporting allows for the integration of graphical content into reports, and it can also be integrated with Microsoft Office applications. End users can either generate their own reports on an ad-hoc basis or they can share and distribute them throughout the system.

Quickviewer

SAP reporting is dependant upon the complete reporting solution offered by SAP Query. However, there is also the option of using a feature called QuickViewer. This is a relatively simple utility that is used for collecting data. It is essentially a stripped down, single screen version of SAP Query. It is QuickViews that are generated using this utility rather than reports, and they cannot be shared. It is possible, however, to use the SAP Query tools to convert these QuickViews into reports. The QuickViewer is designed for more inexperienced users and those who only carry out SAP reporting occasionally. It is simply another option for end users along with SAP Query.

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Book Review: SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse: Administration And Monitoring

Posted on November 20, 2011 by booksonsap

The Content

At six hundred pages there is plenty of detail to pore over in this book. Topics that are covered include the basic principles of administering and monitoring SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse, database management, system connections and access, and monitoring and analysis tools. There is also a helpful troubleshooting section, and lists of t-codes in the appendices. The book represents a complete guide to all of the administrative tasks associated with SAP NetWeaver.

The Audience

This book contains a large amount of information that would be suitable for both developers and administrators. Furthermore, the fact that it covers the basics of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse along with more advanced concepts means that it can be read and understood by people of varying levels of experience and proficiency.

The Review

This book provides an in-depth look at SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse administration, and does so with numerous enlightening examples. Also provided are a number of recommendations to overcome potential problems. As such, the book represents a comprehensive guide that is sure to be used extensively by administrators.

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Book Review: SAP Business Warehouse Information Reporting – Building Better BI with SAP BI 7.0

Posted on November 20, 2011 by booksonsap

The Content

Peter Jones’ book is a detailed guide to SAP Business Information reporting that stretches to almost nine hundred pages. There are many areas covered, including analyzing and formatting results, predicting future trends, creating workbooks and queries, and performance tuning. There are also instructional sections on how to use Visual Composer and Information Broadcaster, amongst others.

The Audience

The content of this book is geared towards business users, and the range of topics that are covered means that it is suitable as an introduction to SAP Business Information reporting. It provides a very solid foundation of understanding for any new employees who are tasked with generating business reports. In fact, the large amount of useful information offered means that this book could be essential reading for any business user.

The Review

This is a well written book that offers excellent value for money. Each topic is explained with plenty of detail and relevant examples. As a result readers should find the information provided to be simple to understand. It is also easy to find, all of which makes this book an extremely useful reference guide.

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Book Review: A Practical Guide To SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse 7.0

Posted on November 20, 2011 by booksonsap

The Content

Over almost seven hundred pages the authors of this book strive to cover every aspect of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse 7.0. Some of the features explained include architecture and data modeling, extraction, and staging. There is further information provided on the data transfer process, data upload monitoring, process chains, and working with aggregates. In total the amount of practical knowledge imparted in this book is substantial.

The Audience

The target audience of this book is any data warehouse worker. The comprehensive nature of the content means that the book can be a valuable resource for people regardless of their level of experience with SAP Business Warehouse or Business Information. It will undoubtedly be especially useful for beginners, however.

The Review

This book has obviously been carefully planned by its owners. There is a logical flow from the early basic information to the later sections that explain SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse in detail. In fact, the level of detail exhibited is impressive. In addition, the clear and structured layout lends itself to an easier understanding of the text, thereby making this book an excellent introduction to the subject.

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SAP MM. An introduction to the Materials Managament module in SAP ERP

Posted on November 11, 2011 by booksonsap

What is SAP MM?

It is the Materials Management software module developed by the software company SAP AG. The SAP MM module is particularly beneficial to an organization for the procurement of materials and general inventory management, however it is essentially required in every operation within the supply chain. SAP Materials Management has proven to be an extremely useful tool for many organizations as a way for them to manage their resources more effectively.

What is Materials Management?

An organization’s material flow refers to all of the components required to convert raw materials into a finished product that will then be sold on to consumers. The organization will plan and control this material flow using Materials Management with SAP. The purpose of using such software is to make the entire process as efficient as possible whilst maximizing the use of resources. Ultimately this will result in the best possible levels of customer service being delivered.

SAP MM in SAP ERP

The SAP MM module makes up one part of the overall SAP Enterprise Resource Planning software package known as SAP ERP. Customizing SAP MM is a task that is often carried out by organizations based on their own specific requirements. Within the module itself there are many different individual facets to control the material flow. Production planning, implementation, and inventory management must all be considered, for example.

Materials Management is a crucial task in any organization, and correct use of effective software is therefore required. Any employee who is given this responsibility within an organization that uses SAP ERP software will be given an SAP MM tutorial. There is initially a lot to learn about how the module works, but with experience it can be seen to be a very straightforward yet effective system. A general introduction to SAP MM will involve learning about the procurement and receipt of materials, storage, and transportation. A thorough understanding of the SAP MM module will ensure that the entire supply chain works as it should.

What does SAP MM mean for my business?

Materials Management with SAP works online and in real time. The SAP MM module allows all transactions within the supply chain to be processed and recorded, from the initial purchasing of materials to final invoice verification. It is obviously an extremely useful resource for a range of organizations. For that reason an ability to use the SAP Materials Management module is a valuable skill for any SAP consultant to have. Organizations will always look to employ systems that make their operations more efficient, and therefore cost effective. It is for that reason that the use of the SAP MM module is so widespread.

SAP MM Books

Below is a list of SAP books that we have reviewed on the blog

SAP MM Handbook

Materials Management With SAP ERP

Customizing Materials Management With SAP ERP Operations

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Book Review: Customizing Materials Management With SAP ERP Operations

Posted on November 10, 2011 by booksonsap

The Content

Akash Agrawal has written this book with the purpose of explaining exactly how the SAP MM module can be configured for individual business processes. It contains a series of case studies to reinforce each tutorial. Although the focus is on Materials Management, Document Management and Inventory Management are also covered.

The Audience

This book is an essential guide for any business materials managers, as well as SAP consultants and skilled users. More specifically it is suitable for SAP users and super users. It is designed to help the reader to improve their business processes, and the writing is therefore relatively technical. SAP consultants should be able to find a lot of valuable content within this book to aid them in their work.

The Review

The author of this book has done an excellent job of explaining the strategies and processes involved with SAP MM. This is particularly beneficial with complicated facets such as release strategy configuration, automatic account determination, and pricing procedure. The depth of knowledge exhibited by the author makes this an invaluable resource for customizing Materials Management.

Other SAP books we have reviewed on the site

SAP MM Handbook

Materials Management With SAP ERP

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Book Review: Materials Management With SAP ERP

Posted on November 10, 2011 by booksonsap

What’s in it?

Materials Management With SAP ERP covers in detail the functionality and technical configuration required for SAP MM. The book is extremely thorough, and includes information on important topics such as purchasing management, external service management, and consumption based planning. The fact that there are twenty-nine chapters in the book shows how extensively SAP MM is explained.

Who’s the Audience?

The author of this book, Martin Murray, has written it to be a useful guide for anybody who needs to learn how to use SAP MM completely. The book can also be used by people who simply want to improve the understanding they already have. It has been designed to provide a complete account of the workings of SAP MM, thereby allowing people to master it if they choose to.

The Review

The biggest selling point of this book is that it covers all aspects of SAP MM in one easy to read volume. This makes it an extremely convenient resource. It is also very well structured, and any information that is required can be easily found. The real life examples that are included are sure to improve people’s understanding of the topics being discussed. For these reasons the book can be considered to be an excellent guide to SAP MM.

Other highly recommended books we have reviewed on the blog are:

SAP MM Handbook

Customizing Materials Management With SAP ERP Operations

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Book Review: SAP MM Handbook

Posted on November 10, 2011 by booksonsap

What’s in it

The focus of this book is the SAP Materials Management (MM) module. Over nine chapters and seven hundred pages it covers the five key areas of this module. Chapter five covers the purchasing process, chapter six is material requirements planning, chapter seven is the inventory management process, chapter eight is the invoice verification process, and finally chapter nine focuses on the inventory valuation process.

Who’s the target Audience

The obvious audience for this book is any SAP user who specializes in the use of the MM module. The book seeks to explain exactly how this module works, and the writing is pitched at a level that should be understandable throughout the spectrum of SAP MM competency. It can function as a beginner’s guide as well as a textbook for more advanced users.

The Review

The SAP MM Handbook is an extremely thorough resource on the SAP Materials Management module. It contains a wealth of information, and should provide the answers to any questions that SAP users might have regarding the MM module. It contains illustrations and a complete glossary to make the teaching as effective as possible, and a step by step approach to the MM codes and processes.

Other highly recommended books we have reviewed on the blog are

Materials Management With SAP ERP

Customizing Materials Management With SAP ERP Operations

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