Dumb question: what is SAP

[d000hg]

What hole? Sorry if it offends your contractor-ethic to admit when you don't know something...

[EternalOptimist]

What hole? Sorry if it offends your contractor-ethic to admit when you don't know something...

Yes but you're supposed to say 'I've got this friend, who doesnt have a clue about SAP.....'

[d000hg]

I said in the title it was a dumb question... never pretended otherwise

[sasguru]

SAP is a high paying skill for the terminally boring and dull, who can cope with selling their soul to the inherent boredom of the product, but lack the skill and intelligence to earn lucrative amounts in more exciting sectors.

HTH

[MPwannadecentincome]

SAP is not a PM tool.

It is a suite of software to run parts of a business - all integrated into one package.

A SAP job is basically a consultant who goes in, sets the system up and analyses how the business operates in order to either configure the SAP software to work that way or to change the business process to fit the SAP software.

In a nutshell

(I only know as I sat next to a SAP specialist on a plane whilst it was delayed for an hour on the tarmac)

[Badger]

SAP, stands for Suffer After Purchase

Thought it stood for Sucks All Productivity

[Spacecadet]

SAP is not a PM tool.

It is a suite of software to run parts of a business - all integrated into one package.

A SAP job is basically a consultant who goes in, sets the system up and analyses how the business operates in order to either configure the SAP software to work that way or to change the business process to fit the SAP software.

In a nutshell

(I only know as I sat next to a SAP specialist on a plane whilst it was delayed for an hour on the tarmac)

From what I've heard from both SAP consultants and SAP customers, its usually changing the business to fit the SAP model

[Purple Dalek]

I looked on wikipedia and there were a couple of meanings which seemed possible in the IT world. Is SAP a piece of software or a methodology or what? And what is it used for - I think something relating to project managing?

I know there is a set of timesheet etc software called SAP but I don't see how you make a job out of that... it would be like saying "My job is MSProject".

Quite close when you refer to project management. It is actually a methodology used by developers to keep management occupied so they can get on with building something of real value to the business. In this respect, a good SAP consultant can keep whole groups of managers occupied with things like process redesign, strategy meetings, and bulltulip bingo for years if necessary.

[original PM]

I think you question is valid

what does SAP actuially stand for?

It took me ages to get round to looking up ERP on the interweb thingy to find out what that actually was

Imagine my dissapointment.

It all seems to revolve around having one central repository which stores and compiles all data which means its easy easier to pull reports and identify efficency deficencies.

Why people think this is new is beyond me the basic concept makes perfect sense - however I do also believe SAP is a complete pain in the butt and as other posters have said can eat up time and resources like crazy - i think the key is to know what you want and know when to stop.

Interestingly enough (or not!) i was chatting to a guy yesterday who was banging on about SAP and it seems that beyond implementing the system all a lot of SAP guys do is contiually bespoke reports and views to allow users to see the relevant data. (how true this is I do not know)

[b0redom]

On a related note, does anyone know what ASDA stands for?

































Good value at a price that's right.....

IGMC