A look at how web frontends connect to enterprise grade ERP systems. In this post I walk through how I built a custom web app using HTML/CSS/JS and connected it to SAP S/4HANA using SAP Integration Suite.

Business Services Organisations (BSOs) and Global Business Services (GBS) emerged in the late 1990s and have since played a central role in driving standardisation, harmonisation, and automation. By consolidating operations, they’ve helped multinationals achieve consistency across regions and deliver faster, more comparable reporting. This article takes a detailed look at how business services models work, evolve, and add value.

Embedded analytics in SAP S/4HANA sounds like a BW in SAP, but it's not. It's a core capability that utilises HANA, the virtual data model and Fiori to blend analytics and transactions in real time. It's part of the core S/4HANA platform. In this post, I explain the architecture, key app types, and how to approach implementation with real examples from finance.

The data model for finance has changed considerably from SAP R/3 to S/4HANA. These changes have provided some simplification while also making it easier to access data. Understanding the basics of the model can be useful. This article walks through the data model with a real life example.

Succesful large scale transformation requires a handoff and the ongoing collaboration between strategy and project delivery. This often involves senior teams working with project teams. I take a look at how to improve this relationship.

Ansoff's grid is a simple, but excellent way to visualise the different options an organisation has when considering their strategy.

Scope creep occurs frequently on projects, I take a look at the common causes and what can we do..

As a result of political or security concerns Huawei was blocked from their SAP (Oracle). They replaced it by developing their own. Is in-house ERP development a viable strategy to consider in 2024?

A detailed guide to assessing business operations. This is a critical activity as part of both periodic strategy and transformation projects.

One of the challenges of improving operations is identifying and prioritising where to focus. A good way to provide some structure to the approach and to improve communications is by working with a framework or map which helps to visualise the areas of the business and the nature of possible improvements.

My 4-step process to gather information for transformation projects. Uncovering operational details is often a challenge for programs such as restructuring, process design, IT implementations and acquisitions and divestitures.

A detailed guide to the chart of account (CoA). This is one of the most important structures in business. It reflects all the activities a business is involved in and it provides a foundation for the majority of financial and management reporting.

A guide to various approaches to cost reduction

Some tips on improving project management.

SAP HANA and S/4HANA - a simple guide

A detailed look at how Blockchain works.

A detailed look at the record to report process.

Insight is often talked about in Finance, but not always clearly defined. What does it really mean to provide insight and how does this differ from the core role of preparing financial and management reports and accounts?

Will business services in virtual worlds.

The benefits of good stakeholder management

Could a tool like snapchat help with project status updates?

Can tools like freelance.com replace traditional professional services?

Applying let's play style to corporate training videos.

Cultural considerations when selecting 3rd party service providers.

A look at different approaches to business process improvement.