Markus Fricke

Basics of mySAP.com and mySAP Technology

This chapter presents mySAP Technology, the new integration architecture from SAP AG, which serves as a basis for the application of mySAP.com solutions. A fundamental objective is the support of the cooperation between companies. Like other standard software suppliers, SAP focuses on the use of open standards, such as Java, XML, or HTTP. On the one hand, this strategy aims at achieving a high flexibility in the sense of an easy extensibility of solutions. On the other hand, this openness is a prerequisite for the compatibility of systems from different suppliers. From a business point of view, this change in strategy from primarily in-house and proprietary solutions to open solutions has by all means been successful: Only one year after introducing mySAP.com, these solutions made up almost 50 percent of the income from license agreements (Jakovljevic 2000).

Collaborative Planning in Supply Networks: Concepts and SAP Solutions

This chapter focuses on procedures as well as options and limits of using mySAP solutions for the support of collaborative planning processes in supply chains. Here, the use of the Advanced Planner and Optimizer (APO) is of particular interest.

Inter-organizational Cooperation in Supply Networks

This chapter first describes basic objectives of establishing cooperation before concentrating on collaboration in supply networks in a next step. Then possible usages of information and communication systems in supply chain management are introduced.

Case Studies from the Automotive Industry

This chapter describes the use of mySAP solutions for the support of supply chain management with the help of five case studies from the automotive industry. The automotive industry has for a long time been molded by an intense cooperation between producers and vendors as well as logistics services providers. Examples for that are already mentioned concepts such as JIT production and vendor-managed inventory. In addition, cooperation between the various suppliers exists when they join forces to form a development partnership in order to play the role of a large system provider. Also manufacturers cooperate, for example, when Porsche buys gear boxes from DaimlerChrysler or vehicles are developed collectively.

Data Management: Concepts and SAP Solutions

This chapter analyzes the possibilities for data management based on data warehouse solutions. First, general concepts and methods for setting up a data warehouse are discussed. Possible applications of the SAP Business Information Warehouse are then introduced.

EDI and XML/EDI: Concepts and SAP Solutions

The exchange of data between the actors of a supply chain network involves in particular sending and receiving business documents. This includes purchase orders, delivery notes, invoices, and forecast data, for example. Below, a distinction is made between classic EDI and XML/EDI. First, the basic method for exchanging such documents is introduced in each case. Then, the SAP solutions for supporting these business processes are analyzed.

Electronic Marketplaces: Concepts and SAP Solutions

Electronic marketplaces (EM) are a comparably young approach of interorganizational cooperation. EM are virtual locations that are realized with the help of modern information and communication technologies, that serve as a platform for the concurrence of supply and demand, and that support the exchange of goods, services, and information in a market as agreed on by contract (Bakos 1991, pp. 32–33; Bichler 2001, p. 2). Here, they also provide information, agreement, settlement and after-sales functions, and services in addition to the general information (e.g., news from certain lines of industry) and to a description of products and services as well as of their respective suppliers. Below, the focus will be set on B2B (bussines-to-business) marketplaces that are characterized by the fact that vendors and customers are companies. Two cooperation types are to be distinguished in this environment: Cooperation of companies when setting up and operating the marketplace (operator cooperation) and cooperation of companies through the marketplace (e.g., within logistics processes).

Grundlagen von mySAP.com und mySAP Technology

In diesem Kapitel wollen wir mySAP Technology, die neue Integrationsarchitektur der SAP AG, vorstellen, die als Grundlage fur die Anwendung von mySAP.com-Losungen dient. Eine wesentliche Zielsetzung ist die Unterstutzung der Zusammenarbeit von Unternehmen. Wie auch andere Standardsoftwareanbieter setzt SAP hierbei auf den Einsatz offener Standards, wie Java, XML, HTTP usw. Auf diese Weise soll zum einen eine hohe Flexibilitat im Sinne einer einfachen Erweiterbarkeit von Losungen erreicht werden. Zum anderen ist diese Offenheit Voraussetzung fur die Kompatibilitat von Systemen unterschiedlicher Anbieter. Aus wirtschaftlicher Sicht war dieser Strategiewechsel weg von uberwiegend unternehmensinternen und proprietaren hin zu offenen Losungen durchaus erfolgreich: Schon ein Jahr nach der Einfuhrung machten mySAP.com-Losungen fast 50 Prozent der Lizenzeinnahmen aus (Jakovljevic 2000).

Datenhaltung: Konzepte und SAP-Lösungen

In diesem Kapitel untersuchen wir Moglichkeiten zur Datenhaltung auf Basis von Data-Warehouse-Losungen. Im ersten Schritt gehen wir auf allgemeine Konzepte und Methoden zum Aufbau eines Data-Warehouse ein. Darauf folgend stellen wir Anwendungsmoglichkeiten des Business Information Warehouse der SAP AG vor.

Fallstudien aus der Automobilindustrie

In diesem Kapitel stellen wir den Einsatz von mySAP-Losungen zur Unterstutzung des Supply-Chain-Management im Rahmen von funf Fallstudien aus der Automobilindustrie vor. Die Automobilindustrie ist seit langerer Zeit durch eine intensive Zusammenarbeit zwischen Produzenten und Lieferanten sowie Logistikdienstleistern gepragt. Beispiele hierfur sind bereits angesprochene Konzepte wie Just-in-Time-Fertigung und Vendor-Managed Inventory. Daneben bestehen zudem Kooperationen zwischen Lieferanten untereinander, wenn diese sich etwa zu Entwicklungspartnerschaften zusammenschliesen, um gemeinsam als groser Systemlieferant aufzutreten. Zudem kooperieren Hersteller, wenn beispielsweise Porsche Getriebe von DaimlerChrysler bezieht oder Fahrzeuge gemeinsam entwickelt werden. Mit sieben grosen Automobilherstellern — Adam Opel AG, Audi AG, BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Ford AG, Porsche AG und VW AG — und etwa 1.200 Zulieferern gehort Deutschland zu den fuhrenden Nationen in der Automobilbranche (Dudenhoffer 2001, S. 394–396)