[4423] in sapr3-soft
New SAP client seeking information
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Erik McCarty)
Mon Dec 13 09:35:10 1999
To: sapr3-soft@MIT.EDU
Date: 13 Dec 1999 08:29:02 -0600
From: "Erik McCarty" <emc2@texastar.com>(by way of SAP Moderator <sap-request@realtimeusa.com>)
Message-Id: <832vre$42i@nexus.netconcepts.com>
My division has recently submitted a proposal to our corporate offices
asking for approval to purchase and implement SAP throughout our three
plants. This was approved on 12/3. I'm a plant engineer with a long history
of competence in computer systems administration, systems implementation,
machine controls programming, and related issues. I have been asked to
advise our plant manager regarding systems integration.
Over the years I've heard horror stories regarding ERP/MRP implementations
that failed, and I've read many theories as to why that is so. My current
opinion is that this is due to a failure to implelment the ERP systems to
the shop floor for accurate and timely data reporting of draw-down,
production, and WIP. The majority of the systems in our plant are ANCIENT,
and are in dire need of control upgrade. I fear that we shall see SAP fail
in our plant for that reason alone, but I realize that policies and
procedures can play a big part in that. We won't be upgrading our equipment
to enable a more smooth implelmentation into SAP, but we have an initiative
in place for performing those controls upgrades over time.
I'm interested in hearing about success stories regarding SAP, and the
details and ideas which made it a success in your facility. I"m also
interested in hearing your horror stories, and the details and ideas which
have made it a failure.
Personally I see the future of ERP either making way for an e-commerce
environment, or developing into an e-commerce application even within the
plant. SAP seems to have some major activity leading it in that direction.
Tell me what you think...
Our plant is not layed out as a pure assembly line. Each department
currently builds a product to a certain stage of its development, warehouses
it, and then either 'sells' it to outside customers or to one of several
other departments which again combine various parts to make a "saleable"
product. We have five departments where this takes place.
Your feedback is greatly anticipated and appreciated.
Erik
