SAP SYSTEM AUDIT

SAP SYSTEM AUDIT

SAP Audit is a way to learn to what extent companies make use of the SAP system capabilities, to what extent the system meets their expectations, whether it is compatible with the business processes and what kind of organizational changes, workshops or system extensions are recommended in order for the system to fully meet the demands.

Target companies

In view of the dynamic changes in the business environment of any company, its structure and organization, there is a need for continuous monitoring of the implemented IT solutions supporting its operations. In order to fulfill the expectations and effectively support the management of a business, the SAP system must be brought in line with the changing reality. Often, implementation of particular system functionalities is executed in stages over a few years’ time horizon. Prior to the launch of the next stage, verification of the assumptions adopted in the past is highly recommended.

The audit of SAP solutions is recommended in the case of all companies which:

1. Have recently implemented the SAP system and, due to lack of experience or sufficient knowledge, are often forced to use the support of external service providers to solve their problems.
2. Are thinking about the development of the implemented system and want to prepare themselves for the decision,
3. After a few years of using the system, want to learn to what extent the system meets their needs. With time, the key users are able to assess the system potential in supporting the business operations more pragmatically.
 

Therefore, each company is recommended, from time to time, to look at the operated system ”from outside” and confront it with the actual needs. An audit conducted by an independent, third-party company in close cooperation with the key users offers such an opportunity.

The SAP system audit helps to discover the untapped potential in every company and plan development work needed to unlock that potential. Hicron Consulting experts conducting SAP audits additionally offer business advice during the modeling of the company’s business processes.

Audit benefits

The outcomes of each audit offer strong foundations for unlocking the hidden potential, both of the SAP system and the company itself, and facilitate future growth. The benefits which a company my achieve thanks to a review of the implemented system include:

- identification and elimination of constraints during the system operation (frequently leading to occurrence of the system errors)
- a complete picture of the extent to which the existing functionality is used, as the basis for potential decisions to implement new functionalities
- identification of the potential training needs and designing training programs which meet the specific demands of the company
- verification of the employed procedures, assumptions and business goals of the company incorporated in the system
- identification of the company’s business areas which are not supported by the system, to unlock the frozen potential of the company.

The audit findings are collected and benchmarked against the good business practices of SAP and compared with the functional capabilities of the system. In this way, the development work on the SAP system can be planned, to ensure more effective support of the key processes and, consequently, a better return on the investment in SAP. The audit report is a collection of valuable and precise guidelines concerning the future actions of the audited company.