5 steps to reducing reliance on SAP resources for repetitive IT tasks.
Why do SAP teams still rely on SAP resources for most repetitive tasks?
With so many readily available IT automation options, why do IT teams still rely on expert SAP resources to complete their repetitive IT tasks and activities? In short, I don’t know, but I have met with and spoken to enough SAP teams to arrive at a reasonable conclusion.
Automating an existing manually managed repetitive task requires an SAP team to do a lot. Assuming the team has had the time and headspace to recognise an automation opportunity, they must identify and acquire a solution. This involves research, meetings, software demos, maybe RFP preparation, solution selection, business case preparations, funding proposals, and implementation planning.
How many SAP teams do you know have the time, the headspace, and the energy?
Changing the status quo requires proactivity; almost everything an SAP team does is reactive. Without proactivity, the status quo remains. Changing how things are done requires headspace and clear air to evaluate and think something through.
So here are five steps any SAP team can take to get started.
Five steps to successfully automating repetitive SAP IT tasks.
You have heard it before. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So here is your ‘one bite at a time’ plan to success.
Step 1. Identify a repetitive task to automate.
Where do you start? There are lots of automation opportunities to investigate. For example, SAP system refresh tasks, SAP TMS tasks, iDoc management, Annual SAP License audit reporting, or job scheduling activities.
Identify one activity that, if automated, would save time, trouble, and resources.
Step 2. Identify an automation solution - engage an expert
Often team members will know of solutions to investigate, but limiting evaluation to those internally recommended tends to limit the scope and may lead to a less-than-satisfactory solution.
Engaging an expert accelerates the vendor/solution filtration process and ensures a solution fit for purpose.
Step 3. Run a low-cost or no-risk PoC to prove the value.
A barrier to progress is anxiety around fearing a poor return on investment or implementing a solution no one likes. Most vendors offer a low-cost or low-risk PoC enabling a real-life evaluation.
Step 4. Start small and grow the solution.
Another barrier to progress is getting the budget. My suggestion is don’t try to solve everything at once. If you have 6 SAP landscapes requiring regular system refreshes, start by licensing one. Some would call this a pilot implementation. If it doesn’t deliver, even after a positive PoC, it's not the end of the world.
Step 5. Once successful, go back to step 1.
Finally, once you have experience in one area, you can find the next set of tasks and activities to automate. i.e., rinse and repeat.
We can help.
Leg Up Software is an expert in SAP IT automation.
We know the SAP IT automation solutions landscape and have already identified the best solutions for most repetitive IT tasks.
We have excellent relationships with many software vendors and can negotiate an evaluation process that best suits your circumstance and budget.
Why not set up a time to start the conversation by putting something on our calendar?
