About This Book
This book is aimed at anyone who wants to become familiar with the SAP system or get an overview of the most important functions and components. We’ll describe the software, how you navigate in the SAP system, and which central functions are available for the various business areas—logistics, accounting, and human resources.
If you’re already familiar with the SAP system and want to specialize in one of the various SAP components, or if you’re looking for detailed information, this book is probably not the best resource for you. In this case, you should refer to a book that deals with your specific field of interest at www.sap-press.com.
Structure of the Book
The book is divided into 3 parts and 20 chapters:
Part I outlines the history of the SAP enterprise and provides an overview of its products and special features.
Chapter 1, Brief History of the SAP Enterprise, describes the history of SAP SE from its foundation to the present.
In Chapter 2, How Does SAP Software Work?, you learn how to adapt the software to the requirements and needs of enterprises.
Chapter 3, Overview of the Most Critical SAP Products, provides an overview of the products of SAP Business Suite—that is, SAP ERP, SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM), SAP Product Lifecycle Management (SAP PLM), and SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SAP SRM).
Part II forms the centerpiece of this book. It explains step by step how you operate the SAP system.
Chapter 4, Organizational Structures and Master Data, illustrates the significance of master data for all business processes and how you can map the enterprise structure in SAP systems using organizational units.
Chapter 5, Logging On to the SAP System, describes how you establish a connection from a workplace computer to an SAP system.
Chapter 6, Navigating in the SAP System, discusses the navigation in the program interface.
Chapter 7, Maintaining the System Layout and User Data, shows you how to adapt the SAP system to your requirements.
Chapter 8, Creating Evaluations and Reports, deals with evaluating and reporting processes. The data stored in the SAP system are often used for evaluations, which then form the basis for the decision-making process in the enterprise.
Chapter 9, Printing, describes the print process in the SAP system, how to print documents, and the creation of screenshots from the SAP system.
Chapter 10, Automating Tasks, teaches you how to have the SAP system work for you by automating tasks via batch jobs.
Chapter 11, Working with Messages and Business Workplace, shows you how to use the SAP system to perform different office administration tasks. The Business Workplace enables you to send messages, manage documents, and deploy workflows.
Chapter 12, Electronic Data Exchange, explains how you can use Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to transfer data to other systems seamlessly.
Chapter 13, Using Help Functions, describes the different help functions: the SAP online help, the (F1) and (F4) help, and many more.
Chapter 14, The Role and Authorization Concept, provides general information on authorization control and the role concept in SAP ERP.
Part III of this book provides an overview of the most critical business processes in the SAP system.
In Chapter 15, Materials Management, you learn how purchasing processes are mapped in the Materials Management (MM) component in the SAP ERP system. The chapter provides information on the required master data, the organizational structures, and the procurement process, including purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice verification.
Chapter 16, Sales and Distribution, discusses sales processes and illustrates the sales process with the Sales and Distribution (SD) component in the SAP ERP system. It introduces master data and organizational structures, as well as sales order, goods issue, and invoicing.
Chapter 17, SAP ERP Financials, gives you an overview of the central functions of the Financials (FI) component in SAP ERP. It discusses the SAP General Ledger, as well as accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Chapter 18, Controlling, describes the basic principles and functions of the Controlling (CO) component in SAP ERP. This includes controlling tasks, overhead cost controlling, product cost controlling, and profitability analysis.
Chapter 19, Human Resources, deals with the tasks and processes of human resources (HR) in the SAP system, for example, organizational management, recruitment, personnel administration, and time management.
The case study in Chapter 20 reinforces your understanding of the basic SAP processes by reproducing a continuous process in the SAP system.
The Appendix of this book provides critical information for quick reference: abbreviations, a glossary with the most important SAP concepts, and an overview of transaction codes, menu paths, key combinations, buttons, and function keys.
More content is available on the book’s catalog page. There you can download solution notes for the exercises, additional information, and the overviews from the appendix for printing. You can find documents for download under https://www.sap-press.com/using-sap_4155/ in the Product Supplements area.
Working with This Book
You can use this book both as a general introduction and as a reference book. Each chapter of Part II contains exercises in which you can apply what you’ve learned. You can also carry out the exercises directly in an Internet Demonstration and Evaluation System (IDES) training system. Allow yourself plenty of time, and make sure that you understand all of the steps. This way, you become acquainted with the SAP system. Remember: Never carry out the exercises in a live SAP system; if you're unsure, ask your supervisor or administrator.
Reading this book doesn’t require previous knowledge of SAP, just basic PC knowledge and an understanding of the processes in business enterprises.
Beginners should read the book from the beginning because the individual chapters build on each other. Each topic provides background information about concepts and processes. Finally, the processes in the system are described click by click and with numerous screenshots.
SAP’s Training System
You can maximize your success with this book if you have access to an SAP ERP test or training system. All the examples in this book are based on the IDES system, which means that you don't have to implement Customizing settings to reproduce examples or carry out exercises.
IDES is the SAP ERP training system where you navigate in a virtual enterprise. It maps an entire enterprise structure and provides master data for all areas. SAP customers have free access to IDES.
Preparing for User Certification
You can also use this book to prepare for the SAP user certification, Foundation Level – System Handling. Although it can’t completely replace classroom training with trainer and training system, it still provides useful tips in preparation for the test. The author has prepared courses for SAP certifications and provides you with the information necessary to help you prepare. You can find more information about the user certification on the book’s catalog page at https://www.sap-press.com/using-sap_4155/.
SAP offers different certifications for users and consultants. This book covers the knowledge that you need for the Foundation Level – System Handling user certification. You can find up-to-date information on this certification on the SAP website at https://training.sap.com/shop/certification/.
Acknowledgments
It’s not easy to write a book on this kind of subject, especially because it covers such a wide range of topics, all of which are useful to readers.
While writing this book, I received support from many people. First of all, I want to thank my wife, Nicole, for her support, and Eva Tripp, editor at SAP PRESS, for the excellent cooperation and infinite patience. My thanks also go to Ana Carla Psenner and Anja Marxsen for their constructive reviews of the chapters on Financial Accounting, Controlling, and Human Resources. Thank you to my employer ABISCON GmbH in Nuremberg for letting me use the SAP test system.