Jawad Akhtar's Blog - Posts Tagged "sap"
Outline of my book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
Book Title: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
ISBN: 978-1-59229-868-6
Publisher: SAP PRESS (Galileo Press)
Author: Jawad Akhtar
Contact Info. [Author]: jawad.akhtar@live.com
Twitter: jawadahl
In Part I of this book, starting in Chapter 2, we cover the broad outline of the entire book and why you should proceed to implement a specific functionality or how it will benefit your business processes. We’ll discuss the enterprise structure that you’ll need to set up in the PP component, which at the same time also depends on the enterprise structures of other components. The enterprise structure forms the backbone of the SAP ERP system, in which all the important business processes of the company are mapped. Eventually, reporting also takes important elements from the enterprise structure.
In Part II of this book, we move forward with covering the configuration basics that you need to set up for each production type. However, the primary focus of the three chapters in this part is on the configuration basics only, whereas the actual and practical use of configuration basics are covered with the business processes in Part III. Chapter 3 covers the configuration basics of discrete manufacturing, whereas Chapter 4 attends to the configuration basics of process manufacturing. Chapter 5 covers the configuration details that you need to know for repetitive manufacturing.
Part III of this book discusses the production planning workflow by each production type, and here we make logical connections to the business processes of each production type for which we undertook the configuration in the relevant chapters of Part II. Chapter 6 provides an in-depth coverage of the business processes of PP in discrete manufacturing. Chapter 7 brings out the similarities and differences between discrete and process manufacturing, but remains primarily focused on the process industry-specific functionality known as Process Management. Process Management then matures to a user-friendly functionality known as XSteps. In the same chapter, we also cover how to use the Process Manufacturing Cockpit. The focus of Chapter 8 is on the important business processes of repetitive manufacturing, in which, once again, we make consistent and logical links to the configuration chapter.
Part IV of this book covers the PP workflow tools. Chapter 9 focuses on Sales and Operations Planning (SOP), in which we cover product group, flexible planning, and standard analyses in flexible planning. Forecasting as an invaluable planning tool is also covered in this chapter. Chapter 10 is on SAP Demand Management, in which we cover planning strategies and production methods such as make-to-order (MTO) and make-to-stock (MTS). Material requirements planning (MRP) is covered in Chapter 11, in which we discuss the planning calendar and also MRP areas. In Chapter 12, you’ll see how you can use MRP to successfully execute Long-Term Planning (LTP) to simulate what-if planning scenarios.
Part V is all about optimizing PP. Chapter 13 covers special procurement types, such as subcontracting, phantom assembly, procurement or production at another plant, withdrawal from another plant, consignment, and pipeline materials. In Chapter 14, we show you how to manage the capacity requirements planning (CRP) in your SAP ERP system, including its evaluation and leveling. Chapter 15 covers the versatile and dynamic functionality of the classification system, which is cross-modular and finds several applications not just in the PP component but also in other Logistics components. In Chapter 16, we show you how you can leverage Engineering Change Management (ECM) to bring better control and visibility to your master data creation processes or the changes made to already-created master data, not just in the PP component but also in other Logistics components. The co-products and by-products that the actual production process generates find comprehensive coverage in Chapter 17. The option to record details specific to a shift or for various shifts in a day and then be able to generate a report is covered in Chapter 18 when shift notes and shift reports are discussed. A dedicated chapter on the Document Management System (DMS) in Chapter 19 is to reflect upon the importance of having a plethora of a company’s digital assets in a secure environment that is also easily accessible when needed. DMS is also a cross-modular component, and you can implement it not just in the PP component but in other Logistics components. Next, in Chapter 20, we show you the benefits of implementing the digital signature functionality in your business processes to eliminate or reduce the manual signature and approval process. Digital signature is also cross-modular.
The last part, Part VI, is all about monitoring and evaluating your PP component in SAP ERP. In Chapter 21, you’ll learn how to quickly set up alerts in your SAP ERP system with the Early Warning System (EWS) to closely monitor important deviations to your business processes and take quick decisions and actions. You can also set up EWS in other Logistics functions, if needed. In Chapter 22, you’ll learn the features, functionalities, menu paths, navigation tools, and many options available to run a large number of standard reports available in SAP ERP. The concepts that you’ll develop here will enable you to expand your knowledge horizon to explore standard reports available in other Logistics components. In this chapter, we also cover how you can quickly create your own reports by using the SAP Query tools. Finally, in Chapter 23 we give you some “flavors” to the complex and highly interconnected world of PP component integration with other Logistics functions. Here, we provide five examples in which the PP component integrates with Materials Management (MM), Quality Management (QM), Project Systems (PS), and Plant Maintenance (PM) components. We also provide a roadmap you can use to ensure effective planning and comprehensive monitoring of cross-components integration during your SAP ERP system implementation project.
In the appendices, you’ll find a comparison table of the production types (discrete, process, and repetitive), and a glossary of some of the more important terms used in PP.
ISBN: 978-1-59229-868-6
Publisher: SAP PRESS (Galileo Press)
Author: Jawad Akhtar
Contact Info. [Author]: jawad.akhtar@live.com
Twitter: jawadahl
In Part I of this book, starting in Chapter 2, we cover the broad outline of the entire book and why you should proceed to implement a specific functionality or how it will benefit your business processes. We’ll discuss the enterprise structure that you’ll need to set up in the PP component, which at the same time also depends on the enterprise structures of other components. The enterprise structure forms the backbone of the SAP ERP system, in which all the important business processes of the company are mapped. Eventually, reporting also takes important elements from the enterprise structure.
In Part II of this book, we move forward with covering the configuration basics that you need to set up for each production type. However, the primary focus of the three chapters in this part is on the configuration basics only, whereas the actual and practical use of configuration basics are covered with the business processes in Part III. Chapter 3 covers the configuration basics of discrete manufacturing, whereas Chapter 4 attends to the configuration basics of process manufacturing. Chapter 5 covers the configuration details that you need to know for repetitive manufacturing.
Part III of this book discusses the production planning workflow by each production type, and here we make logical connections to the business processes of each production type for which we undertook the configuration in the relevant chapters of Part II. Chapter 6 provides an in-depth coverage of the business processes of PP in discrete manufacturing. Chapter 7 brings out the similarities and differences between discrete and process manufacturing, but remains primarily focused on the process industry-specific functionality known as Process Management. Process Management then matures to a user-friendly functionality known as XSteps. In the same chapter, we also cover how to use the Process Manufacturing Cockpit. The focus of Chapter 8 is on the important business processes of repetitive manufacturing, in which, once again, we make consistent and logical links to the configuration chapter.
Part IV of this book covers the PP workflow tools. Chapter 9 focuses on Sales and Operations Planning (SOP), in which we cover product group, flexible planning, and standard analyses in flexible planning. Forecasting as an invaluable planning tool is also covered in this chapter. Chapter 10 is on SAP Demand Management, in which we cover planning strategies and production methods such as make-to-order (MTO) and make-to-stock (MTS). Material requirements planning (MRP) is covered in Chapter 11, in which we discuss the planning calendar and also MRP areas. In Chapter 12, you’ll see how you can use MRP to successfully execute Long-Term Planning (LTP) to simulate what-if planning scenarios.
Part V is all about optimizing PP. Chapter 13 covers special procurement types, such as subcontracting, phantom assembly, procurement or production at another plant, withdrawal from another plant, consignment, and pipeline materials. In Chapter 14, we show you how to manage the capacity requirements planning (CRP) in your SAP ERP system, including its evaluation and leveling. Chapter 15 covers the versatile and dynamic functionality of the classification system, which is cross-modular and finds several applications not just in the PP component but also in other Logistics components. In Chapter 16, we show you how you can leverage Engineering Change Management (ECM) to bring better control and visibility to your master data creation processes or the changes made to already-created master data, not just in the PP component but also in other Logistics components. The co-products and by-products that the actual production process generates find comprehensive coverage in Chapter 17. The option to record details specific to a shift or for various shifts in a day and then be able to generate a report is covered in Chapter 18 when shift notes and shift reports are discussed. A dedicated chapter on the Document Management System (DMS) in Chapter 19 is to reflect upon the importance of having a plethora of a company’s digital assets in a secure environment that is also easily accessible when needed. DMS is also a cross-modular component, and you can implement it not just in the PP component but in other Logistics components. Next, in Chapter 20, we show you the benefits of implementing the digital signature functionality in your business processes to eliminate or reduce the manual signature and approval process. Digital signature is also cross-modular.
The last part, Part VI, is all about monitoring and evaluating your PP component in SAP ERP. In Chapter 21, you’ll learn how to quickly set up alerts in your SAP ERP system with the Early Warning System (EWS) to closely monitor important deviations to your business processes and take quick decisions and actions. You can also set up EWS in other Logistics functions, if needed. In Chapter 22, you’ll learn the features, functionalities, menu paths, navigation tools, and many options available to run a large number of standard reports available in SAP ERP. The concepts that you’ll develop here will enable you to expand your knowledge horizon to explore standard reports available in other Logistics components. In this chapter, we also cover how you can quickly create your own reports by using the SAP Query tools. Finally, in Chapter 23 we give you some “flavors” to the complex and highly interconnected world of PP component integration with other Logistics functions. Here, we provide five examples in which the PP component integrates with Materials Management (MM), Quality Management (QM), Project Systems (PS), and Plant Maintenance (PM) components. We also provide a roadmap you can use to ensure effective planning and comprehensive monitoring of cross-components integration during your SAP ERP system implementation project.
In the appendices, you’ll find a comparison table of the production types (discrete, process, and repetitive), and a glossary of some of the more important terms used in PP.
Reading Sample of book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
I am excited to share another nugget with my lovely readers.
Click to download Reading Sample of my SAP PRESS Published book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
I look forward to your thoughts on content covered in the book.
Thank you,
Jawad Akhtar
Click to download Reading Sample of my SAP PRESS Published book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
I look forward to your thoughts on content covered in the book.
Thank you,
Jawad Akhtar
Reading Sample of the Book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
I am excited to share another nugget of my book with my wonderful readers.
Click to download Reading Sample of my SAP PRESS Published book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
I look forward to your thoughts on content covered in the book.
Thank you,
Jawad Akhtar
Click to download Reading Sample of my SAP PRESS Published book: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
I look forward to your thoughts on content covered in the book.
Thank you,
Jawad Akhtar
How do I promote my book?
Dear Readers,
I apologize in advance if this question has been asked or answered before.
If not, perhaps you all can help and guide me in this matter.
I am looking for ways to promote and create a buzz around my just-published book. While it is traditionally-published, I am told that the publisher do the bulk of marketing and other promotional activities.
However, I wish to do my share to bring greater visibility of my book to a large number of potential readers.
Below are some of the steps that I've taken so far:
1. Created a Facebook page.
2. Created a goodreads author's account and occasionally post blogs.
3. Used LinkedIn and social media (Twitter etc.) to create buzz.
4. Created and sent press release about the book's launch.
5. Leveraged my professional and personal network
6. Offered discount coupons and reading samples of the book.
7. Working with editors of websites with whom I had worked previously to get or update author's byline with a mention of book.
8. Asking for honest and critical reviews from readers who just bought my book.
9. Writing greater number of articles, quick tips, columns or creating videos to indirectly highlight the author's byline.
10. Creating Webinars/Podcasts for top websites.
Are the above ten activities enough? Have I missed out or overlooked anything important or potentially effective to my book promotion?
I'd love to have your feedback and guidance on this.
Thank you very much, in advance.
Ohh, by the way, here's my book!!
I apologize in advance if this question has been asked or answered before.
If not, perhaps you all can help and guide me in this matter.
I am looking for ways to promote and create a buzz around my just-published book. While it is traditionally-published, I am told that the publisher do the bulk of marketing and other promotional activities.
However, I wish to do my share to bring greater visibility of my book to a large number of potential readers.
Below are some of the steps that I've taken so far:
1. Created a Facebook page.
2. Created a goodreads author's account and occasionally post blogs.
3. Used LinkedIn and social media (Twitter etc.) to create buzz.
4. Created and sent press release about the book's launch.
5. Leveraged my professional and personal network
6. Offered discount coupons and reading samples of the book.
7. Working with editors of websites with whom I had worked previously to get or update author's byline with a mention of book.
8. Asking for honest and critical reviews from readers who just bought my book.
9. Writing greater number of articles, quick tips, columns or creating videos to indirectly highlight the author's byline.
10. Creating Webinars/Podcasts for top websites.
Are the above ten activities enough? Have I missed out or overlooked anything important or potentially effective to my book promotion?
I'd love to have your feedback and guidance on this.
Thank you very much, in advance.
Ohh, by the way, here's my book!!
It’s about time to pay back to the wonderful SAP Community!
Many Thanks to everyone for making my just-published book among the best sellers (currently at # 4 of Top 10) and with 5-Stars Reviews: http://bit.ly/19t87Gg
You can download the reading sample of the book here: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
To pay back to the SAP community, please send me your most pressing and challenging SAP Logistics, Supply Chain (SCM), Integration, Change Management or Project Management or your Career issues at jawad.akhtar@live.com. I’ll answer them for you on "Ask-the-Expert” columns in SearchSAP.com: http://bit.ly/1err9Cd
You can download the reading sample of the book here: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
To pay back to the SAP community, please send me your most pressing and challenging SAP Logistics, Supply Chain (SCM), Integration, Change Management or Project Management or your Career issues at jawad.akhtar@live.com. I’ll answer them for you on "Ask-the-Expert” columns in SearchSAP.com: http://bit.ly/1err9Cd
Join me for an hour-long Q&A Session on SAP PRESS Best-Selling Book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP”
Please join me for an hour-long Questions and Answers (Q&A) session on November 19, 2013 at 12:30pm EST (Boston/ NYC time), to discuss ways you can fine tune and optimize your production processes.
In this Q&A session, you may ask questions specific to the topics covered in the book, or any other pressing issues that are preventing you from optimizing your company’s business processes.
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my just-published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked at number 3, among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website: http://bit.ly/19t87Gg
To register for the Q&A session, follow the link: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
Thank you and I also look forward to a friendly chat with you all during the upcoming Q&A session.
Jawad
In this Q&A session, you may ask questions specific to the topics covered in the book, or any other pressing issues that are preventing you from optimizing your company’s business processes.
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my just-published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked at number 3, among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website: http://bit.ly/19t87Gg
To register for the Q&A session, follow the link: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
Thank you and I also look forward to a friendly chat with you all during the upcoming Q&A session.
Jawad
What's the best time to tackle SAP master data templates?
What's the best time to incorporate SAP master data templates?
At the end of an SAP ERP implementation project, teams often share lessons learned of what they could do better the next time around. These might include a greater focus on change management or better integration between SAP ERP modules. Master data management, and the role it plays in an implementation project's future success, is one area that is often overlooked when it comes to ERP implementations. That's a mistake. Overlooking master data during project planning and implementation can lead to problems down the road. Taking advantage of SAP master data templates is an important part of developing that master data management strategy.
To read the entire published piece, please click on: http://bit.ly/18wtXtd
Until next time,
Jawad
At the end of an SAP ERP implementation project, teams often share lessons learned of what they could do better the next time around. These might include a greater focus on change management or better integration between SAP ERP modules. Master data management, and the role it plays in an implementation project's future success, is one area that is often overlooked when it comes to ERP implementations. That's a mistake. Overlooking master data during project planning and implementation can lead to problems down the road. Taking advantage of SAP master data templates is an important part of developing that master data management strategy.
To read the entire published piece, please click on: http://bit.ly/18wtXtd
Until next time,
Jawad
Missed the hour-long Qs & As session on optimizing production processes in SAP ERP? No worries! Here’s the link to the transcript.
Many Thanks to SAP PRESS, SAPexperts, and SAPinsider Online for lining up an AMAZING hour-long Questions & Answers (Qs & As) session on November 19, 2013.
No matter what time of the day or night the Qs & As session was held, there’s always someone, somewhere in the world for whom it was in middle of the night (it was late night for me too!).
Here’s the link to the entire transcript of the Qs & As session: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my just-published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked at number 2 (at the time of writing this post! :)), among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website: http://bit.ly/19t87Gg
If you’ve already bought the book, be sure to leave your honest feedback and review on either SAP PRESS website (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg), or on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1aLInGm).
In case, you still haven’t downloaded the FREE reading sample of the book, here’s the link: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
Until next time,
Jawad
No matter what time of the day or night the Qs & As session was held, there’s always someone, somewhere in the world for whom it was in middle of the night (it was late night for me too!).
Here’s the link to the entire transcript of the Qs & As session: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my just-published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked at number 2 (at the time of writing this post! :)), among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website: http://bit.ly/19t87Gg
If you’ve already bought the book, be sure to leave your honest feedback and review on either SAP PRESS website (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg), or on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1aLInGm).
In case, you still haven’t downloaded the FREE reading sample of the book, here’s the link: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
Until next time,
Jawad
Eight Ways to Improve your SAP Supply Chain Operations
Hello everyone,
Fulfilling my promise to start sharing and contributing more towards the wonderful SAP community, I've decided to share some of my widely-read and appreciated pieces, published over a period of time on SearchSAP. These are collection of eight different published pieces to help improve your SAP logistics and supply chain operations.
You can also register for Free on SearchSAP, and immediately start reading some or all of my published pieces on:
Eight ways to improve your SAP supply chain operations
The link is: http://bit.ly/17ohtsQ
SearchSAP has published many more of my articles. All you have to do is search for articles that I have written, and you'll gain insights on various aspects of actual SAP ERP implementation projects, and ways to optimize your logistics and supply chain management (SCM).
I also wish to take this opportunity let you know all that I am indeed honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – STILL ranked among TOP 3 bestselling books on SAP PRESS website (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg).
You can download the FREE Reading Sample (over 100 pages) of the book from this link: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
If you have already read the book, be sure to leave your feedback and review on either SAP PRESS (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg) or on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1aLInGm).
Finally, if you wish to read the transcript of an AMAZING Q&A session jointly organized by SAP PRESS, SAPinsider Online and SAPexperts, the link is here: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
Until next time,
Jawad Akhtar
Fulfilling my promise to start sharing and contributing more towards the wonderful SAP community, I've decided to share some of my widely-read and appreciated pieces, published over a period of time on SearchSAP. These are collection of eight different published pieces to help improve your SAP logistics and supply chain operations.
You can also register for Free on SearchSAP, and immediately start reading some or all of my published pieces on:
Eight ways to improve your SAP supply chain operations
The link is: http://bit.ly/17ohtsQ
SearchSAP has published many more of my articles. All you have to do is search for articles that I have written, and you'll gain insights on various aspects of actual SAP ERP implementation projects, and ways to optimize your logistics and supply chain management (SCM).
I also wish to take this opportunity let you know all that I am indeed honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my published book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – STILL ranked among TOP 3 bestselling books on SAP PRESS website (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg).
You can download the FREE Reading Sample (over 100 pages) of the book from this link: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
If you have already read the book, be sure to leave your feedback and review on either SAP PRESS (http://bit.ly/19t87Gg) or on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1aLInGm).
Finally, if you wish to read the transcript of an AMAZING Q&A session jointly organized by SAP PRESS, SAPinsider Online and SAPexperts, the link is here: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
Until next time,
Jawad Akhtar
Link to "Production Planning and Control" Q&A Session
Hello everyone,
Thanks to SAP PRESS, SAPexperts SCM Hub, and SAPinsider Online for lining up an amazing hour-long Questions & Answers (Q&A) session recently on the bestselling book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP”.
No matter what time of the day or night the Q&A session was held, there’s always someone, somewhere in the world for whom it was in middle of the night!
In case you have missed the Q&A session, here’s the link to the entire transcript: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my bestselling book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked number 2 (at the time of writing this blog post! ), among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website.
If you have already read the book, be sure to leave your feedback and review on either SAP PRESS website, or on Amazon. In fact, I HIGHLY encourage you to leave your review/feedback on these websites for the benefit of SAP community. In your review, I will be very interested in knowing which chapters / sections / functionality covered in the book helped you with optimizing companies' business processes. You may also share the shortcomings and gaps that you found in the book!
You can downloaded the FREE reading sample of the book (over 100 pages) here: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
Until next time,
Jawad Akhtar
Book Title: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
Publisher: SAP PRESS (Galileo Press)
ISBN: 978-1-59229-868-6
Type: Hardcover, 1028 pages (Other formats also available)
Author: Jawad Akhtar
Twitter: @jawadahl
Thanks to SAP PRESS, SAPexperts SCM Hub, and SAPinsider Online for lining up an amazing hour-long Questions & Answers (Q&A) session recently on the bestselling book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP”.
No matter what time of the day or night the Q&A session was held, there’s always someone, somewhere in the world for whom it was in middle of the night!
In case you have missed the Q&A session, here’s the link to the entire transcript: http://bit.ly/1eKCkJ5
I must certainly admit that I am honored and humbled to see the massive popularity, appreciation and demand of my bestselling book “Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP” – currently ranked number 2 (at the time of writing this blog post! ), among the TOP 10 best selling books on SAP PRESS website.
If you have already read the book, be sure to leave your feedback and review on either SAP PRESS website, or on Amazon. In fact, I HIGHLY encourage you to leave your review/feedback on these websites for the benefit of SAP community. In your review, I will be very interested in knowing which chapters / sections / functionality covered in the book helped you with optimizing companies' business processes. You may also share the shortcomings and gaps that you found in the book!
You can downloaded the FREE reading sample of the book (over 100 pages) here: http://bit.ly/15BrXPl
Until next time,
Jawad Akhtar
Book Title: Production Planning and Control with SAP ERP
Publisher: SAP PRESS (Galileo Press)
ISBN: 978-1-59229-868-6
Type: Hardcover, 1028 pages (Other formats also available)
Author: Jawad Akhtar
Twitter: @jawadahl
