SAP ERP software and modules

SAP ERP software and modules help businesses get real-time updates across the organization. Our experts and writers tackle the issues posed by SAP's staggering array of modules -- from the traditional core modules such as financial accounting and controlling to newer offerings -- including implementation strategies and best practices.

Top Stories

News 21 Mar 2024
SAP chief AI officer: Waiting on AI is the wrong strategy

SAP's first chief AI officer, Philipp Herzig, outlines the company's new AI-focused organization and underscores why companies should begin experimenting with AI technologies. Continue Reading
Feature 05 Feb 2024
Hilti Group uses tools, tech to tackle circular manufacturing

Hilti Group's move to circular manufacturing helps with sustainability targets while building on existing processes and helping address supply chain issues. Continue Reading

Feature 05 Feb 2024

Hilti Group uses tools, tech to tackle circular manufacturing

Hilti Group's move to circular manufacturing helps with sustainability targets while building on existing processes and helping address supply chain issues. Continue Reading
News 30 Jan 2024

New Rise with SAP program targets barriers to cloud moves

The Rise with SAP Migration and Modernization program includes cost incentives and services aimed at on-premises customers reluctant to move to S/4HANA Cloud. Continue Reading
News 12 Jan 2024

SAP debuts 4 AI-based retail capabilities

At the National Retail Federation 2024 conference, SAP will feature new retail capabilities for predictive demand planning, predictive replenishment of goods and order management. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Jan 2024

SAP's stance on cloud-only innovation needs clarity in 2024

SAP must focus on delivering technical and business value for all customers in 2024 rather than alienating some by offering modern technologies for S/4HANA Cloud users only. Continue Reading
Definition 10 Jan 2024

vendor management system (VMS)

A vendor management system (VMS) is an enterprise software platform that helps companies control the process of procuring and managing a flexible workforce. Continue Reading
Feature 10 Jan 2024

10 ERP trends for 2024 and beyond

AI-driven automation is fast transforming an ERP market that continues its long march to the cloud, as many buyers seek modernization, efficiency and help with ESG reporting. Continue Reading
Feature 20 Dec 2023

Evaluating today's 8 leading ERP software vendors

Here's an overview to help you understand the strengths, market positioning and major product lines of eight leaders in ERP, with quick takes from industry analysts. Continue Reading
Feature 13 Dec 2023

Explaining the hidden costs of ERP implementations

It's easy to know what the software costs, but what about variables like customization, productivity and training? Experts reveal the pitfalls so you can avoid expensive surprises. Continue Reading
Tip 07 Dec 2023

ERP implementation: 10 steps for success

Follow these well-trod steps, line up the best people, be fully aware of the most common mistakes, and use the right metrics to ensure your ERP project delivers on its promises. Continue Reading
News 30 Nov 2023

Accenture, SAP partner on supply chain visibility

A partnership between Accenture and SAP builds supply chain capabilities on SAP IBP that enables organizations to identify and respond to changes in supply, demand and inventory. Continue Reading
Feature 26 Oct 2023

Grow with SAP tries to make midmarket a big market

Midmarket organizations may find S/4HANA Cloud via Grow with SAP an attractive vehicle to the cloud. But SAP faces challenges in going after the market segment. Continue Reading
Definition 23 Oct 2023

advanced shipping notice (ASN)

An advanced shipping notice (ASN) is a document that provides detailed information about a pending delivery. Continue Reading
Definition 23 Oct 2023

GR/IR clearing account (goods receipt/invoice receipt clearing account)

A GR/IR clearing account (goods receipt/invoice receipt clearing account) is a bookkeeping device that can be used when goods arrive before the invoice is generated or when an invoice arrives before the goods are delivered. Continue Reading
News 13 Oct 2023

SAP dangles bigger carrots for S/4HANA Cloud, Rise

SAP unveiled products and services to spur cloud migrations, including the new S/4HANA Cloud, private edition; a premium plus package for Rise with SAP; and migration services. Continue Reading
News 11 Oct 2023

GenAI moves into enterprise spend at SAP Spend Connect

At Spend Connect Live, SAP unveiled plans to embed generative AI into its spend management applications and introduced its Spend Control Tower for enterprise spend analysis. Continue Reading
News 28 Sep 2023

SAP joins generative AI crowd with Joule

SAP's Joule is the company's generative AI assistant for its cloud portfolio, but the technology is still in the early stages and the ERP giant will need to prove its value. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Jun 2023

Arista ditches spreadsheets, email for SAP IBP

As rapid growth outstripped Arista Networks' spreadsheet-based supply chain processes, the company implemented a digital supply chain with SAP Integrated Business Planning. Continue Reading
Conference Coverage 01 Jun 2023

SAP Sapphire 2023 news, trends and analysis

The conference showed SAP is responding to the demand for generative AI and highlighted SAP cloud products, services and testimonials from companies that have moved to the cloud. Continue Reading
Podcast 31 May 2023

SAP AI initiatives expand on several fronts at Sapphire 2023

TechTarget editors discuss SAP AI announcements and demos unveiled at Sapphire 2023 conferences in Orlando and Barcelona, including SAP's generative AI partnership with Microsoft. Continue Reading
News 25 May 2023

ERP roundup: SAP partners unveil new products at Sapphire

At SAP Sapphire 2023, SAP partners and ISVs displayed products and services aimed at automating processes, improving security and managing moves to S/4HANA Cloud. Continue Reading
News 22 May 2023

SAP's new sustainability ledger tracks carbon emissions

If companies want to improve sustainability efforts, they will need to treat environmental reporting like financial accounting. SAP unveiled the green ledger to facilitate this. Continue Reading
News 18 May 2023

SAP pushes business-grade AI, but customers aren't biting

Business-oriented AI headlined this week's SAP Sapphire, which includes new partnerships with vendors like Microsoft, but customers expressed only cursory interest. Continue Reading
News 16 May 2023

SAP Business AI and sustainability dominate Sapphire

The new SAP Business AI, which embeds AI into a number of SAP products, and new SAP sustainability products including its 'green ledger' highlighted the first day of SAP Sapphire. Continue Reading
News 15 May 2023

SAP's next step for CRM? Industry-oriented CX

SAP has tightened its approach to CX, providing a composable architecture designed for specific industries that shifts away from competing with market leaders such as Salesforce. Continue Reading
News 11 May 2023

AI, cloud and networks set to take SAP Sapphire stage

SAP Sapphire 2023 will be dominated by news about generative AI, but SAP needs to clarify information around S/4HANA Cloud and prove its products help customers solve problems. Continue Reading
News 03 May 2023

SAP gets dose of AI with IBM Watson

SAP will now integrate IBM Watson into the SAP Start digital assistant for its cloud applications. But there are questions about how much value this adds. Continue Reading
Feature 31 Mar 2023

Jabil's S/4HANA Cloud move: Shift now, transform later

When it came time to move from SAP ECC to S/4HANA Cloud, Jabil chose to lift-and-shift systems in stages. Business transformation will come after the cloud migration. Continue Reading
News 22 Mar 2023

SAP looks to grow S/4HANA Cloud presence in midmarket

Grow with SAP is a new program targeted at driving SAP S/4HANA Cloud sales in the midmarket, but can it address the perception that S/4HANA Cloud is too complex for those companies? Continue Reading
News 13 Mar 2023

SAP agrees to sell Qualtrics stake for $7.7B

SAP's sale of Qualtrics reaches its final stage as it sells shares for $7.7 billion. The deal recoups the initial investment but may signal that SAP is moving out of XM software. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Feb 2023

Pandora embarks on SAP S/4HANA Cloud digital transformation

When its ERP system became outdated, Pandora chose S/4HANA Cloud for its business process transformation. The new system is expected to unify data and improve customer experience. Continue Reading
News 13 Feb 2023

Process mining tool provides guidance based on past projects

SAP Signavio Process Explorer is a next step in the evolution of process mining, delivering recommendations on transformation projects based on thousands of completed projects. Continue Reading
News 26 Jan 2023

Layoffs hit 2.5% of SAP workforce; Qualtrics up for sale

SAP is reducing its workforce in a 'targeted restructuring' and selling Qualtrics. The layoffs mimic other vendors, and the sale could benefit both companies, analysts said. Continue Reading
Feature 12 Jan 2023

SAP leadership gets good grade, but has room to improve

SAP CEO Christian Klein has performed well under tough conditions, observers said, but he still must deal with challenges like improving product strategy and S/4HANA migrations. Continue Reading
News 04 Jan 2023

SAP's future hinges on opening up its IT stack

SAP's first 50 years centered on core ERP systems for internal business operations, but the years ahead must focus on extending functionality outside of the enterprise. Continue Reading
Definition 21 Nov 2022

enterprise asset management (EAM)

Enterprise asset management (EAM) is the process of managing the lifecycle of physical assets to maximize their use; save money; improve quality and efficiency; and safeguard health, safety and the environment. Continue Reading
Definition 14 Nov 2022

SAP SuccessFactors

SAP SuccessFactors is a leading suite of cloud-based talent management and human capital management (HCM) software. Continue Reading
News 09 Nov 2022

SAP Sustainability Control Tower looks to ease ESG reporting

SAP Sustainability Control Tower enables companies of all sizes to gather and manage ESG data. The revamped SaaS model focuses on better ease of use and quicker return of value. Continue Reading
News 27 Oct 2022

SAP improves UX functionality for Intelligent Spend

At SAP Spend Connect, the vendor unveiled new updates to SAP Intelligent Spend applications, including a consumer-like buying experience and a centralized procurement capability. Continue Reading
Definition 17 Oct 2022

just-in-time manufacturing (JIT manufacturing)

Just-in-time manufacturing (JIT manufacturing) is a production model in which items are created to meet demand, not created in surplus or in advance of need. Continue Reading
Podcast 14 Sep 2022

Not so stodgy: SAP 50th anniversary shows it adapts to change

Analyst Vinnie Mirchandani, author of 'SAP Nation 3.0,' says adaptability, customer loyalty and periodic management shakeups are the keys to SAP's longevity. Continue Reading
News 09 Sep 2022

Santander joins SAP MBC to embed financials into processes

SAP Multi-Bank Connectivity has added Santander Bank to its partner list to help companies reduce the complexity of embedding financial services into ERP applications. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Aug 2022

At 50, SAP finds itself at another crossroads

Over its 50-year history, SAP rode business and technology trends to the top of the ERP industry, but it now is at a crossroads and will need to continue to innovate to thrive. Continue Reading
Podcast 10 Jun 2022

How an HR-IT partnership can serve the greater good

MOD Pizza's Tara Gambill explains how enterprise IT initiatives, including the digital transformation of HR by deploying SAP SuccessFactors HXM, helped drive the chain's rapid growth. Continue Reading
News 01 Jun 2022

SAP exec: Begin to prepare a sustainability strategy now

In this Q&A, SAP's Jim Sullivan discusses why sustainability has become an issue that companies need to take seriously, taking into account more regulation and consumer attitudes. Continue Reading
Podcast 25 May 2022

SAP Sapphire 2022 models a digitally transformed future

TechTarget editors who were on site in Orlando and The Hague analyze SAP Sapphire 2022, which is being held in person for the first time since 2019 and extended to nine cities. Continue Reading
Feature 19 May 2022

SAP innovation wing aims to shape future of ERP technology

Self-learning AI and analytics that are smart enough to launch dashboards and alerts are among the research projects that could someday become SAP products. Continue Reading
Definition 17 May 2022

replenishment

Replenishment is the controlled and regular movement of inventory from an upstream point on the supply chain to a downstream location that requires sufficient stock to cover demand. Continue Reading
News 16 May 2022

Sapphire 2022 provided scaled-down value

Rise with SAP took a backseat to sustainability at SAP Sapphire 2022, which returned as a live event. There were no big products announcements, just a flurry of updates. Continue Reading
News 11 May 2022

SAP Sapphire focuses on speed, disruption, sustainability

At SAP Sapphire 2022, the ERP vendor highlighted accelerating business transformation, disruptions to supply chains and sustainability as main challenges that businesses face. Continue Reading
Feature 04 May 2022

SAP Sapphire returns as a scaled-down live event

SAP Sapphire 2022 is back with an in-person and virtual program. Rise with SAP will be a hot topic, but SAP also needs to focus on SAP Business Network and Business Technology Platform. Continue Reading
Podcast 27 Apr 2022

What's so special about industry clouds?

TechTarget editors discuss the emergence of industry clouds from ERP vendors, including Infor, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. Continue Reading
News 08 Apr 2022

SAP teams up with BCG on sustainability strategy

SAP and BCG combine products to enable implementing sustainability programs around eliminating carbon emissions, reducing waste and tracking environmental, social and governance information. Continue Reading
Feature 08 Apr 2022

Top SAP S/4HANA alternatives to add to your ERP shortlist

SAP S/4HANA competitors from Microsoft, Oracle and QAD have much of the capability and scalability you need but with less of the hassle. Here's how they compare. Continue Reading
News 30 Mar 2022

Unilever pursues supply chain sustainability with blockchain

Unilever deploys blockchain-enabled GreenToken by SAP to help ensure the palm oil used in its products comes from responsible sources and doesn't contribute to rainforest loss. Continue Reading
Definition 21 Mar 2022

abandoned call

An abandoned call is a call or other type of contact initiated to a call center that is ended before any conversation occurs. Continue Reading
Definition 16 Mar 2022

SAP ERP

SAP ERP is enterprise resource planning software developed by the company SAP SE. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Mar 2022

4 steps for creating an analytics strategy on SAP ECC

Many companies can benefit from analytics' capabilities, and organizations staying on SAP ECC can still create an effective analytics strategy. Learn how. Continue Reading
Definition 10 Mar 2022

SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA is an ERP business suite based on the SAP HANA in-memory database that allows companies to perform transactions and analyze business data in real time. Continue Reading
Definition 10 Mar 2022

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a SaaS version of SAP S/4HANA ERP, a suite of integrated business applications. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Mar 2022

5 steps for boosting SAP ECC security

Cybersecurity remains a top priority for organizations. Learn some key steps that companies with SAP ECC should follow to boost their security and stay safe. Continue Reading
Definition 01 Mar 2022

SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC)

SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC) is an on-premises enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Continue Reading
Tip 15 Feb 2022

How SAP tools could help you move to continuous accounting

SAP tools like SAP Business Planning and Consolidation can help companies switch from periodic closing to continuous accounting and planning. Learn more about how it works. Continue Reading
Tip 14 Feb 2022

Solving GAAP vs. IFRS, other accounting challenges with SAP

SAP ERP products can help users with international accounting challenges like GAAP vs. IFRS. Learn how the software can potentially make the process easier. Continue Reading
Tip 02 Feb 2022

How can SAP's Financial Closing Cockpit streamline closing?

SAP's Financial Closing Cockpit and its next-generation cloud iteration could help companies manage their closing more efficiently. Learn more about the applications' capabilities. Continue Reading
News 28 Jan 2022

SAP reports strong Q4 earnings; acquires Taulia

SAP Q4 2021 cloud earnings were strong, and the company added to its portfolio by acquiring Taulia for cash management and investing in intelligent contract firm Icertis. Continue Reading
Answer 19 Jan 2022

What SAP product supports project-based teams?

SAP's SuccessFactors Dynamic Teams could help support project-based teams in the workplace and solve associated challenges. Learn more about the new capabilities. Continue Reading
Answer 10 Jan 2022

How can SAP IBP help address supply chain challenges?

As supply chain issues continue to affect companies, SAP's Integrated Business Planning could help improve users' supply chain management. Learn how. Continue Reading
Answer 23 Dec 2021

Should SAP users move from APO to IBP?

SAP is emphasizing its Integrated Business Planning product and moving its Advanced Planning and Optimization tools out of the spotlight. Learn whether users should transition to IBP. Continue Reading
Answer 23 Dec 2021

How can SAP's predictive analytics improve SCM?

SAP's predictive analytics could help users with their supply chain management as supply chain problems persist. Learn more about how these capabilities could benefit users. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Nov 2021

Vendors position ERP as heart of circular economy model

ERP vendors SAP and IFS are positioning themselves at the forefront of enterprise sustainability efforts just as businesses focus on reducing waste and prepare for new regulations. Continue Reading
Feature 02 Nov 2021

Overview of SuccessFactors Center of Capabilities

Here's how SuccessFactors Center of Capabilities can help identify employee abilities, employees who should be upskilled and the projects that have attracted employee interest. Continue Reading
Definition 13 Oct 2021

AribaPay

AribaPay is a system for electronic payments for goods and services on the SAP Ariba Network, a global business trading community. AribaPay is designed to bring visibility and a consumer-like experiences B2B e-commerce, as well as replacing complex and inefficient paper-based invoicing processes and systems. Continue Reading
Definition 13 Oct 2021

SAP Global Trade Services (SAP GTS)

SAP Global Trade Services (GTS) is software that allows companies to support and define import and export trade processes in SAP ERP. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Sep 2021

The at-a-glance guide to the latest SAP ERP choices

IT leaders may find it difficult to distinguish between the versions of S/4HANA. Here's a cheat sheet on the strengths and weaknesses of each. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Aug 2021

How does SAP intend to support a circular economy?

SAP's circular economy efforts include its new software Responsible Design and Production. Learn how it can help producers take responsibility for their environmental impact. Continue Reading
Feature 13 Aug 2021

Bold vision for SAP Business Network not yet a reality

SAP is trying to create a 'network of networks' with its SAP Business Network, which it unveiled in June, but it still has to knit all the elements together. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Jul 2021

Deloitte SAP Industry Cloud apps aim to fill ERP gaps

The head of Deloitte's $4 billion SAP practice explains the consultancy's role in SAP's new industry applications and how Kinetic Microservices can extend S/4HANA Cloud. Continue Reading
Answer 14 Jul 2021

Which SAP software supports sustainability?

SAP is releasing new sustainability software to give organizations the environmental data they need to achieve climate targets. Learn more about each type. Continue Reading
Answer 13 Jul 2021

How does SAP Product Footprint Management work?

SAP Product Footprint Management can help companies assess and manage their environmental impact. Learn about some of the software's capabilities. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Jun 2021

SAP makes play to be core of corporate sustainability efforts

SAP debuted sustainability products so that companies can measure and manage carbon emissions and participate in the circular economy. But are customers ready? Continue Reading
Feature 16 Jun 2021

A buyer's guide to customer-managed S/4HANA Any Premise

Customer-managed S/4HANA Any Premise is best for users who prefer to use a different set of tools and processes than HEC and have more control over the environment. Continue Reading
News 04 Jun 2021

SAP Business Network major focus at Sapphire Now 2021

SAP announced new initiatives such as the SAP Business Network to help companies become intelligent enterprises. Experts described the messaging as impressive but lacking in detail. Continue Reading
Opinion 04 Jun 2021

Sapphire 2021: Unlocking an intelligent business community

Supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic enabled SAP to rethink business networks. Now its strategy is to reduce friction so businesses can work together as a community. Continue Reading
News 14 Apr 2021

SAP forms financial services partnership with Dediq

SAP and financial industry investment firm Dediq are forming a new business unit to develop applications that help banks and insurance firms with changing processes. Continue Reading
Feature 18 Feb 2021

Understand SAP Industry Cloud and how it works

SAP's industry-focused approach to the cloud is meant to provide vertical functionality and digital transformation with less disruption. Here are some examples. Continue Reading
News 27 Jan 2021

SAP, Microsoft partner against Salesforce

Starting in mid-2021, Microsoft and SAP plan to integrate Teams into the latter's business application portfolio. The move is seen as a response to rival Salesforce. Continue Reading
Answer 20 Jan 2021

How can SAP Work Zone for HR help enable a digital workplace?

Part of SAP SuccessFactors HXM, Work Zone for HR is a digital workspace meant to boost employee experience. Learn more about its features and functions. Continue Reading
Feature 12 Jan 2021

SAP Commerce Cloud dresses up digital storefronts

SAP Commerce Cloud is designed to help companies launch digital commerce sites, which may be useful for large enterprises and digital commerce sites with complex processes. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Jan 2021

SAP Business Network, S/4HANA critical for SAP in 2021

SAP's 2021 will be a mix of familiar challenges such as moving customers off legacy systems to S/4HANA and new opportunities such as its SAP Business Network, according to experts. Continue Reading
Answer 06 Jan 2021

What is SAP Field Service Management and what can it do?

Organizations need to get more from their technicians and field workers, and SAP Field Service Management is meant to help. Learn what it can do. Continue Reading
News 29 Dec 2020

SAP in 2020: COVID-19, Klein takes command and Qualtrics IPO

From leadership changes to the massive disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a year like no other for SAP. Here are some of the most important SAP 2020 stories. Continue Reading
News 28 Dec 2020

SAP files for Qualtrics IPO

SAP announced plans for a Qualtrics IPO in July. On Monday, the official paperwork was filed. Continue Reading
Answer 14 Dec 2020

What Qualtrics integration questions should IT ask of SAP?

Qualtrics has certain technical integration challenges, and IT needs to address questions to uncover what they are and how they will affect the implementation. Here's a look. Continue Reading
Tip 11 Dec 2020

How HR can best use Qualtrics in the employee lifecycle

To improve the employee experience, the problems must first be understood. Here's a look at how HR can delve into sentiment and the best moments to do so. Continue Reading
Feature 08 Dec 2020

SAP Intelligent Spend Management shows where the money goes

In this Q&A, SAP's John Wookey explains the current makeup of the SAP Intelligent Spend Management and Business Network group and how it helps companies track their spending. Continue Reading
Definition 30 Nov 2020

SAP FICO (SAP Finance and SAP Controlling)

SAP FICO is an important core functional component in SAP ERP Central Component that allows an organization to manage all of its financial data. Continue Reading
Answer 12 Nov 2020

Does Infoporter aid SAP ERP HCM-Employee Central data migration?

Learn how SAP data migration tool Infoporter assists in moving from SAP ERP HCM to SuccessFactors Employee Central and why IT teams might find it helpful. Continue Reading
Answer 30 Oct 2020

What are some SAP license optimization best practices?

Optimizing SAP licenses is critical in today's insecure business landscape. Here are some best practices organizations can follow to lower costs and get the most from their investment. Continue Reading
News 21 Oct 2020

Partnerships add more supply chain visibility to SAP LBN

New SAP Logistics Business Network partnerships provide users with key logistics data on shipment location and estimated arrival times for road, freight and ocean shipments. Continue Reading
News 07 Oct 2020

Wookey returns to SAP to head Intelligent Spend unit

Industry veteran John Wookey is back at SAP to run the newly formed SAP Intelligent Spend and Business Network as SAP Ariba executive Chris Haydon departs. Continue Reading