SAP (Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing) is software that integrates or unifies all the business functions of an organization in one software package.
SAP R/3 includes up to 15 generic business modules that must be customized to an organization's business processes. These individual SAP modules function as a team, compiling and integrating information across departments and automating information management.
Because SAP is fully integrated, we can think more globally about information transfer. For instance, items purchased through Materials Management will be posted directly and immediately to Financial Accounting and Controlling.
In addition to automating information transfer, SAP offers the university a number of other advantages:
- Automation of workflow
- Security features reduce the need for multiple levels of authorization.
- The SAP report capabilities allow users to drill down through data to the lowest level document.
Currently, the university has the following modules:
Financial Accounting - FI
- FI is designed for managing:
- General ledgers
- Accounts payable
- Fixed assets
- External reporting
It is the integration point that most system components relate to in one way or another.
Controlling - CO
CO manages the flow of costs and revenues.
It facilitates an organization's:
- Internal planning
- Management
- Decision-making processes
It is tightly integrated with all other system components. It collects transactions from other modules, using related data for internal accounting, reporting, and management of university funds.
Human Resources - HR
HR is an integrated system that supports planning and administration of personnel activities, including:
- Hiring
- Separation
- Retirement
- Employee records
- Payroll
- Benefits
- Time recording
This module also contains positions and organizational structure data, which provide the framework for many HR transactions.
Materials Management - MM
- MM supports the procurement function occurring in day-to-day business operations. Purchase orders and goods receipts are examples of activities processed in MM.
Project Systems - PS
PS is used for grants and contracts, plant fund accounting, and student loan funds.
PS helps with:
- Planning
- Managing
- Controlling and figuring the costs of research and development projects - most of which are temporary activities that have a finite life and are subsequently closed.