Disposition is still neglected at management level: too many details and interrelationships that are difficult to grasp at first glance often deter people from taking a closer look.
The new SAP diagnostic connector from Abels & Kemmner (A&K) promises to shed light on the data jungle of scheduling. The diagnostic plug is a USB stick with analysis software based on Microsoft Excel. Data is automatically read from SAP, evaluated and graphically displayed via standardized interfaces to the SAP system. According to the provider, the independent data synchronization and the subsequent automatic calculations take between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the amount of data. Pivot tables and charts are then available to show the optimization potential and thus also the liquidity reserves in the inventories. This should enable any need for action to be identified quickly. The tool also automatically identifies realistic inventory reduction potential.
“German companies must learn to plan better,” says Dr. Bernd Reineke, Managing Director of A&K. Unsuitable process chains and organizational deficits are driving up companies’ inventories, Reineke continues: “The new diagnostic plug reveals these shortcomings in replenishment. And it does so in an understandable way.” For example, implemented help texts assist with the interpretation of tables and graphics.
The diagnostic plug-in is available in two versions: The light version (79 euros token fee) is intended to be suitable for initial analyses and an initial evaluation of inventory reduction potential. According to the provider, the professional version (990 euros/year usage license) enables a more differentiated, material-specific evaluation. The Professional diagnostic plug also enables automatic updating of evaluations in batch mode. Managers and administrators from the areas of planning, scheduling, logistics, materials management, purchasing and controlling can use it to carry out regularly updated evaluations. This should allow the status of the SAP system to be continuously diagnosed.
