Last week I discussed how third-party scheduling tools were hurting your organization’s data. Using a solution outside of SAP adds another layer of complexity, including:
- Additional costs if extra servers are needed or if maintenance is required.
- Additional software and hardware requirements.
- Users will need to determine how the solution will fit into the existing IT infrastructure and landscape.
- IT will need to assess the cost factors associated with adding another layer of infrastructure and the support needed to maintain the system.
From an end user’s perspective, a major challenge with using an external solution for project management is that real-time data is not readily available. Uploading and downloading data into multiple systems or spreadsheets leads to time delays and data corruption. Organizations are forced to find ways to manage the gaps between SAP and the additional systems, even paying a cost premium for middle-ware interfaces between the third party system and SAP. Because none of these solutions are managing data in real-time, extra time and effort continues to be wasted trying to correct data errors or lags in updates.
End users will also face challenges in the alignment and visibility between the multiple systems. For example, changes made in the third-party solution might not show up in SAP appropriately and will lead to challenges with managing the project’s timeline or scope.
Furthermore, using a non-SAP solution can also strain system support resources. Often third-party solutions drive additional software and hardware requirements and do not readily “fit” into the existing IT Infrastructure and landscape. Cost is also a concern given that the middle-ware is expensive and often requires additional systems support.
Reliance on an external solution outside of SAP for project planning – no matter how robust it might be – can hurt a major shutdown or project. By keeping all data inside SAP, your organization can see improvements in real-time data and a workforce that is empowered by using only one solution.
What do you think? Keeping data inside of SAP certainly simplifies the planning and scheduling process. Does your organization use third party software outside of SAP to manage projects or day to day maintenance?