General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Mad cougher in Nebraska fired [View all]ProfessorGAC
(65,021 posts)Depending upon how many modules are turned on, it can be used to track transactions in a company, from inventory control, procurement, accounts payable/receivable, transportation, HR, quality records, etc.
It has a huge proprietary relational database that allows connections across multiple functions, locations, and divisions. Basically, every piece of data that could possibly be related to other types, is interconnected.
It's often set up for FDI. (Financial data interchange.) IOW, bills can be automatically paid, invoices can receive funds directly, electronically.
Every module turned on cost big bucks.
When the company I worked for went to SAP, it was a $35 million dollar project. 10 years later, when the Quality Module was turned on, they paid $4 million, which was 50% of list!
It's designed to be browser based, but most integrators use a custom browser, instead of using Chrome or Firefox, or other.
It takes significant training just for users. And, after QA testing is complete, Superusers are trained to actually be around other workers overseeing & providing assistance for several weeks.
There are other big products like this, but SAP is VERY broadly used, nearly everywhere in the world.
I don't miss extracting data from it.