Back in 2009, SAP AG explained a new concept that it hoped would revolutionise users' businesses, and that was the exciting idea of No Hands SAP.
Co-chief executive Jim Hagemann Snabe introduced the topic at the SAP Tech Ed conference in Palo Alto two years ago, but still the idea of a hands-off approach to IT processes and management seems alien to many businesses.
In a speech led by 'Demo-boy' Ian Kimbell (http://twitter.com/IJKMan), he explained that companies are looking for innovation extensions to improve their business reach and integrate their processes using new connected forms of technology.
Mr Kimbell used the example of an aviation company and showed how you could effectively manage stock, in this case tools, without using time-consuming administrative procedures.
This is achieved by using sensor network solutions, which typically consist of distributed autonomous sensors which are interconnected through a gateway and an Internet Protocol network. While most interfaces and gateway protocols are vendor specific, these vendors can offer more specialist network hardware and software solutions for management of sensors and the subsequent generated data.
Sensor network solutions detect and react to environmental changes, they produce events and can communicate with other SAP solutions or systems to notify them of any changes.
Initially, sensor network solutions were focused on niche industries, but gradually as businesses get their head around this new technology they are seeking to integrate them with their existing SAP solutions. They are also beginning to be used with event driven and cloud based software.
By utilising sensor solutions and the sensor network platform, users can monitor the locations of their stock in real time and with unprecedented resolution and detail when integrated with existing SAP solutions and software such as SAP Supply Chain Management (SCM) and SAP Enterprise Resource Planning.
Tool Crib showcased how off-the-shelf sensor devices are connected to SAP applications at SAP SAPPHIRE 2010. The demo shows how a transaction can be made with no user intervention -- a truly "SAP no-hands" experience.
Sensor network solutions act as an integration layer among different SAP and non-SAP solutions and can keep you up to date by proactively warning you of violations of storage regulations even before problems have arisen through the Enterprise Asset Management System or SCM system.
Produce that bears a shelf life can receive comprehensive monitoring and the energy consumption of your production environment, office or storage facilities will be updated regularly to ensure that you have accurate and constant information at your finger tips.
In essence, these sensor network solutions act as a middle man between you and your stock and provide your business with accurate real-time data to help you manage your back-end products and the inner workings of your firm.
They take advantage of new technology such as iPhones and iGoogle, which can keep an up-to-date log of your business processes both on site and through mobile interactions between your different locations. It therefore gives you the opportunity to manage stock from the boardroom right down to the warehouse floor using the same programs.
While sensor network solutions are a relatively new addition to SAP's selection of management software tools they could help improve the efficiency of your business, saving both time and money.
Welcome to SAP Imagineering.
Thanks,
Dan
