SAP Solutions Research Articles

Revolutionizing enterprise resource planning: A transformation journey in the Albanian telecommunication industry

This paper explores the critical aspects of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) transformation in the Albanian telecommunications industry. The focus is on SAP tools that include asset modules, the platform for managing ERP stock and inventory, and a new frontline platform for selling device and accessories for all the channels by supporting both mobile and fixed devices. The telecom industry has evolved significantly, and the need for efficient operations, better integration, enhanced security, and improved user experiences has become dominant. Cloudification of the SAP solution running in GCP is part of the revolution. The technical implementation is strongly related to the advantages of an ERP transformation within the telecommunications industry. These benefits include enhanced efficiency and productivity, seamless integration, and impeccable data accuracy, bolstered security and compliance, and an overall enhancement in user experiences. Furthermore, this implementation also navigates the challenges and critical considerations essential in this transformative journey. Re-usability is a key component since the successful implementation in a single market for a single local market, can be replicated in the other markets as well by justifying the high implementation cost of 3 million Euros and the involvement of 32 local stakeholder and 45 global stakeholders.

SAP FICO in Financial Consolidation: SEM-BCS and EC-CS Integration

In the dynamic landscape of financial management, organizations face increasing challenges in consolidating financial statements across various subsidiaries and entities. SAP FICO (Financial Accounting and Controlling) plays a pivotal role in enabling accurate and efficient financial consolidation. Two of the most widely used SAP solutions for this purpose are SAP SEM-BCS (Strategic Enterprise Management - Business Consolidation System) and EC-CS (Enterprise Controlling - Consolidation System). The integration of SEM-BCS and EC-CS within the SAP FICO environment offers a robust framework for achieving streamlined financial consolidation, compliance with global accounting standards, and enhanced financial reporting. SEM-BCS is designed to support comprehensive financial consolidation processes, enabling organizations to collect, process, and present financial data in a consistent manner. It is particularly adept at handling complex consolidation requirements, including intercompany eliminations, minority interest calculations, and currency translations. SEM-BCS also supports various consolidation scenarios, such as legal, management, and ownership-based consolidations, making it a versatile tool for multinational corporations. On the other hand, EC-CS serves as a flexible consolidation system within the SAP landscape, offering capabilities for consolidating financial data across multiple organizational units. EC-CS is known for its ease of use and its integration with other SAP modules, such as SAP FICO and SAP BW (Business Warehouse). It provides essential features like automated data collection, intercompany reconciliation, and consolidation adjustments, ensuring that financial statements are accurate and compliant with standards such as IFRS and US GAAP.

SAP: Fiori Application and its Integration with AI

Abstract: Bridging the Gap Between Data and Decision: SAP Fiori's AI Integration Revolutionizes Business Processes. SAP Fiori, the sleek user interface for SAP solutions, is undergoing a metamorphosis, empowered by the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This integration transcends the traditional data visualization approach, weaving intelligence directly into the user experience. Imagine a purchase order form intelligently suggesting optimal suppliers based on past performance and market fluctuations, or a sales dashboard predicting customer churn with uncanny accuracy. This is the future of SAP Fiori, where AI acts as a co-pilot, guiding users through complex tasks, surfacing relevant insights, and automating repetitive processes. By seamlessly integrating AI, SAP Fiori empowers users to make informed decisions faster, optimize workflows, and unlock new levels of business agility. These abstract paints a picture of the exciting possibilities that emerge when SAP Fiori and AI join forces, transforming the way businesses operates. S/4HANA Cloud migration and AI integration is a powerful combination that can help businesses of all sizes to achieve their transformation goals and stay ahead of the competition. By migrating to S/4HANA Cloud and integrating AI features, businesses can improve their operational efficiency, increase their agility, accelerate their innovation, and reduce their costs. In this paper, author has explained the requirement of SAP S/4HANA Cloud RISE Enterprise Solution Automation with Artificial Intelligence features – a current business transformation needs to achieve business goal.

Digital Transformation in Utilities: Exploring SAP Solutions for Meter-to-Cash Processes in Utilities

Digital Transformation in Utilities: Exploring SAP Solutions for Meter-to-Cash Processes in Utilities

Researching how SAP Solutions can Improve Patient Engagement and Satisfaction through Personalized Care and Communication

Researching how SAP Solutions can Improve Patient Engagement and Satisfaction through Personalized Care and Communication

The Implications of Robotic Process Automation in the Automation of Economic Processes: A Case Study of Fruit Processing Factory

For several years, big companies in Romania and beyond have faced various challenges, including digitization. This involves transitioning to new versions of integrated ERP systems, incorporating cutting-edge database trends like in-memory technology and SAP HANA, and adopting Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for modelling the economic processes used, like order to cash or procure to pay. While the deadline for SAP solutions is set for 2027, the preparations for this shift are extensive and require a mixed team of engineers and economists. Consequently, many SAP clients are exploring using auxiliary interfaces and RPA to streamline economic processes. To provide insights into potential solutions, this article presents a study on the strategies adopted by one large company active in fruit processing, from production to sales and distribution. This study aims to show how intelligent technologies can help company departments automate economic processes. The study draws on questionnaires sent to the users from the mentioned company and the authors' own experience in creating interfaces used for economic processes. The research results confirm that it is time when certain stages of the economic process to be performed by a software bot, which will allow company employees to have the necessary time to study and improve work with economic processes. Companies should prioritize the intelligent processing, storage, and distribution of data to beneficiaries, especially regarding repetitive tasks. Every company should prioritize attracting European funds for automation and digitization, as incorporating intelligent technologies into daily work is essential.

Implementation of an Adaptive Case Management System Supporting the Incident Management Process in ABAP-Based SAP Systems

Adaptive Case Management (ACM) can be a viable option for supporting knowledge-intensive processes like the incident management process (IM) in IT service management. To this end, a concept for an Adaptive Case Management system (ACMS) able to support the incident management process according to ITIL was described by Meyer, Wittmann, et al. (2021). To prove the concept’s feasibility, a prototype based on SAP HANA and the SAP Solution Manager, which uses ticket text similarity determination to recommend existing tickets to incident processors and tracks incident processor activities in SAP ABAP-based systems through SAP UI Logging is implemented in the following. The prototype is then shown to five industry-pundits in scope of a case study to evaluate the built artifact. Furthermore, an evaluatory analysis from a descriptive and an architectural point of view is done. The evaluations’ results show, that while not constituting a complete, high-fidelity solution, the prototype displays great promise in increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the IM process.

Adhesion of Resin Cement to Zirconia Using Argon Plasma and Primer.

To evaluate the effectiveness of nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) and priming on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a resin cement to two zirconia ceramics after 24 hours and 1 year of water storage. A total of 120 plates (9 x 7 x 2 mm) were obtained from two types of zirconia (Katana, Kuraray Noritake; and ZirCAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) plates randomly divided into 12 groups (n = 10 each). Zirconia ceramic plates were submitted to the following treatments: (1) untreated (control); (2) treated with ZPrime Plus (Bisco Dental) primer; (3) NTAP (Surface Plasma Tool Model SAP, Surface Engineering and Plasma Solution) application for 10 seconds; (4) NTAP for 30 seconds; (5) NTAP for 10 seconds followed by priming; and (6) NTAP for 30 seconds followed by priming. Two silicone molds (2.37-mm diameter x 2-mm height) were positioned on the treated surface of each zirconia plate, and the resin cement (Panavia F 2.0, Kuraray Noritake) was manipulated and inserted into the molds. After light activation, two resin cement cylinders (specimens) were obtained from each plate. One specimen was tested after 24 hours, and the other after 1 year. The shear load was applied to the base of the resin cement cylinders until failure. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test (α = .05). NTAP application alone (groups 3 and 4) increased SBS compared to the control group only at 24 hours. After 1 year, the NTAP/primer combination showed higher SBS than the other groups. Water storage for 1 year reduced the bond strength for all groups. NTAP, combined or not combined with primer, had a beneficial effect on adhesion after 24 hours and after 1 year. Water storage negatively influenced the adhesion in all groups.

Optimization potential of the Digital Transformation program in EU top transportation company

Research background: We are living in complex and uncertain times and nowadays no one is doubting the DT expediency in order to support business transformation process or to boost agility for the new reality adoption and coping with the Crisis Purpose of the article: The aim of this study was to explore and assess Digital Transformation journey by one of Europe's largest transport companies – Girteka Logistics, in change environment and under uncertainty. The study collects data from the company’s Digital Transformation program, enabled by SAP solutions, insides from the Digital Transformation program internal and external teams. Methods: Within the study empirical research with descriptive research method was carried out using qualitative and quantitative observation methods. As the study is only about one company, the statistical population represents most of the Digital Transformation program team members. The data collection happened by the online questionary and afterward through the interviews with the key respondents to validate and extend gathered data. Second part of the data gathered is from Girteka’s Digital Transformation program documentation. The data collection happened by the documentation analysis and information consolidation. Findings & Value added: As the result of the study the antifragile generic hand-on Digital Transformation program roadmap was created and number of aspects were highlighted to be considered for the potential future research, like internal transformation team competency level requirements, expert labor marker and transformation partners situation as enabler for the companies’ digital transformation, process for the digital transformation program and overall business KPI definition to be used as transformation execution success indicator.

A Concept for an Adaptive Case Management System Supporting the Incident Management Process

The incident management (IM) process in IT service management is commonly recognized as exhibiting knowledge-intensive traits. For better supporting processes with such attributes, the Adaptive Case Management (ACM) methodology has been proposed to remedy the shortcomings of traditional workflow-driven approaches in this regard. In the following, a concept for an ACM system (ACMS) capable of supporting the incident management process according the the ITIL best practice specification is devised. To this end, a literature review on challenges in the IM process is performed, followed by a mixed-method case study, which verifies the found challenges against those stated by IM field practitioners. Additionally, an analysis of the market for IM and ACM applications is done in order to see how these challenges are currently tackled. Based on these efforts and the works of Meyer et al. (2021), a concept for an ACMS alongside with a specialized case model is laid out with an exem-plary focus on the SAP Solution Manager as IM tool, which puts emphasis on taking into account user activities pertaining to an incident.

Innovative Uses of OData Services in Modern SAP Solutions

OData (Open Data Protocol) has emerged as a pivotal framework in the realm of modern SAP solutions, facilitating seamless data integration and interoperability across diverse platforms. This abstract explores the innovative applications of OData services within SAP environments, highlighting their transformative impact on enterprise data management. By leveraging OData, organizations can enhance data accessibility, allowing developers to create rich, interactive applications that draw data from multiple sources. The protocol supports RESTful architecture, making it easier to consume and manipulate data via standard HTTP methods. This adaptability enables businesses to implement real-time analytics, fostering agile decision-making and improving overall operational efficiency. Furthermore, the integration of OData with SAP Fiori applications empowers users with intuitive interfaces, streamlining workflows and enhancing user experience. As companies continue to embrace digital transformation, OData services offer a robust solution for connecting cloud and on-premise applications, enabling enterprises to harness the power of data-driven insights. This paper aims to showcase various innovative use cases of OData services in modern SAP solutions, including their role in developing APIs, enhancing mobile applications, and driving business intelligence initiatives. By examining these applications, this research underscores the significance of OData as a catalyst for innovation and efficiency in the evolving landscape of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Through practical examples and case studies, we demonstrate how leveraging OData services can lead to a more responsive, integrated, and data-centric approach in SAP implementations.

ERP Solution and End-user Efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Over the past decades, the ERP systems have become indispensable in business processes, particularly in the planning and handling of company resources. At the same time, the ERP system implementation remains a complex process involving a number of factors affecting the quality final solution. This paper aims to measure the end-user satisfaction with an ERP system as it directly affects their efficiency, and thus the ERP system efficiency in achieving the goals and objectives of the company. End-user expectations and attitudes play an important, if not crucial, role in ERP implementation success. In this paper, the user satisfaction was measured through six different user efficiency factors: compatibility, complexity, training, quality of support, adaptation to the needs, and feeling of reliability. The factors were measured comparing SAP solutions and localdeveloped ERP systems. The conducted research has shown statistically significant results indicating that SAP is better accepted ERP solution by the users than observed local solutions.

A New Treatment for Local Adiposity with Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl-Palmitate Solution: Clinical and Histological Study

BackgroundLocalized adiposity (AL) is the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue, placed in definite anatomic areas, building up an alteration of the body silhouette. The aim of the present clinical and histological study is to assess the effectiveness of an injectable solution containing sodium salt of ascorbic acid 0.24% and surfactant agent at 0.020% ascorbyl-palmitate (SAP) for treating local adiposity.MethodsEighty healthy female adult patients were selected, suffering from local adiposity in the abdominal region. The patients underwent a cycle of 6 sessions, with biweekly treatments, without the addition of any active ingredient. Direct infiltration of pharmacologically active SAP solutions into the adipose tissue with a long needle, very similar to the needles used for spinal anesthesia, was performed. This procedure is quick and painless (does not require any anesthesia) with moderate infiltration speed.ResultsAll the patients treated showed good results with good satisfaction of the circumferential reductions. Before treatment: Waist (cm) 78.8 ± 10.6 and hip 93.6 ± 9.0 with WHR 0.84 ± 0.07. After treatment: Waist (cm) 70.8 ± 9.6 and hip 92.6 ± 8.0 with WHR 0.76 ± 0.06. Indeed, signs of adipocyte apoptosis were observed in subcutaneous skin after injection of SAP.ConclusionThe results showed in the present study suggest that the SAP utilized induces apoptosis of adipocytes and could be of use as a safe and effective method with which to eliminate subcutaneous abdominal fat.Level of Evidence IVThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Effect of Foliar Application of Banana Pseudostem Sap on Yield of Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> L. Walp.)  

Improved soil fertility is a requirement for enhanced crop production. Combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers improve crop productivity while reduce environmental degradation. An experiment was carried out at Eastern University, Sri Lanka to study the effect of Foliar Application of Banana Pseudostem Sap on Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in sandy regosol. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design having five treatments viz; recommended inorganic fertilizer N, P, K as basal and N as topdressing (T1), N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% , 3%, 5% and 7% banana pseudostem sap solution (T2-T5) at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th week after planting. The results revealed that significant difference (P<0.05) were noted on number of pods per plant at 1st and 2nd picking. Higher number of pods per plant, maximum pod length and girth were in T2 while low in T1. Sun dried weights of pods and number of seeds per pod were significantly (P<0.05) varied at each picking. Further, cowpea yield at each picking were higher in T2 compared to tested treatments. The present study suggested that, among the tested treatments N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% Pseudostem sap solution at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th WAP would be the most suitable for cowpea production in sandy regosol.

Effect of Foliar Application of Banana Pseudostem Sap on Yield of Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> L. Walp.)  

Improved soil fertility is a requirement for enhanced crop production. Combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers improve crop productivity while reduce environmental degradation. An experiment was carried out at Eastern University, Sri Lanka to study the effect of Foliar Application of Banana Pseudostem Sap on Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in sandy regosol. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design having five treatments viz; recommended inorganic fertilizer N, P, K as basal and N as topdressing (T1), N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% , 3%, 5% and 7% banana pseudostem sap solution (T2-T5) at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th week after planting. The results revealed that significant difference (P<0.05) were noted on number of pods per plant at 1st and 2nd picking. Higher number of pods per plant, maximum pod length and girth were in T2 while low in T1. Sun dried weights of pods and number of seeds per pod were significantly (P<0.05) varied at each picking. Further, cowpea yield at each picking were higher in T2 compared to tested treatments. The present study suggested that, among the tested treatments N, P, 1⁄2 K as basal with recommended N as topdressing and foliar spray of 1% Pseudostem sap solution at 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th WAP would be the most suitable for cowpea production in sandy regosol.

Effect of superabsorbent polymer solutions on structure formation and properties of cement compositions

The development of compositions with a set of properties that are indifferent to the influence of the environment during the setting and hardening of the binder is an actual task for material science in connection with the evolution of 3D-printers in construction. The use of SAP solutions with delayed polymerization should provide the water reserve in the cement system for internal curing without loss of mobility of the mixture. An important condition is the establishment of “parity” concentrations of the polyacrylate solution at which sorption of water does not reduce the degree of cement hydration. Calorimetric and X-ray phase analyzes showed that the SAP solution in an amount of not more than 1.0 % by weight of Portland cement has a positive effect on the structure formation processes of cement stone. The formation of a more perfect crystalline structure of cement stone is observed. The SAP content of more than 1.5% by weight of Portland cement leads to a decrease in the intensity of the maxima in the radiographs corresponding to the products of hydration of Portland cement. In this case, the less perfect crystalline structure of the cement stone is associated with the formation of physical barriers by the SAP film. It has been shown that the solutions of superabsorbent polymers allow to keep the water for hydration without loss of mobility, in contrast to granular additives. The obtained dependences of the rheological properties of cement mixtures and physico-mechanical properties of cement stone on the content of SAP indicate that the effective concentrations of SAP are 0.5…1.0% by weight of Portland cement.

Studying in vivo dynamics of xylem-transported 11CO2 using positron emission tomography.

Respired CO2 in woody tissues can build up in the xylem and dissolve in the sap solution to be transported through the plant. From the sap, a fraction of the CO2 can either be radially diffuse to the atmosphere or be assimilated in chloroplasts present in woody tissues. These processes occur simultaneously in stems and branches, making it difficult to study their specific dynamics. Therefore, an 11C-enriched aqueous solution was administered to young branches of Populus tremula L., which were subsequently imaged by positron emission tomography (PET). This approach allows in vivo visualization of the internal movement of CO2 inside branches at high spatial and temporal resolution, and enables direct measurement of the transport speed of xylem-transported CO2 (vCO2). Through compartmental modeling of the dynamic data obtained from the PET images, we (i) quantified vCO2 and (ii) proposed a new method to assess the fate of xylem-transported 11CO2 within the branches. It was found that a fraction of 0.49min-1 of CO2 present in the xylem was transported upwards. A fraction of 0.38min-1 diffused radially from the sap to the surrounding parenchyma and apoplastic spaces (CO2,PA) to be assimilated by woody tissue photosynthesis. Another 0.12min-1 of the xylem-transported CO2 diffused to the atmosphere via efflux. The remaining CO2 (i.e., 0.01min-1) was stored as CO2,PA, representing the build-up within parenchyma and apoplastic spaces to be assimilated or directed to the atmosphere. Here, we demonstrate the outstanding potential of 11CO2-based plant-PET in combination with compartmental modeling to advance our understanding of internal CO2 movement and the respiratory physiology within woody tissues.

Mitigating Financial Fraud in Retail through ERP System Controls: A Comprehensive Approach with SAP Solutions

Mitigating Financial Fraud in Retail through ERP System Controls: A Comprehensive Approach with SAP Solutions

Effect of Lactococcus lactis inoculation on characteristics and microstructure of dangke cheese with different ripening temperature and incubation time

Physical properties of Dangke cheese can be improved by the ripening process through starter culture inoculation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of Dangke cheese with different temperature and incubation time of ripening as well as their interaction by Lactococcus lactis inoculation. The research method used was experimental using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 (two) factors. The first factor (A) is the ripening temperature (5, 15, and 25°C) and the second factor (B) is the Ripening time (6, 9, and 12 days). Dangke is made by adding a papaya sap solution as coagulation. Microstructure was observed by a scanning electron microscope. The treatments were replicated three times each process. The data were processed statistically with variance analysis, followed by the least significant difference test. The results indicated that the ripening temperature affected the activity of L. lactis in carbohydrate degradation to produce lactic acid so that it affected the hydrogen potential (pH) and the dangke protein content. Long time ripening provides an opportunity for L. lactis to continue performing activities resulting in a decrease in carbohydrate and pH levels, but there is an increase in total lactic acid and protein levels. The temperature and duration of ripening in dangke manufacture provide an interaction of carbohydrate and protein levels. The Ripening temperature used in the manufacture of Dangke cheese with the addition of L. lactis, preferably 5°C and the duration of 12 days of ripening. The microstructural features show that the duration of ripening causes the Dangke structure to be more compact, as indicated by the proximity of casein molecules with other casein molecules and fat spread evenly in the three-dimensional network of molecules.

TReSpire - a biophysical TRee Stem respiration model.

Mechanistic models of plant respiration remain poorly developed, especially in stems and woody tissues where measurements of CO2 efflux do not necessarily reflect local respiratory activity. We built a process-based model of stem respiration that couples water and carbon fluxes at the organ level (TReSpire). To this end, sap flow, stem diameter variations, xylem and soil water potential, stem temperature, stem CO2 efflux and nonstructural carbohydrates were measured in a maple tree, while xylem CO2 concentration and additional stem and xylem diameter variations were monitored in an ancillary tree for model validation. TReSpire realistically described: (1) turgor pressure to differentiate growing from nongrowing metabolism; (2) maintenance expenditures in xylem and outer tissues based on Arrhenius kinetics and nitrogen content; and (3) radial CO2 diffusivity and CO2 solubility and transport in the sap solution. Collinearity issues with phloem unloading rates and sugar-starch interconversion rates suggest parallel submodelling to close the stem carbon balance. TReSpire brings a breakthrough in the modelling of stem water and carbon fluxes at a detailed (hourly) temporal resolution. TReSpire is calibrated from a sink-driven perspective, and has potential to advance our understanding on stem growth dynamics, CO2 fluxes and underlying respiratory physiology across different species and phenological stages.