SAP has several layers. The Basis System is the heart of the data
operations and should be not evident to higher level or managerial users. Other
customizing and implementation tools exist also. The heart of the system from a
manager's viewpoint are the application modules. These modules may not all be
implemented in a typical company but they are all related and are listed
below:
FI Financial Accounting--designed for automated management and
external reporting of general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable and
other sub-ledger accounts with a user defined chart of accounts. As entries are
made relating to sales production and payments journal entries are
automatically posted. This connection means that the "books" are designed to
reflect the real situation.
CO Controlling--represents the company's flow of cost and
revenue. It is a management instrument for organizational decisions. It too is
automatically updated as events occur.
AM Asset Management--designed to manage and supervise
individual aspects of fixed assets including purchase and sale of assets,
depreciation and investment management.
PS Project System--is designed to support the planning, control
and monitoring of long-term, highly complex projects with defined goals.
WF Workflow--links the integrated SAP application modules with
cross-application technologies, tools and services
IS Industry Solutions--combine the SAP application modules and
additional industry-specific functionality. Special techniques have been
developed for industries such as banking, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals,
etc.
HR Human Resources--is a complete integrated system for
supporting the planning and control of personnel activities.
PM Plant Maintenance--In a complex manufacturing process
maintenance means more than sweeping the floors. Equipment must be services and
rebuilt. These tasks affect the production plans.
MM Materials Management--supports the procurement and inventory
functions occurring in day-to-day business operations such as purchasing,
inventory management, reorder point processing, etc.
QM Quality Management--is a quality control and information
system supporting quality planning, inspection, and control for manufacturing
and procurement.
PP Production Planning--is used to plan and control the
manufacturing activities of a company. This module includes; bills of material,
routings, work centers, sales and operations planning, master production
scheduling, material requirements planning, shop floor control, production
orders, product costing, etc.
SD Sales and Distribution--helps to optimize all the tasks and
activities carried out in sales, delivery and billing. Key elements are;
pre-sales support, inquiry processing, quotation processing, sales order
processing, delivery processing, billing and sales information system
.
Each of these Modules may have
sub-modules designed for specific tasks as detailed below.
