Right time for a step to success.

Are you a user of SAP PCM? Do you need a migration strategy to avoid getting too close to the edge with unsupported software? In our last post, we discussed why SAP PaPM is a superior replacement for SAP PCM, which is scheduled to go off maintenance by the end of 2020. As the state-of-the-art technology, SAP PaPM allows you to take allocations, profitability, or transfer price calculations to new levels of capability, efficiency, and productivity.

The question remains whether the move from SAP PCM to SAP PaPM needs to be complicated, and with no reason to doubt, it doesn’t. As a co-development partner of SAP, we’ve created a methodology and an accelerator for getting your models migrated. Combined with our deep SAP PaPM product and implementation expertise, we can get you migrated as quickly as possible.

Our methodology captures the general process and individual steps required for getting you up and running in SAP PaPM. At the beginning, we learn your current data model, processes, and actual calculation results. We then provide an accelerator – a pre-built configuration with SAP PaPM – to make the move even smoother. Best of all, depending on your preferences, your current setup, or external factors, you can decide between three different migration scenarios:

1. Shift and lift: Many customers have spent a lot of time tweaking their process for generating critical input files for SAP PCM. The current process works for them, and there is no need to make any significant changes. Speed is of the essence. We have good news for you. In most cases we can retain the current input file infrastructure untouched and recreate the current process: using the input files, SAP PaPM crunches the numbers and delivers the desired results. This is the quickest and easiest approach, though it doesn’t utilize SAP PaPM to its full potential. But you can leverage more of SAP PaPM’s powerful functionality later, at a pace that fits your schedule.
2. Partial lift: Most of you leverage SAP PCM for a plethora of use cases. Some of them are more critical than others. We can jointly prioritize the different models and customize your migration plan. Some models can be moved via scenario Nr 1. Others can be implemented from the ground up with more automation and better leverage of the new technology.
3. Complete implementation: Some customers prefer to completely revisit their current models and to take maximum advantage of what SAP PaPM has to offer. As mentioned in our last post, SAP PCM was last updated in the year the first iPad was released. A lot has happened since then! Our methodology will guide you through the migration and implementation, using your existing input files with our accelerators to build rapid prototypes that make the project even easier for you.

In an ideal world, we recommend option 3, but the choice of migration is up to you and your needs. SAP PaPM offers many advantages that can only be fully leveraged if properly implemented. Key benefits include:

• Automated data movements without data replication. Forget about manual, time-consuming creation of input files. SAP PaPM has you covered.
• Higher visibility for business users. Proper profitability management should not require deep IT skills. SAP PaPM provides an intuitive user experience that allows finance users to quickly understand models, results, and model configurations.
• Real-time what-if analysis. This is one of the key strengths of SAP PaPM

Migrating from SAP PCM to SAP PaPM does not have to be scary or gargantuan. The combination of our deep expertise, methodology, and accelerators provides you with the flexibility you need to develop and execute the migration strategy that fits your requirements, your budget, and your preferences.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to discuss further.

Please click here for more information on SAP PaPM.