Sap Release Strategy

SAPtips4On Logistics

February / March 2007 Volume V Issue 1

Please Release Me: SAP Purchasing Release Strategies Made Easy

®

Page 

By Jocelyn Hayes, SAPtips Director of Consulting and Training

Editor’s Note: The words “SAP” and “easy” are rarely used in the same sentence, but SAPtips Practice Director Jocelyn Hayes is ready to prove it can be done. In her debut article she sets out a four-step strategy that is not only practical, but achievable. In fact, Jocelyn has employed this strategy at multiple installations, across a variety of purchasing methodologies with great success. Her secret for success? Jocelyn says it’s all about keeping it simple. Yes, I know, you are skeptical. But Purchasing Release Strategies can be made easy if you understand the fundamental concepts of how to configure them and to follow the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid). In this article, I will point out some tips and tricks I have learned through implementing Purchase Requisition Release strategies at seven different client locations with very different purchasing approval methodologies. This article will also explore some tricks to managing the constantly changing security roles and assignments due to company reorganizations or attrition. This article is written using SAP R/3 Enterprise (4.7). It is applicable for all SAP R/3 and mySAP® ERP. It does not cover Workflow for Purchasing Release Strategies. For more information on workflow scenarios, reference: http://help.sap.com/saphelp_470/helpdata/ en/d/ea9d9c7acad94b70000e82dec0/ frameset.htm implementation. Each step offers tips to help you tiptoe through the potential minefield of gotchas. Step 1: Determine the Corporate Purchasing Approval Matrix This can actually represent the most difficult step in any organization. Tip #1 – Encourage purchasing policy makers to keep it simple. The reason here is not to make the implementer’s job easier, but to make it easier for people responsible for entering purchasing...