| Client Overview
Our client is one of the world class manufacturers of Optical Fiber; they provide optical fiber and cabling solutions for telecommunications carriers, utilities, installers and enterprises to deliver broadband services.
They leverage their leadership in optical fiber technology, cabling solutions and applications expertise to bring value to customers’ broadband infrastructure.
This company is the largest worldwide optical fiber supplier.
They provide a complete family of fiber cables designed for placement in virtually any environment and of high performance optical fibers.
Our client has two different plants: Fiber and Cable, with separate set ups which required individual configuration. Customized programs are generated as per the
client's specifications.
Client’s Need Statement/ Business Challenge
The enormous growth in their business required an SAP upgrade. Client’s division was running SAP version 3.1I. As per the corporate strategy of single SAP version, they needed to upgrade the version to the enterprise version 4.6C. They needed a partner to help with this Conversion, keeping the cost to a minimum.
Challenges and Requirements
- conversion of existing SAP Add on Cable version 3.1I to 4.6C.
- To successfully configure the 4.6C system in sync with 3.1I with the add-on functionality
- In the stipulated time - as client specified
MYTecSoft’s’ Role / Solution
 As a part of our (MYTecSoft) standard practice we have sketched out the plan for this conversion and figured out the different accepts involving the SAP life cycle & SLA.
We have derived and divided the project in to three phases
Extraction phase
Configuration
Upload phase
Extraction Programs:
We extracted all the data from existing 3.1I system. In order to do this, we generated reports to extract Master and Transaction data, downloading onto Presentation server in the form of Excel spreadsheets, and the same files were later used to upload into 4.6C.
- Material Master
- Vendor Master
- Customer Master
- GL Account
- Purchase Order
- Purchase Info Record
- Inventory Data
- Material Source List
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- Sales Orde
- Pricing Condition Records
- Bill of Material
- Routing
- Routing Texts
- Batch Characteristics
- Texts
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Customized Programs:
Apart from the extraction programs we also developed several customized programs which have helped them in retrieving the required data in 31I;
below is the list of the customized programs:
- Fiber Health Report
- Fiber Allocation Program
- Automation of Cutting Order
- Creating Stocking Order Program
- Automation of a Sales Order Process
Upgrade Programs:
In this conversion process we regenerated the existing custom defined programs in the newer version. We came up with the list of the upgradeable programs and uploaded them by following the standards specified by the client. We also considered many version relevant changes. There are many Cable specific standard tables and Function Modules renamed by SAP in the newer version i.e. 46C.
We identified the relevant names and replaced the upgraded programs. We analyzed the existing programs and modified them for additional functionality for the specified programs. We also suggested to the client a form of alternative code for their specific needs. We then created many custom defined Tables and Function modules. This provides the client with best practices solutions rather than a cookie cutter template.
There are about 90 programs upgraded from 31I to 46C. To name a few:
- Inventory Analysis
- Fiber selection for cable plant
- Report of Shipping Batch Information
- 3rd Party Open Orders Report
- Automatic scrapping CS of Materials
- MRP production and Planning Report
- Cabled Attenuation Data Sheet
- Perform/Primary/Fiber Data Pack
Layout Sets:
In this conversion process we have regenerated the layout sets and print programs which were used in their current version. We considered the version relevant changes while generating the scripts. Also modification of code and layout sets has been done as per the client requirements.
SAP GuiXT:
We modified the SAP standard screens using GuiXT tool as per the user requirements, we removed unnecessary elements and rearranged the screen as requested by the User for various standard transactions. VA01 Sales Order and the MM01- Material Master are a few which we have modified.
SAP Console:
Our experience with all aspects of SAPConsole for Mobile processes allowed us to implement solutions that will enable our client's warehouse / plant to achieve immediate and long term results.
Another significant area we added value for the client was in providing applications for hand-held devices which talks to SAP using SAP Console. We have generated a few SAP Console programs designed using Dialog Programming.
1. Put away Process
2. Bin to Bin Transaction
The sample code on Put away Process with the screens, user calls this screen from the hand held devices is as follows:
Macro Application:
We designed and generated a macro application in Excel spreadsheets which then posts Journal Entries into SAP. We used SAPAUTOGUI to login to SAP.
The sample screen shot of the Macro application on Excel spreadsheet is as follows:
Benefits
This conversion process was completed in a very short time. A major part of the execution was done via our offshore center thereby reducing the cost. This resulted in On-time and On-budget completion of deliverables.
The outsourcing of production support led to reduction in downtime of the systems and our well-managed helpdesk led to increased productivity and reduced cycle time. The reduction in downtime was achieved by automated proactive monitoring and maintaining a well trained SAP technical resource pool.
Further Benefits we provided to the client:
- Documentation
- Testing
- Training
Documentation: we provided the relevant documentation to the client, which helps them guide through the process. This enhanced the process capability of the end users.
Testing: We ensured that proper testing has been done before going live. A complete integration testing has been performed for every new application before integrating.
Training: Users were given on-site training in small groups. Our complete documentation helped them gain a sustainable advantage in understanding. This eliminated the problems that can be created for end users by version changes. |
