When you want to improve your health you mustn't neglect the core. Likewise when you want to Digitize your business, don't forget to digitize your core ERP systems.
So you want to get fit?
Any personal trainer will tell you that a well-toned core protects the spine and surrounding muscles from injury such as running, performing Olympic lifts, or just picking up the gallon of milk far back in the fridge while keeping your back safe. Research has also shown that athletes with higher core stability have a lower risk of injury. But working the core can be a bit boring, if you are trying to tune your golf swing, up your swim regime from 30 to 60 lengths or eliminate your beer gut. It's tempting to focus on that which is more visible, and where results are more measurable.
The same is true in business. You can't ignore the Core.
We want to move our businesses to take advantage of changing customers, changing technologies and changing business models. This is sometimes called the New Digital Economy. It's tempting to run out and acquire new "digital edge" capabilities such as IoT, Business Networks, Big Data or Social. But without truly digitising The Core you run the risk of bottlenecks, complexity and inability to take real advantage of a truly Digital Value Chain.
Take Big Data. You can spin up fancy analytics, predictive algorithms and snappy graphics, but without a real-time, simple, modern digital core Enterprise system you run the danger of being like Cassandra, who in Greek mythology was a prophet who was cursed by being able to see the future but was never able to act on it.
Or take Business Networks which allow seamless, error-free communication with your supply chain. But without a digital core, your MRP runs still execute in a 24 Hour batch, and the promise of real-time forecasts to your supplier is still just a distant dream.
S4/HANA is the new Digital Core for your business which is the digital business foundation you need to lead in the digital economy. It is designed to drive digital transformation across business functions and industries, and of course, is unique in the market today.
As with any fitness regiment, it is easy to procrastinate, have another doughnut, take the elevator rather than the stairs, promise to really get started next week. But deep down, you know that delay is not good for you. The same is true for your Enterprise.
S4/HANA is ready now, learn more about it at sap.com/s4hana and take a look at the S/4HANA Trial.
Thanks to Dinesh Sharma for the graphic.
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