Like the overall value-based management approach, systems roll-out must be an evolutionary, not revolutionary, process. SAP’s solution has major advantages over other available solutions.

SAP SEM is built on state-of-the-art computing technologies based on the Business Framework architecture - capable of processing huge volumes of information and supporting rapid decision-making. Unlike other solutions on the market, SAP’s implementation offers high levels of data integration by ensuring synchronization of information between SAP SEM and the underlying business execution systems. This open connectivity allows business components to interact with multiple business systems.

Building on existing SAP R/3 functionality, SAP SEM includes functionality for advanced Business Consolidation and Business Information Collection, which links internal information with automated collection of relevant external information through the Internet. SAP SEM also supports advanced Business Planning and Simulation, based on both internal and external information - allowing you to model risks and rewards, and more effectively manage the uncertainties of the future. The Corporate Performance Monitor, including the Management Cockpitâ, is enhanced with industry-specific KPI templates. And the Stakeholder Relationship Management component facilitates communication with investors and other key stakeholder groups.

SAP SEM is based on the Business Framework architecture, using SAP’s Business Information Warehouse technology, with easy access for end users through the Business Explorer and its advanced data warehouse and OLAP capabilities. Ready-to-use BAPIs enable easy integration with your business execution systems and with those of external partners. Web-enabled end-user access, in combination with SAP’s Business Framework architecture and other advanced SAP R/3 and Business Information Warehouse technologies, allows flexible and rapid deployment of SAP SEM, enterprise-wide.

As with other SAP solutions, the Business Framework architecture lets you deploy SAP SEM components incrementally, as you need them. Because SAP uses state-of-the-art, object-oriented techniques, you can start deploying SAP SEM components today and integrate future components step-by-step.

Companies implementing, or planning to implement, non-SAP SEM-type components are all too familiar with the expense involved. Using SAP R/3 as the foundation for SAP SEM, SAP customers will achieve lowest total cost of ownership, by virtually eliminating the additional costs and concerns over version compatibility that result from attempting to integrate multiple vendor products. SAP is focusing its development efforts on significantly enhancing the already impressive SAP SEM solution - bringing yet more cost benefits in future.