Case study

Integration of SAP with Other IT Systems

Nowadays, effective achievement of business goals requires better and better and more and more efficient system solutions that support automated accounting and financial processes. Many types of processes in a company are being increasingly handled with the aid of dedicated IT tools, the use of which enables optimisation of work. IT systems are an ideal tool to support human work, and to achieve the synergy effect, it is worth considering integration possibilities between particular systems.

System integration allows mutual communication of accounting systems and, for example, HR and payroll systems, as well as the shared use of the same data resources. This provides us with an IT environment that offers quick access to information. In the dynamically changing world of business, fast and reliable information is becoming one of the greatest values. Both employees and our Clients see the benefits of using the Data-Driven approach, and therefore they are increasingly reporting the need to optimise the tools they use, especially in terms of integrating the SAP system with other IT tools.

Although there are numerous types of software for managing financial and accounting processes on the market, those of our Clients who have extensive business processes or belong to a group often opt for software provided by SAP.

SAP itself is an integrated ERP-class system, which offers the possibility of using particular modules depending on the needs of a given entity. Our Clients who keep accounting books in the SAP financial and accounting module (SAP B1, SAP R/3, SAP S/4 HANA) decide to extend the functionality of SAP FICO by adding modules used by other departments in the enterprise or solutions dedicated to SAP, such as:

  • SAP SD (sales module) – a module supporting the sales and distribution process;
  • SAP MM (warehouse module) – a module intended for logistics departments, covering procurement and warehousing processes;
  • SAP Concur – a cloud-based platform that enables effective management of business travel;
  • SAP FIORI – a set of SAP applications that enables quick access to data.

Adding further modules does not require system integration. Nevertheless, a proper design of the process and testing of the planned solutions are crucial, and we provide professional support to our Clients in this regard.

In case a Client has specific needs or uses some distinct software that they do not wish to change, they may decide on integration with SAP. So far we have supported our Clients in the integration of the following tools with SAP:

  • Workflow – our internal system for electronic document workflow – thanks to the integration, the data entered in the system are transferred directly to SAP without having to be registered again;
  • Salesforce – a billing system that facilitates the invoicing process – the use of data from sales orders improves the invoicing process;
  • R2Płatnik – an HR and payroll programme – payroll data are directly transferred to the financial and accounting system;
  • VIM – electronic workflow of purchase documents.

The complexity level of the integration process depends on a number of factors. The key to success is the proper planning of activities and close cooperation between the IT, business and accounting teams. Our experience in this area allows our Clients to go through the integration process smoothly and maximise its benefits.

Author: Magdalena Kapka, Accounting Area Project Manager at MDDP Outsourcing.