RF Barcoding SAP Console Tips

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Secrets and Tips for a Successful SAP Console Implementation

RESOURCES
Choose your consulting resources very carefully. You may be told that you need an SAP Console Consultant; but what does that really mean? Do you get an ABAP Programmer? Do you get a SAP Functional Consultant in, say, WM?

The answer is that you need both.

  • You need a very good ABAP Programmer. Do not fall in the trap which some SAP "experts" may sell  you a SAP Console specific ABAP programmer. There is no special knowledge to program in ABAP for SAP Console than there is for any other ABAP program. If the programmer knows ABAP then he/she can automatically create programs for SAP Console. The extra knowledge that needs to be known by an ABAP programmer specifically for SAP Console can be learned within 20 minutes.
  • You will also need an SAP Console Logistics Consultant. This SAP Consultant, in addition to the SAP Console specific knowledge she/he should also be an all-round good Logistics consultant as well. You may be told that you need a Functional WM Consultant. That is partially correct - you need your SAP Consultant to know WM, in addition to MM, IM, SD, QM, and PP. Why? Because SAP Console processes involve the scanning and data collection of your products within and during the processes of all the above mentioned SAP Modules.
    • For example; when you do an Inbound from Purchasing you must be able to link the SAP Console process to transactions  within IM and WM depending on whether your warehouse  is IM or WM managed.
    • When you do an Inbound from Production then your SAP Console consultant needs to know the PP procedures.
    • When you do an Outbound with a Sales Delivery to your clients then the SAP Console consultant needs to know the SD, WM and IM processes.
    • Of course there are many internal WM and/or IM transaction
    • In addition if your organization uses QM for the quality process then the SAP Console consultant must know QM which also  intervenes  along  many processes  within MM, SD, and PP.
      • Therefore, the SAP Console Consultant must be familiar with all the above modules.
  • Do not fall for the trap that an ABAP programmer will be able to do the SAP Console implementation on his/her own. Most ABAP programmers lack the functional and configuration knowledge of all the above SAP Modules.
  • A good SAP Console consultant should be able to provide advice on:
    • all the above modules,
    • on SAP Console,
    • on the Hardware and Software choices and requirements that come along with an SAP Console implementation,
    • on WLANs requirements
    • on Security and Encryption technology  and  implementation  of a Wireless environment
  • Make sure that the SAP Console Consultant and the ABAP programmer work really closely - their offices physically in close proximity from each other in order to achieve rapid testing, error finding, resolution and retesting turn around cycles.
SAP CONSOLE HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
Before you purchase your RF Barcoding equipment you need to first analyse your processes to find out how these equipment will be used. The RF Handheld Terminals must be user friendly to use and this really depends on your processes.
 
Some RF handheld terminals have many directly accessible buttons and functions on their keyboard, but this means that the buttons are pretty small and hard to see. This in turn would make it difficult for the Users to operate in a dark warehouse for example.
 
On the other hand are other RF handheld devices which have fewer but larger buttons on their keyboards. While this may seem really user friendly, it also means that many functions in order to be performed they will have to be executed with a combination of key strokes on the RF handheld device. What does this mean for your training and making sure your users remember the key strokes?
 
There are many other issues to consider when deciding for the hardware equipment such as the Wireless Access Points (brands, functionality, Wireless security), the servers to run SAP Console and so on.
 
There are also many issues to consider in relation to Software requirements and implementation such as Telnet server and Client, the SAP Console Text GUI, the OS and Emulation software implementation and configuration for the RF terminals and so on.
 
WLAN CHOICES AND SECURITY
Along with the any SAP Console implementation comes the implementation of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). You need to make choices again on hardware equipment and technology (802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, or the upcoming 802.11i). There are numerous issues to consider in making the right decision.
 
What about Security? Implementing a WLAN without security for your data and your internal network is like leaving your house unlocked for anyone to walk in. A good SAP Console consultant would be able to advise you on these issues.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
Be careful who you trust. Your SAP Console implementation can be extremely successful with good SAP Console Consultants and  good ABAP programmers. More often than not, your processes will not be covered by the standard SAP Console processes - do not fall in the trap that the "standard works fine". There are companies in the market promising that they can implement SAP Console within 10 days - this is an outright wrong statement. If you want to do it right you will have to analyze your processes, configure, develop, test and train your users to your company's specification.
 
A successful and complete SAP Console implementation which would include the tasks of Business Analysis and Blueprinting, Hardware/Software RFQs and Purchase, Implementation, Configuration, Testing, Training and Go-Live realistically will take anywhere from 5 to 9 months depending on the processes you will implement, the Purchasing flexibility, the openness of the project, the amount of politics within your organization, the speed of decision making, the degree of good communication.
 
For more detailed information, help and to purchase our services please click here to contacts us. We will be happy to serve you and help you have one of the most successful implementations your organization ever had.
 
 

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