SAP Training Blog by Michael Management

SAP ERP S/4HANA Training

Written by Michael Management | Jan 7, 2021

Industry to industry, companies that can utilize the SAP S/4HANA database and user modules are reducing inefficiencies from every aspect of their operation while gaining a lasting competitive edge.

However, because of the variety of SAP S/4HANA and its modules, developing a wide range of SAP skills can take some time; which is why trained SAP professionals are so demanded by companies around the world.

Anyone who has mastered the use of SAP S/4HANA modules can see real career advancement.

We'll discuss SAP S/4HANA and its two editions, key benefits for businesses, common modules available through SAP S/4HANA, as well as some of the major industries that use SAP S/4HANA. 
 

What is SAP S/4HANA?

SAP S/4HANA is the fourth ERP suite developed by SAP and it is designed for planning, text processing, business analytics, and real-time applications. 

Conceptually, SAP sees its HANA in-memory database as valuable beyond just data storage. This powerful data home connects to customizable SAP software that can extract data in real-time for more accurate benchmarking, analysis, reporting, and project planning. 

It is important to understand SAP on HANA as the foundation for which SAP Business Suite applications are based.

SAP S/4HANA is available in two editions: On-premise and Cloud.

On-Premise  

On-Premise is an ERP Business suite based on the SAP HANA in-memory database. It is an internal platform that runs from the user company's servers. Companies employ their own IT team to perform SAP software deployment, maintenance, and upgrading tasks. Software upgrades are provided on an annual basis and must be installed by the customer.

On-premise provides a full range of functions and is ideal for large companies requiring highly customized monitoring applications for every aspect of their operation (internal and external), including Financing, Accounting, Human Resources, Materials Management, Supply Chain, Sales, and delivery.

The database, applications, and networking features are completely customer-operated with SAP S/4HANA on-premise; creating the greatest amount of work opportunities for experienced SAP S/4HANA users within a single company. 

Cloud

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is the Software as a Service (SaaS) version of S/4HANA, with the database running on SAP servers. SAP also provides maintenance and software upgrade services. 

The Cloud edition's more standardized solutions offer faster deployment and easier operability for businesses interested in a more limited, readymade set of business applications.

Opportunity-wise, companies that use SAP S/4HANA Cloud rely on skilled end-users who can navigate program interfaces and features; creating a path for skilled users to work independently and for multiple companies. 

Learn more about the evolution of SAP from ECC6 to S/4HANA version 1909.
 

Key Benefits of SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA brings simplicity, performance, innovation, usability, and flexibility to data-driven business management.

SAP ERP central component is on-premise enterprise resource planning which integrates digital information data from one area of business to other areas in real-time. For example, sales and purchasing data can be seen side-by-side with business planning models in SAP BPC (Business Planning and Consolidation), rather than through the manual transfer of data between disparate programs.

Additionally, SAP S/4HANA reduces data footprints by eliminating data storage redundancies -- essential for Big Data management (Studies predict an estimated 75 billion Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in the world by 2025.) 

Finally, SAP S/4HANA  flexible design invites future software to be integrated directly with the ERP system as quickly as new analytical models can be created.  

The clearest example of SAP S/4HANA simplicity is its extensive, specifically targeted, and easy-to-use ERP modules. 
 

Commonly Used SAP ERP Modules Included in SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4 HANA modules are individual components of S/4 HANA implementation and each module specifies the functionality for business purposes.

Of particular note: SAP improved Finance, previously known as Simple Finance, has found widespread use among major businesses because of its real-time integration with both the HANA database and neighboring SAP software.
 

Which Industries Benefit from SAP S/4HANA?

Businesses from various industries can benefit from a more efficient ERP process because SAP S/4HANA supports Lines of Business (LoB) processes common to every company.

SAP S/4HANA supported industries include:

  • Manufacturing 
  • Consumer and industrial product sales 
  • Engineering and Construction 
  • Oil and gas
  • Insurance
  • Banking
  • Financial Services
  • Transportation and Logistics Firms
  • Public services and Utilities
  • Retail

The list goes on, and it is to the benefit of a skilled SAP S/4HANA user that they are not restricted to a single industry or service. In fact, the more module training that a professional can obtain, the wider their career options become within a company, industry, and even across multiple industries.
 

How Can Michael Management Help?

Michael Management's online user training service takes a comprehensive, organized, and flexible approach to SAP S/4HANA modules.

Comprehensive, because our selection of courses covers every aspect of SAP S/4HANA's impressive range. Our courses are both manageable in size and task-specific, so users can choose which lessons are relevant to their needs and immediately put new skills to work. 

Organized, because, with our progressive Learning Paths and SAP Skill Assessments, you can avoid wasting time blindly choosing from dozens of courses that may or may not suit your needs. Our course selection tools ensure all knowledge gaps are filled, and that you can develop your skills in a step-by-step way.  

Flexible, because our courses are available to you at any time and in any setting so that you never need to bend your existing schedule around rigid classroom appointments. An individual pace and a preferred environment will always enhance knowledge retention.

Additionally, our instructor-led courses use interactive training exercises to help you iron out first-time user mistakes in a pressure-free environment. Your time will be spent growing comfortable with SAP's interface and not sitting through endless PowerPoint lectures. 

Finally, we provide courses and Learning Paths that are suitable for every skill level, from beginners to experienced SAP users looking to expand their skill set. 

Our pricing options are just as flexible as our course structure, so you can receive exactly what you want at the very best value.

Are you ready to learn more about how the dynamic SAP S/4HANA modules can enhance your existing skillset?

Get started now with the free preview edition.