SAP Innovation Newsletter 29: Introduction

IT investments have been strangled for the last few years but as we emerge from the recession the way you create, present and manage investment proposals will be key to your future success – we highlight a well established toolset used by major vendors that will show you how to win IT investments.

Our SAP star is well known in SAP circles for his strategic thinking and his ability to design programmes that deliver. His verbal dexterity is also something of legend and he is sort out by many CIO’s based on the value he adds.

IT investments have been strangled for the last few years but as we emerge from the recession the way you create, present and manage investment proposals will be key to your future success – we highlight a well established toolset used by major vendors that will show you how to win IT investments.

Our SAP star is well known in SAP circles for his strategic thinking and his ability to design programmes that deliver. His verbal dexterity is also something of legend and he is sort out by many CIO’s based on the value he adds.

Innovation Number 29: Better IT investment justification

Better IT investment justifications

The world of IT investment has changed for the better.

Without exception and no matter where the project originates, IT exec’s are now having to provide much improved justifications for projects that require substantial investment. This provides the IT exec a major opportunity to present and sell the ability of their department to add significant business value. However building business cases is a long arduous process.

The world of IT investment has changed for the better.

Without exception and no matter where the project originates, IT exec’s are now having to provide much improved justifications for projects that require substantial investment. This provides the IT exec a major opportunity to present and sell the ability of their department to add significant business value. However building business cases is a long arduous process.

SAP STAR Number 29: Liam Donnelly

Let me introduce

Liam Donnelly

Liam is a long term SAP professional with many credits to his name including Application Strategist for Diageo’s GBP37m Release 5 project, Shared Services Architect for 3Com including the global rollout of shared services and headcount reduction of the global finance team from 1,800 to 200, and the successful ECC6 upgrade at Capita for 60,000 users which cost a tiny fraction of the norm for the industry. He is currently initiating the Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Royal Mail.

His SAP breadth and depth are legendary and his ability to ensure C–level support of transition programmes has meant he is regularly recalled by CIOs to help with challenging programmes both in justification and delivery. The teams he manages generally transition to long term friends, and he is known for his ability to talk the hind legs off a donkey (allegedly).

If you want an SAP Roadmap, a Global IT strategy or want to reprieve an ailing programme Liam is definitely the man you should speak to.

He generally works as a consultant/contractor but if the right role comes along…..

Call me and I will put you in touch.

Jeremy 07712 663598

SIN29: csi10 Wanted: Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architect

Have you a solid background in SAP with an ability and drive to determine and design a new architecture for a very fast growing FTSE100 company. Can you persuade C-level management of the need to drive standards and then deliver a consistent and robust framework?

You will need to be a person with a fantastic communication capability with concise delivery and an ability to continually encourage very busy stakeholders to provide constant support to your ideas and strategies.

ThoughHi Alastair, not revolution – rapid evolution is the name of the game and you are the principle architect in the design.

This is a full time position and will bring the ultimate in challenge and rewards for the right person.

Email: Terrie.Creswell@csi10.co.uk

SIN29: Reducing Critical Business Risk

As recession lifts – reduce risk!!!

Five ways IT can help reduce critical business risks.

As the recession lifts, we are all going to have to deal with a new set of risks that were introduced by having to quickly and decisively act as the recession took hold and slowly progressed through our businesses.

These enforced changes have bought a new way of managing the risks in business and presents IT with an ideal opportunity to help the business. A recent survey has shown that the risk ‘hot spots’ for 2010 are:-

· Strategic change management

· Capacity constraints

· Incentive plans for staff

· Human resources

· Fraud

Each of these crucial areas presents IT with a golden opportunity to help the business emerge from recession strong and more prepared. You can see more about how these key risk elements are both defined and then resolved by reading the article by Stuart Roberts of the Corporate Executive Board.

If you would like help on how to apply solutions to new risks call Jeremy on

07712 663598

Innovation Number 28: Easiest way to Secure SAP

Easiest way to a secure SAP system.

With the added pressures of compliance audits and the resultant segregation of duties (SoD) the issues of Securing access to SAP and reporting on SoD has become an imperative to the security professional in your organisation.

We have recently come across a simple but highly effective way of increasing the secure access to your SAP system, ensuring segregation of duties and even ensuring you are only paying for the number of SAP licences you need.

With very little expertise needed to install, the Xpandion solution (ProfileTailor Dynamics) builds a comprehensive record of the use of your SAP system. Immediately highlighting the obvious security issues, such as the use of SAP_ALL and SAP_NEW, as well as providing dynamic reporting to challenge SoD situations, report unused profiles and query inappropriate use.

With significant savings to be made in Risk Management and Compliance Audit events and provable and visible security improvements for the business, the system immediately adds benefit.

Unless you are convinced your security is 100%, we recommend that you take a look.

Call us on 07712 663598 and we will ensure you get to speak to the necessary experts.

SAP STAR Number 28: Paul Bhuhi

Let me introduce

Paul Bhuhi

Paul has over 15 years working within ERP/ SAP. An experienced Senior Practice Manager Paul has managed 400+ people and £45m+ in annual revenues. He combines a strong business development approach with a wealth of experience in consulting at all levels from delivery to CxO. Paul offers tangible experience in ERP transformation and change roles across a mix of Programmes, BPO contracts, ITO contracts; all with mixes of ‘on and off’ shore delivery models. Paul currently leads RWD Technologies in EMEA, working with SAP as their global partner for Human Performance Improvement and training products (software) sales.

So if you have any IT focussed Human Performance issues or would like to discuss how his other talents can benefit your business, give me a call on 07712 663598 and I will put you in touch.

SIN28: csi10 Wanted: SAP Performance Specialist

SAP Performance Specialist

Have you got a background in bringing SAP system performance to the highest levels expected by the business users? Can you show that you have helped Blue Chip companies realise significant improvement on their SAP systems response times across diverse geographical and functional landscapes.

If so we urgently need to speak as one of the largest SAP users in Europe needs a step change in the response times of their intricate SAP landscape.

Please contact us for a chance to speak to the people who will truly challenge your performance management skills.

Contract position.

Email: Terrie.Creswell@csi10.co.uk

SIN26: So what's your password!!!

So what’s your password!!!

Are you using a secure method of entry?

A recent security breach allowed the analysis of 32 million passwords (by Imperva) which has lead to concern in the world of blue chip security.

What would you guess was the most commonly used password that came out of this analysis…… ‘PASSWORD’? – well actually that came in 4^th.

Would you believe that the most popular password was ‘123456’, that’s right it’s as simple as 123 – with a 456.

Second was the even more impressive version for the lazy – ‘1234’ and for the more security conscious but equally less sophisticated, third in the list was ‘123456789’

So if you are an InfoSec professional; start pulling your hair out, if you use one of these blinding obvious password maybe now is the time to consider just how secure you wish your information to be and change it to a more secure password (and save the hair of your InfoSec professional)….

…. OH! and one more bit of advice which I thought worth passing on….. the experts advise NOT to use the same password for social networking as you do for your corporate systems.

For more call Jeremy on 07712 663598

SAP Innovation Newsletter 27: Introduction

First and Foremost – HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009 proved to be a very poor year for IT innovation and hence why you have not seen any SAP Innovation Newsletters recently. We hope that 2010 will prove to be a year when innovation in IT makes a dramatic return. If you have seen or experienced something your fellow SAP professionals and customers could benefit from, please get in touch.

Our SAP Star is a real talent in Knowledge Management and IT education; he is keen to speak to anyone considering leveraging their current systems to make the most of the company knowledge asset.

Maybe you could help csi10; if you consider yourself to be the best ever manager of customer relationships, or have a passion for proving excellence in IT services delivery, our client would love to speak to you.

And Finally, just a quick thanks to all our customers, supporters and clients who have helped us develop a new range of services that bring innovation, expert resources and improved perception of IT to more and more blue-chip IT departments.

Here’s to a healthy, wealthy and wise 2010.

Regards

Jeremy (tel: 07712 663598)