Simple SAP forms and S/4HANA: An (im)possible combination?

At a time when international companies are constantly optimizing and modernizing their processes, the focus is increasingly shifting to SAP forms management. The changeover to S/4HANA not only promises technological progress, but also poses a challenge for output management. Many companies are confronted with typical problems, ranging from a variety of forms technologies to limited capacities.

The biggest challenges in SAP forms management

A common dilemma is that companies make use of too many different form technologies. The high number of forms and labels also contributes to making maintenance and administration a complex and time-consuming process. It also shows that forms are not treated as a priority issue in many companies, while at the same time there is too little capacity for their efficient maintenance. At a time when efficiency and time management are crucial, SAP managers are asking themselves the question: how can forms run smoothly on the side without causing excessive effort?

The desire for easy-to-maintain SAP forms

The answer to this question lies in the shared vision of many SAP managers: forms should run almost incidentally and maintenance should be kept to a minimum. In reality, however, the simple maintenance of SAP forms is a major challenge in many companies. As a rule, at least one ABAP developer is always needed to make changes to forms. Despite these hurdles, there are companies that have turned this wishful thinking into reality and have found innovative ways to optimize SAP forms. We present three of these companies below.

Uncontrolled growth in forms despite Adobe Forms – Experience report from SICK AG

SICK AG was initially confronted with limited capacities and resources in forms management. Despite having already switched to Adobe Forms, familiar problems such as confusion and dependence on the IT department quickly reappeared. Mr. Berger (Head of SAP Development & Master Data Management, SICK AG) will report on the solutions to his challenges in the Expert Talk.

From 800 to 15 forms – Experience report from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG was faced with a mammoth task: 800 historically grown forms, characterized by individual texts and complex conditions, made for a confusing development process and an unacceptable maintenance situation. This required a rethink. Mr. Münch (IT for Sales, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG) will report on the reorganization of the forms and his findings.

Form rollout “36 countries in 80 days” – Field report from Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG

Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co KG was faced with the challenge of a comprehensive form rollout in 36 countries – an almost impossible task that could not be accomplished efficiently with the existing SAPscript forms. The existing form landscape was confusing, the maintenance effort was high and smaller requirements could not always be implemented due to the internal structure with numerous sales organizations and company codes. Individual logics had to be mapped for each organizational unit and legal requirements could not be ignored. Mr. Hespelt (IT – Sales & Marketing, Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG) will explain how they successfully implemented form rollouts in a very short time.

Solution approaches in the expert talk “Child’s play SAP forms under S/4HANA“

If you are familiar with the problems described in the form system, you should keep 06.03.2024 from 11:00 to 12:00 free. Take part in the Expert Talk “Child’s play SAP® forms under S/4HANA“, in which the aforementioned challenges in forms management will be explained in detail in a discussion with Softway AG based on three live experience reports from the customers presented. Find out how these companies have successfully optimized their forms management, overcome any challenges in forms management and how they have optimally positioned themselves for the future. Get started on a better world of forms now!