SAP CONSTRUCTION ERP SOFTWARE OVERVIEW
SAP has a diverse portfolio of solutions, both horizontal and vertical, created to simplify and enhance multiple corporate business processes. The vendor's enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite, used by medium-sized and large businesses in all vertical markets, features applications designed to address human capital management, enhancement packages, financials, operations, and corporate services.
SAP's ERP solutions include a construction ERP offering. Known as SAP for Engineering, Construction & Operations, this software is made to address the specific issues and concerns of construction firms.
SAP ERP 6.0, initially released in 2006, connects users directly to business processes. SAP continues to release enhancement packages to SAP ERP 6.0, including the construction ERP package. Released incrementally and at no charge to existing customers, enhancement packages let users access new software features via a simple download to switch on as needed; this way, customers can access new innovation without having to touch core systems. SAP indicated that more than half the enterprise services bundles created for its latest release were developed through feedback and cooperation between SAP, its partners and customers.
"Software applications managers need ways to make ERP more relevant to business users to maintain support for next-generation ERP projects," said Jeff Woods, research vice president, Gartner, when the most recent enhancement package was released in February 2008. "Making users wait until the next major [construction] ERP upgrade cycle for new functionality isn't a user-oriented practice and can drive users to non-standard solutions, driving up costs and complexity for applications managers. The ability to deliver functionality when business users need it should be a key component of enterprises' next-generation ERP strategies."
