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SAP ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) USER REVIEW: SUNCOR ENERGY (2 of 2)

Since its start in 1967, Suncor Energy has evolved into an $18 billion corporation with about 6,500 employees, juggling multiple gas and oil-related projects around the globe. Not surprisingly, then, the Calgary-based energy firm needed an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to keep employees, construction projects and vendors on track and updated on project status.

About two years ago, Suncor moved from its in-house, database-driven solution and purchased SAP R/3, a scaleable and customizable enterprise resource planning solution. (SAP R/3 is now known as SAP ERP.)

"This software has changed the way we work -- we now have a high degree of flexibility when executing business processes," said Salvador Carlos Hernandez Ramirez. "It also solved the issue of managing and recording data, by offering very strong technical connections among Suncor's different IT systems, all of which have to interact with one another on a daily basis."

Construction companies that use SAP ERP are more efficient and consistent that those organizations that do not use the technology, Hernandez Ramirez reasoned. Suncor reduced the turnover time for paying invoices, eliminating late fees and ensuring supplier satisfaction.

"The software proved to be a crucial factor in reducing the turnover time of purchase orders and in paying vendors' invoices on time. It also enabled users to get accurate account data at any given point in time or within a project," he said.

Suncor relies on its internal IT department for support with SAP ERP, said Hernandez Ramirez. Likewise, the energy company uses customized support documentation, tailored to its specific needs. If SAP could improve anything it would be to make the software even more user-friendly, he noted.

Hernandez Ramirez rated SAP R/3 an 8.5 out of 10 as a construction ERP and project management tool.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
 
How long have you been using this tool?
 
Where did you obtain it?
 
How much did you pay?
 
How are you using this product?
 
Why did you pick this product?
 
Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
 
Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made    this product better)?
 
Before you bought this product, were using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
 
How many people are using this software?
 
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
 
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
 
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this    tool?
 
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
 
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
 
What would you change about the product if you could?
 
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
 
Who would you recommend use this tool?
 
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
 
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
 
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
 
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
 
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
 
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
Suncor is a major North American energy producer and marketer involved in oil and gas exploration and production. The company generated about $18 billion in revenue last year and has approximately 6,500 employees.

I have been using SAP ERP (previously known as SAP R/3) for two years.

We bought the software from SAP AG.

How much did you pay?
I don't know.

How are you using this product?
We use it for most enterprise resource planning operations.

Why did you pick this product?
It was chosen by Suncor's major construction project management department. I do not know why it selected SAP's program.

Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
Yes. Data can be exported to other applications such as the Microsoft Office suite.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made this product better)?
What is appealing about SAP ERP is that it really helps companies enhance their operational flexibility across remote locations while providing real-time visibility for customers and suppliers.

Before you bought this product, were using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
We were using programs developed in-house that ran in C++ and other database platforms that were less user-friendly.

How many people are using this software?
Everybody here uses this tool. In fact, it's become the only tool for executing business operations.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
This software has changed the way we work, in that we now have a high degree of flexibility when executing business processes. It also solved the issue of managing and recording data, by offering very strong technical connections among Suncor's different IT systems, all of which have to interact with one another on a daily basis.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
Comparing two construction companies -- one that had SAP and one that did not -- I saw a much more efficient and consistent and operational environment in day-to-day business transactions in the company that relied on SAP ERP. The software proved to be a crucial factor in reducing the turnover time of purchase orders and in paying vendors' invoices on time. It also enabled users to get accurate account data at any given point in time or within a project.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
I think companies that use SAP ERP have more efficient business operations, since business processes are now streamlined and happen in real time. I have little idea on how to quantify an actual dollar amount saved when the bottom-line efficiency of the overall company has been enhanced by the implementation of SAP.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
The ability to offer real-time solutions across business units while combining suppliers and providers in a structured hierarchy is a tremendous asset to our productivity and efficiency.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
I cannot comment, because I am unfamiliar with the price we paid.

What would you change about the product if you could?
I would like SAP to make it more user friendly and improve the built-in Help files.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
Yes, there are features like cash flow and construction scheduling that we do not use here.

Who would you recommend use this tool?
I'd recommend it to anyone needing an enterprise resource planning solution.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
In order to do basic data entry, users only need a week of training and practice. As commands and tasks become repetitive, users gain experience very quickly.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
Training for SAP ERP is extensive, as there are several modules and specific applications or business processes that users learn over years of experience.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
No, I've never called because we have an internal IT department that handles all SAP-related issues.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
The documentation available to us is training material that delves into specific applications of commands and tasks. That literature was specifically developed for Suncor businesses and, therefore, is very useful and appropriate for meeting our needs.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Yes, if we need it.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
8.5.