Lean and simple: Fiori application for project controlling in financial planning
Lean and simple:Fiori application for project controllingin financial planning
As part of the SAP S/4HANA migration and the redesign of ewz’s financial planning process, the need for a simple, Fiori-based planned cost recording system for projects became clear. An extensive introduction of SAP Analytics Cloud for Planning would have been disproportionate – which is why we worked with ewz to design and implement a new Fiori application for project controlling.
THE CHALLENGES
ewz's SAP S/4HANA migration was implemented using the greenfield approach and a Fiori First strategy. As part of the implementation, a revision of the financial planning processes was also planned. It was already foreseeable that this new financial planning under SAP S/4HANA, based on ACDOCP, would not only open up new opportunities for ewz, but would also present new challenges.
One of these challenges was the recording of planned costs for projects. The tools previously used in the SAP GUI could no longer be used under S/4HANA, as they did not use the new financial planning and were not designed for use in Fiori. The introduction of SAP Analytics Cloud for Planning was therefore initially examined, but rejected due to the high personnel and financial costs involved. An alternative, leaner solution was required.
THE CHALLENGES
ewz’s SAP S/4HANA migration was implemented using the greenfield approach and a Fiori First strategy. As part of the implementation, a revision of the financial planning processes was also planned. It was already foreseeable that this new financial planning under SAP S/4HANA, based on ACDOCP, would not only open up new opportunities for ewz, but would also present new challenges.
One of these challenges was the recording of planned costs for projects. The tools previously used in the SAP GUI could no longer be used under S/4HANA, as they did not use the new financial planning and were not designed for use in Fiori. The introduction of SAP Analytics Cloud for Planning was therefore initially examined, but rejected due to the high personnel and financial costs involved. An alternative, leaner solution was required.
OUR APPROACH
Together with ewz, we designed and implemented a suitable Fiori-based application that makes it possible to enter planning data for projects. From a technological perspective, we exploited the full potential of the new SAP S/4HANA environment and the tools it contains. By using the ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model and the SAPUI5 Flexible Programming Model, we were able to implement a solution that meets the latest SAP standards for creating business applications and complies with the clean-core approach.
By using the latest development models, not only was the implementation effort greatly reduced - operational reliability was also increased and maintenance effort minimized. The use of SAP standard APIs for the new financial planning also ensures that the solution is fully integrated into the new architecture of financial planning in S/4HANA and that the solution can also be replaced smoothly. If, for example, the requirements for plan data entry change significantly and the current solution no longer meets the requirements, a change or even parallel use of SAC for Planning would be possible without any problems.
OUR APPROACH
Together with ewz, we designed and implemented a suitable Fiori-based application that makes it possible to enter planning data for projects. From a technological perspective, we exploited the full potential of the new SAP S/4HANA environment and the tools it contains. By using the ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model and the SAPUI5 Flexible Programming Model, we were able to implement a solution that meets the latest SAP standards for creating business applications and complies with the clean-core approach.
By using the latest development models, not only was the implementation effort greatly reduced – operational reliability was also increased and maintenance effort minimized. The use of SAP standard APIs for the new financial planning also ensures that the solution is fully integrated into the new architecture of financial planning in S/4HANA and that the solution can also be replaced smoothly. If, for example, the requirements for plan data entry change significantly and the current solution no longer meets the requirements, a change or even parallel use of SAC for Planning would be possible without any problems.
THE RESULT
The new Fiori application “Project Controlling” provides ewz with a modern and intuitive solution that guarantees a structured and transparent overview of ongoing projects. The various stakeholders of a project can conveniently plan and later easily monitor the project costs.
Project managers and sub-project managers have access to the (sub-)projects they manage according to their function and can work on and adapt them on an ongoing basis. Various management bodies can easily monitor the projects assigned to their area of responsibility.
Our solution is deliberately not a competing product to SAC for Planning, but is intended as a simple and lean supplement for recording planning data. It is thus positioned between the trivial file upload and the highly developed SAC.
THE RESULT
The new Fiori application “Project Controlling” provides ewz with a modern and intuitive solution that guarantees a structured and transparent overview of ongoing projects. The various stakeholders of a project can conveniently plan and later easily monitor the project costs.
Project managers and sub-project managers have access to the (sub-)projects they manage according to their function and can work on and adapt them on an ongoing basis. Various management bodies can easily monitor the projects assigned to their area of responsibility.
Our solution is deliberately not a competing product to SAC for Planning, but is intended as a simple and lean supplement for recording planning data. It is thus positioned between the trivial file upload and the highly developed SAC.
ABOUT EWZ
Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich, ewz for short, has been supplying the city of Zurich and parts of the canton of Graubünden with electricity since 1892. ewz implements ecologically and economically sensible energy supply systems for complex site and large-scale projects as well as energy networks for districts and municipalities. It also operates a nationwide, non-discriminatory fiber optic network in the city of Zurich. The 1,200 employees, including 100 in Graubünden, work for 234,000 customers. ewz is one of the 10 energy suppliers with the highest turnover in Switzerland.
“Thanks to PROJ-I, our new Fiori application, our (sub)project managers have the opportunity to plan their project costs on a rolling basis and the project stakeholders have an overview of the project development and status at all times. PROJ-I provides a good basis for lean project controlling thanks to the continuously updated project information. At the same time, the project managers’ cost forecasts can be used for parts of corporate planning, which represents a gain in efficiency.”
Matthias Aellen, Senior Controller Energy Production ewz
LEARN MORE
