SUPPORTING KEY PROCESSES

Above all, SAP has helped Sharp standardize its most important business processes.

“SAP R/3 Enterprise helps us compare financial metrics for different markets,” says Marion Backhausen, Manager Application Development, “so we can conduct regional sales and profit analyses.”

She also praises the sales and distribution functionality of SAP R/3 Enterprise: “It’s a flexible component that allows us to employ very sophisticated pricing techniques and react very quickly to new requirements from our salespeople.”

The SAP sales and distribution solution also gives greater flexibility to Sharp’s sales force. “Even when they’re working remotely from a home office,” Marion Backhausen says, “our sales professionals are now able to connect through a virtual private network to get their sales figures and reports.” And with a shared view of its European inventory, the company can optimize supply levels to its various markets.

A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

Based on the success of its European group, Sharp has implemented a variety of SAP solutions throughout its global operations.

In addition, the company is currently evaluating additional SAP solutions for the future, including mySAP Customer Relationship Management (mySAP CRM) and SAP Business Information Warehouse.

“We have found that for globally operating companies,” says Wolfram Konertz, “SAP solutions provide the best way to support business transactions.”