Closing gaps with collaborative maintenance and service
Closing gaps with collaborative maintenance
Modern asset-intensive industries operate across complex ecosystems involving asset operators, original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs), service providers, and contractors. Yet despite this reality, most
maintenance and service processes remain fragmented, slowing execution and driving up costs. SAP
Business Network Asset Collaboration addresses this challenge by transforming isolated workflows into a
seamless, real-time collaboration layer across all parties involved. It enables scalable and transparent
collaboration by using the power of a connected business network.
Supply Chain Management | SAP Business Network Asset Collaboration
Build a cross-company asset collaboration layer with network effect
• Each participant connects once to
the network and can collaborate
with many
• Service providers and OEMs manage
their own users, systems, and
configurations within their own tenant
• The asset operator benefits from
real-time data exchange, visibility,
and control—without needing to
onboard or manage every external
user individually
SAP Business Network Asset
Collaboration provides a network-
enabled framework that allows multiple
independent stakeholders to
collaborate on shared work orders via a
secure, scalable cloud environment.
Unlike point-to-point integrations or
mobile extensions of back-end systems,
Business Network Asset Collaboration
leverages the network effect:
Modern asset-intensive industries operate across complex ecosystems involving asset operators, original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs), service providers, and contractors. Yet despite this reality, most
maintenance and service processes remain fragmented, slowing execution and driving up costs. SAP
Business Network Asset Collaboration addresses this challenge by transforming isolated workflows into a
seamless, real-time collaboration layer across all parties involved. It enables scalable and transparent
collaboration by using the power of a connected business network.
Supply Chain Management | SAP Business Network Asset Collaboration
Build a cross-company asset collaboration layer with network effect
• Each participant connects once to
the network and can collaborate
with many
• Service providers and OEMs manage
their own users, systems, and
configurations within their own tenant
• The asset operator benefits from
real-time data exchange, visibility,
and control—without needing to
onboard or manage every external
user individually
SAP Business Network Asset
Collaboration provides a network-
enabled framework that allows multiple
independent stakeholders to
collaborate on shared work orders via a
secure, scalable cloud environment.
Unlike point-to-point integrations or
mobile extensions of back-end systems,
Business Network Asset Collaboration
leverages the network effect:
INTERNAL – SAP and External Parties under NDA Only
Benefit area Outcome
Maintenance efficiency Faster planning, streamlined execution,
reduced delays
Operational uptime Reduced unplanned downtime, improved
service responsiveness
Cost control Optimized contractor engagement, reduced
rework and miscommunication
Compliance and safety Real-time sharing of worker instructions and
safety protocols
Data-driven service Integrated view of work order history, asset data,
and field feedback
Customer experience Increased trust, satisfaction, and SLA adherence
• Shared visibility into work orders,
attachments, asset documentation,
and status updates
• Synchronized execution between
ERP back-ends (e.g., SAP S/4HANA
or SAP ECC) and the network
• Contextual, structured information
exchange across all entities in the
asset ecosystem
• Autonomous partner management,
where each party governs its own
access and permissions
Key benefits at a glance
The distributed architecture reduces onboarding friction, simplifies compliance, and supports long-term,
multi-party collaboration at scale. By embedding this collaboration into the asset maintenance process, the
solution ensures:
Benefit area Outcome
Maintenance efficiency Faster planning, streamlined execution,
reduced delays
Operational uptime Reduced unplanned downtime, improved
service responsiveness
Cost control Optimized contractor engagement, reduced
rework and miscommunication
Compliance and safety Real-time sharing of worker instructions and
safety protocols
Data-driven service Integrated view of work order history, asset data,
and field feedback
Customer experience Increased trust, satisfaction, and SLA adherence
• Shared visibility into work orders,
attachments, asset documentation,
and status updates
• Synchronized execution between
ERP back-ends (e.g., SAP S/4HANA
or SAP ECC) and the network
• Contextual, structured information
exchange across all entities in the
asset ecosystem
• Autonomous partner management,
where each party governs its own
access and permissions
Key benefits at a glance
The distributed architecture reduces onboarding friction, simplifies compliance, and supports long-term,
multi-party collaboration at scale. By embedding this collaboration into the asset maintenance process, the
solution ensures:
Deliver a cooperative asset
management foundation
This network-based collaboration
bridges the gap between strategy
and execution, delivering agility,
uptime, and sustainability across the
full asset lifecycle.
95%
Lower accident frequency rate when worker
instructions and safety information are available in
an accessible format
Figure: High-level overview of collaborative maintenance and service
• Plant maintenance module of SAP ERP Central Component
• SAP S/4HANA for enterprise asset management
• Public REST APIs
• Plant maintenance module of SAP ERP Central Component
• Public REST APIs
Procure spare parts
and tools*
(SAP Business Network
for Procurement)
*Planned innovation
Hire and manage contractors
with SAP Fieldglass solutions
Track spare parts and tools*
(SAP Business Network for Logistics)
Replicate a work order
from the back end
Operator Service provider and contractor network
Share work order and
dependent objects in
the network
Synchronize and
replicate work order
to the back end
Execute work
order
Source: SAP Performance Benchmarking
management foundation
This network-based collaboration
bridges the gap between strategy
and execution, delivering agility,
uptime, and sustainability across the
full asset lifecycle.
95%
Lower accident frequency rate when worker
instructions and safety information are available in
an accessible format
Figure: High-level overview of collaborative maintenance and service
• Plant maintenance module of SAP ERP Central Component
• SAP S/4HANA for enterprise asset management
• Public REST APIs
• Plant maintenance module of SAP ERP Central Component
• Public REST APIs
Procure spare parts
and tools*
(SAP Business Network
for Procurement)
*Planned innovation
Hire and manage contractors
with SAP Fieldglass solutions
Track spare parts and tools*
(SAP Business Network for Logistics)
Replicate a work order
from the back end
Operator Service provider and contractor network
Share work order and
dependent objects in
the network
Synchronize and
replicate work order
to the back end
Execute work
order
Source: SAP Performance Benchmarking