The new SAP TM 7.0 solution is the next step in the SAP Business Suite to manage the physical transportation of goods along your network. Where the ECC system and TPVS module treat the shipments from a shipper point of view, the TM 7.0 module is build from a perspective of the Transportation Service Provider (TSP). Using the extensive transportation network and ability to plan your resources in the most efficient way will support you to improve the profitability of your resources and your business.
Although the system can be used as a standalone system, the possibility to use it in addition to the SAP landscape is valuable for its integration with master data, deliveries and financial processes.
Tm 7.0 also offers solutions to integrate Event Manager to monitor your execution, The Global Trade System for customs integration and EH&S for support on Hazardous goods.After the first month we have experienced that there are some points of attention during the implementation of the TM 7.0 solution. When integrated with other SAP modules, keep in mind that TM 7.0 requires specific versions / patch versions of the integrated modules, some of which are in ramp-up. This could mean an upgrade of your current landscape when using TM 7.0.
Since the TM 7.0 solution is new in the market it contains a lot of small errors which needs close monitoring of Notes to be implemented. Help-information and extensive log files on automated processes are not yet available, which makes error-analyses difficult and time-consuming. From this perspective it is good to know that the SAP support organization is on top of the TM 7.0 notes and response is very good! If they can keep up with this then I am convinced that the TM 7.0 module will be a serious option in the TSP market on short notice and will provide their users a supporting tool for planning and optimizing the transportation activities.
