Walking the Walk: SAP and Information Governance

Have you ever wanted to ask the car salesman what kind of automobile he drives? Or question the folks down at the appliance superstore about the dishwashers in their kitchens? Their answers could tell you a great deal about how much confidence these people have in the products they sell.

SAP runs SAP. This simple statement reflects total confidence. And SAP’s approach to its own information governance is a perfect example of this mindset in action.

Like any best-run business, SAP understands the key to process effectiveness is the integrity of its master data. So a couple of years ago, the company initiated an enterprise-wide data management and governance program to ensure data quality and consistency with global standards and processes. Not surprisingly, this far-reaching project was supported by a full complement of SAP business software – like the SAP Master Data Governance application, SAP Data Services software, SAP Information Steward software, and the SAP CRM application powered by the SAP HANA platform.

The benefits of this global information governance program are both widespread and measurable. Better account data, for example, now supports a fuller picture of each customer and makes strategic account management more effective. Better contact information helps effectively target prospects in marketing campaigns. And ironclad material and pricing master data reduces invoicing errors and promotes greater customer satisfaction. Company leaders calculate that the improvements have already helped realize €31 million in total benefits over two years. And we’re still counting.

Of course, there is a lot more to this story. You can learn about how SAP implemented its program and the company’s future plans in this business transformation study.

But if you’re asking, SAP software is what we use to run our business.