SAP Intelligent RPA Success Stories – Driving Efficiency in SAP Data Management with Robotic Process Automation

Business Context

To improve operational efficiency in its shared-services centers, the data strategy and operations team at software firm SAP SE identified, assessed, and prioritized more than 20 use cases for robotic process automation. Using SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation services, the team has now implemented five use cases with tangible business results, enabling an improved employee experience and helping provide trusted enterprise data for SAP

Transitioning while transforming

The data strategy and operations team at SAP SE is on a journey to transform its data management practices from simply reacting to the needs of internal customers to proactively identifying and anticipating requirements. As part of this initiative, the team analyzed all of its processes using 4D mapping techniques, providing a clear picture of what needs to be done and in what order.

A key observation was that there were many manual and repetitive tasks that prevent employees from focusing on higher value tasks that would help the team achieve its mission of making data work for SAP.

Optimizing processes while responding to margin pressure

However, during a long-term transformation program that includes wide scale automation through the deployment of a number of software solutions, the team recognized it must take a shorter term transitional approach to process optimization. “Under tight margin pressure, it’s crucial to continue running day to day data operations while streamlining processes at the same time,” says Bastian Finkel, head of intelligent data experience at SAP. “It’s a bit like changing tires while driving on the motorway.”

Building momentum with quick wins

The data strategy and operations team decided that robotic process automation (RPA) would help it accelerate processes in a relatively short period of time. In this way, it could improve the employee experience while delivering outstanding business results to internal customers.

Before: Challenges and Opportunities

The goals of the project were to

Process data change requests more efficiently and transparently
Reduce time spent on repetitive, manual tasks by employees in shared-services centers
Eliminate data errors due to manual data entry
Increase the amount of time that staff can spend on high-value tasks

Why SAP Intelligent RPA?

SAP Intelligent RPA rapidly provided

Rapid deployment of bots within a few days, enabling quick wins
Intuitive functionality, enabling staff to rapidly gain bot-building skills
Support for intelligent workplace processes for shared-services center employees

After: Value-Driven Results

Results have been better than expected:

Enhanced customer service with faster response times
Better employee experience with significantly less manual work
Increased efficiency, with thousands of hours shifted to higher-value tasks
Improved data quality, providing more accurate, consistent, and compliant information for use in enterprise processes

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