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Author's profile photo Sven Denecken

SAP S/4HANA 2020 Release

Today marks the general availability of SAP S/4HANA 2020 – the most comprehensive and intelligent ERP out there. This blog covers the key aspects that bring intelligence to our Digital Core, and some selected highlights of our SAP S/4HANA 2020 release which I’d like to share with you.

 

To get a quick overview of some of my personal highlights, check out my video below.

 

The Intelligent ERP Difference

 

Modernizing your ERP provides the foundation to connect your data, automate key functions, and constantly improve your products & services. In order to successfully modernize your ERP, you should keep the following three aspects in mind:

 

  1. Digital Age User Experience: Intelligent digital assistance and instant insights deliver value-adding experiences
  2. Modern Driven Automation:Machine learning, AI and predictive analytics for increased automation and efficiency. For further information on SAP’s intelligent Robotic Process Automation (iRPA) find here the link to our bot store that shows the pre-delivered iRPA content which is available as part of SAP S/4HANA.
  3. Next-Generation Processes: Reinvent and redefine processes with applied best practices built on the latest innovations

 

 

Highlights in SAP S/4HANA 2020

 

With SAP S/4HANA 2020 we have further expanded our capabilities enabling customers to benefit from the latest innovations. With the following, I’d like to share with you some of my personal highlights across different lines of business and industries.

 

 

Manufacturing 

 

As part of the Manufacturing industry we have been working on several enhancements for Predictive Material and Resource Planning. We are reducing data maintenance efforts by assigning a default material requirements planning (MRP) area in the material master when posting materials for storage locations.

Moreover, we’re enhancing several apps, e.g. the “Schedule pMRP Simulation Creation” app which now comes with a new job template to create simulation data using material component data, or the “Process pMRP Simulations” app that entails a number of simulation views such as the Demand Plan & Capacity Plan Simulation and the Multi-Level Material Simulation. The new issue list shows a prioritized list that helps you solve the most important issues first.

Figure 1: With the new Capacity Plan Simulation functionality users can shift capacity demands of top-level materials. 

 

 

Finance

 

In the line of business Finance, we’re reducing the use of general ledger (G/L) accounts as bank accounts by simplifying bank relationship-management processes. Using the same sets of bank reconciliation accounts and clearing accounts for house bank connectivity significantly reduces the number of G/L accounts needed for your payment processes. It also comes with the benefit of an easier maintenance of chart of accounts.

In the area of corporate close, accountants can generate multiple group currencies in a single closing process. This Increases efficiency and automation when working with multiple group currencies or multiple currency translations such as for translation at constant currency rates for comparison reporting.

Figure 2: Accountants can generate multiple group currencies in a single closing process.

 

If you want to learn more about the Finance innovations as part of the SAP S/4HANA 2020 release, read this blog from Benno Eberle which includes several product update videos or also check out this highlights blog from Ulrich Hauke.

 

Sales

 

SAP S/4HANA 2020 has numerous great innovations in store for you when it comes to sales processes. One of them is in the area of Sales Order Management and Processing and improves sales force efficiency: Intelligent Product and Quantity Proposals. This feature provides product and quantity recommendations based on historical data, while considering product listings and exclusions for the product proposals.

In addition, the intelligent product proposal allows you to predict whether the quantity of products ordered will increase or decrease. Ultimately, faster sales order creation helps you to increase potential profitability.

Figure 3: Improved sales force efficiency by using product and quantity proposals for faster sales order creation.

 

 

Extended Warehouse Management 

 

In the area of Extended Warehouse Management, we have enhanced analytical capabilities to improve warehouse visibility. For companies dealing with warehouses it is crucial to have the right insights into inbound activities in order to adjust priorities in time. The new capabilities come with new core data services (CDS) views and an improved navigation, allowing you to resolve possible bottlenecks.

On top of this, the newly integrated just-in-time supply to production into extended warehouse management enables you to reduce stock figures which has cost saving effects on your company.

 

 

Supply Chain

 

The next-generation Extended Service Parts Planning solution is moving into the SAP S/4HANA system. Having a single logical system in place saves efforts as all master data objects are maintained in one system and all planning steps can be performed in the same system. While maintaining a high service level, you can still lower your inventory costs by using functionalities like forecasting, analytics, or distribution requirements planning (DRP).

 

 

Sourcing and Procurement

 

Intelligence is also brought to our line of business Sourcing and Procurement. As part of central procurement analytics in SAP Analytics Cloud we are increasing real-time visibility and transparency. Real-time dashboards provide insights into consumption of central purchase contracts.

Additionally, you can leverage key performance indicators to analyze and monitor the automation rate of a purchasing document, e.g. purchase order or supplier invoice, and get better insights into the number of documents which were processed manually instead of automatically.

 

 

R&D / Engineering

 

In the area of project management, we are replacing the Java-based multi-project Gantt chart with a new Gantt chart based on SAPUI5. This new chart improves visualization of project-related information, and project stakeholders can make use of a simplified architecture while lowering TCO at the same time.

In Dangerous Good Management as part of Product Compliance, we reduce compliance costs through enhanced dangerous goods classifications for regulations concerning ADR, IMDG, 49 CFR, UNRTDG, IATA, TDG, NOM, ANTT and NCh382. The new SAP Fiori apps entail classification data based on integrated regulatory content and allow you to dynamically show or hide additional information.

Figure 4: Reducing compliance costs through enhanced dangerous goods classifications. 

 

 

Service

 

The most current SAP S/4HANA release also provides some major updates around Service Management. One of the highlights is the capability to plan recurring services with maintenance plan. To support planned-service business scenarios, we have brought maintenance plan features in SAP S/4HANA. This enables to plan services and workforce on regular intervals. Regular servicing of assets will certainly help to avoid customer escalations and increase asset uptime.

Figure 5: Increase service effectiveness with recurring services via maintenance plans. 

 

 

Industry to Core – Retail / Fashion

 

In order to improve operational efficiency, we’re providing insight-to-action capabilities through a store merchandising cockpit. A new SAP Fiori overview page enables store associates and store managers to view operational key indicators on store operations and respond appropriately. Having insights early in time allows them to act immediately on any upcoming issues. This doesn’t only lead to an overall increased efficiency, but also to an improved satisfaction.

Figure 6: The SAP Fiori app “My Store Overview” provides relevant key indicators on store operations in a single view. 

 

 

Industry to Core – Automotive

 

As part of the automotive industry we have released several innovations for the Just-In-Time (JIT) Processing. The demand analysis of customer JIT calls in comparison with delivery schedules is just one of many innovations. You can also analyze demand from customer JIT calls compared to the material requirements planning (MRP) relevant demand from sales scheduling agreements using the MRP demand view. The table-based and chart-based analysis increases transparency on any deviations and allows you to classify the criticality using deviation profiles ensuring best-possible consumption.

Figure 7: The app “Demand Analysis of Customer JIT Calls” increases transparency on deviations. 

 

 

Industry to Core – Consumer Products

 

As part of the consumer goods industry we have released the complete new component Last Mile Distribution for SAP Direct Distribution to manage distribution of goods directly to stores from a distribution center. Customers are able to plan their distribution routes with SAP Transportation Management and then execute the routes with Last Mile Distribution (LMD). LMD provides delivery of goods, handling of empties and returns, cash collection and creation of invoices. The complete settlement of the driver’s activities during the day can be executed in the new SAP Fiori app “Settle Route Data”.

Figure 8: The new SAP Fiori app “Settle Route Data” provides transparency on the driver’s activities.

 

 

SAP Activate for SAP S/4HANA

 

Last but not least, we have released fit-to-standard as part of our SAP Activate Methodology for SAP S/4HANA.  This covers all aspects of fit-to-standard in the deliverables, tasks and related accelerators which help guide users. Additionally, we have created a new accelerator to make it easier for you to follow the “Fit-to-Standard” approach in your implementation project – even remotely. You can join the SAP Activate community for further information.

 

 

As mentioned, this blog covers only selected innovations for selected LoBs and Industries. You find the entire overview of innovations in the What’s New Document published on the SAP HELP Portal.

To get further insights into our SAP S/4HANA 2020 release, watch the deep dive of Release Highlights provided by my colleagues.

Please make sure you also check out Yannick Peterschmitt’s blog & video further discussing selected highlights across lines of business and industries.

 

For more information on SAP S/4HANA 2020, check out the following links: 

  • SAP S/4HANA release info: com/s4hana
  • SAP S/4HANA Community here
  • SAP S/4HANA PSCC Digital Enablement Wheel here
  • Inside SAP S/4HANA Podcast here
  • Join the SAP S/4HANA Movement
  • Best practices for SAP S/4HANA here
  • Help Portal Product Page here
  • Feature Scope Description here
  • What’s New here

 

Follow us via @SAP and #S4HANA, or myself via @SDenecken

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      34 Comments
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      Author's profile photo Pierre COL
      Pierre COL

      Take advantage of 60+ pre-built SAP Intelligent RPA bots to further automate your Intelligent ERP! ?

      Author's profile photo Rafael Aires
      Rafael Aires

      Pierre COL that's great, thank you very much! I had no knowledge.

      Author's profile photo Sérgio Rosvald Donaire
      Sérgio Rosvald Donaire

      Excellent documentation, that explains the main new features. Congratulations. Thanks.

      Author's profile photo Rajendra Pandey
      Rajendra Pandey

      It looks, no significant improvement in LOB - Asset Management

      Author's profile photo Corina Kinzel
      Corina Kinzel

      Hi Rajendra,

      there are updates across all lines of business and industries, why don't you check out the brandnew Feature Scrope Discription document linked as part of the SAP Help Portal 🙂

      Author's profile photo Jamie Neilan
      Jamie Neilan

      Interesting points - it's good to see a clear concise release summary (shame about the poor resolution screen shots)

      But also, SAP S/4HANA 2020 - what happened to the yymm format? Can you comment on the expected release cycle in the next few years?

      Author's profile photo Corina Kinzel
      Corina Kinzel

      Hi Jaime,

      let me comment on the yymm format. As of this year, the product name will be the respective year of release. Going forward, we plan to release the following product shipments:

      SAP S/4HANA 2021, SAP S/4HANA 2022, SAP S/4HANA 2023, etc..

      Please also read the Release and Maintenance Strategy here

       

      Moreover, thanks for the feedback on the resolution of the screenshots. We have taken care of the quality and they should be readable now. 

      Author's profile photo Akbar Rattani
      Akbar Rattani

      Is this SAP S/4HANA 2020 is also available for SAP S/4HANA EX edition?

      Author's profile photo Christian Holm-Eriksen
      Christian Holm-Eriksen

      Hi Akbar,

      Yes, it will also be available for the SAP S/4HANA Cloud, extended edition. However, the release cycle for EX is slightly different from the OP version. SAP S/4HANA Cloud, extended edition includes only two releases per calendar year, planned for March and September of each year. Also, it only includes two Feature Pack Stacks on the major yearly releases. The differences are due to the fact that preparations and operational procedures need to be followed to offer the cloud solution.

      For more information on the EX release cycle, please visit the following SAP Note.

      Author's profile photo Hiroshi Iguchi
      Hiroshi Iguchi

      Hi.

      I am a consultant belonging to an SAP partner company.

      I currently cannot access the latest version of the Simplification List 2020.
      "We're sorry, but this content is not accessible." Is displayed.
      I had successfully accessed this document on 10/8.
      What the hell is going on?
      (I'm trying to access with a universal ID.)
      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      Hello,

      to access to this document, Partners and Customers need an S-User.

      Please try to use the link below:

      https://help.sap.com/doc/e8f908b4892d44ad90e8c582b0cd1866/2020/en-US/SIMPL_OP2020.pdf

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Hiroshi Iguchi
      Hiroshi Iguchi

      I accessed the URL with my S-user ID.
      And I got an error....

      Is the Simplification List still only visible to people inside SAP?

      Author's profile photo Hiroshi Iguchi
      Hiroshi Iguchi

      It is available today without authentication.

      ....Why ??

      Author's profile photo Chirdeep Rastogi
      Chirdeep Rastogi

      Hi

      When will the Simplification list for S4H 2020 released?

      Regards

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      Hello,

      you find the Simplification List for SAP S/4HANA 2020 on the SAP Help Portal.

      Find the direct link below:

      https://help.sap.com/doc/e8f908b4892d44ad90e8c582b0cd1866/2020/en-US/SIMPL_OP2020.pdf

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Michael Kretz
      Michael Kretz

      The link does not work. Can you please provide a link or a reference to an updated SAP Note?

      Many thanks!

      Author's profile photo Hiroshi Iguchi
      Hiroshi Iguchi

      It is available today without authentication.

      Author's profile photo Luis Tovar
      Luis Tovar

      Hi, in the SAP Note 2943206 SAP S/4HANA 2020: Restriction Note it´s written:

      "In SAP S/4HANA 2020 currency amount fields with a field length between 9-22 including 2 decimals have been extended to 23 digits including 2 decimals."

      Does it means that AFLE comes activated in S/4HANA 2020?

       

      Regards

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      Hello,

      please see SAP Note 2601956 - SAP S/4HANA: Amount Field Length Extension: Restriction Note

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Kenji Eimura
      Kenji Eimura

      Hello,

      I'm an S-User, but I can't access it.

      the Simplification List for SAP S/4HANA 2020 on the SAP Help Portal.

      https://help.sap.com/doc/e8f908b4892d44ad90e8c582b0cd1866/2020/en-US/SIMPL_OP2020.pdf

      Best Regards,

      Kenji Eimura

       

      Author's profile photo Michael Kretz
      Michael Kretz

      Same here. the link DOES NOT work.

      Author's profile photo Hiroshi Iguchi
      Hiroshi Iguchi

      It is available today without authentication.

      Author's profile photo Kenji Eimura
      Kenji Eimura

      Iguchi-san,

      Thank you for contacting.

      I was able to download the PDF.

      Best Regards,

      Kenji Eimura

       

      Author's profile photo 哲弥 渡辺
      哲弥 渡辺

      Are there delta document such as "WN_OP1809_EN.pdf"?

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      please have a look at the SAP Note 2954532 - What's New in SAP S/4HANA 2020 - PDF Files

      https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2954532

      Best Regards

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Constantin Velcea
      Constantin Velcea

      Is there a plan for a new certification for 2020 version, or should we except 1909 to continue to be valid?

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      Hello,

      concerning your certification, please have a look at SAP Learning Journeys

      https://help.sap.com/doc/221f8f84afef43d29ad37ef2af0c4adf/HP_2.0/en-US/317030086f83418a94dfe94173b46584.html?categories=SOL_01_03

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Shivam Mhapankar
      Shivam Mhapankar

      I'm looking for information on TM functionality offering with  S4 2020 base release (No advance payable version)

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      You find this information directly in the Product Assistance included in SAP Help Portal:

      https://help.sap.com/viewer/e3dc5400c1cc41d1bc0ae0e7fd9aa5a2/2020.000/en-US/3dbac2009df0459da845e03e6802817f.html

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Markus Ganser
      Markus Ganser

      For details about innovations in Master Data Governance on S/4HANA 2020, see this SAP Community blog

      Author's profile photo Nicolas Posada
      Nicolas Posada

      Hi Sven, in checking the roadpmar viewer for S/4HANA conversions, we do not see any changes eversince July. Will this release for on-premise be having any updates for the Roadmap viewer for S/4HANA conversion? Any idea of a date for such updates?

      Author's profile photo Christian Vogler
      Christian Vogler

      Hello,

      thanks for your email. Until the updated Roadmap Viewer for SAP S/4HANA, you can use the Conversion Guide published on SAP Help Portal.

      See: https://help.sap.com/viewer/product/SAP_S4HANA_ON-PREMISE/2020/en-US?task=implement_task

      Best Regards,

      Christian

      Author's profile photo Dilip Beesetty
      Dilip Beesetty

      Hi team - What are new / changes to Data Migration Cockpit in 2020? anything linedup in Roadmap? where I can refer to details? 

      Author's profile photo Manjunadh Lolla
      Manjunadh Lolla

      Hello Dilip,

      You can get the details in SAP Help for Data Migration and Available Migration Objects