Intelligent Manufacturing with SAP S/4HANA

Tejas Pujara, Associate Principal, S/4HANA Functional

The SAP S/4HANA manufacturing suite is a powerful, end-to-end suite of solutions that enables intelligent manufacturing and supply chain processes from design to operations. Some of the features that set this suite apart from other ERP systems include:

  • Real-time insights into work center and resource capacity utilization, with the ability to make real-time adjustments
  • Live MRP engine for speedy responsiveness to fluctuations in demand and supply
  • Enabling mass production processes with minimal human intervention
  • AI-enabled analytics for better decision-making

SAP S/4HANA facilitates seamless planning of manufacturing operations from material requirements to inventory management. Furthermore, it adjusts plans based on real-time information from the business and its suppliers as well as directly from the shop floor.

This intelligent solution supports complex assembly processes by creating efficient plans, covering such areas as material requirements and production and capacity planning. It includes bills of material, routing, factory layout and machine models into overall manufacturing planning – thereby facilitating lean manufacturing through the optimization of production and material flow.

The SAP S/4HANA manufacturing suite empowers manufacturers with flexible and efficient processes by using methods such as lean control, continuous improvement and just-in-time replenishment. This approach allows organizations to significantly improve product quality and lower costs by fostering collaboration between the R&D and manufacturing teams.

The offerings facilitate combining of relevant data and seamless handover of engineering documents, bills of material and design changes. Taking swift action to prevent or correct issues by running closed-loop quality management processes – from planning to operations – this next-gen solution ensures you are always ahead of the curve. It also supports continuous improvement via the Kaizen approach across the enterprise.

Overall, this Digital SAP Manufacturing solution enables the end-to-end connectivity of the supply chain based on intelligent technologies covered by SAP S/4HANA. It is a powerful suite that helps convert manufacturing processes into one intelligent, integrated solution.

SAP S/4HANA Digital Manufacturing is a cloud-based solution that delivers state-of-the art analytics and dashboards with the following key elements:

  • Manufacturing Insights
  • Manufacturing Execution
  • Manufacturing Network
  • Personalized Dashboards, Reports and KPIs
  • Manufacturing Automation
  • Manufacturing Integration with AI and ML

The Manufacturing Insights feature provides essential solutions to optimize manufacturing processes including:

  • Global Insights
  • Plant Insights
  • KPI Analytics
  • OEE Insights
  • Manage Alerts

Additionally, the Manufacturing Execution feature provides tools for smooth and efficient execution of production processes including:

  • Schedule Labor
  • Schedule Tools
  • Manage Resource Assignments
  • Load Resources with Components
  • Manage Floor Stocks
  • Manage Orders
  • Manage Tool Assignments

Interested in learning more? Simply reach out to us at info@bcone.com and our digital supply chain experts will be happy to schedule an introductory session with you.