Keys to SAP project success: It's the people

Amidst the technology, cost and scheduling issues that arise in SAP implementation projects, the human element can often get lost in the shuffle. But Abiomed, a midsized medical devices manufacturer, found that staffing, communication, motivating project resources, and finding the right mix of consultants and employees are all important factors in a successful SAP project.

In this podcast, SearchSAP.com careers expert Jon Reed, and Daniel Lubin, director of information technology for Danvers, Mass.-based Abiomed, discuss the company's SAP All-in-One implementation with a particular focus on how Abiomed utilized consultants and offshore resources, and kept communication flowing, as well as other lessons learned along the way.


   Keys to SAP project success: It's the people  

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  Program highlights 

  • (1:00) Abiomed and project background

  • (2:50) How Abiomed staffed its project, which included technologies where consulting skills were scarce

  • (6:00) How Abiomed used offshore resources

  • (8:00) Managing the interactions between SAP functional areas and consultants

  • (10:54) Did Abiomed look at hiring full-time employees with SAP expertise?

  • (12:00) Are users on board with the new SAP products?

  • (14:25) How Abiomed kept people involved and motivated during the project

  • (17:40) Making use of SOA

  • (18:55) How the project addressed compliance and compliance roles

  • (22:20) Lessons learned -- what roles to fund, using best practices, what areas to focus on, and what can be sacrificed

      Program Links: 

  • Can SAP Consulting improve your SAP project?: Engaging SAP Consulting can lead to more successful SAP implementations. This was not always the case.

  • Choosing the right SAP systems integrator: SAP systems integrators all claim to be the best, so how can you pick one? This three-part series looks at critical factors for choosing a systems integrator for your SAP project.

  • Which SAP systems integrator is best?: Some SAP systems integration projects are tougher than others, and each systems integrator has strengths and weaknesses.

  • SAP keeps artificial heart manufacturer pumping: SAP beat out Oracle and Microsoft for Abiomed's new enterprise software implementation.

  • MySAP ERP upgrades: Users are the key to success: Upgrading mySAP ERP can be a long process, presenting many challenges to the company. Communicating closely with users is essential.

  • SAP's A1S, All-in-One or Business One; what are midmarket firms to choose?: With SAP set to introduce A1S in 2008, speculation continues as to whether it will compete with the company's other midmarket offerings.

  • SearchSAP.com Editorial Blog: This is the place for additional commentary and discussion about recent events, news stories or whatever else happens in the SAP world.

  • SearchSAP.com Audio Downloads: Visit our audio download archive.


    This was first published in July 2007

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