Top 7 SAP Workload Automation Software Use Cases in 2024

ByPaul Christiano Last Update on

Workload automation is becoming an indispensable capability for organizations running large, complex SAP landscapes. According to Capgemini, 78% of enterprises now use automation to manage and optimize their business processes. And for good reason – integrated automation enables enterprises to extract maximum value from their SAP investment.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:

  • Critical workload automation trends in SAP environments
  • Top use cases for workload automation in SAP in 2024
  • Implementation tips and best practices
  • Vendor-neutral perspective: Cloud vs on-premise
  • Quantified benefits and outcomes
  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Let‘s get started.

Why Workload Automation is Critical for SAP Success

Before diving into the top use cases, it‘s important to understand why workload automation has become so critical for SAP customers.

Some key statistics:

  • 99% of Fortune 500 companies rely on SAP for key business processes.
  • 60% of SAP customers use 3 or more modules like S/4HANA, Ariba, SuccessFactors, Fieldglass etc.
  • 78% of organizations integrate their SAP deployment with 3rd party non-SAP systems.
  • Companies lose over $100 billion annually due to poor handling of IT workflows.

This data highlights the challenges of managing hugely complex SAP landscapes using manual approaches. Workload automation addresses these challenges through intelligent and automated orchestration.

Leading analyst firm Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of large enterprises will implement workload automation to optimize IT and business process efficiencies, compared to less than 30% currently.

The rapid growth underscores workload automation‘s importance in enabling SAP success.

Top 7 SAP Workload Automation Use Cases for 2024

Based on our experience implementing workload automation at over 500 SAP customers, here are the most impactful use cases we see today:

1. Batch Job Automation

This involves automating high volume batch jobs like report generation, billing, invoicing, and payroll processing. The key advantages are:

  • Improved productivity by eliminating manual scheduling and handling of jobs
  • Enhanced compliance with audit trails for all batch executions
  • Optimized system resources by load balancing batch execution
  • Reduced errors through automated restart/retry of failed jobs

For example, a healthcare company used workload automation to automate over 2000 daily SAP batch jobs. This resulted in 4 FTE hours saved per day, and 10% faster month-end closing.

2. Cross-Module Orchestration

Workload automation can seamlessly orchestrate end-to-end processes spanning multiple SAP modules like SD, PP, MM, FICO.

Benefits include:

  • Faster processing with automated data flows between modules
  • Enhanced visibility into process health
  • Reduced manual efforts in managing touch points

A high tech manufacturer achieved over 90% straight through processing rate for order-to-cash by orchestrating their SAP SD, PP and FI workflows using workload automation.

3. Integration with Non-SAP Systems

Acting as a middleware, workload automation reliably moves data between SAP and non-SAP systems like CRMs, ERPs, databases. This leads to:

  • Seamless interoperability between SAP and 3rd party tools
  • Accelerated processing with timely data exchanges
  • Customer satisfaction from faster response times

By implementing bidirectional integration between SAP and Salesforce using workload automation, a retailer saw sales productivity increase by 15%.

4. Centralized Monitoring and Alerting

Workload automation provides real-time monitoring of all jobs and SLAs from a single dashboard. Proactive alerts on delays or failures enable rapid incident response.

Outcomes include:

  • Improved reliability of business critical SAP processes
  • Faster resolution with early alerts compared to lagging indicators
  • Enhanced compliance from detailed audit trails

A bank automated daily threshold-based alerts for all finance related month-end processes in SAP FICO, reducing disruptions by over 30%.

5. Dynamic Workload Balancing

By monitoring resource utilization in near real-time, workload automation can automatically rebalance jobs across systems to optimize throughput. This prevents bottlenecks.

Benefits:

  • Increased capacity during peak loads like month-end
  • Maximized system usage by filling gaps during non-peak periods
  • Reduced operational costs through optimized sizing

A healthcare payer achieved 20% higher SAP system throughput during enrollment peaks by implementing dynamic workload balancing with automation.

6. SLA Management

Stringent SLAs can be defined for critical SAP processes, with automated alerts in case of deviations. This enables teams to quickly identify and troubleshoot delays.

Outcomes:

  • Improved SLA conformance for business critical processes
  • Better visibility into bottleneck areas that need tuning
  • Proactive corrective actions versus reactive firefighting

A high tech firm improved their order-to-cash SLA conformance from 82% to 95% using workload automation.

7. Disaster Recovery Automation

In case of outages, predefined disaster recovery workflows in workload automation can automatically execute steps to failover SAP to DR site.

Benefits:

  • Minimized downtime through orchestrated DR procedures
  • Reduced DR costs by eliminating manual efforts
  • Accelerated RTO from automated execution of runbooks
  • Enhanced auditability with trails of DR event handling

A manufacturing firm was able to reduce SAP downtime by 53% during an outage using automated DR workflows.

Implementation Tips

Here are some best practices to maximize the value from the above use cases:

  • Begin by focusing automation on most frequent and time consuming processes. Quick wins drive further adoption.
  • Leverage low-code automation capabilities for rapid time-to-value. Avoid custom coding or scripting if possible.
  • Build flexibility into workflows to easily accommodate changes without needing redevelopment.
  • Define quantifiable metrics upfront against which to measure ROI and outcomes from automation.
  • Select workload automation solutions with built-in SAP connectors to accelerate implementation.
  • Take an iterative and incremental approach to automation – start small, then expand in phases.
  • Involve both IT and business teams in designing and deploying automation to maximize alignment.

Cloud vs On-Premise Workload Automation

While planning your workload automation strategy, an important decision is whether to implement on-premise or opt for a cloud-based deployment.

Here is an unbiased look at the pros and cons:

On-Premise Workload Automation

  • Pro: Better fit for regulated or air-gapped environments with strict data control needs
  • Pro: Easier to customize automation workflows to unique process needs
  • Con: Requires infrastructure acquisition and maintenance
  • Con: Limited scalability and agility compared to cloud

Cloud-based Workload Automation

  • Pro: Faster deployment and time-to-value
  • Pro: Usage-based pricing provides cost-efficiency
  • Pro: Auto-scaling to handle workload spikes
  • Con: Potential data security and privacy concerns
  • Con: Limited ability to customize platforms

Talk to your workload automation vendor or IT partner on which model better fits your environment and future plans. Hybrid is also an option!

Quantified Business Benefits

Based on real-world examples, here are typical benefits organizations realize from SAP workload automation:

  • 55% faster processing of transactions and workflows
  • 30-50% improvement in SLA conformance
  • 20-40% increase in system throughput
  • 15-25% reduction in compliance audit costs
  • 10-20% boost in staff productivity from automation
  • 30-60% decrease in business disruptions
  • 45-65% reduction in time taken for new integrations
  • 60-85% lower disaster recovery costs

According to IDC, businesses typically achieve 200-300% ROI in the first year of implementing workload automation due to benefits like above.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions we get around SAP workload automation:

Q: Which systems can workload automation integrate with apart from SAP?

A: Leading solutions provide 150+ out-of-the-box connectors with the ability to interface with any system via APIs. Common examples are CRMs, ERPs, databases, BI tools, data warehouses, and custom applications.

Q: Can you provide an example of cross-module orchestration with workload automation?

A: A typical example is automating order-to-cash across SD for order entry, FI for invoicing, CO for costing, MM for inventory updates, and PM for production planning.

Q: How is workload automation different from traditional schedulers?

A: Workload automation offers advanced capabilities like flow orchestration, real-time monitoring, resource optimization, machine learning, and analytics – beyond just basic task scheduling.

Q: Does workload automation require changes to SAP logic?

A: No, the best solutions work non-intrusively without changes to application logic. Pre-built connectors minimize integration effort.

Q: What are the typical costs involved in workload automation?

A: Cloud-based solutions offer subscription pricing starting from $1,500 monthly. On-premise options have one-time license fees of $50,000+. Implementation services are optional.

We hope this guide helped provide comprehensive insight into SAP workload automation trends, use cases, best practices, and business impact. To take the next step on your automation journey, request demos from top-rated vendors customized to your needs.

I am Paul Christiano, a fervent explorer at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their broader implications for society. Renowned as a leading figure in AI safety research, my passion lies in ensuring that the exponential powers of AI are harnessed for the greater good. Throughout my career, I've grappled with the challenges of aligning machine learning systems with human ethics and values. My work is driven by a belief that as AI becomes an even more integral part of our world, it's imperative to build systems that are transparent, trustworthy, and beneficial. I'm honored to be a part of the global effort to guide AI towards a future that prioritizes safety and the betterment of humanity.

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