SAP Business Network 4L GTT with p44 - yet in maturity stage
Updated February 22, 2024
SAP Business Network 4L GTT with p44 - yet in maturity stage
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with SAP Business Network
We use SAP Business Network in combination with p44 for tracking deliveries to customers, but also internally in our production network. We intend to receive more intelligent ETA by gathering milestone data from our 3PL via p44 and enriching those data with further environmental factors which could have an impact on the delivery date. Intelligent algorithms on p44 side are supposed to incorporate data which would impact the delivery time and routes, e.g. extreme weather conditions, traffic restriction information or political limitations.
- Gathering information from different 3PL sources
- Back-end integration into SAP ERP / S/4 HANA EM systems
- Connecting the dots
- Close cooperation with Transportation Management
- Harmonization of integration to Trading partners for collaboration as well as milestone tracking
- Increase the available reports and dashboards
- Improve partner collaboration model within the SAP Business Network
- Enable reports and dashboards by customers without need for Intelligence Insights
- Aligned milestone status between BN4L and Transportation Management
- So far our Business Case has not realized as the data are not consistent enough
- Expectation was to reduced the cost for emergency shipment by 40%
- Extension of Forwarder Network to be integrated by 30%
We collaborate by exchanging delivery information for the sake of receiving close real-time shipment milestones. We also collaborate by exchanging shipment documents with our 3PL. So far there has not been a solution to harmonize these different communication types with the same partners in one technical way as milestones are always routed via p44 where document exchange requires a direct integration on SAP Business Network for Logistics.
Not yet, data needs to mature and become consistent, first. Expectation is to have an early warning on expected late deliveries to enable an immediate reaction by eg. changed routing on the last leg or by switching to emergency / express shipments. However, in terms of forwarder coverage we have improved which gives us a broader overview on delivery status.
The visibility of shipment status as well as delivery times will significantly increase. On working connections with 3PL we can experience close to real-time monitoring. For connections with other 3PL we first have to achieve a consistent and complete milestone receipt. Challenge is the different mappings between the 3PL and p44 which requires customer-specific mapping tables and interpretation of milestone data.
We selected SAP Business Network in collaboration with p44 for the backend integration to SAP ERP and S/4 HANA EM. In addition we appreciated the global reach of p44 milestone data coverage and number of already onboarded partners. The availability of all required transportation types, such as plane and truck was another decision criteria.
Do you think SAP Business Network delivers good value for the price?
Not sure
Are you happy with SAP Business Network's feature set?
Yes
Did SAP Business Network live up to sales and marketing promises?
No
Did implementation of SAP Business Network go as expected?
No
Would you buy SAP Business Network again?
Yes
Using SAP Business Network
10 - Key users from the Business Logistics Shipment area validating the tool and data results as well as further promoting the tool internally to extend business usage and prepare for further global rollout;
Project members from the IT Shipment area to support the tool operations as well as prepare for upcoming extensions and rollouts.
Project members from the IT Shipment area to support the tool operations as well as prepare for upcoming extensions and rollouts.
3 - IT resources who have extensive General SAP understanding and significant expert knowledge in SAP Shipment and Transportation Solutions and Processes.
Involve Business Key Users who understand end-to-end processes and business implications as well as being capable to generate a strategic vision and holistic picture on how to evolve companies' capabilities and strengthen business partner collaboration.
Involve Business Key Users who understand end-to-end processes and business implications as well as being capable to generate a strategic vision and holistic picture on how to evolve companies' capabilities and strengthen business partner collaboration.
- Integration of Forwarders
- Tracking of Forwarder deliveries
- Understand unexpected delays
- Strengthen business partner collaboration
- none yet
- Integration of warehouse service providers
- Milestone tracking for warehouse activities
- Exchange of operational documents in forward collaboration beyond the pure contracting and settlement processes
Evaluating SAP Business Network and Competitors
- Scalability
- Integration with Other Systems
Integrate additional information and forwarder collaboration results directly into SAP ERP and SAP S/4 HANA backend systems.
Stronger validation of selling messages.
SAP Business Network Implementation
- Third-party professional services
SAP
Yes - Design
Template Build
Pilot rollout
Scope extension
Further rollouts
Template Build
Pilot rollout
Scope extension
Further rollouts
Change management was a small part of the implementation and was well-handled - So far no global rollout, yet.
Change Mgmt. and Training activities yet to come for broader audience.
Change Mgmt. and Training activities yet to come for broader audience.
- Mapping of forwarder milestone input against SAP understanding of milestones and their status
- Onboarding of forwarders took more time than expected
- Reporting capabilities of SAP BN4L not available from start, requiring use of external partner's dashboard capabilities in addition