SAP R/3 on the Internet [Hardcover]

As a professor, my choices of books and of ERP systems have been easy. SAP has provided its R/3 system to more than 70 American universities and to more than 350 universities worldwide. Only recently did J.D. Edwards start a grant program for universities. Anyone may search amazon.com's database and discover that there are very few books available on any aspect of the other ERP systems. The authors of this book should be applauded for writing an excellent book for use in universities.

As a professor, I expect authors to provide a theoretical framework in the first chapter. These authors passed my test by covering basic concepts of the extended supply chain in the first chapter. Systems developers need to understand why they are developing a new system and how to evaluate the success or failure of the new system. The authors have not provided a step-by-step guide for developers and for programmers. Readers will not find a CD-ROM at the back of the book. Instead, the authors have explained what you need to know about SAP R/3 and about the Internet to make them work together.

The authors discussed centralized, loosely coupled, and decentralized systems. A correct representation of the views of the authors about the use of mainframe computers may be found on page 18: "There is one exception: mainframe systems, such as those used in many large enterprises, for example insurance companies. Terminals attached to these systems cannot accept the client software required for the Internet." The authors understand the difference between a mainframe computer and a terminal.

For an opposing view, I require my students to read Andrew White's white paper: "The Value Equation: Value Chain Management, Collaboration and the Internet." This white paper explains why Logility, Inc. has taken a different approach to extended supply chain management than that taken by the ERP system vendors. You may find the white paper at the Collaboration Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment site: http://www.cpfr.org/

My students must read also the excellent materials you may find at the Web sites of RosettaNet and of the Uniform Code Council: http://www.rosettanet.org/ http://www.uc-council.org/

In sum, this is a good, introductory book for SAP R/3 users who want to provide R/3's functions over the Internet. There are already entire books on supply chain management and on the Internet. This book provides a good starting point for understanding how to combine SAP R/3 and the Internet. Someday, perhaps other vendors will find the courage to provide their systems and books for critical evaluation and use in universities. I am still waiting for other reviewers to cite better books.