"Here Lizard Lizard" (SAP SAP) - SAP Pre-"GO LIVE" account by Gregory M. Allen

SAP "Go-Live Account by Gregory M. Allen It has been said, "If you want to succeed at SAP, TRAIN - TRAIN - TRAIN". And TRAINING is exactly what we have been doing at TUTHILL | Cablecraft in St. Matthews, SC.

Our SAP "GO LIVE" date is August 3rd 1998. However, back in January we obtained "Special SAP Computer Based Training CDs" or "CBTs" from CBT Systems and began organizing into groups. A "Sand Box" of five computers was established; we divided our BUCs (Business Unit Champions), SuperUsers and Validation Team into four groups of five each and began going through the CBTs one by one.

We found that by working together in small groups, a synergy was developed. Folks that grasped certain concepts would assist the others; folks grasping different SAP concepts share their new-found insight…and so on. We considered the material together; we discussed, related, and debated. We even collectively completed the "Unit Tests", discussing pertinent points each step of the way. The "Final Tests", however, were taken individually. And to our surprise, a high percentage passed the courses on the first try, and the average scores were high.

In time, however, we fell into a learning trap. We began to take in SAP knowledge for the sake of answering "Course Questions" and "Improving Test Scores", rather than to gain SAP insight and understanding. To rectify this problem, we discussed process flows within the CBTs and how each related to our process in SC. We added information we received from the books, Internet, E-mails from various sources, plus discussions with folks in Tacoma, our sister plant. At this point, we were planning and making decisions on a program none of us had every seen before. Would our efforts and expectations match up with reality?

Next came actual contact with SAP in Spinning Wheel. Yes it’s real; yes it’s big; it’s really big!. Like the current Taco Bell commercial says "Here Lizard Lizard" (SAP SAP) "I think we need a bigger box!". But you know, the stuff we studied together was close enough to reality that it gave us the confidence to say, Yes We Can Do This If We Continue To Work Together!

Since our initial contact with SAP, regular weekly teleconference, specific communications with plant counterparts, intra-plant E-mails, plus validation with Core Team Members, has brought us to the point that if "Go Live" were today, we feel that we could do all of the basics, accounting material management, production planning, MRP, sales, and shipping, and grow from there. And the synergy enhancement between both plants (Tacoma WA & St. Matthews SC) will allow us to face challenges, accomplish goals, increase profits and improve productivity in very creative ways. I can’t wait to see what’s next!!!

Gregory M. Allen