The SAP Unicode conversion is different from an upgrade project or a support pack. The functionality of R/3 does not change at all, it is purely a technical upgrade that converts how the data is stored in the database. Because of this fact, you can streamline your Unicode conversion by following this true and tested method:

Testing Is Easier

Because the Unicode upgrade does not affect your functionality, your focus during testing will not be in verifying functionality. It will be primarily focused on data, and whether everything still works as before - essentially regression testing.

Although we do recommend you do a full system test exercising all your functional and technical test cases, you will be able to rapidly complete your tests as you will not be spending time troubleshooting business issues eg. orders not shipping, payroll not running, MRP failing, etc...

You will be focusing more on your interfaces and more specifically, the data of your interfaces, since many of your external vendors you interface with will not be on Unicode yet.

It Is Mostly A Technical Exercise

All the heavy lifting happens within the technical teams - ABAP and Basis. The unicode conversion process occurs during a database export using heterogeneous system copy tools, and then the data is reloaded in Unicode format in your database. This is focused primarily in basis.

Your ABAP, BW/BI and PI teams will be focused on verifying data sent and received via interfaces, and testing with external vendors. Additionally, your ABAP programmers will be focused on converting the existing programs to Unicode syntax.

You Do Not Need To Develop And Grow This Skillset

You do a Unicode conversion once in the lifetime of your SAP system. There is no need for knowledge transfer or internal capability development unless you are a consulting company focused on this business like we are. Your employees have valuable tasks to perform in the course of normal business. The learning curve for doing this exercise is steep, and the penalties for lack of experience are missed deadlines and cost overruns.

It Can Be Done Remotely

The size and complexity of your system as well as the number of interfaces and custom ABAP programs will determine whether this is a full scale, onsite project or not. Because of the items mentioned above and the technical team focus, the heavy lifting can be outsourced to experienced offsite consultants who does this for a living.

Since you will not incur travel costs and you get more productive hours (because travel time is not necessary), you can keep your costs down. Expenses can be as much as 15% to 20% of your total consulting spend.

Visser Consulting, an SAP Consulting Services company, is experienced in the art of SAP Unicode conversions and have done several Unicode migration projects successfully. Whether onsite or offsite, we can speed your delivery since the learning curve will be limited to your unique situation only - not the technical effort.

Project Planning Assistance

Let us help you plan your project including effort estimates, budgeting, duration and high level timelines. We can deliver your Unicode conversion project onsite or offsite, anywhere in the world. For offsite deliveries we use tools like instant messenger, conference lines, Webex, online project statuses and checklists, as well as other enablers to smooth the communication and tracking process.

We have physical locations in the US and in South Africa allowing business hours coverage virtually anywhere, with English speaking consultants. References are available on request. Our rates are well below Big 5 consulting firms, but we come from their ranks - our executives have 18 years combined Big 5 experience, holding positions of Partner and Senior Manager respectively in Ernst and Young and Deloitte Consulting. It goes without saying that we are experienced in both large and small SAP implementations, whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a Fortune 5000 company.

Contact Us For An Informal Discussion

A conversation with us may be worth your time - there are no strings attached or high pressure sales tactics. Just a keen understanding of your issues, and a drive to be of assistance. You can contact us online here, or give John Visser a call at 770-265-0444 during Eastern Time in the United States.