Data Conversion For SAP - Accenture

Data Conversionfor SAPUsing Accenture’s “load right”method to improve data qualityfrom extraction throughtransformation to load

The importanceof data conversionAs organizations drive to reducecosts and improve efficiency intheir SAP ERP systems throughconsolidation and modernizationinitiatives, effective data conversionis becoming more important.Data conversion – the process oftransforming and transferring databetween systems – is required whenorganizations change, upgrade ormerge their computer systems.Mastering and applying the techniquesand disciplines of data conversion helpsensure that the potential value of theIT investment is maximized and costlydelays are avoided.But data conversion is not just aboutmoving data. Crucially, it is aboutensuring that the data works in thetarget system, that it is consistent andthat its high quality can be assured.

Data conversion challengesWith complex data issues acrosslegacy systems, surging volumesof structured and unstructureddata that need to be migratedand restrictive project timelines,organizations encounter multiplechallenges in data conversion.Accenture’s experience shows that thefollowing areas have a profound impacton the success of data conversion efforts:Business engagement – ensures thatdata conversion is not just seen as atechnical activity, but one designed tomeet business needs. With businessengagement, there is ownership ofdata validation and qualityHow can Accenture help?Data standards – ensure that dataquality targets are defined andmeasured and provides a baselinefor improvementsData profiling and cleansing –ensure the quality of go-live data foraccurate financial balance reconciliationand inventory valuationsa profilingDatExtractData conversion is a key pillarof Accenture’s Enterprise DataManagement framework, ourholistic approach to harnessingall data (master data andunstructured data) and unleashingits potential as a source ofcompetitive advantage.Spanning the data conversionlifecycleAccenture’s approach to data conversionfor SAP is suitable for one-off SAP ERPimplementations as well as ongoingexchanges and/or integration of data betweensystems in production. It spans every stage ofan organization’s SAP data conversion project– from conversion strategy and planning,design and build, data quality/cleansing toconstruction/enrichment, validation andcutover strategy and planning (see Figure 1).a cleansingDatTransformta validationDaLoadClear data quality entry/exit criteria –ensure visibility into data readiness fortest phases and go-live thereby avoidingunpleasant surprises when end-usersget access to the systemData governance and datamanagement – ensure that duplicatemaster data is eliminated, removingthe risk of incorrect transactions andunreliable reports.Data integrationManual or automated dataextraction from source systemTechnical and businessconversion rules, based onAccenture’s knowledge capitaland industry best practicesManual or automated data loadinto target system (with pre andpost validation which are keyfor conversion success)Figure 1: The data conversion lifecycle

“Load right” method:Improving data quality andaccelerating resultsBy focusing on data quality throughoutthe conversion process, organizationscan maximize the benefit of each dataload, enable proper testing of the ERPsolution and ensure a smoother go-live.Leveraging our market-leadingexperience in SAP solutions, our deepknowledge of industry best practicesand our proprietary technical assets, ourapproach to data conversion for SAPcan accelerate and enhance thedata conversion process. It can alsosignificantly improve data quality.From extraction to load, Accenture’s“load right” method ensures thatobjective entry and exit criteria areset for each load cycle, and that qualityis verified before the load cycle tomaximize the benefits of each load.We reduce time and cost during allphases of a data conversion project usingpre-prepared templates, proven projectaccelerators and proprietary assets.Our dedicated knowledge capital, whichspeeds and simplifies delivery, includes:Accenture Delivery Suite (ADS) –providing a proven, reusable approachand methodology for data conversion,With industrialized processes, a skilledglobal workforce and a common delivery with templates and documentationspanning conversion strategy, conversionmethodology, we have the flexibilityplanning, data construction, dataneeded to scale resources on demandvalidation, data quality and conversion(see Figure 2).project management best practices.Data conversion combines organization,process and technology components Industrialized delivery Industrialized technical assets Proven methodology andapproaches – “load right” method Repeatable technicalprocedures Reusable templates and documents Use of technicalconsolidation approach Industry templates and conversionaccelerators Specialized workforce Global network of resources Scalable data factory model Support for all marketleading platforms:- IBM- Informatica- Microsoft- SAPFigure 2: Accenture’s approach to data conversion for nture Advanced EnterpriseSolutions (AAES) – containing assetsfor accelerating data conversion basedon successful projects and provensolutions. AAES includes data definitions,conversion functional and technicaldesigns and fields mapping andconstruction design templates, aswell as in-house tools for data mapping,data construction, data de-duplication,data enrichment, data reporting, productcosting analytics engine and a pricingvariance analysis tool (see Figure 3).Accenture Reusable TechnologyLibrary (ARTL) – including reusablecodes for data conversion, andassets including migration rules andloading programs harvested fromsuccessful projects.Global resources – our network ofglobal delivery centers and innovationcenters helps clients, wherever theyare located, to drive value from theirdata predictably and cost-effectively.The network includes dedicated datafactories in India through which wecan provide not only the tools andassets, but also the resources neededto manage all our clients’ data needs.By bringing this unique combinationof assets and resources to bear, we canhelp our clients to drive value from theirSAP data wherever they are located.

AAES for data conversion: enhanced Extract - Transform - Load (ETL) technology costing Productanalytics engineAAES data conversion accelerators Data mapping toolSAPsystemNon SAPsystem Data extraction toolreadiness Dataand pre-load reportpost-validation DatareportTransformRelevancy rulesExtractvariance Pricinganalysis toolLoadSOURCE MAPPINGTARGET MAPPINGSource Field 1Source Field 1Source Field 1.Source Field(n)Target Field 1Target Field 1Target Field 1.Target Field(n)construction Datatoolde-duplication DatatoolFigure 3: AAES accelerators for data conversion for SAPPre-built data conversionrulesData enrichment toolLSMWSAPsystemIDocloading Pre-builtprograms

Value deliveredNext stepsAccenture has already helpedmany organizations to managethe core challenges arising inSAP data conversion projectsand realize accelerated,high-quality outcomes. Reducing the developmenteffort for main data objectsby 60 percentInterested in findingout more? Reducing the number of loadcycles required for a successfulgo-live by 60 percentWe provide a number of options:The value delivered by our dataconversion approach includes: Reducing cost of deliveryby 30 percent Accelerating delivery andachieving on-time go-live Enhancing data quality(up to 20 percent improvement) Delivering one “single versionof the truth” for fact-baseddecision-making Improving compliance (throughautomated data profiling,cleansing and remediation) Enabling effective ongoingmanagement of data (throughclear data ownership).Live and recorded demos ofour tools – to help you betterunderstand and take a deeper diveinto the components of our datamanagement solutionInitial data quality assessment –within two to four weeks, AccentureData Diagnostic for SAP providesan initial data quality assessment,customized recommendations and aroadmap for improving data qualityData strategy assessment –a deep-dive diagnostic of yourcurrent data-related businesschallenges, this two to three monthassessment identifies opportunitiesfor driving business value fromyour SAP data, including a detaileddata strategy and roadmap forembarking on your data journey.

ContactSteen MollerManaging Director – Technology,Global SAP data management leadTel: 1 (215) 964 8818steen.b.moller@accenture.comAcyr LuzSenior Manager – Digital, North AmericaSAP data management sales leadTel: 1 (612) 940 4290acyr.luz@accenture.comMarlon PerezSenior Manager – Technology,Europe, Africa and Latin America SAP datamanagement sales leadTel: 44 (77) 2206 4874marlon.perez@accenture.comSteven BoardmanSenior Manager – Technology,Asia-Pacific SAP data managementsales leadTel: 61 (0408) 647 613steven.boardman@accenture.com

About AccentureAccenture is a global managementconsulting, technology services andoutsourcing company, with approximately289,000 people serving clients in morethan 120 countries. Combining unparalleledexperience, comprehensive capabilitiesacross all industries and business functions,and extensive research on the world’smost successful companies, Accenturecollaborates with clients to help thembecome high-performance businesses andgovernments. The company generated netrevenues of US 28.6 billion for the fiscalyear ended Aug. 31, 2013. Its home page iswww.accenture.com.Copyright 2014 Accenture.All rights reserved.Accenture, its logo, andHigh Performance Deliveredare trademarks of Accenture.Rights to trademarks referenced herein, otherthan Accenture trademarks, belong to theirrespective owners. We disclaim proprietaryinterest in the marks and names of others.

Data governance and data management – ensure that duplicate master data is eliminated, removing the risk of incorrect transactions and unreliable reports. Data conversion is a key pillar of Accenture’s Enterprise Data Management framework, our holistic approach to harnessing all data (master data and unstructured data) and unleashing