Paul Canavan - Simplot Australia Pty. Ltd.

Simplot is looking at moving to SAP mid next year and we are currently involved in process mapping, documenting procedures and architectural design workshops.

I have recently the SAP Users Group to gain insight into the transition and use of SAP in day to day operations. I found the group to be very informative and extremely helpful. At my very first meeting the amount of knowledge around the table was extremely helpful. The group also assists with any concerns that may be experienced, I found that working through issues with a team of Credit professionals with a wealth of credit experience and SAP background is invaluable. 

The knowledge held by the group is shared without question and extremely helpful and it’s interesting to see how the same transaction or field is used in different ways by different companies, the network of members who will respond to a question posted on the website is very beneficial.

I came away from each of the workshops I have attended, more informed and knowledgeable about the subject matter.

 

Andrew Wood - PUMA Australia Pty. Ltd

“We recently changed to SAP and it was an absolute nightmare trying to work out the credit specific functions. Fortunately, various credit industry contacts (other credit managers, my credit bureau, credit reporting agency, etc), were able to point me in the direction of the SAP User Group. The online “How to Guides” are extensive, and I was able to have all of my specific queries addressed at the workshop I attended in Melbourne, plus I learnt a lot of little tricks I can show off to my teammates.

Excellent value and just what the doctor ordered!!”

 

Brad Smith – Dimension Data

I just wanted to write you a note to say thanks for your valuable contribution to the Dimension Data credit team. Although we had a team of highly experienced SAP users, our process documentation was mostly non-existent and I was sure that our processes had suffered significant degradation as they passed orally from one trainee to the next over the years.

Being a member of the SAP Users Group allowed us to scrutinise our processes, and rediscover easier, more efficient ways to operate the system, from cheeky short cuts to more complex solutions. We were able to use your extensive library to formularise our own process notes to ensure a smooth transition of knowledge when cross-training and teaching new staff. In addition, the meetings provided a rare opportunity to swap notes with a highly supportive, engaged and like-minded group on specific issues.

I would recommend membership to any Credit Manager looking to gain an edge on improving their team's efficiency.

 

Tracy Fowler - Ex Cryovac Australia Pty Ltd

I was a member of the SAP Users Group in my last role, (I am no longer on SAP) and even with 12 years SAP experience I found the group to be very informative and extremely helpful.  At my very first meeting I learned of a report that literally saved me weeks of preparing spreadsheets for annual credit limit reviews! The membership had more than paid for itself in just one meeting.

The group is also used to problem solve SAP issues or concerns that you may be experiencing...  working through these issues with a team of Credit professionals with a wealth of credit experience and SAP background is invaluable.  The knowledge is shared freely amongst the group, and it is always interesting to see how the same transaction or field is used in different ways by different companies, and quite often with different results.  I did make a number of changes to our processes and procedures as a result of topics that we covered within the group – there are always great ideas discussed and definitely worth taking on board. 

 

The website is also a valuable tool, the ‘how to’ guides are well written and easily followed, the minutes of the meetings are also thoughtfully put together and published on the website if you happen to miss a meeting.  There is also the network of members who will respond to a question posted on the website that cannot wait until the next meeting.

I would highly recommend the SAP Users group – it is informative and enjoyable, the members are a great group, and Beth is ever the professional and also great fun.  The group is invaluable for experienced SAP users as well as those making the transition to SAP... when I attended, some of the members were yet to start on SAP, but after attending the meetings they had a clearer idea of what they wanted/needed in place before they went live.

I personally felt I came away from each meeting more informed and able to utilise what I had learned.

 

Gregg Odlum – Ecolab

Since becoming a corporate member of the SAP User group – Ecolab’s credit team have become collectively stronger through the support of Beth Gray. The SAP user group provides great insight into the credit function of SAP and each of its members actively help others through their experiences.

We recently attended a day workshop with 7 other corporate members whom all worked together to ask and answer questions as well as share processes & information about how their organization uses SAP.

Beth has even volunteered her time to visit our office and spend time with the team, reviewing our systems and processes and providing detailed feedback and ideas.

 

I have been very impressed with the passion and commitment all of the members show to the group and this is demonstrated through their willingness to help. I strongly recommend any company who uses SAP to get involved with this group.

  

I have been actively involved as the regional Subject Matter Expert in blueprinting requirement for our business with the Global SAP team. The benefits that I have gained through being a member of the SAP group have assisted greatly in understanding the SAP ‘speak’, hierarchies, capabilities, limitations, etc. Several times during the information gathering when we came against an issue that looked to be a GAP in SAP, an email to the user group would very often offer a solution.

 

The years of experience that the members have is of great value and they do not consider it a burden when I ask the ‘but why?’ questions but say it is helping them remember some of the basic functionality….a win win.

 

 

Heather Spring – Sanofi Australia

Over the past 12 months I have been a member of the SAP User Group. I have found the people involved in this group are extremely helpful and willing to support each other. The members are all professional and willing to share their knowledge.

Being involved in this group is a wonderful opportunity to share and gather information to help you and your staff in the day to day processing and I am happy to highly recommend the SAP User Group.

 

Joe Losinno – Ruralco Holdings Limited

What an excellent user group!  Everything you need or want to know is all there. Don't miss out on your opportunity to expand your knowledge further within SAP.

 

Jill Whitlock (MICM) – Moffat

I would like to attest to the benefits I gained in my role as National Credit Manager of an organisation that changed over to SAP, when I joined the SAP Users Group

My knowledge of the program was zero when (the) Moffat undertook the change, and usage education was gained as I tested the modules as I went through the various stages of the change management.

My role included training the eight members of the credit/accounts receivable team and I quickly realised we were not utilising the modules to their capacity when we went "live" with SAP.

 

By registering with the SAP Users Group, I was able to extend my limited users knowledge to way beyond what our package was offering. Information and guidance offered at the meetings allowed me to go back and show the other team members some tricks of the trade when using the package, as well as being able to streamline the account management processes. This was because the combined knowledge of the members meant that we each took something previously not known from the meeting on more than one occassion.

It also meant that I was able to identify the fact that the company that I worked for,  was not utilising the maximum usage of the package, thus prompting  me to request from the IT department that they release some portions of the module, not yet made available.

I cannot speak highly enough of the convenor and founder of the group. Beth Gray. She runs the meetings with professionalism and the knowledge gained by herself from these meetings. The notes are entered into the SAP Users Group website and are always there to refer to.

It is fast becoming an all in one go to for credit professionals that use SAP.I would recommend this group to any credit professional, and for that matter, company, that would like to maximise its SAP systems potential.

 

Margaret Lee - McCain Foods Pty Ltd

Just like to ‘touch base’ with you regarding the great benefits that are available from being a member of the SAP Users Group even though we do not actual have SAP currently. As you are aware, McCain are rolling out SAP globally with Great Britain going live this week.

I have been actively involved as the regional Subject Matter Expert in blueprinting requirement for our business with the Global SAP team. The benefits that I have gained through being a member of the SAP group have assisted greatly in understanding the SAP ‘speak’, hierarchies, capabilities, limitations, etc. Several times during the information gathering when we came against an issue that looked to be a GAP in SAP, an email to the user group would very often offer a solution. The years of experience that the members have is of great value and they do not consider it a burden when I ask the ‘but why?’ questions but say it is helping them remember some of the basic functionality….a win win.

 

Bernadette Janky – Mc Cormick Foods Australia 

Just wanted to say a big THANKYOU to Beth for setting up this new side group - for anyone using SAP it is a wonderful opportunity to share and gather info to help you and your staff in the day to day processing.
We had a very informative and interactive meeting last Thursday and I encourage anyone who is interested to join up.

Once again Thanks Beth and everyone who participated last week - I got a lot out of the meeting and look forward to our next one in October.

Happy Sapping.

Kerrie Hughes - Ex National Credit Manager – SCA Hygiene Australasia

I was a member of the SAP Users Group in my last role, and with 7 years SAP experience and being part of SAP implementations previously, I found this group to be very informative, extremely helpful and willing to support each other along our SAP daily journey.

With many of us on various versions of SAP we still found new reports or shortcuts to help each other improve our workloads.

 

Not only did we learn more about SAP, but we also gained a wealth of credit knowledge, along with customer service knowledge, everyone’s SAP and professional background was invaluable. Everyone was happy to contribute, you never felt like anyone was holding anything back.

Beth did a magnificent job of creating this group and organising every meeting. We had guest speakers at different times and with new members coming on board we gained even more from their skillsets.

Beth made sure every meeting ran smoothly with time for everyone to talk, by creating workshop notes for everyone to view on the group site.

Beth also contributed with great SAP info and showed so much passion and enthusiasm for the SAP Group, you always felt welcome and appreciated.

The website is also a valuable tool, workshop notes and How to Guides are well written and easy to use. Other members will also use the website to post a question and help out even if the next meeting isn’t for a while, great networking by all.

I thoroughly recommend the SAP Users group as the members are a great group, the information and support is exceptional and Beth is the wonderful professional and so much fun, makes using SAP a delight.  If you already have SAP it is helpful every time, if you are looking to use SAP, see Beth and the group first to see what would or wouldn’t work for your business, I’m sure some of your questions may be one we all forgot to ask or never thought of.

An environment where your views were respected, your questions never made to feel silly and the friend you make along the way is what great groups are all about.

Keep up the great work Beth and I look forward to maybe be part of this group again in the very near future.