We are happy you have used digital channels already several times in 2020 to find out more about BeNeering’s services and solutions and thank you for your interest.
Below you will find the questions of attendees during our webinars “Real-Time Procurement for SAP ERP & S/4HANA” and our respective answers.
Answer: Via our add-on “BeNeering Cloud Adapter” which is certified by SAP. This add-on must be installed on SAP ECC or SAP S/4HANA.
Answer: If user licenses are available in SAP, then these can also be used in the cloud scenario. If a user does not have SAP licenses, then SAP calculates here with indirect use, as with other external purchasing solutions.
Answer: We are also in discussions with other partners.
Answer: Public tenders above a certain value limit (e.g. > 100.000 €) can be handled via an external platform. BeNeering Simple-Sourcing can integrate this process for the user either manually or automatically.
Answer: As of today, we have interfaces to Ariba Sourcing and PSG (Procurement Services GmbH) can also accept the offers posted there.
Answer: our customers’ SAP system can automatically convert the approved SAP BANF into an SAP purchase order based on defined criteria and send it to suppliers, even without the BeNeering Cloud.
Answer: No. The BeNeering Cloud is set up as a highly available system and also allows very flexible customization for our customers.
Answer: Our licensing model consists of one-time registration and annual subscription fees and is billed by modules and their usage and data inventory, not by procurement volume.
Answer: Yes, with Simple-Sourcing on the BeNeering Cloud we offer a modern alternative for the bidding engine to be replaced with SAP SRM.
Answer: Neither. BeNeering Cloud has direct access to the account assignment data in the SAP customer system. Replication or keeping duplicates in the cloud is not necessary. The real-time connection to SAP works via the SAP certified add-on “BeNeering Cloud Adapter”.
Answer: Purchase orders can be transferred directly from SAP to suppliers via email or IDOC. As a new option, we also offer to send the orders via IDOC through the BeNeering Cloud.
Answer: With the BeNeering Cloud Adapter, we provide the option of replicating SAP material master data (including purchasing info record and contract data, if applicable) in the cloud search engine. Thus, BeNeering Cloud’s Guided Buying supports the user in searching for SAP material, catalog items, material groups and marketplace items without system interruption.
Answer: If we switch on the best-price logic for these suppliers, then the user automatically gets the cheaper article suggested.
Answer: Yes, we configure the service process via the “Dynamic Cloud Forms” technology according to our customers’ wishes.
Answer: Service specifications can be replicated from SAP or loaded manually via catalogs. The input masks for service procurement are mapped via Dynamic Cloud Forms.
Answer: The requester can make a proposal. However, this can be confirmed by approval from Purchasing (or similar) as required.
Answer: Services and plant services are mapped via catalog articles in the search engine. An order for the services is triggered via the linked forms.
Answer: Public procurement law is currently not fully supported.
Answer: Yes, we are talking to other sourcing platforms and will also integrate other sourcing solutions.
Answer: In the standard scenario, SAP is the leading system for purchase requisitions (BANF) and purchase orders. Binding evaluations should be made in SAP.
Answer: Yes, configurable materials can be mapped very well with Dynamic Cloud Forms.
Answer: Many companies have a shopping cart approved from 0 EUR. However, there are also the companies where orders can be placed for 600 EUR without approval, depending on the commodity group.
Answer: Yes, the front-end of the BeNeering Cloud is built in ‘Responsive Design’ and can also be opened on mobile devices. The approval screens have been additionally adapted once again.
Answer: Yes, requests can be sent to suppliers via Simple Sourcing. Suppliers can post offers via the BeNeering Cloud.
Answer: We focus entirely on the needs of our customers. The multi-backend capability of the BeNeering Cloud also allows operation without “SAP S/4 Central Procurement”.
Answer: All catalogs are displayed within one hit list. Supplier catalogs on marketplaces are displayed in a 2nd hit list.
Answer: We generally recommend to reconsider the management of an SAP material number. If a material is inventory-managed in the warehouse, it makes sense to create an SAP material master. Without inventory management, an SAP material can be dispensed with in most cases. If required, the BeNeering Cloud Adapter allows the automatic creation/updating of SAP material and EK info records.
Answer: BeNeering Cloud Guided Buying can also be called via OCI4 from SAP BANF and SAP Purchase Order.
Answer: Catalogs can be loaded by purchasing (internal) as well as by suppliers (external). External supplier systems and partner systems can also be connected via interfaces, as has been the practice at BeNeering for several years.
Answer: The material group is determined for a catalog item via a mapping logic (e.g. eClass to SAP material group). For free text orders, material groups can also be suggested via our AI technology based on the order history.
Answer: Yes, the BeNeering Cloud can update the components in a PM order in real time. The SAP then creates a purchase requisition (BANF) at the same time and the commitments are updated correctly.
Answer: OCI catalogs (punch-out) are indexed in the search engine in most cases. This means that there is no longer a system break for the user, as all articles are sorted in a hit list according to our AI logic.
Answer: The goods receipt can be booked with reference to the BANF/order in the cloud interface. Currently, we are additionally working on service entry in both Guided Buying and the Supplier Portal (planned for the end of 2021).
Answer: yes, it doesn’t matter whether we connect an SAP ECC or an S/4HANA system. The underlying SAP NetWeaver stack should not fall below version 740.
Answer: No, the user sees the BANF as soon as it has been parked or sent. The approver sees the requisition as soon as it is available for approval.
Answer: Other solutions override the logic in SAP MM and have ‘replicated’ a purchasing system. The problem is that these systems still have to create the SAP purchase order so that a goods receipt and an invoice can be posted in SAP. Accordingly, customers then have a duplicate purchasing solution in the system, namely the chosen platform + SAP MM. This ‘double’ purchasing logic often leads to discrepancies in the entire purchasing process. The BeNeering Cloud, on the other hand, is based on the MM system, which is a major difference, because we work with the logic in MM. If MM reports errors, such as an unsuitable inventory account, for example, a purchase requisition cannot be created. The user sees this error message in the cloud.
Answer: The BeNeering cloud can also be used as a ‘standalone’ solution. In this case, the cloud works independently, and can be connected to other ERP systems via downstream interfaces.
Answer: BeNeering is connected to SAP ECC and S/4HANA systems. Our customers have to install the BeNeering Cloud Adapter on their SAP system. This solution will be certified by SAP in 2021, this is already in progress.
Answer: SAP Ariba is not required. Sourcing can also be carried out via the BeNeering Cloud. This process is integrated in our Guided Buying process.
Answer: We have different ways to map the product group: 1. preset via the search engine, 2. manual selection via selection box (as shown in the demo), 3. manual selection via navigation tree, 4. automatic proposal based on your order history in SAP (this logic is scheduled for implementation in the cloud in Q1 2021).
Answer: Supplier onboarding takes place via the BeNeering Cloud. A standardized onboarding process takes place here. The entire onboarding process, i.e. from first contacting the supplier to the finished active catalog, is supported by the BeNeering support team.
Answer: Post-processing of the purchase requisition is possible and is usually supported for both, the requester and the buyer.
Answer: Material master data and purchasing info records can be updated in SAP ERP via the BeNeering Cloud (Price Adjustment Process).
Answer: There are no costs for suppliers.
Answer: We have two possible scenarios. Suppliers who receive only a few requests or who receive a request for the first time are sent an e-mail with an encrypted link to the request. This link is valid until the request is closed. Second, suppliers also have the option of registering to the BeNeering Cloud and thus gain access to the supplier portal. Among other things, all the supplier’s requests and offers can be viewed here.
Answer: Our Content Management System is the instrument of choice here. Suppliers and buyers both have the possibility to upload catalogs in different formats by themselves. The validation process is supported by validation rules, so that a constant quality can be guaranteed. The connection of punch-outs (OCI) is also possible without any problems.
Answer: The time span for onboarding a supplier depends on the supplier itself. Our experience shows that onboarding a supplier takes between 5 days and 8 weeks. This depends on how well the supplier is prepared for the provision of electronic catalogs.
Answer: Of course and article search using a known article number is possible. In addition, other attributes are used to perform a search. If intended, a fuzzy and/or AI search can be activated.
Answer: No. Users can also be authenticated via other 3rd party systems, such as Active Directory.
Answer: This technology of additional filters or facets is already in use and can be applied individually. However, we do not recommend this, as it puts individual suppliers at a disadvantage.
Answer: The My Cart scenario of the BeNeering Cloud is connected to the S/4HANA Central Procurement System. Thus the BeNeering Cloud offers a front-end for the Guided Buying Experience in the SAP Procurement Hub.
Answer: Article maintenance takes place via the Content Management System. There are various ways of maintaining articles. From manually to fully automated maintenance, everything is selectable.
Answer: The prices in the catalog system are negotiated by the customer’s buyer with the supplier. An exception is the marketplace scenario, where the prices are set by the marketplaces.
Answer: Characteristics in eClass can be considered in a catalog search. However, our recommendation is to dispense with eClass features and thus filters, if not all suppliers in the entire catalog pool can provide eClass features. Otherwise these suppliers will be put at a disadvantage.
Answer: The customer decides on the product data quality. In the module “Content Management System” validation rules for a catalog upload are used. This ensures a consistent quality among all suppliers. Here it is also possible to require that safety data sheets must be uploaded by each supplier.
Answer: A standard cost center is given with the login request into the cloud. The G/L account can be derived according to a logic via material group and other indicators.
Answer: We have a standard sourcing wizard, which could not be shown in the webinar due to the short time available. This wizard has its own fields for the sourcing process. A sourcing process can be extended with custom templates and customer fields.
Answer: We use modern web service technology with real-time access to the SAP system.
Answer: The document flow takes place in the SAP system and is displayed in the cloud as you wish. Service registration via the cloud is expected to be available from 2021.
Answer: The goods receipt can be posted in SAP or via the cloud with reference to the purchase requisition. Currently, service registration must still be posted directly in SAP. On our roadmap, the service registration module has a high priority and is expected to be delivered in 2021.
Answer: Our solution can also be operated as a “standalone” solution, i.e. both the documents and the workflow can also be illustrated directly in the cloud. Document data can be transferred to other S2P/P2P via interfaces.
Answer: Investment requests can be realized via our Dynamic Forms technology and can be subject to a release at the same time.
Answer: We offer a chat function with the Simple Sourcing module. Registered suppliers can communicate with the buyer and/or requester via the supplier portal.
Answer: We already have a workflow in the cloud which could be used for the ERP BANF. It would still have to be evaluated whether such a mixed scenario could be coupled with the logic in the customer system.
Answer: Approval levels are not restricted. Approvers can be found via an approval matrix or via the org model, depending on what a customer is using. Our workflow model can be expanded flexibly.
Answer: We rely on web service technology, in synchronized real-time.
Answer: We have 2 approaches. Suppliers who receive few requests or who have received a request from a customer for the first time receive an email with an unique link that refers to the request. This link is valid until the request is closed. However, suppliers have the possibility to register on the BeNeering Cloud and thus gain access to the supplier portal. Among other things, all requests and offers can be viewed here.
Answer: In the supplier portal, offers can be submitted via a wizard. Suppliers can also enter additional items and upload attachments. Both, request and quotation, can go through an approval process on the customer side.
Answer: We do not support exploded drawings, but we do support the illustration of parts lists.
Answer: When developing the service registration, we consider an open enhancement logic, just as with other cloud modules. Thus, the supplier can also be shown the capacities of the SAP system in real time. The service registration is planned for 2021.
Answer: The focus is strongly oriented towards SAP ERP. However, we also support the “local scenario” with connection to other ERP systems.
Answer: Yes, a connection to the Active Directory for user control is desired. Alternatively, the authorization profiles of existing SAP users can be read out and used in the process.
Answer: The implementation process and capacity expenditure depends very much on the size of the company and the complexity of the processes. As a general rule, smaller customers can expect an implementation period of 4 months. In the case of large corporations, it can even take 8 months until the first go-live.
Answer: BeNeering’s Real-Time Procurement builds on existing logic in SAP, such as SAP MM and FI/CO. Therefore, no master data such as user, supplier, cost center, PSP element etc. has to be replicated in the cloud. It is therefore a modern user interface that combines the catalog world (web shops) with the requisition in SAP.
Answer: Production material is usually planned via an MRP run in ERP. We have customers who obtain the price lists for production material from the cloud. This means that suppliers update EK info records and contracts in ERP via the BeNeering Cloud.
