Energy Oil & Gas Magazine EOG 214 | Page 29

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ERP
effectively , it can also help the business to eliminate errors and redundancy and facilitate reporting capabilities .
These systems are also about driving process efficiencies . Many energy companies rely implicitly on ERP to keep their critical network infrastructure upand-running . Many have invested millions of pounds in these systems over the years . Invoices are generated using them ; stock is moved ; hydrocarbons are accounted for and new talent is brought into the business . That ’ s in part why any ERP platform designed for the sector must be intrinsically intricate and intelligently flexible .
The flexibility of ERP tools , like those offered by SAP , is also key in supporting the ongoing drive to cleaner energy and the broader energy transition businesses are going through currently . It is needed through every aspect of the transitionary journey , whether that ’ s a straightforward ERP upgrade or a full transformational program of work .
ERP systems can bring huge benefits for businesses across the energy space then but the process of implementing , evolving and maintaining a system can also be complex and difficult . The use of third-party consultancy partners is crucial then for organizations looking to get the most out of their ERP implementation . They can help ensure asset integrity and provide holistic long-term learning tailored to the systems implementation . They can ensure the business has a clear transformation plan in place , especially given the current journey to migrate from SAP ECC to SAP S4 / HANA , which so many energy companies are undertaking today . Ultimately then , ERP delivers huge capability for energy businesses . And by leveraging the technology together with the help and support of expert consultants , these organizations will be well placed to move confidently into the future . ■
Richard Evans www . delaware . co . uk
Richard Evans is Head of Solutions and Innovation at Delaware UK . Delaware is a fast-growing , global company that delivers advanced solutions and services to organizations striving for a sustainable , competitive advantage . Delaware guides its customers through their business transformation , applying the ecosystems of its two main business partners , SAP and Microsoft . Delaware continues to service its customers afterwards , assuring continuity and continuous improvement . Delaware has over 3500 professionals in 24 offices around the world .
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