SAP Business One

Upcoming Innovations In The Product Roadmap For SAP Business One, Version 10

Upcoming Innovations In The Product Roadmap For SAP Business One, Version 10

SAP strategically launched the Version 10 product update for SAP Business One with the objective of establishing it as the preeminent ERP software solution tailored to the needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the digital economy landscape.
In pursuit of this objective, Version 10 ushered in a multitude of innovative enhancements, designed to enhance both the user experience and operational efficiency in a cloud-based environment. Additionally, it introduced fresh avenues for extending and seamlessly integrating the ERP software, further solidifying its position as an industry-leading solution.

This is a key part of SAP's plan to transform Business One on HANA into a solution that combines the benefits of cloud-based ERP while maintaining the strengths that have made it a popular choice for SMEs worldwide.

The release of Version 10 signifies just the initial phase of SAP's broader strategy. SAP intends to introduce a continuous stream of innovations in forthcoming updates for Business One, with the overarching goal of realizing its vision as the digital foundation upon which SMEs can embark on their journey toward becoming Intelligent Enterprises of the future.

  1. 1. Optimisations To Core Processes

SAP’s objective is to establish Business One as a robust foundational platform for SMEs like yours, enabling the creation of specialized vertical solutions. This initiative seeks to enhance the appeal of the ERP software for both current and prospective customers.

The introduction of Version 10 also sought to empower users by offering access to Business One’s core capabilities across various platforms. This enables businesses to harness the latest operating systems, database engines, and web browsers, thereby facilitating the swift integration of innovations into their everyday business operations.

To that end, future updates to SAP Business One will including the optimisation of the following business processes:
Logistics and Inventory
CRM and Service
Financial

Future updates will also add value for customers of SAP Business One by enhancing the integration of the ERP software with Microsoft 365, as well as other SAP solutions.

Planned enhancements on the horizon encompass the integration of payment gateways, as employed within SAP, to introduce automation into online banking processes. Furthermore, there are intentions to harness machine learning (ML) technology for the implementation of a business card scanning functionality, achieved through the integration with the Document Information Extraction API. These strategic initiatives are aimed at elevating the ERP software’s operational efficiency and user-friendliness.

2. Enhancements To The Web Client

The introduction of the Web Client in Version 10 expanded accessibility for end users of SAP Business One for HANA, enabling them to access the ERP software’s fundamental features and capabilities from any location and at any time.

3. Globalisation Enhancements

In order to establish SAP Business One on HANA as the preferred cloud-based ERP solution for SMEs worldwide, SAP is actively developing new enhancements for the ERP software’s global features.

These enhancements are aimed at assisting SAP’s customers in meeting their legal obligations and simplifying compliance with local reporting requirements. The goal is to enable both new and existing customers to maintain competitive operations worldwide.

Some of these enhancements include, but are not limited to:

  • Legal Compliance and Localization Enhancements: Improvements to ensure adherence to legal requirements and localization for various markets
  • Expansion of Localization to New Markets: Extending support for localized functionality to additional regions
  • Increased Language Support: Expanding the number of supported languages to accommodate a broader user base, along with harmonizing functions across different localized versions
  • Integration with SAP Cloud Services: Leveraging existing SAP cloud services, such as the digital compliance platform, to facilitate legal adaptations and compliance reporting.

4. Enhancements To Analytics And Reporting

Analytics capabilities are indispensable for businesses for getting end users like yourself the data you need to make faster, better-informed business decisions.

With the aim of achieving these objectives, SAP is strategically utilizing the capabilities of SAP HANA to accelerate innovation through partners. This includes developing user-friendly and intuitive features that empower end-users to effortlessly access vital data, presented in a format that enhances business processes.

The enhancements planned will provide the following benefits:

  • Improved Real-time Visibility: Enhancements aimed at providing better real-time visibility into operations and enabling more comprehensive analytics scenarios through pervasive analytics
  • New Functions: The introduction of new functionalities, including demand planning, and automated payment/invoice matching capabilities

5. Enhancements To The Integration Framework 2.0

SAP Business One stands out with its robust and user-friendly integration capabilities, which serve as a distinctive selling point. Version 10 further elevated these integration capabilities through the introduction of Integration Framework 2.0.

Additional improvements are in the pipeline for Integration Framework 2.0, aimed at ensuring seamless integration between SAP Business One and other SAP and third-party software. These enhancements will expand the ERP software’s capabilities and facilitate smooth data exchange between the ERP system and its integrated solutions.

New features for the Integration Framework 2.0 include:

  • Mapping Between DI API and Service Layer: The implementation of a mapping system that bridges the gap between the DI API (Data Interface Application Programming Interface) and the Service Layer, allowing for smoother data communication and synchronization.
  • Flexible Event-Handler Mechanism: The replacement of the event sender with a versatile event-handler mechanism, providing greater flexibility and control over event management within SAP Business One.
  • Advanced User Authentication Support: Enhancements to support advanced user authentication methods, ensuring heightened security and access control within the software.
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Through this, SAP plans to make the Integration Framework 2.0 the key differentiator for SAP Business One as a robust business platform.

6. Intercompany Integration Solution For SAP Business One

 

SAP is preparing to introduce an Intercompany Integration Solution for SAP Business One, aimed at harmonizing and streamlining business processes across all instances of the software, irrespective of geographical locations or legal entities. The primary objectives are to boost operational efficiency and reduce overall operating costs.

This solution will include an Integration Hub, a specialized tool designed to seamlessly connect cloud-based business applications and services with SAP Business One. The Integration Hub will also feature pre-configured templates for popular third-party solutions, simplifying the integration process and enabling businesses to efficiently incorporate these applications into their operations to enhance efficiency.

7. Innovations For SAP Business One Cloud

Enhancements to the cloud capabilities of SAP Business One are currently in progress, aiming to enable the ERP software to scale effectively and offer a competitive edge to SMEs, including businesses like yours.

These enhancements are designed to position SAP Business One as an appealing choice for businesses seeking a straightforward and cost-effective deployment of cloud-based ERP software. The goal is to provide a flexible, uncomplicated, and intuitive solution for optimizing your business operations.

Planned innovations for SAP Business One Cloud include dedicated improvements for the SAP-hosted option, which encompass:

  • Improved self-service for resellers
  • Support for advanced user authentication
  • Staged introduction for regions and countries

For partner-hosted options (such as the one provided by Winapp), some enhancements in the works include:

    1. Enhanced Tools in the SAP Business One Cloud Control Center: The introduction of improved tools within the SAP Business One Cloud control center, designed to enhance management and control capabilities for users and administrators.
    2. Enhanced Tenant Configurator: Enhancements to the tenant configurator, enabling more streamlined and customized configurations to meet the specific needs of tenants.
    3. Integration with Microsoft Active Directory Organizational Units: Integration capabilities with Microsoft Active Directory organizational units, facilitating seamless and secure user management and authentication processes.
    4. Lifecycle Management (Patch Delivery and Maintenance): Comprehensive lifecycle management features, including efficient patch delivery and maintenance processes, to ensure the continuous and smooth operation of SAP Business One Cloud.

    These innovations are geared toward making SAP Business One Cloud an even more user-friendly, efficient, and integrated solution for businesses, like yours, seeking a cloud-based ERP system

SAP Business One As A Continually Evolving Solution

Apart from plans to develop and introduce innovations and enhancements to the ERP software, SAP’s product direction for SAP Business One will include further enhancements to core processes, globalisation, analytics, extensibility, and cloud capabilities.

While longer-term plans for the ERP software are not yet set in stone, they provide an insight on what SAP envisions for their ERP software products for SMEs like yours.