SAP S/4HANA ERP cloud software offers a range of modules that cover the vast range of business activities large corporations engage in day-to-day. As with many software development / deployment projects, an often-overlooked stage is that of end user enablement.
It should not be controversial to say that large system implementations come, invariably, with various teething problems. Key to avoiding some of these is ensuring your users are trained on the to-be system, so they may adapt to the new way of doing things. Among SAPs ever expansive suite of modules that integrate into your S/4 environment is their eLearning tool SAP Enable Now (SEN).
This is not a guide to SEN and its various features, but I will touch upon some of its functionality briefly.
SAP Enable Now is a comprehensive training and support solution designed by SAP to help businesses enhance user adoption of SAP software. Here are some key aspects of SAP Enable Now:
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- Content Creation: It allows organisations to create, manage, and deploy educational content and training materials. This includes simulations, e-learning modules, and interactive guides to support end-users in mastering SAP applications. Content can be shared in commonly used formats to other delivery systems.
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- User Assistance: SAP Enable Now provides in-application help, enabling users to access guidance directly within the SAP environment. This feature supports real-time learning and problem-solving, helping users to efficiently navigate through complex processes.
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- Performance Support: The tool offers context-sensitive help, meaning it provides users with support precisely at the point of need. This is particularly beneficial for reducing errors and improving productivity by delivering on-demand assistance.
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- Collaboration and Access: Users can access SAP Enable Now from various devices, enhancing flexibility in learning and allowing teams to collaborate more effectively. It supports both online and offline content access, catering to different learning environments and needs.
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- Integration and Scalability: SAP Enable Now integrates seamlessly with other SAP solutions, supporting a unified approach to user training and adoption. It’s designed to scale, accommodating the needs of small teams to large enterprises.
The individual effectiveness comparable to other tools of these five areas we will revisit in another post, but it is reasonable to agree with SAP, overall, SAP Enable Now aims, and certainly can, accelerate user competence and confidence in using SAP solutions, thereby increasing organisational efficiency and ensuring a better return on investment in SAP technology.
Many of us recognise learning is a gradual process, and in supporting our client’s go live programmes iTrain see first hand that nothing is a substitute for repetition and practice. Users learn at different paces and the logistics, eLearning, used in conjunction with instructor led training provides a powerful approach to end user go live readiness.
SEN’s answer to inevitable training requirements post-go live, in the business as usual phase, “BAU”, is the integration of SEN developed content straight into your S/4 instance via the SEN Learning Centre service. The Learning Centre allows your users to access the eLearning content you have developed for them once the project has entered its final stage of post-go live support, maintenance, and entering BAU.
There are some-misunderstood aspects of activating and rolling out SEN Learning Centre functionality, we explore them below:
1. Single-Sign-On Enabled (SSO): Your users should be accessing the S/4 system using their work email addresses as their usernames, thus not requiring entering usernames and passwords on each log in. (Note: It is also possible to have users log in using SSO into SEN itself.)
2. User Accounts: For users to have access to the learning centre, they will require an SEN account. This integration depends on the SEN account having been created using the exact same username and email address as that used in the SSO process. (Note: There are licensing requirements to SEN accounts)
3. S/4 and SEN integration: Once S/4 and SEN have been linked to each other, users will be prompted upon login to S/4 if the system can also access their SEN accounts. This step is crucial, as it will create a ‘merged’ account in SEN that will identify the user in SEN as an S/4 user. It is only these merged account users that will be able to access the learning centre and content.
4. Learning Centre Usage: Users will no longer be asked to provide access to their SEN accounts and will have access to any learning materials assigned to them via the SEN Manager. This will allow users that have undergone training (and any new starters) a comprehensive library of relevant process-focused learning materials to assist them in getting comfortable with their new system.
5. Tracking: The SEN Manager acting as its own simple learning management system (LMS) allows for record keeping and tracking of usage numbers for individual learning materials. This helps in understanding where your users are comfortable or could benefit from additional training.
All this sounds amazing, but despite the ease with which learning content can be distributed using SEN you may have noticed the note in the above list, licensing requirements for SEN accounts. The provision for SEN accounts is an additional cost on top of the purchase of the actual SEN suite. As with any projects, the budget is usually the top concern for any board, and we understand this at iTrain.
A cost-effective solution (although not the most straightforward) is to outsource your user accounts to another SAP product, SAP SuccessFactors (SF). SuccessFactors is a fully fledged LMS with all the capabilities you would expect from a comprehensive learning delivery system, but it doesn’t have the ability to create content. Content is created in SEN and then shared to SF (or another LMS) without the need for SEN user licences as your users would be located and logging into SF to view learning content.
Clients who intend to have learners login directly into SEN should note that SSO can have a dramatic impact on your licence numbers. As SSO essentially enables any user to access SEN, including those not allocated an account, licence numbers and the administration of avoiding this, can balloon.
To summarise, iTrain will advocate the correct approach to match your specific training needs. Depending on your budget, you may find that your users would benefit greatly by going for the full SEN package that provides content creation tools, user management and delivery straight into your SAP environment. Alternatively, you may find purchasing the SEN suite (without multiple user accounts) and SF better suits your budgetary requirements although you will not have your bespoke content stored in the learning centre. And there are approaches we can discuss to mitigate this.
We have discussed the integration of SAP Enable Now (SEN) and SuccessFactors (SF) in SAP S/4HANA roll-outs, highlighting its crucial role in facilitating user training and adoption. SEN provides comprehensive features like content creation, user assistance, and integration with SAP systems, improving learning outcomes and operational efficiency. It also addresses budget considerations, suggesting additional services such as SAP SuccessFactors for cost-effective training solutions. SEN is a powerful, efficient tool which iTrain welcomes on projects. Ultimately, however, the choice between SEN and other learning management systems depends on specific organisational needs and budget constraints, aiming to optimise user training and system adoption effectively. The iTrain team welcomes discussing your specific organisational and project needs and outlining options for your consideration.
Contact the iTrain team today to discuss further: