BeforeSAP users decide to adopt service oriented architecture
(SOA), they need a holistic view of how all
the pieces of their IT puzzle fit together. They will need a
company-wide enterprise architecture.
Because, with rare exceptions, few
SAP users have an experienced in-house team of IT architects
with a proven methodology, they will be forced to partner with an
SAP consulting firm to gain a methodology and blueprint.
SAP applications bring their own predefined architectural
patterns. But who can the SAP user turn to for a proven, generic
enterprise architecture methodology?
First, try IT consultancies that specialise in enterprise
architecture, but they are unlikely to have enough SAP knowledge.
Then try established SAP consulting partners - although they may
not have much real enterprise architecture experience.
AMR Research surveyed eight leading SAP consultancies. SAP's
partners have hundreds of
Netweaver consultants, all involved in SAP's Enterprise
Services Architecture (ESA) adoption roadmap. But from a purely
enterprise architecture methodology perspective, this is how they
are positioned:
Accenture
The Accenture global methodology for delivering all its services
incorporates the standard enterprise architecture planning methods,
including SOA patterns and
SAP ESA content. Also available is the Accenture delivery method
for SAP, which addresses SAP lifecycle support processes.
Atos
The Atos enterprise architecture methodology has evolved in the
past decade and focuses on high-level "city planning" rather than
the detailed blueprints many of its competitors advocate. This
approach also has a strong emphasis on enterprise architecture
governance processes and is supported by a range of standard
planning tools.
Bearingpoint
Bearingpoint has a global methodology for delivering all its
consulting services, called Provencourse. This incorporates the
standard Provencourse for SOA methodology, which is built on SOA
patterns, and has been developed in the past 18 months.
Provencourse for SOA includes a five-phase ESA blueprint for SAP
environments. It is aligned with SAP's own ASAP implementation
methodology and provides a number of SOA assessment tools.
Capgemini
Capgemini stands out from other suppliers in being a lot more
experienced at enterprise architecture planning for SAP. Its
Integrated Architecture Framework has developed over 11 years and
is now a mature product. It uses the Togaf open source methodology
for higher levels, where it is more complete.
CSC
CSC has a global methodology, Catalyst, for delivering all its
services. This incorporates the standard Catalyst enterprise
architecture methodology, which has been updated to incorporate SOA
patterns. Catalyst enterprise architecture defines a detailed
architecture framework that includes custom-made software
developments as well as packaged applications. It has a strong
emphasis on lifecycle support processes.
Deloitte
Deloitte has long been a leader in the business issues regarding
SAP implementations, especially in the identification and tracking
of business value and return on investment. This is evident in its
Enterprise Value Map for SAP and Enterprise Value Delivery for SAP
methodology. Deloitte also offers the SOA strategic transformation
roadmap but, unlike its competitors, it does not offer a full
enterprise architecture methodology.
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard has HP Global Method for IT Strategy and
Architecture (ITSA) for delivering all its IT strategy consulting
services. This incorporates a standard Togaf-based enterprise
architecture methodology. HP also has a strong enterprise
architecture practice. SOA patterns have been built into ITSA over
the past year.
IBM
IBM has several methodologies for enterprise architecture
planning. These include its Enterprise Architecture Consulting
Method, Component Business Model (CBM), and Service Oriented
Modelling and Architecture (Soma), as well as custom-made software
development methodologies. CBM addresses the business domain, while
Soma tackles the IT domain.
Most larger SAP users are at a very early stage of SOA and ESA
adoption, with tactical evaluation projects at best. However, AMR
Research estimates that at least half of them plan more strategic
SOA investments in business process extension in the next three
years, but only if a proven implementation approach emerges.
The starting point for any such strategic approach is a proven
enterprise architecture methodology that is business-driven and
includes governance.
SAP users should check whether they have an experienced
enterprise architecture team in their organisation. If so, it may
have a generic, company-wide enterprise architecture methodology
and blueprint in place. Such enterprises can focus on incorporating
ESA, plus their own SAP specifics, into this blueprint.
Most SAP users will not be in this fortunate position and will
need a proven enterprise architecture methodology to build their
own blueprint. They are likely to need help from an external
service provider, such as an SAP consulting partner, to supply a
proven enterprise architecture methodology.
When selecting a partner, SAP users should start by reviewing
their profiles and overall enterprise architecture maturity
assessments. Ignore claims about Netweaver and ESA experience and
focus instead on credibility with generic enterprise architecture
methodology.
Selecting a partner is as much about individual credibility as
overall capability. But when choosing a partner for enterprise
architecture methodology assistance, check references more
carefully than usual.