Questions Yves Flashcards
(21 cards)
Oppose the traditional “from scratch” software engineering approach and the COTS based one.
Define them and what the advantages of both of them are.
What is a business process? Why should they be represented when developing management
software?
What is model-driven development? Why proceeding that way?
Model-driven development is an approach that uses models in software develoment. MDD allows
- to separate the specifications of the operation of a system from the details of the way that system uses the capabilities of its platform (seperate the what of the system (functionalities, behaviour, operations) from the how it is implemented (language, hardware…))
- Specifying a system independently of the platform it supports
- Specifying platforms
- Choosing a particular platform for the system
- Transforming the system generic specification into a platform dependant specification
What are the different levels of decision making? Precise the importance and complementarily
of each of them.
Distinguish the Business Modeling discipline of the Rational Unified Process. Globally, what is its
specific purpose? How has the Unified Modeling Language been refined to meet its specific purpose?
o Understand problems in the target organization and identify potential improvements.
o Ensure customer and end-user have a common understanding of the target organization.
o Derive system requirements to support the target organization.
o Understand structure and dynamics of the organization in which the system is to be deployed.
What is a UML business goal? What is its specific purpose? Distinguish it from the business use
case and locate it in the decisions level model.
Define ERP Systems, characterize their cross functional nature.
What is e-business? Explain this from a disintermediation and reintermediation perspective.
What is the EDI-norm? How does this help data transmission?
Explain the main evolutions from ERP to extended-ERP (ERP2) and to e-commerce.
Define and explain the 3-tier architecture.
What is reverse logistics? Why will it take increasing importance in the future?
What is service-oriented architecture (SOA)? Is this a 3-tier architecture?
Service oriented architecture is a software design approach where application are build by combining reusable, indepently developed and managed components called services. SO instead of one big solution, you create multiple solutions that coordinate through the database, allowing that if one is down the rest keeps working.
It builds on top of the 3-tier architecture and addresses its shortcomings.
What is service-oriented architecture (SOA)? Why does this add flexibility in ERP deployment?
Service oriented architecture is a software design approach where application are build by combining reusable, indepently developed and managed components called services. SO instead of one big solution, you create multiple solutions that coordinate through the database, allowing that if one is down the rest keeps working.
SOA allows modular ERP components that can evolve or integrate with new services, improving adaptability to changing business needs
Define and briefly explain what the AcceleratedSAP (ASAP) is. Is it comparable to the RUP?
What technologies are used for custom developments in SAP? What is their specific purpose?
- ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming): SAP’s proprietary programming language used to develop custom reports, forms, interfaces, and enhancements.
- SAP Fiori/UI5: For building custom user interfaces and mobile/web apps using modern JavaScript frameworks.
- BTP (Business Technology Platform): SAP’s cloud-based development platform allowing extension and integration of applications using:
Java, Node.js, Python
Low-code/no-code tools
- Enhancement Framework & BADIs: Structured ways to insert custom code into SAP-standard processes without modifying core code.
Each of these serves to tailor SAP to specific business needs without compromising future upgrades.
Explain the main advances brought by SAP S4 Hana and motivate their importance.
SAP S/4HANA is the next-gen ERP built on the in-memory HANA database, and it brings:
Speed: Real-time analytics and reporting thanks to in-memory processing.
Simplified Data Model: Fewer tables, no aggregates or indexes = easier maintenance and faster queries.
Modern UX: SAP Fiori replaces SAP GUI with mobile-ready, user-friendly interfaces.
Cloud-readiness: Offers cloud, on-premise, and hybrid deployment models.
Embedded Analytics: Insight directly within transactions (no need for separate BI tools).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing as a deployment model for ERP
systems?
+: scalability, lower upfront cost, remote access
-: data security, less customization, vendor dependency
What is the Hybrid Agile methodology used for ERP implementation as presented in the
Deloitte? Give an illustrative example
The Hybrid Agile methodology combines the predictability of traditional waterfall approaches with the flexibility of Agile. It’s tailored for ERP implementations (like SAP S/4HANA) that have:
* Fixed scope with estimated time and resources
* High-level requirements gathered at the beginning of the
project with prioritization and modifications throughout
* Cross-functional teams working in sprints organized by features or critical/dependent processes
* Releases throughout or at end of project
Illustrative example:
Imagine an SAP S/4HANA implementation in a manufacturing company:
* In the Prepare phase, core processes like “Order to Cash” and “Procure to Pay” are scoped.
* In Explore, fit-to-standard workshops refine these processes.
* During Realize - Build, the finance module is developed in one sprint, logistics in another.
* After each sprint, a working product slice is tested and demonstrated.
* This allows early validation and faster correction of gaps compared to waiting until the end (as in waterfall).
What is the SAP Sustainability Portfolio? Explain.
The SAP Sustainability Portfolio is a suite of integrated tools and solutions that allow organizations to measure, report, manage, and reduce their environmental impact, aligned with sustainability goals.
Main Components:
- SAP Sustainability Control Tower (SCT):
Centralized view of sustainability KPIs.
Supports sustainability reporting and decision-making.
- SAP Sustainability Footprint Management (SFM):
Aggregate and Collect GHG Footprint (Corporate & Product Level)
Helps create a footprint inventory for reporting. Including Sustainability data exchange
- SAP EHS Emissions Management (EHS EM):
collect emission data (e.g., waste, water, air emissions).
📊 Purpose:
Support sustainability compliance and reporting.
Enable data-driven sustainability strategies.
Align operations with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards.
🌍 Why it matters:
Companies face increasing pressure from:
*Governments (regulations)
*Consumers (green expectations)
*Investors (ESG-driven investing)
