When looking for the best SAP Application Management Service (AMS) provider for your needs, minimising upfront costs is understandably a big deciding factor. However, if the provider you choose does not have the expertise to resolve your tickets in a timely manner or help you continually improve your systems and processes, it can actually cost you more in the long run.
Opting for an SAP AMS partner that has deep expertise in the areas that underpin your business may seem initially more expensive. However, the value it can deliver could ultimately make it a very worthwhile investment, providing numerous long-term benefits.
It’s worth considering, first of all, what areas of SAP you operate and second, which of these areas are the most critical—those where if something went wrong, it would have the biggest impact on your business. If your SAP AMS provider has SMEs in these areas, the benefits can be substantial:
- Minimise downtime: Downtime or disruptions can have a substantial impact on your business. If your SAP AMS provider has the correct expertise, they should be able to resolve any issues that arise quickly and effectively, allowing you to get back to business as usual in no time.
- Proactive solutions: Your AMS consultants are more likely to anticipate potential issues and help you implement preventive measures to ensure they don’t cause problems in the first place. This can help you avoid disruptions, contribute to the long-term stability and reliability of your SAP environment and reduce the number of tickets you have to raise in the long-term. If you’re working with your AMS partner on an hour bank or ticket bank basis, this can be especially valuable.
- Strategic advice: SMEs can provide valuable guidance and insights to help you maximise the ROI on your SAP solution and gain a competitive edge. This includes advice around optimising your existing system as you plot your strategic SAP roadmap on your own terms, exploring system upgrades relevant to you and considering potential integrations with innovative technologies. This can help ensure your SAP environment aligns with your organisation’s evolving needs and is responsive to the latest market changes.
Some have deep specialism in certain modules, processes or industries, while others cover a broad range of SAP areas at a less deep level. If you operate many different modules of SAP, a multi-partner approach could be a good solution to get the best support. A more generalist provider can support the majority of your operation while a specialist can be in place for the areas that truly underpin your business so you can get the benefits that we have discussed in this blog.
While the upfront cost of partnering with an AMS provider that has SMEs might be higher, the long-term benefits can far outweigh the initial investment, with the more strategic, consultative partner approach ultimately leading to cost savings, improved efficiency and a stronger competitive position for your business.
Get in touch to discuss your current setup and find out more about how our best of breed SAP AMS can benefit your operations and long-term SAP strategy. Explore other key areas you should consider when you’re selecting an SAP AMS partner in our guide.