No Fuss SAP Upgrade at the Australian Taxation Office
Client: AustralianTaxation Office (ATO)
Challenge:
The current version, SAP 4.6c, was due to run out of license so no longer covered by the standard SAP support services.
The Tax Office wanted to be able to take advantage of enhanced capabilities provided by the new platform, SAP ECC6, such as the SAP Portal.
SAP ECC6 is the base on which to replace legacy systems when feasible and appropriate.
Solution: The primary focus of the project was to upgrade from SAP ERP 4.6c to ECC6 for Financial and HR processes. However, as a result of early analysis provided, the Tax Office decided to upgrade the Business Warehouse and Employee Self Service products at the same time and to introduce Manager Self Service.
Results: The SAP upgrade went live on 17th November, 2009 and was stable as of close of business on the first day.
From the Tax Office business perspective, the new platform means: reduced support costs, improved management processes, reliable, robust continuity of business and enhanced views of business data.
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The Tax Office has a continuing investment in its technology and systems in order to improve its efficiency and its responsiveness to taxpayers. Upgrading its core internal administrative systems is part of this picture and in addition, provides greater flexibility for future improvements. So, in January 2009, the Tax Office commissioned CSC to partner with the Tax Office to upgrade the SAP HR and Finance systems to the latest version of SAP ECC6.
To upgrade now or later – weighing up the benefits and risks
The upgrade was triggered by a number of factors:
The Tax Office’s current version, SAP 4.6c, was due to run out of license in December 2009. Continuing with the old version meant costly support arrangements and the likelihood performance issues.
The Tax Office wanted to be able to take advantage of enhanced capabilities provided by the new platform in the future, such as the SAP Portal.
The Tax Office also has a series of legacy systems which are becoming increasingly costly to maintain and restrict integration.
Right experience and right tools
The primary focus of the project was to upgrade from SAP ERP 4.6c to ECC6 for Financial and HR processes. However, the Tax Office also decided to upgrade the Business Warehouse and Employee Self Service products at the same time and to introduce Manager Self Service.
As the first step, CSC worked in close collaboration with the ATO to undertake a multi-faceted assessment (qualitative / quantitative review of processes, people and tools) of the current SAP environment. This resulted in a baseline performance analysis and a low-risk upgrade roadmap, using accelerator assessments and methodologies.
The joint team was able to draw on CSC’s invaluable knowledge of the software, the ECC6 version particularly and government specific requirements, as well as its extensive experience managing SAP upgrades and implementations. The team mapped the Accelerated SAP (ASAP) methodology to the Tax Office’s own guidelines for systems deployment to ensure it covered all aspects of their testing phases.
A blended team
A close cultural fit and a common set of personal values were key success factors in building a strong project team for the upgrade. A teaming environment was established with the Tax Office and CSC recognising the importance of people to the success of a project. Both were proactive to encourage activities to help break down barriers and establish trust.
All three groups, the Tax Office’s Enterprise Solutions and Technology (EST) group, the business groups and CSC worked together on site as a blended team. Each was represented at all levels from technical team leaders on the ground to project managers to key stakeholders.
Sound project management delivers results
The Tax Office SAP Upgrade went live on 17 November, 2009 and was stable as of close of business on the first day. From a business perspective, the new platform meant:- Reduced support costs
- Improved management processes
- Reliable, robust continuity of business
- Enhanced views of business data