The Power of an SAP Value-Added Reseller

The ever-evolving business technology landscape is more than just adopting the latest software solutions. It requires a strategic partnership that can not only provide access to cutting-edge technologies but also offer tailored advisory services to optimise your implementation and maintenance services. This is where SAP Value Added Resellers (VARs) come into play, acting as crucial allies in your journey toward streamlined business success. A VAR is an independent company that collaborates closely with SAP to resell its software products and services while adding its unique value proposition to the mix. VARs don’t just sell software licences; they also offer specialised services such as consultation, customisation, implementation, training, and ongoing support.

How does a partner become an SAP VAR?

To be considered a VAR and to be accredited with the highly acclaimed Partner Centre of Expertise (PCoE), an SAP partner has to meet many stringent criteria. One has to have a set number of experienced consultants SAP accredited across a broad spectrum of skill sets. This requires passing challenging examinations set out by SAP to prove that they are experts in their area of modular expertise. In addition, one must demonstrate that you are capable of providing level one and level two support for any incidents related to SAP software bugs. You also have to measure and attain a high degree of customer satisfaction over a long period of time.

What are the benefits of having a VAR?

In this blog, I will focus on Expertise and Experience: VARs are equipped with a team of experts who possess in-depth knowledge of SAP products and the latest industry trends. Their experience in various sectors allows them to provide best practices and guidance that can significantly impact your business processes.

At G3G, we make it our priority to get to know your system intimately and familiarise ourselves with your business processes. We come to understand what processes are critical to the successful running of your business. Our consultants are uniquely placed to identify what has interrupted the smooth running of your operation when a software bug affects your system.

Our highly skilled, experienced consultants are adept at identifying the root cause of the issue affecting you. They will utilise Solution Manager, and then the SAP Marketplace, KBA’s and the SAP Community for a fix to the issue in the form of a developed and tested SAP note. If there are no SAP notes created, the consultant can articulate the issue to SAP development and arrange for a fix to be developed. We are able to leverage our accredited partnership status with SAP to ensure the right level of focus is given to get the software fix developed quickly. We will always test the SAP Note in your development landscape before passing it across to you to test in your pre-production environment.

Incident management is another benefit of working through the indirect channel with G3G as your VAR. Our SAP Basis consultants will review your EarlyWatch Alert Reports to monitor the critical health of your system. Dependent on the outcomes of these reports, we will provide advice, and guidance and perform maintenance activities which will keep your system up to date and optimised. We will advise when your system requires patching, perform Kernel upgrades and work with you to ensure that your database is sized accordingly.

Our Basis Consultants need to demonstrate that they are reviewing the EarlyWatch reports for our clients’ system and are providing expert guidance, as well as performing a number of maintenance activities to keep the system healthy. Our consultants also need to ensure that SAP has connectivity to the system in the event they need to investigate software issues that have escalated to level three and require a fix to be developed.

An experienced Client Manager, in support of our relationship with SAP, to ensure you are given mission-critical support during a major go-live event. We also provide assistance during any SAP licence audit. We perform your licence audit for you and report directly to you on the outcome and recommend the next actions. In the event that you have a licence shortfall, we are often able to negotiate a more beneficial rate with SAP on your behalf for the purchase of additional licences.

Your Client Manager will be able to request and recommend remote services from SAP, including a number of technical quality checks that can be run on your system. These can be used to ensure your system remains fit for purpose, or even to show what would be required for when you decide to upgrade your system to S/4HANA for example.

Choosing the Right SAP VAR:

Selecting the right SAP VAR is a critical decision that requires careful consideration. Look for VARs that have a track record of successful implementations, positive client testimonials, and a deep understanding of your industry. Ask about their expertise, the scope of services they provide, and their approach to customer support.

Having G3G as your VAR means you can enjoy the benefits of having a trusted partner who:

• Has SAP Partner Centre of Expertise (PCoE) accreditation.
• Only use expert SAP Consultants, familiar with your business, your industry and your system.
• Will provide critical day-to-day maintenance, performing Level 1 and Level 2 technical support, and work with SAP development to create new software fixes.
• Will facilitate your SAP audit, working with SAP to ensure that you have acquired the requisite number of licences to ensure that you are compliant with your Contract.
• Will provide a Client Manager to help with your SAP Roadmap, leveraging our relationship with SAP to ensure you maximise the return on your SAP investment.

Partnering with an SAP VAR isn’t just a transaction; it’s a strategic collaboration that can pave the way for innovation, growth, and sustained success in the dynamic business landscape.

If you are looking for an established SAP VAR Partner together with a strategic relationship, or you have some questions that you would like to ask us, please get in touch with me.