Issue

The Mobility solution streamlines logistics execution by providing automatic real-time data capture and updates, and facilitates the effective and efficient processing of the inbound, outbound and internal goods movements. To manage on site logistics operations, Syensqo has implemented Neptune based Mobility Solution (In short, Neptune Solution), which is a set of mobile applications developed based on Neptune platform integrating with SAP ECC backend programs. 

• As transitioning into SAP S/4HANA, it is a good opportunity to review the current customized Neptune solution and also assess some other options such as the SAP native mobile solution Inventory Manager, so to implement a standard, simplified and future proof logistics mobile solution across Syensqo. 
• KDD014 (Reference 3) describes that as part of the transition into SAP S/4HANA, the SAP WM module is obsolete.
  For that reason, the current mobility solution should be reviewed.
  

Recommendation

The recommendation is to keep on working with the Neptune application. It is advised to work together with a vendor offering prebuilt functionalities which interface with EWM in SAP S/4HANA. Functionalities for which the vendor does not offer a prebuilt solution will be built from scratch in the Neptune platform. The general guideline for the mobility solution is to keep it simple and intuitive for the end-user. 

Background & Context

Mobility solutions facilitate the effective and efficient execution across all warehouse processes:

• Inbound examples:
  • • Goods receipt for purchase order
    • Putaway in Warehouse Management
• outbound
  • Examples:
    • Picking
    • Packing
• production integration
  • Examples:
    • Staging to production
    • Goods receipt for process order 
• internal goods movements:
  • Examples:
    • Physical inventory counting 
    • Ad hoc movement in Warehouse Management

Neptune is a Norwegian company that sells and distributes Neptune platform to design and deploy mobile applications which can interface with SAP. In Syensqo the Nereid project rolled out the mobility solution of Neptune across the organisation. 

Syensqo Neptune Solution, sitting on Neptune DX Platform Planet 8 module, includes a set of business tailored applications and developed zebra devices, which support and manage on the site logistics operations, from goods receipt, material consumption, production declaration / goods receipt, to the internal goods movements, to all the way through outbound processing such as picking, packing and loading controls etc.  

Assumptions

• The current Neptune solution covers functionalities of Logistics, Warehouse Management (WM) and Plant Maintenance (PM). The Plant Maintenance Functionalities are covered in the EAM - Mobility Solution KDD and not further discussed in this document.
• The business requirements for mobile functionalities are expected to be refined further during the detailed design phase.
• The focus during detailed design is to keep it simple. This will ensure intuitive and efficient registration. The UX design should focus on minimizing user inputs, utilizing device features such as barcode scanning, and providing clear navigation paths. 
• Language requirements for the mobile applications are covered in a separate KDD (Reference 5) and in detailed design. 
• This document assumes the recommendation of KDD014 is followed in the future design meaning EWM will be implemented. 
• For sites to be rolled out the mobility solution, the scale of required hardware and infrastructure will be assessed during the detailed design phase.

Constraints

By understanding the below challenges, we can mitigate risks and optimize the Neptune-based mobile solution to meet the Syensqo specific needs for logistics operation.

User Experience (UX) in Mobile Context: Although Neptune allows for custom UX design, which can lead to a highly tailored user experience, however, inconsistencies or complex functionalities may impact user adoption and productivity. So to ensure the intuitive and efficient workflows that align with logistics processes, the UX design should focus on minimizing user inputs, utilizing device features such as barcode scanning, and providing clear navigation paths. 

Mobile App Lifecycle Management: Neptune solution is not an one-off implementation, but requires Syensqo to manage the mobile application lifecycle and ensure the mobility solution is compatible with evolving SAP releases, operating system updates, and device changes. This may involve continuous software update and version management etc., which requires proactive planning and regular maintenance.

Vendor Support and Roadmap: Dependency on Neptune as a third-party solution provider necessitates understanding their support policies, product roadmap, and future compatibility with SAP updates. Regular communication with Neptune regarding updates, patches, and new features is essential to stay current and leverage enhancements.

Impacts

Process and functionalities:

• S/4HANA will introduce changes in the processes, role definition and authorization concepts. These will impact future functionalities in the mobility solution. The current functionalities in place in the mobility solution will be reviewed.
• If Syensqo decides to go forward with the Neptune solution, the migration from SAP ECC integrated Neptune Solution to S/4HANA integrated solution requires Process Re-engineering & Feature Alignment with the ERP Rebuild solution design.

User Training and Change Management:

• Sufficient and qualitative end user training across all relevant warehouses is required for a successful implementation. 

Data Mapping and Conversion:

• Data structures and data models in S/4HANA differ from ECC. The Neptune Solution must accommodate these changes and ensure data integrity.

Business Rules

• Potentially, the selected mobility solution should be rolled out to all the Syensqo Manufacturing Plants, DCs (Distribution Centers) operated and managed by Syensqo, R&I Centers and Spare part warehouses. Defined processes and further updates will be determined during the detailed design phase.
  
  
• Warehouses for which a Warehouse Management System will be implemented based on criteria defined in KDD on Mobility Solutions in Warehouse Management will have sufficient mobile devices to support the execution of their Warehouse Management processes.

Options considered

Option A: 

Option B: 

Option C: 

Option D: 

Evaluation

	Option A	Option B	Option C	Option D
Criterion 1	Pro Con	Pro Pro	Pro Con	Pro Con
Criterion 2	Pro Con	Con	Pro Pro	Con Con
Criterion 3	Pro	Con	Con	Pro

See also

Change log

Workflow history