ERP Software Analysis

SAP Business ByDesign

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FULL GUIDE
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PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Vendor: SAP

Release Date: 2007

PRODUCT MARKET FIT:

51-1,000 Employees

$5-500M Revenue

 

DEPLOYMENT:

✅ Cloud

❌ On-Premise

CUSTOMERS:

4000+

WHAT IS SAP BUSINESS BYDESIGN?

SAP Business ByDesign, also known as ByD or ByDesign is a Cloud enterprise resource planning software from German software giant SAP. It is a multi-tenant Cloud or software-as-a-service ERP tool which was designed for small to medium enterprises (SME's) offering a broad set of functionality including accounting and financial management, procurement and purchasing, production and supply chain management, project management and professional services automation and more. The solution is built around 30+ core end to end processes, however using integrations and extensibility toolkits within the solution, organizations can open up many more possibilities. It is particularly well suited to disparate organizations which operate globally due to its several out of the box localisations and inherent multi-company features.

SAP Business ByDesign is designed as a 'business suite in a box', meaning it offers a completely integrated set of modules that unite the front, middle and back office of SMB & SME organisations without the need to deploy and integrate several other enterprise business applications. This does mean that SAP Business ByDesign is a 'jack of all trades', yet a master of none. As a Tier 2 Cloud ERP solution, SAP Business ByDesign will get most businesses a very long way, but those with high complexity may need to make use of APIs to integrate best-of-breed sales or service management tools or look at a Tier 1 ERP solution if the core functionality doesn't meet their needs.

As a Cloud (SaaS) ERP solution, SAP Business ByDesign is hosted by SAP and also receives quarterly upgrades to the software, adding new functionality, hot fixes and changes in line with any local accounting changes. ByD has therefore proven very popular with disparate businesses operating in several countries as it allows for easy international scalability without having to worry about complying with local accounting needs.

SAP Business ByDesign users also benefit from a fairly intuitive user interface which is responsive, meaning it can be viewed on several devices, from your laptop to mobile web browser.

As SAP Business ByDesign is an SAP solution, it also provides handy extensibility in the form of the wider SAP portfolio, with many of its users also running SAP's wider stack including SAP Concur for expense management, SAP SuccessFactors for HCM, SAP Analytics Cloud for business intelligence and more. The solution runs on the proprietary SAP HANA in-memory database and features open API's to integrate other business software solutions.

SAP Business ByDesign is almost exclusively sold by SAP partners and resellers rather than via direct sales channels. These software partners often specialize in serving local markets or industries.

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  • MODULES & FEATURES

  • PROS & CONS

  • INDUSTRY FIT

  • HISTORY

  • DEPLOYMENT

  • FAQ

Modules & Features List

Financial Management & Accounting

SAP Business ByDesign provides finance and accounting covering general ledger, accounts payable and receivable with comprehensive support for disparate organisations operating over several locations, countries and operating entities.

Project Management & Accounting

SAP Business ByDesign offers a lot of functionality for professional services automation, including project management and accounting capabilities that support your operational & finance teams.

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

SAP Business ByDesign Cloud ERP enables you to optimize material flow by managing demand and supply. Design, set up, and execute flexible warehouse and manufacturing processes to fit your products and business model and gain maximum insight into your business. 

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

SAP Business ByDesign Cloud ERP helps you identify and manage the best suppliers for materials and services. Gain insight into order management, supplier invoicing, and purchase requests.

Human Resources (HRIS)

SAP Business ByDesign provides functionality for time recording, expenses management, holiday, absences and leave request management, plus an employee database with basic payroll functionality.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

SAP ByDesign gives small businesses and SME's an integrated customer relationship management capability for sales, marketing and service.

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Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Pre-built, out of the box business processes decrease implementation time and cost.
  • Wide and deep functionality for product centric businesses in regulated industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing & distribution.
  • Deployment flexibility with both Cloud (multitenant & single tenant).

Cons:

  • Some users complain of the solution being rigid and unflexible.
  • Business ByDesigns place in the SAP ERP portfolio remains unclear, with SAPs strategic focus on S/4 HANA and SAP Business One having a larger user base.
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Industry Fit

SAP Business ByDesign ERP is used by companies in various industries, including:

Professional Services

SAP Business ByDesign offers a lot of functionality that can help professional services firms including integrated financial management & accounting, deep project management, billing, customer relationship management and more.

A service based industry in SAP ERP encompasses both small service based jobs through to complex, long term projects. The services suite enables visibility of the full customer requirement, management of the service and integration with other ERP elements to enable evidence and data based decision making and analytics.

Industry specific functionality:

  • Connect and automate key professional services processes
  • Get real-time project insight to maximise client value
  • Understand customer lifecycle data to effectively position your service offerings
  • Evaluate project and client profitability to help meet your portfolio goals.

Manufacturing

With dedicated ERP modules for ‘Manufacturing’, Business ByDesign has developed the software to enable end to end management of the manufacturing process alongside integration with financials and other elements of the ERP. The manufacturing module can track production, materials management and inventory.

SAP Business ByDesign provides a rock solid foundation for businesses in the discrete manufacturing industry. ByDesign supports multi-level BOMs, supply chain planning, quality management, traceability and more.

Combining manufacturing expertise, micro-vertical functionality, and modern technologies, our solutions help industrial organizations of any size transform even the most complex manufacturing processes into a competitive advantage.

Business ByDesign helps you to meet customer demand and develop new revenue streams by shrinking supply chain costs, speeding time to profit, shortening cycle times, and minimising scrap and rework.

Industry specific functionality:

  • Get a view of your entire manufacturing operation from start to finish and in real time
  • Improve manufacturing efficiency
  • Simplify channel and partner management to meet market demand
  • Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty with a 360-degree view of customers

Pharmaceuticals

SAP Business ByDesign offers robust functionality for pharmaceuticals specific requirements including batch traceability and serialisation. This makes it easier for pharmaceuticals manufacturers and distributers to comply with industry requirements and complete any product recalls. Find out more information about medical and pharmaceutical ERP software.

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History

SAP Business ByDesign was first launched in 2007 at a time when Cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) was a very new concept. ByDesign came to market hailed as one of the most complete Cloud ERP solutions available. It is the first true Cloud or software as a service solution from Germany software giant, SAP. The product has experienced many ups and downs over that time, primarily the fact that it has been poorly marketed by SAP. Regardless of that, it remains a strong performer in the SAP product ecosystem and continues to receive strong investment.

As a Cloud ERP solution, SAP Business ByDesign continues to receive quarterly upgrades which are pushed out to customers automatically, the product continues to receive considerable new functionality every quarter, including new innovations around machine learning & artificial intelligence, small user interface changes, brand new functionality and accounting and compliance updates.

ByDesign is one of two ERP solution from SAP that have been specifically designed for SMB & SME organisations, the other being SAP Business One. Both products are generally sold by SAP value added resellers (VAR's), rather than by SAP themselves. SAP relies on it's network of value added resellers to scale the sales and implementation of ByDesign & Business One into its global customer base and into a wide variety of industries.

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Deployment Options

SAP Business ByDesign is offered only as a Cloud ERP solution, in a true Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. The solution is hosted by SAP themselves and includes quarterly upgrades and product support directly.

SAP ByDesign cannot be purchased as a perpetual license or On-Premise solution.

Learn more about SAP Business ByDesign implementation here.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does SAP Business ByDesign cost?

The cost of implementing Business ByDesign will vary from project to project. As with any ERP solution, Business ByDesign has it's own set licensing, implementation and support costs. So Business ByDesign costings are tailored to suit the requirements of their customers. 

The quickest and most accurate way to understand the costs for your business is to contact a specialist software supplier. Get in touch to speak to a member of our team today.

Is SAP Business ByDesign suitable for small businesses (SMB) & SME's? 

SAP Business ByDesign was purpose built to meet the specific needs of small businesses (SMB) and small to medium enterprises (SME) organisations. The SAP Business ByDesign customer base ranges from organisations with as little as 20 employees up to several thousands.

Is SAP Business ByDesign open source?

No, Business ByDesign is not an open source ERP software or framework. The code is maintained by SAP however custom code and modifications can be made using SAP's partner network. SAP Business ByDesign is therefore a system which allows users to customize it towards their needs.

How do I install or implement SAP Business ByDesign? 

SAP Business ByDesign is primarily implemented by SAP's value added reseller network and therefore it's generally not recommended that you try to install the solution yourself. 

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SAP Business ByDesign ERP Competitors

Sage Intacct

sage-intacct-erp-system-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning-software

Sage Intacct is a cloud-based financial management software that is designed to help businesses automate their financial processes. It offers a wide range of features such as accounts payable/receivable, cash management, general ledger, and project accounting. Compared to SAP Business ByDesign, Sage Intacct is more focused on financial management and doesn't have as many modules for other business functions like human resources, supply chain management, and customer relationship management. However, Sage Intacct is highly customizable and can be tailored to fit the specific needs of a business.

FULL GUIDE

SAP Business One

sap-business-one-erp-system-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning-software

SAP Business One is a powerful business management software designed for small and medium-sized enterprises. It provides a comprehensive suite of features including finance and accounting, sales and customer management, purchasing and inventory control, and reporting and analytics. What sets SAP Business One apart is its ease of use and flexibility, allowing businesses to customize workflows and automate processes to meet their unique needs. On the other hand, SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based ERP system designed for mid-sized businesses. While it also offers similar features to SAP Business One, it provides more advanced capabilities such as project management, human resources, and supply chain management. 

FULL GUIDE

Sage X3

sage-x3-erp-system-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning-software

Sage X3 is a comprehensive business management software that offers end-to-end functionality, from finance and accounting to production and inventory management. It is designed to help businesses streamline their operations, improve efficiency and increase profitability. Compared to SAP Business ByDesign, Sage X3 offers a more flexible and customizable solution that can be tailored to the specific needs of the business. While SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based solution that offers a range of pre-configured modules, Sage X3 provides businesses with the ability to select the modules they need and customize them according to their unique requirements.

FULL GUIDE

Acumatica

acumatica-erp-it-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning

Acumatica is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that is designed to help businesses manage their finances, operations, and customer relationships. It offers a comprehensive suite of applications that can be customized to fit the specific needs of any organization. Compared to SAP Business ByDesign, Acumatica offers more flexibility in terms of customization and scalability. Acumatica is also more affordable and user-friendly, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Acumatica's open architecture allows for easy integration with other software applications, while SAP Business ByDesign is more closed off and requires more customization to integrate with other systems.

FULL GUIDE

Infor CloudSuite Industrial

infor-software-erp-system-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning-software

Infor CloudSuite Industrial is a powerful and comprehensive solution designed specifically for manufacturing and distribution companies. It offers a range of advanced features and capabilities, such as demand planning, supply chain management, financial management, and more, all within a single integrated platform. Compared to SAP Business ByDesign, Infor CloudSuite Industrial offers a more focused and specialized approach, with a greater emphasis on the unique needs of manufacturers and distributors. It also provides a more streamlined and intuitive user experience, making it easier for employees to navigate and utilize the software effectively.

FULL GUIDE

Oracle ERP Cloud

oracle-enterprise-resource-planning-cloud-erp-system-solutions-enterprise-resource-planning-software

Oracle ERP Cloud is a comprehensive suite of applications designed to streamline business processes and optimize operations. It provides a wide range of functionalities, including financial management, procurement, project management, human capital management, and supply chain management. Oracle ERP Cloud is a cloud-based solution that is easy to deploy, customizable, and scalable. It offers a modern user interface and leverages emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enable businesses to make data-driven decisions. When compared to SAP Business ByDesign, Oracle ERP Cloud offers more robust and mature functionality, as well as greater flexibility and scalability.

FULL GUIDE
Business ByDesign Ebook

Download our comprehensive guide to Business ByDesign

Trying to learn the ins and outs of SAP Business ByDesign ERP can be an intimidating task. There are a lot of features, modules and functions to get your head around. The good news is that we've put together a comprehensive guide to SAP Business ByDesign ERP, to help you on your journey to become an expert.

This guide includes the latest features and functions of Business ByDesign, as well as best practices for each process area, so that you can implement a successful project right out of the gate. Download your free copy now.

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SAP Business ByDesign User Interface (UI)

See how SAP Business ByDesign’s intuitive user interface, role-based dashboards, configurable workflows, native mobile apps, and robust reporting and analytics provide a modern platform for growth.

SAP Business ByDesign was built on the idea that every business should be built for growth.
SAP Business ByDesign differentiates itself from other ERP vendors by providing an integrated, end-to-end business solution that delivers:
An intuitive user interface, role-based dashboards, configurable workflows, native mobile apps and robust reporting and analytics.

SAP Business ByDesign Pricing & Demo

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SAP Business ByDesign

Third Party Extensions

SAP Business ByDesign offers further functionality via over 70+ third party extensions to the core ByDesign ERP solution. These extensions are offered via the SAP Store and are generally developed by SAP Solution Partners or SAP Value Added Resellers (VAR's). These third party extension extend the capabilities of the core SAP Business ByDesign Cloud ERP software to offer it's customers greater industry capabilities.

Extensions cover additional capabilities for SAP Business ByDesign such as:

  • Advanced Quality Management
  • Contract and Utilities Billing
  • Further localization packs
  • Enterprise Asset Management
  • EDI integration
  • Field Service Management
  • Integrations into other platforms such as Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Hubspot and many more. 
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SAP Business ByDesign

Integration & User Function

SAP offers a robust range of integrations with third party tools and extensions. These capabilities allow customers that integrate seamless with their own pre-built solutions or third party applications. 

SAP Business ByDesign is a Cloud ERP solution which offers a modern user experience (UX) compared to older SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions such as ECC6 and R/3. Built on HTML5 technology, the solution optimises itself regardless of the device being used, enabling users to access the solution on mobile solutions as well as desktops & laptops.

Each user can also personalize the solution to their own specification, hiding or showing different work centers on their home screen depending on the specific responsibilities of their role.

SAP Business ByDesign also makes use of a useful Enterprise search function which allows users quickly locate business documents, customer records and more within the system.

ByDesign also offers mobile applications for iOS & Android devices, providing a fast window into the system for purchase order approvals, project management tasks and expenses management.

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SAP Business ByDesign

SAP Business ByDesign Localization, Languages & Support

In this section we'll cover the localization packs, languages and support available in SAP Business ByDesign ERP.

Localizations

Business ByDesign supports over 130 countries.
If you are operating across countries, particularly in Europe, SAP Business ByDesign allows for multiple companies in multiple countries with multiple sets of books to be in the same system at the same time.

 

These include:

Languages

SAP Business ByDesign is used by almost 10.000 companies in more than 130 countries and supports 41 languages.

 

(13 standard and 28 partner translated, including simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Hebrew).

SAP Support

SAP provide a number of ways to get support for Business ByDesign. These include:

  • The SAP ONE Support Launchpad - which provides access to task-driven support resources in an intuitive interface.
  • SAP for Me - is your digital companion to easily interact with SAP and get immediate guidance to the best solution for you.
  • SAP Support Portal - where you can search for SAP Notes, SAP Knowledge Base Articles, SAP Community content and more.

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ERP Requirements Document

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