By :By Megan Veech
Though many students are unaware of UW-Platteville’s process in students, services and technology, the campus’ latest addition in technology is the Enterprise Resource Planning software being used in many classrooms. Through the participation in an international software company’s university alliance program, students can experience this growing knowledge of software.
The Systems, Applications and Products in Data Processing, Inc. is a software company based in Germany that produces ERP software, or a system in which data and processes are organized into one single system. Formed in 1972, SAP is the world’s largest ERP company in the world. With over 75,000 customers in over 120 countries, their hard work does justice with more than 12 million users each day.
The software handles everything imaginable about a business. UW-P uses an ERP system for programs like PeopleSoft, Steve Kleisath, business and accounting department chair, said.
But not to be confused, SAP is several steps up from PeopleSoft. With over thousands of companies using this resource just in the United States today, all fortune 100 companies and 80 percent of fortune 500 companies use it.
“I’m extremely excited for what is to come,” Kleisath said. “This is the future of business. SAP integrates everything into one huge package and will be a key advantage for students.”
Wendy Brooke, assistant professor of business and accounting, was already familiar with the program when she joined UW-P two years ago. With her help and a few other teaching staff, they made an initiation to look into and research the company. The personnel noticed that SAP did have an alliance program with colleges and after realizing that more of the faculty was interested in the alliance with the company, they sent in an application to become an alliance partner. With the formation of this alliance, the software can be used in the classrooms for educational purposes.
“We’re not using this as training — we’re putting this theory into practice,” Brooke said.
With this program, users are able to work with human resources, accounting, financing, inventory, customs, purchasing, quality control and more.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for — something concrete in upper division courses that will really prepare willing individuals in specific ways,” Donna Perkins, business and accounting professor, said.
Although the system was added to the campus in January, the faculty has needed plenty of time to learn and adapt before they can exercise it in their classes. Currently, only four or five classes have introduced the program, but by fall 2009, more than 20 professors will have gone through training at workshops during this summer and will be using the program in the fall. Though SAP is targeted towards the business department, the Industrial Studies, Industrial Engineering, and Agricultural Business department will get hands-on as well.
Many companies throughout the country are using SAP, including: John Deere, Milprint, Pepsi, Rayovac, Kellogg’s and Harley Davidson. UW-P is one of the few neighboring colleges that have chosen to pursue this growing skill. Madison and Milwaukee School of Engineering both use the program but only have one to two classes which includes an introductory course that teaches ERP specifically. UW-P chose to take a different approach.
“By understanding little pieces at a time, we’ll be able to hit better grounds with the students,” Perkins said.
Two months ago, Wisconsin had 442 companies that requested SAP experience on applications. SAP would increase their chances up to number one with that knowledge, or increased their pay when starting. In Illinois, 1,662 companies were looking for SAP on applications. That number continues to grow every day. With SAP’s customers needing more employees with the preferred background, the German company truly encourages colleges to give students a head start.
Though soon-to-be graduates may not have experience with SAP, the campus has increased their knowledge slightly.
“We are continually planning for next year,” Brooke said. “By the time our current freshmen make it to their fourth year, we hope to have at least seven courses with SAP exposure. It is truly a tool for today and I’m excited for what the future brings.”
source : Exponent.online
