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Movilizer - by Movilitas Solutions

Movilizer for SAP FI-AA
(mFI-AA) – A Mobile App for SAP FI-AA
for any company interested in controlling
its Fixed Asset Lifecycle

Cloud Illustration

Introduction Movilizer for SAP FI-AA:
Executive Summary

The Asset Accounting (FI-AA) component is used for managing and supervising fixed assets within the SAP System. In SAP Financial Accounting, it serves as a subsidiary ledger to the FI General Ledger, providing detailed information on transactions involving fixed assets. Usually, fixed assets are situated in multiple plants and different locations with or without Internet access and this is the reason why a mobile solution for inventory control is a must.

In recent years, we have been observing two fundamental market developments that obligate most companies to rethink their current mobile strategies:


  • Your mobile FI-AA solution needs to be able to adapt quickly to changing requirements. Because FI-AA is core business in financial strategy for your company, the Asset Accounting process requires flexibility and agility to innovate, especially in days where ubiquitous connectivity of people controlling fixed assets is growing. There are many examples of this, but to mention some: count equipment, overview counted documents, see plan-buildings… Monolithically built and rigid applications (“deploy once run forever”) and “offline only” types of mobile FI-AA applications are definitely not an option in today’s market.
  • The appearance and rapid penetration of very heterogeneous smart phone platforms (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia Mobile Phones, Windows Phone 7 etc.) and the improvements on the GPRS/3G connectivity conditions, necessitates one to rethink former mobile strategies that were typically focused on delivering pure offline mobile applications on industrial devices (mostly rugged PDAs). Now, more than ever, customers are asking for lightweight, granular mobile apps capable of running not only on PDAs but also on any mobile devices.

The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA was designed and created to address precisely these two requirements. It is exactly this, together with the fact that the Movilizer is such a low cost platform that you can even deploy it on to your customers and distribution partner’s mobile phones. Thus opening a whole range of new opportunities for business process innovation.


The Movilizer does not necessarily need to be a replacement for other mobile applications running in your mobile devices. The Movilizer will run on the same devices as your existing mobile application does today and it could be integrated with them if necessary.

1   Functional Features


  1. Asset Registration
  2. Asset Inventory
  3. Side scenarios

2   Technical Features


  1. Runs on any mobile device
  2. Comprehensive configuration possibilities, marginal programming
  3. Does not require additional hardware
  4. Supports barcode scanning and RFID
  5. GPS geo-coordinates
  6. Multimedia files (download / upload)
  7. Supports printing
  8. Captures digital signature

3   Unique features


  1. Simplicity and Cost
    • It runs on any simple mobile phone
    • It is deployed in seconds (device setup can be done by the end user)
    • It does not require any end user training
    • It takes weeks to implement and you can do it yourself
    • No upfront licenses
    • Monthly support fees (SaaS)
    • You are 100% in control of future changes and enhancements in the app

  2. Flexibility
    • It is device agnostic
    • Configuration instead of development (Movilizer customising in SPRO)
    • It allows changing processes on the fly
    • You can create "mash-ups" (interfacing SAP with non-SAP) on the mobile device

  3. Integration
    • Multi Backend integration via the Movilizer cloud (with SAP AII, SAP ERP or non SAP)
    • "On device background integration" with PM, PoD and WM mobile applications
    • Development only in backend (e.g. ABAP/4)





The diagram represents the holistic view of our Movilizer for SAP FI-AA solution from a logical point of view (click image to enlarge).

Movilizer for SAP FI-AA - a different approach to mobile Asset Accounting


“Tailor make your FI-AA processes using our standard pool of FI-AA mobile functions”

We have not developed another mobile application for inventory controlling, but instead rethought and redesigned the concept that is behind such applications from the roots. Our innovative approach can be summarised as follows:



  1. Even though most customers have similar high level functional requirements for mobile Asset Accounting processes, the exact detailed requirements are never the same. Therefore, with the Movilizer for SAP FI-AA, each individual customer is able to structure the sequence of processes/process steps individually. We do not provide you with a monolithic application, but instead with a pool of processes, which you can combine and configure to match your very specific and individual requirements.
  2. The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA has not only been defined as a standalone application; it can also be run as a supplementary/complementary application. It is therefore possible to integrate functionalities from other areas (e.g. materials management or financial information) into Movilizer for SAP FI-AA process flows (e.g. an inventory checker can easily find out that a device is broken and then create a SAP PM Order directly from his/her mobile device).

  1   Functional Features

Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for any mobile Asset Accounting application. However, to minimise the implementation time, the Movilizer comes with some preconfigured scenarios, which can easily be changed and configured to your individual needs. Any of the functionalities pre-delivered as part of standard scenarios can be mixed or combined to create customer specific process.

 

Title

Function

Asset Registration

 The first step to start Asset Accounting is to have all equipment controlled. This means that all equipment should be maintained in SAP. With Asset Registration, Asset checkers will be able to input the equipment ID of a concrete asset and location using their mobiles devices.

Asset Inventory

 Once the inventory is counted, it should be periodically reviewed. For this purpose an Asset Inventory Order should be created and assigned in the SAP FI-AA backend to the final checker. Among other functionalities, this application provides the checker the ability to actualise the location master data and perform an equipment evaluation.

Side Scenarios

 Movilizer technology permit that different mobility applications, sent by SAP and not SAP programs, are available in the same mobile device solution.

By combining the basic functions available from the predefined scenarios, any upcoming future requirement can easily be built. Thanks to this modular structure, building new or modifying any of the existing functions can be done at a very low cost, and what is even more important: It can be done by your own IT resources (“Movilizer it yourself” principle).


What does it mean that you can do it with your own IT resources? New processes are defined purely in the SAP backend (in ABAP/4 language) thereby enabling any ABAP developer from your IT department, after one week intensive Movilizer training to be able to create new functions or processes or to modify existing ones without any external assistance in record time.

  Asset Registration

1. Asset Registration Order creation

 

1

Asset Overview

 Asset information can be viewed using the Overview screen. Asset controllers simply have to select the Company code and the Asset number.

2

Asset Registration Order creation

 If an asset controller requires that a concrete asset (new or old) be registered in the system, he/she has to create a Registration Order and assign it to any of the asset checkers available in the system.

2. Mobile Asset Registration process

 

1

Checker receives the Asset Registration Order in his/her mobile device

 The checker synchronises and downloads the Asset Registration Orders at any time during his/her journey.

2

The asset checker opens the Registration Order

 The checker opens the registration folder in the mobile device and selects the Registration Order.

3

Registration Order execution

The checker reviews the Order Execution screen

4

Data uploaded to SAP Backend

 Sync is done and the backend tables are actualised with the Asset info.

3. Asset Count Backend actualisation

 

1

Asset Count Overview

 After a few seconds, asset control staff can check the newly counted Asset Registration data information in the Registration and in the Overview screens.
  Asset Inventory

1. Asset Inventory Order creation

 

1

Asset Inventory Order creation

 If the asset controller needs to control the Asset Inventory in the system, he/she has to create an Asset Inventory Order for a concrete or for multiple counter(s) and assign it to any of the asset checkers available in the system.

2

Multiple Asset Inventory Order creation

 A variation of the process described above takes place when multiple items of an asset are selected from the selection list.

2. Mobile Asset Inventory process

 

1

Checker receives the Asset Inventory Order in his/her mobile device

 The checker synchronises and downloads the Asset Inventory Orders at any time during his/her journey.

2

The asset checker opens the Inventory Order

 The checker opens the inventory folder in the mobile device and selects the Inventory Order.

3

Inventory evaluation Order execution

 The checker reviews the Inventory Order for a concrete counter. He/she has to confirm the serial number and validate localisation, current status and equipment performance.

3. Asset Counter Inventory Backend actualisation

 

1

Asset Counter Inventory Result

 After a few seconds, asset control staff can check the new counter asset comparison information in the Inventory Result screen. The assets status is actualised so that the value of the equipment is also actualised in SAP FI-AA. Paper based forms are no longer necessary.
  Side Scenarios

1. Marketing Surveys

 

1

Marketing surveys are created and assigned to mobile employees

 Marketing surveys are created in a SAP/Non-SAP programs (ex: Movilizer App Portal or Microsoft Excel Add-on) and assigned to drivers or sales employees.

2

Surveys are downloaded and completed for each visit

 Mobile users download the assigned marketing surveys and can complete them during each customer visit.

3

Surveys are uploaded to the backend

 The survey replies are automatically uploaded to the backend in the next synchronisation. This enables marketing people to have a real time customer satisfaction status.

2. New Breakdown Notification Order

 

1

New breakdown notification orders are created and assigned to mobile employees

 New breakdown notification orders are created in a SAP/Non-SAP programs (ex: Movilizer App Portal or Microsoft Excel Add-on) and assigned to drivers or sales employees. With any empty orders, users can inform about any faults discovered or advised by a customer during their visit execution.

2

New breakdown notification orders are downloaded and completed if necessary

 Mobile users download the assigned notification orders and can use them if necessary during each customer visit.

3

New breakdown notification orders are uploaded to the backend

 The survey replies are automatically uploaded to the backend in the next synchronisation. This enables maintenance workers to have a real time breakdown status .
  2   Technical Features

Feature Description

It runs on any mobile device

 The Movilizer Client is a very small piece of software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running in offline / on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.

The deployment of the Movilizer Client is done via SMS or simple file transfer and is as easy as downloading a ringtone (average set up time is seconds). The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you do not need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step.

Comprehensive configuration possibilities, marginal programming

 The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA allows you to configure the mobile application and all its functionalities for different Users and User groups. The configuration of the mobile application is done in the SPRO transaction of your SAP ERP system using the standard customising mode for Movilizer.

It does not need additional hardware

 The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA allows you to configure the mobile application and all its functionalities for different Users and User groups. The configuration of the mobile application is done in the SPRO transaction of your SAP ERP system using the standard customising mode for Movilizer.

Supports barcode scanning and RFID

 BARCODE Scanning
The Movilizer supports barcode scanning in any standard format (2D Datamatrix or lineal barcodes), provided the mobile device has a built-in barcode scanner.
Should your mobile device not have a built-in barcode scanner but an autofocus camera, the Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile phone camera as a barcode scanner. In this way any standard mobile phone can become a barcode scanner. (Supported Devices via mobile phone camera: any Nokia series 60s, with exception of the Nokia E90, any BlackBerry device. On request any device can be supported.

RFID Reading / Writing
The Movilizer supports reading RFID data and writing data to RFID tags in any frequency (NFS, LF, HF or UHF), provided the mobile device has a built-in RFID reader.
Should your mobile device not have a built-in RFID reader, the Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile device Bluetooth to connect to external RFID readers. Companies like Microsensys supply low cost Bluetooth enabled RFID readers for different frequencies and in different formats. In this way any standard mobile phone or PDA can become an RFID enabled device.

GPS geo-coordinates

 GPS capturing during Order / Notification Execution
The Movilizer allows you to link any process (Notification Creation, Work Order Execution) with the background capturing of GPS coordinates. In this way you can always know who created or processed what (Movilizer User), where (Geo-coordinate) and when (Timestamp is automatically captured in background as well).For this feature a GPS or A-GPS enabled mobile device is required.

Automatic vehicle / device tracking via GPS

You can also configure the Movilizer to do automatic Vehicle / Device Tracking. In this modus, the Technician's mobile phone automatically sends GPS geo-coordinates every X minutes (time interval configurable), so that the Dispatcher is able to follow the Technicians route during the day.

Multimedia files (download / upload)

 Taking Pictures (upload)
Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to use your mobile device camera to take pictures of any type (e.g. broken equipment) and to link them to any business processes (e.g. linking pictures to the Notification or to the Work Order itself).

Downloading pictures (e.g. technical drawings)
Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to download to the mobile device any pictures related to the Notifications or Work Orders.

Recording and downloading videos and voice files
The Movilizer does not support this feature today; however it is in our roadmap for Q4 2011 (release V1.9).

Printing (download / upload)

 The Movilizer offers the option to use the mobile device Bluetooth in order to print barcode labels, maintenance / service reports, and any kind of print outs. In general, any Zebra mobile printer is supported. Other mobile printer models can be supported on request.

Capturing Digital Signature

 Since the Movilizer release V1.7, you are able to use touch screen mobile devices in order to capture digital signatures.
  3   Key Differentiators

Key Diferrentiator

Feature Description

It is simple and very low cost: so that it can even be deployed to external employees.

 The Movilizer is the lowest cost option to "movilize" SAP FI-AA in the market today. Because it is low cost and "usage based" licensing is possible, you are even able to deploy the Movilizer to external employees or final customers. With the Movilizer, you can even think about creating a new communication channel with your end customers. For example, allowing them to use their mobile phones for self service purposes, rather than having to call the service helpdesk. End customers could use the Movilizer to report new orders (sales order creation).

It runs on any simple mobile phone A mobile application for FI-AA should work offline / online and should offer flexibility in the mobile device selection. It should support various different models of ruggedized PDAs but also normal mobile phones.

The Movilizer Client is a very small piece of software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running in offline / on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.

It is deployed in seconds (device setup can be done by the end user) The Movilizer Client can be installed in less than 1 minute on any mobile device (PDA or mobile phone) it does not require any special technical skills. This will make it possible for any "super User" to be able to set up a device without any intervention from the helpdesk support.
The deployment of the Movilizer client for mobile phones is triggered by a technical SMS. Average set up time: between 30 and 60 seconds, mainly depending on the bandwidth of the wireless connection.
Technically, the deployment of the Movilizer client for devices not having GSM/GPRS/3G capabilities (e.g. PDAs, TabletPCs or Laptops) is triggered via transmission of an installable file (*.cab, *.jar etc.) to the device via any channels that allows a simple file transfer (e-mail, ftp, Bluetooth, active sync etc.). Once on the device a double click automatically installs the Movilizer without any User interaction. Average set up time: around 30 seconds or less.

It does not require any end User training The Movilizer has been designed to be used not only by internal employees but also by externals (third parties, temporary staff or even the final Customer); in these scenarios training and change management are just not feasible. The application itself needs to be self explanatory. For this reason, the Movilizer is 100% process driven, and not information driven. The Movilizer works like a wizard. This means that the process is built in a sequence of screens. All the User needs to do is to read the information on the screen, eventually to capture data if relevant and to confirm with "OK" or to go back with "BACK". The User never has to decide between more than two options "BACK" or "OK".

It takes weeks to implement and you can do it yourself Most importantly: should the standard Movilizer for SAP FI-AA template not meet 100% of your requirements, you can change or enhance it yourself. The entire mobile app is built in ABAP/4. The Movilizer does not require any client or middleware development. The mobile app business logic is 100% under your control in your SAP system. After 5 days Movilizer training, even a Junior ABAP developer can enhance any Movilizer template or even build completely new apps.

No Upfront Licenses You can use the Movilizer without purchasing any upfront licenses.

Monthly support fees (SaaS) In order to use the Movilizer all you pay is a monthly support fee for each live User (The monthly fee depends on the number of Users and scenario, but the range is normally between 15€ and 30€ per User per month). Third level support is included in the mentioned fee. First and Second level support can be purchased separately if wished (although this is typically something your IT department can do itself.
The Movilizer also offers the possibility to pay per executed transaction (rather than per User/month). This option is especially interesting if the purpose is to give your final Customer access to the Movilizer (E.g. they can create malfunction Notifications whenever an asset is not working rather than calling the service helpdesk). In this scenario the transaction based payment will probably be more competitive.

You are 100% in control of future changes and enhancements in the app. Since the entire business logic is in the backend, you are free to change the application whenever you require it. To add new fields, remove or add screens or change the flow of the mobile application you do not need any help from Movilitas. You can do it on your own with your own IT resources (all you need is ABAP/4 skills) without having to contact Movilitas any time you need changes in the mobile application.

The most flexible mobile app

The Movilizer is the most flexible mobile app for SAP FI-AA in the market today.

It is device agnostic A mobile application for FI-AA should work offline / online and should offer flexibility in the mobile device selection. It should support various different models of ruggedized PDAs but also normal mobile phones.

The Movilizer Client is a very small piece of software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running in offline / on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.

The deployment of the Movilizer Client is done via SMS or simple file transfer and is exactly as easy as downloading a ringtone (average set up time is seconds). The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you don't need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronization can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile user or based on a process step. The Movilizer leaves you full flexibility in the device choice and in the type of synchronisation mechanism. And this is mainly because the Movilizer is device agnostic and supports multiple synchronisation mechanisms: LAN, Wi-Fi, GPRS / 3G, ActiveSync etc.

Configuration instead of development (Movilizer customising in SPRO) The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA has a set of customising features in SAP ERP transaction "SPRO", which allows you to adapt the template processes to your requirements with marginal developments (if any):

Movilizer for SAP FI-AA is object oriented. We deliver a set of business processes, which you can adapt to the Technician roles within his enterprise. Each business process comprises a set of pre-delivered Business Steps. Each Business Step has its own customising.

The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA also allows you to customise screen elements purely in SAP ERP (e.g. the menu items, its sequence, the corresponding screen icons, any of the labels displayed in the screens). No development on the mobile device is required.

The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA allows you to adapt each process to the flow required for a dedicated role in the enterprise. E.g. an Inspection Technician has a different screen flow than a Maintenance Technician for planned maintenance.

It allows changing processes on the fly The Movilizer gives you the agility and flexibility to adapt to any changing requirements. You can add, delete or change any field or screen without any interruption to operations. The final Movilizer Users will not even realise it. The Movilizer combines the advantages of pure online applications (centralised software logistics, instantaneous deployment etc.) with the charm of offline applications.

You can create "mash-ups" (interfacing SAP with non-SAP) on the mobile device With the Movilizer you build your app like Lego. Our highly granular building blocks are called "Movelets" and allow you to interface any SAP Module (PM, MM etc.) and any non SAP application on the mobile device. For the mobile User, a single app. For your IT team, simple standardised Lego pieces easy to support and to further develop.

A mash up example in the screenshot above. A Microsoft Excel worksheet containing a simple survey can be embedded in the application flow of the normal execution of e.g. SAP orders. The completed survey is transferred from Movilizer back to the Microsoft Excel workbook. For the User, one single application. Technically two totally different apps: The SAP FI-AA app containing the Work Order and the Microsoft Excel app containing the simple survey.

Development only in backend (e.g. ABAP/4) Since the entire business logic is 100% in the backend, you are free to change or enhance the application whenever you require it. To add new fields, remove or add screens or change the flow of the mobile application you don´t need any help from Movilitas. You can do it on your own with your own IT resources (all you need is ABAP/4 skills) without having to contact Movilitas any time you need changes in the mobile application. This guarantees your total independency from Movilitas.

The Movilizer for SAP FI-AA
Technology & Architectural Components


1   The Movilizer SAP Connector
   (for SAP FI-AA)


The Movilizer SAP Connector uses the web service functionality of SAP. With SAP Basis Rel 7.0 SP14, the SAP web service functionality has been improved and the Movilizer SAP Connector package relies on these adjustments. The required minimum level to implement the delivered package containing the web service proxy is therefore NetWeaver 7.0 with SP 14 or later. Should your backend system not fulfill this requirement, the Movilizer SAP Connector components can be deployed in a distributed manner (one NetWeaver 7.0 system in your landscape is enough to enable the Movilizer to connect to any of your SAP older systems).


Besides this, no specific SAP ERP (DSD Modules) releases are required.



2   The Movilizer Cloud


It is a secured multitenant and hosted middleware with 99.9% guaranteed availability that can connect your SAP FI-AA system with any mobile device by sending and receiving encrypted business data in both directions. For an IT responsible, the Movilizer Cloud means that you do not need to purchase or install any additional infrastructure (no middleware). For its use in ultra sensitive areas (e.g. maintenance in nuclear plants or in military equipments) the Movilizer supports "End to End encryption" based on military standard encryption algorithms AES or RC4 (from Movilizer version 1.7 onwards). The following components are accessible via secured connection through the Internet:


  • Monitoring / Admin Portal: You only use the Monitoring/Admin-Portal via the Internet to do technical monitoring of all your mobile Users. Normally you only use this Portal by exception (for trouble shooting purposes); most of the Movilizer Customers barely use it . The access to the Portal is protected via SSL, User/password and if requested also via fixed IP addresses.

  • Web Service: You use the Web Service to connect the Movilizer to any backend system you may use. The Web Service includes APIs for: Sending and assigning data to your mobile Users / Receiving captured data from the mobile Users / Monitoring and administrating the mobile landscape (e.g. creating Users etc.). The access to the WebService is protected via SSL, User/password and if requested also via fixed IP addresses.

3   The Movilizer Client


It is very small software (some few Kilobytes) written in different native languages (depending on the target device) capable of running on nearly any mobile phone, smart phone, PDA, Tablet PC, Netbook or Notebook. Please refer to http://www.movilizer.com/Supported_Devices/ for a complete list of supported devices.


The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you don't need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step. The Movilizer uses the native User interface of your mobile phone or PDA.


The deployment of the Movilizer Client is done via SMS and is as easy as downloading a ringtone (average set up time is seconds). The Movilizer client works online—offline. This means that you do not need connectivity to be able to work with it. The synchronisation can be triggered automatically in background, explicitly by the mobile User or based on a process step.







 
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