AST the first African service provider certified as a SAP CCC

The JSE-listed AST Group has announced that it has become the first service provider in Africa to be certified as a Customer Competence Centre (CCC) by SAP Africa. The AST Group becomes the third certified CCC in South Africa.

A SAP CC is a permanent centre of expertise within an enterprise that supports the efficient implementation, enhancement and maintenance of common business processes and systems built around SAP R/3. Typical SAP CC functions include ongoing development of SAP R/3 and reactive support.

Currently, there is a real need and a significant market for supporting SAP R/3 systems. This need arises from the realisation by clients that ERP systems are a journey, rather than an event. This realisation often comes too late, when the consultants who implemented the original system are long gone. The realisation can also follow as a result of major business changes, restructuring of organisations or just a general need to make use of latest technology and functionality.

"Those clients who manage their post-implementation support process correctly are bringing significant benefits to their organisations through their ERP System," explains Hester Swart, Manager at AST ERP Solutions Service and Support Centre.

"We believe that AST complies fully with SAP`s vision for a CCC, which is to create a SAP Centre of expertise, allowing scarce resources to be pooled and shared across all elements of the business and providing operational support, ongoing implementation and development of the business solution," explains Monique Lincoln-Burbidge of SAP Africa. "We believe that in becoming a certified CCC, AST will be able to provide enhanced support and service to its clients."

"We see the support desk as an integral part of a productive IT environment," continues Swart. "We have developed a support desk environment for SAP that will assist in the processes of call logging, change control, escalation and reporting. With this functionality, the client can manage and co-ordinate new development requests."

The SAP CCC initiative provides for consolidation of expertise and standard solutions across a corporate group and optimised business process for AST`s clients. AST will co-operate actively with its clients to ensure that their SAP R/3 Systems are implemented and run as efficiently as possible by providing access to a range of consulting skills and to a stable support environment.

In addition, SAP Africa has appointed AST ERP Solutions as a SAP Application Service Provider (ASP) partner for HR and Payroll. The ASP accreditation will extend AST ERP Solutions` capabilities beyond the usual SAP market.