Specialist SAP Division at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Has user-friendly dashboards but it is very difficult to do custom development
Pros and Cons
  • "The integration between the different models like personnel administration, work management, payroll, and time management are the most valuable and key features."
  • "On the personnel administration side, it's very difficult to do custom development."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case of SAP HCM is for administration benefits and talent management.

What is most valuable?

The integration between the different models like personnel administration, work management, payroll, and time management are the most valuable and key features. It's also very important to make sure that the data is correct as well, to make sure that you get the best out of the solution. 

The interface is simple to use. It is quite easy. The dashboards are also user-friendly. 

What needs improvement?

The management side needs improvement. To me, I think people have underestimated this solution because we know what consists of all the objects in regards to the organizational structures, positions, departments, training, there could be better improvement on that. 

On the personnel administration side, it's very difficult to do custom development. You're always dependent on your editors to do that. And now again, I'm comparing it to SuccessFactors because on SuccessFactors it's very easy to do. Any additional fields or stuff you want, they have the ability to apply all those changes. I would say that's where this solution really falls short. It makes the maintenance and the support of the system very complicated as well. There needs to be more support for the HCM solution. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution since 1996, so 23 years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The current on-prem solution is not that stable anymore because there is so much more work that the cloud offering has and you cannot do that with an on-prem solution. Very soon everybody is going to have to move to the cloud. 

I believe that the on-prem solution is going to have to phase out. SAP is focusing now on the cloud solution. And that's the reason why I feel obscure on Employee Central.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support needs improvement. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complex. It will mostly depend on your consultant. I wouldn't say it's that difficult. I probably also would give it a six out of a 10. It's not as easy as SuccessFactors. 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate it a seven out of ten. 

The biggest lesson I have learned from using this solution is that integration is so important. You must understand integration, even within HCM between the different module.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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it_user516576 - PeerSpot reviewer
Director, Global Operations at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
The service support needs improvement due to slow responsiveness. Solution provides a breadth of services.

What is most valuable?

  • Breadth of services
  • Ties to enterprise Finance and Supply Chain

How has it helped my organization?

Ensures a single source of data for downstream systems use.

What needs improvement?

Service support.

For how long have I used the solution?

15 years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is used globally for more than 80 countries.

How are customer service and technical support?

Responses for enhancements can be slow.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

PeopleSoft. We switched due to a move to global single instance across HR, Finance, Supply Chain and Project Management.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was complex due to the ties across the enterprise and a global implementation.

What other advice do I have?

Be careful to not overly customize, because this drives a high cost of ownership to maintain.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Buyer's Guide
SAP HCM
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about SAP HCM. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
772,679 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user522975 - PeerSpot reviewer
SAP Project Manager at a construction company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Vendor
The SAP JAM and Apps have made it social media- and mobile-friendly.

What is most valuable?

Integration with FI and MM are the best features. The localization packages and, of late, the Rapid Deployment Solutions have proved to be immensely time saving and thus have made SAP implementations monetarily viable for the SME sector. The cloud-based package extension for SAP HCM, which is named SucessFactors, has added a new dimension to the ERP functions. Features such as SAP JAM and Apps have made SAP ERP HCM social media- and mobile-friendly.

How has it helped my organization?

In the process of implementing SAP HCM, the ASAP roadmaps guide the client to streamline the various processes associated with HR. As a result, every area within the scope of HR comes under the scanner. Hence, from the hierarchical framework to grouping employees as per shifts or paydays and pay frequencies, everything gets streamlined.

What needs improvement?

Processing large volumes of data during processes such as payroll is time consuming, which could be an area to work on.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with the SAP HCM module for over nine years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have not encountered any stability issues so far.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have not encountered any scalability issues so far.

How are customer service and technical support?

The support that we have been getting has been great.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I did not previously use a different solution; I have always been associated with SAP.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I work on a contract basis as an SAP Consultant, and clients contact me only after SAP has been chosen.

What other advice do I have?

Select the solutions carefully. SAP has a lot to offer, but which solutions are required for your company and what is financial viable for your company can be a tricky decision to make. So, first have insight into what every solution and module has to offer. Finally, every step of ASAP should be followed religiously. I have seen companies losing their focus while implementing, just because the TO BE Document should have been more comprehensive.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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it_user765252 - PeerSpot reviewer
SAP HCM/SuccessFactors Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
The initial setup is straightforward with out-of-the-box integration between different modules

What is most valuable?

  • OOB integration between different modules. 
  • SAP Payroll module is one of the best in the market and is integrated with benefits, time, etc.

What needs improvement?

Integration is challenging and companies are struggling when it comes to integration between HCM and other systems.

For how long have I used the solution?

  • SAP HCM: More than 10 years.
  • SAP HCM Integration with SharePoint: More than 10 years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Previously, SAP HCM On-Premise was more scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

SAP does its technical support very well.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Not a different solution, but previously HCM was all decentralized and in some countries, manual. The goal was to bring all the countries/employees into one system.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Workday was evaluated with SuccessFactors. 

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend to put more thoughts and efforts into integration and make intelligent decisions.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Owner & Founder at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Provides talent, recruitment, and learning features, but needs a single integration point and modern architecture
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the talent, recruitment, and learning features the most."
  • "I would like it to move more towards a single data space, a single data source. SAP as a platform relies on multiple data sources because traditionally, it's been bolted together by the acquisition of other products rather than a single database. That's why there are lots of points of failure and lots of required points of integration. They need a single integration point."

What is most valuable?

I like the talent, recruitment, and learning features the most.

What needs improvement?

I would like it to move more towards a single data space or a single data source. SAP as a platform relies on multiple data sources because traditionally, it has been bolted together by the acquisition of other products rather than a single database. That's why there are a lot of points of failure and a lot of required points of integration. They need a single integration point.

For how long have I used the solution?

We are using SAP SuccessFactors. I know of and have been exposed to SAP for about 10 years.

I work with companies to determine whether SAP needs to be replaced or not. I do transformation programs. These transformation programs determine whether the existing system is SAP, whether it's fit for the purpose, and whether it should be changed to something like Workday because of the features Workday has. I don't physically use the product.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I wouldn't say so. We, as a company, experience regular problems with it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not personally dealt with them.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

SAP is extremely expensive. The integration costs and customization costs are also a lot.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend a more modern version of it. My experience of SAP is with earlier versions. SAP is an aging system, so it doesn't stack up against tools like Workday.

I would rate SAP HCM a seven out of ten, but it really depends on the use cases. It depends on why and for what a company is implementing SAP. There are many elements of SAP.

I don't think it would ever get to a ten in my view because there are other products that are better than this and work in a much easier, simpler fashion. As a product, SAP is very complicated and complex to use. The only thing to do is to move towards a more modern architecture for SAP. I don't think that's ever going to happen, so I wouldn't ever give it a 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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it_user531717 - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Leader at a tech company with 10,001+ employees
Vendor
It supports different functional areas in the company. Employee salary management could be improved and it's difficult to set up.

What is most valuable?

The product is flexible and has periodic updates. It is supports several different functional areas in the company, such as financial, controlling, logistics, and human resources.

How has it helped my organization?

In my work, it enables me to work remotely because I can connect to our customer’s site using a VPN.

What needs improvement?

The payroll area for managing employee salaries has room for improvement;

Payroll area for managing employee salary, regarding SAP HCM system, is an area with complex issues because Italian tax and labor legislation and regulations are often changed; so several implementations of this module need custom integration from a consultant.

It would be better if SAP HCM could manage several topics, like absence protected like sickness, maternity.

In the last years, several implementations/developments on the SAP HCM system were done concerning several topics, but above all, integration with other module sof SAP HCM, like Time Management, for example.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with SAP Human Capital Management since I started my work in 1998, so for about 18 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I did have some issues with stability, especially at the beginning. I had several issues regarding the Time Management and Payroll modules.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I did not have any problems with scalability.

How is customer service and technical support?

The level of technical support was good. They were always quick to solve problems with a high level of impact on our customers.

How was the initial setup?

In the beginning, it was very difficult to set up because we lacked the support and experience to implement the product. After that, we arranged for support to work out a more correct and easier process.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It is very expensive for a small company. Only large companies can afford it.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have never used a different solution. I have always worked with SAP Human Capital Management.

What other advice do I have?

I suggest working with a partner company who is already using SAP Human Capital Management to help you implement it at your own company.

In Italy, the implementation is difficult because the Italian tax and labor legislation and regulations are often changed; so several implementations of this module are required. This can be changes in absence quotas and protections for sickness, maternity leave, and so on. This really requires custom integration with the help of a consultant.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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SAP HCM/FICO Team lead at a transportation company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
An all-round good solution for HR related processes that's stable and offers good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "All of the core processes are very valuable aspects of the solution. These include personnel, administration, organizational structure, and payroll."
  • "The organizational structure visualization could be improved in future releases. The solution has a very poor interface."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is primarily used for managing all the HR related processes including personnel, administration, employees, master data, organizational structure, and payroll.

What is most valuable?

All of the core processes are very valuable aspects of the solution. These include personnel, administration, organizational structure, and payroll.

What needs improvement?

The organizational structure visualization could be improved in future releases. The solution has a very poor interface.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for about nine years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is very stable. I've never faced any issues in unpredictability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution is similar to other SAP products. It's okay. You can expand a license to include more customers, even if you've started with only a few users. 

How are customer service and technical support?

The solution is stable, so I didn't need to reach out to technical support very often. When I did, they were helpful.

In the normal process, you need to open a ticket with SAP and view a response or search on the marketplace for any SAP notes for fixing certain problems. That's normal process for all SAP modules; it's not HCM specific.

How was the initial setup?

I typically come into the picture after the solution has been implemented, so I can't speak to how straightforward or complex the setup is. How long deployment takes depends on customer requirements. For us, I believe it took about two months. I believe you'd need a team of three for the initial deployment of the solution and two people to handle the maintenance if you are a medium-sized company.

What other advice do I have?

I used to be an HCM consultant.

In terms of advice I would give to others considering the product, I'd say that implementation needs dedication from the customers. They need to share their requirements from the beginning. Key requirements shared at the beginning will ensure a smooth implementation. 

I would rate the solution eight out of ten. With better visualization and a better interface, I would rate the solution higher.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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PeerSpot user
Sr. SAP HCM Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Consultant
Top 20
It can provide payroll calculation for more than 50 countries.

What is most valuable?

It provides payroll solutions across the world; there is no other solution that can provide payroll calculation for more 50 countries.

How has it helped my organization?

There has been a significant productivity increase in HR due to reduction of manual work and data consistency improvement.

What needs improvement?

Talent management: SAP has acquired SuccessFactors and does not invest in the SAP HCM Talent Management module any more.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used it for 15 years.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Yes, finding good consultants.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have not encountered any stability issues.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

Medium.

Technical Support:

I rate the level of technical support as high.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used a different solution; we switched due to potential Y2K risks.

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup was complex due to system requirements.

What about the implementation team?

Both.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

  • More transparency

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing this product, I evaluated PeopleSoft.

What other advice do I have?

Find good consultants.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: My current employer is an SAP Partner.
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