The Ultimate Guide To SAP Business One 9.3 Highlights and New Features

SAP Business One 9.3 builds upon all of the great features in version 9.2, with the addition of several new gems.

In this post, we are going to review the new version of SAP Business One set to take Enterprise Resource Planning to the next level of functionality.

We will provide a list of 6 SAP Business One 9.3 highlights and we are also going to take a step further and deep dive into the specific new features including modules and editions.

If you currently use SAP Business One or are planning to implement the solution for your organisation, then keep reading!

SAP Business One 9.3: What’s New?

A highly regarded SAP partner, Leverage Technologies has implemented SAP Business One solutions for a huge range of businesses and across all kinds of sectors. Recently, one of our expert consultants, Wilhelm Hollenbach, was invited to Shanghai to help SAP test the upcoming release of SAP Business One 9.3.

Here is what we have learned from testing the new version of SAP Business One in Singapore. SAP Business One 9.3 will prove to be more helpful to businesses in many more ways:

It’s simpler to administer and use

Setting up and administering your users in SAP Business One 9.3 is easier than ever before thanks to a range of new features. This includes the ability to import directly from Excel, apply additional user groups, and copy the table format settings of one user and apply them to groups – saving time when adding new users.

SAP Business One 9.3 also includes several improvements to the existing Workflow and Quick Copy features. Workflow service configuration and workflow template management can now, for instance, be performed in the web-based admin console.

It’s easier to manage multiple branches

If your business operates multiple branches or a disparate network of offices, SAP Business One 9.3 provides a great way of tying all of your information together and providing centralised insight.

With this latest version, multiple branch functionality has been enhanced for greater filtering of data and documents. This means users will only see documents and data for branches they are assigned to – reducing potential conflict between branches.

There are more tools for light manufacturers

As Australia’s manufacturing sector is currently booming – expanding at its fastest pace in 15 years according to a recent article by Business Insider – light manufacturers need to be as productive and efficient as possible, in order to drive competitive advantage.

The new SAP Business One 9.3 includes new tools that will specifically benefit light manufacturers – including a new ‘Routings’ feature in the production module. Previously, light manufacturers would have needed to invest in an add-on in order to secure this tool, which is now included as standard.

In addition, business owners and managers can now assign individual employees to particular cost centers, which adds a new level of financial insight and control.

It enhances sales and customer service

SAP Business One has always been known for its extensive and highly effective CRM capability.

However, this new version takes this even further, with a range of features – including the addition of an automated Return Material Agreement process (RMA).

Unavailable in previous versions, this feature streamlines and fast-tracks the process through which unhappy customers can return a purchased product.

Users can create a pre-step of the return document, enter the agreed quantities, prices, and return reason before the goods are actually returned.

This means you can more effectively:

• Manage and track the return process
• Create the Return Request/Goods Return request based on the original sales transaction (Delivery or AR Invoice) or purchasing transaction (Goods Receipt PO or AP Invoice)
• Specify Return reason and Return Action
• Affect the stock ordered (AR side) and committed (AP side) quantities before the goods are actually returned
• Manually create the Return Request/Goods Return Request from a Service Call

This means that as a business, you can respond faster and resolve customer service issues more rapidly and effectively.

When it comes to marketing and sales, the Campaign Management function has also been enhanced with new Authorisations to manage generating and executing campaigns.

Easier, more effective project management

One of the many reasons businesses choose SAP Business One is its sophisticated suite of project management tools.

SAP Business One 9.3 takes this even further, with several updates to existing project management features.

A new Project Overview is added to allow you to filter and view all time-dependent details of your project or subproject in one place. You are also able to view your project as a Gantt chart.

Transactions can also now be assigned to a project stage, not just to a project, which enables easier and more accurate project cost analysis.

More detailed and accurate pricing

In previous versions of SAP Business One, prices were tied to the stock unit within the overall system. With this new release, however, price list functionality has been improved in the following ways:

• You can define the price per unit for an item and choose its pricing unit.
• You can choose to use the highest, lowest price, or the price by default hierarchy as the effective price for a business partner.

You can add a valid time period for period and volume discounts and special prices for business partners.

SAP Business One 9.3 – A comprehensive list of all the new features

If you enjoyed Wilhelm’s favourite new functionalities of SAP Business One 9.3 you may want to take a step further and deep dive into the specific new addition to the various modules. Here is a list of the new features available in SAP Business One 9.3.

Administration

• Authorisation Simplification
• Import from Excel Updates
• Approval Procedure Enhancements
• Quick Copy & DTW supports Additional Objects
• My Settings Support
• Change Log Clean-up Utility
• Multi-Branch Filtering & Transaction Updates
• License Updates
• HTML based Online Help

Sales, Purchasing and Service

• Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA)
• Gross Price Redesign
• Price List Updates
• Campaign Management Updates
• Blanket Agreement Enhancements
• CRM Simplification

Production

• Simple Production Routing

Inventory

• UoM Batch Selection

Financial Management

• Internal Cost Accounting Transactions
• Centralised Payment Engine
• Chart of Accounts Alignment & Usability
• G/L Account Determination Matrix Updates
• New IFRS 15 Revenue Recognition and Transactions
• Scheduled Batch Transactions for Payments
• Electronic File Layout Templates

Project Management

• Project Management Updates

Business Intelligence

• Analytics Portal (HANA Version)
• Pervasive Analytics Designer Update (HANA Version)

Platform and Extensibility

• Web-based Workflow Management
• Company-Specific Mailer Configuration
• New DI/UI Objects Exposure & Enhancements
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2015
• X-App Supports Single Sign-on
• Optimised Login Connection
• Electronic File Manager Support On Linux (HANA Version)
• Performance Optimisation
• Improved Security

Lifecycle Management

• SAP Business One Components
• Embedded Incident Reporting
• System Landscape Directory Enhancements
• Remote Support Platform 3.2 Updates

SAP Business One 9.3 Updates to User Licenses

For more information on user licenses and general updates to the previous versions, we have compiled a list of SAP Business One license types and the corresponding inclusions for each module. Here is your SAP Business One Users License Guide.

Conclusion

With the release of SAP Business One 9.3, SAP is bringing a ton of new features and functionalities. Easier administration of users and multiple company branches, better functionalities for light manufacturers, enhanced Sales and Customer Service, and more effective Project Management, to name a few.

Leverage Technologies has extensive experience in deploying SAP Business One and has an in-depth understanding of this latest release and how it can benefit your business.

DID YOU KNOW – SAP Business One 9.3 is now in General; Availability for Australian SP Business One users looking to upgrade to the new version. Call us today on 1300 045 046 or email info@leveragetech.com.au to know more.

To find out more about SAP Business One 9.3, book a free demo today, or give us a call on 1300 045 046.