Understanding SAP Modules: SAP FI, SAP CO, SAP SD, SAP HCM, and more (2024)

Systems Analysis and Program Development (SAP) provides various modules designed specifically for the needs of their clients. SAP Modules are designed to focus on different processes including sales and services, sales and distribution, financial management, business intelligence, human resources, and more. SAP provides ERP (Enterprise Resource and Planning) Solutions and Services. It is a market leader in providing ERP solutions.

In this article, we will try to understand various SAP Modules and where it is used. Before getting into details of the various modules offered by SAP, let us get a basic understanding of SAP and ERP.

What is ERP?

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) was first introduced digitally by SAP. It is a platform designed for various organizations of different industrial sectors, irrespective of their size and strength.

An ERP system typically performs the following functions

  • Modular business process
  • Capital planning, expenditure, and execution

SAP Modules(ERP Packages)

SAP develops and implements various modules according to the budget of the clients and requirements to help them meet their business needs and to function efficiently. SAP Modules are business management software used to collect, store, manage, and interpret data from many functional areas including:

SAP solutions include several functional modules:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Human Resource
  • Customer Relationship
  • Sales and Distribution

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SAP Financial Accounting (FI)

SAP FI (financial accounting) module is the module designed for tracking the flow of finances in an organization in a controlled manner and integrating all the financial infor mation for effective and strategic decision-making. this module is very flexible and functions well in any type of economic situation, smaller or larger.

Implementation of this module helps in combining data for diverse business transactions and legal requirements. SAP FI can be incorporated with other SAP modules such as SAP SD, SAP MM, SAP PP, Payroll, and more for better work results.

Activities Involved in SAP FI

  • Defining Organizational Structure like Company Codes, Business Areas, Functional Areas, Credit Control, Assignment of Credit Controls.
  • Maintenance of Financial Accounting Global Settings like Fiscal Year, Posting Periods,
  • Number ranges for documents

SAP TR Module

SAP TR or Treasury Module is an add-on module along with the HCM and FI module and is used to manage the cash flow of the organization.

SAP IM (Investment Management) Module helps the organization in making and keep tracks of their investment at one place along with SAP RE(Real Estate) modules

SAP Controlling (CO)

SAP CO (Controlling) module supports and helps in planning, coordinating, reporting, monitoring, and optimizing the processes in an organization. It controls the business flow in an organization. SAP CO modules incorporate managing and configuring master data that covers the cost, centers, profit internal orders, functional areas, etc. SAP CO also helps in the analysis of the real figures along with planned data and aids in business strategies.

Two kinds of elements are managed in CO:

  • Cost elements
  • Revenue elements

Activities Involved in SAP CO

  • Planning and management of the costs and revenues that occur in an organization
  • Cost Center Accounting
  • Analysis of Cross-departmental business procedure
  • Internal Orders
  • Calculation and monitoring of the manufacturing cost of the product and services

SAP EC Module

The Enterprise Controlling module by SAP integrates along with the SAP CO and helps in the smoother flow of the process in the CO module.

SAP Human Resource (HR)

The most important objective of the SAP HR module is to administer employee-related data for administrative, time-recording, and payroll purposes. SAP HR is commonly known as SAP HCM (Human Capital Management) module. This SAP Module improves the work process and data management within the HR department of the organization.

SAP HCM Module comprises major areas of functionality known as sub-modules. The HR system has foolproof integration points. The transmission of data and information is done. with all the other SAP modules. This is done without any human intervention. Besides, there is very tight integration amongst the HR sub-modules.

Right from recruitment of a person to evaluate their performance, managing promotions, compensations, handling payroll, and other related activities of an HR are processed using this module.

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Activities Involved in SAP HCM

  • Business trip management
  • Recruitment
  • Personal development
  • Organizational Management
  • Time Management
  • Workforce Planning

SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

SRM Module deals with the effective and efficient flow of products and services between an organization and its suppliers. The main process covered through this module is the procurement of products like direct materials, indirect materials, and services. This module effectively integrates with planning, accounting, and inventory systems.

Activities involve in SAP SRM:

  • Creation and management of master data for Suppliers
  • Management and procurement of the supplies
  • Cost Planning
  • Analysis for End to End procurement

SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

SAP CRM deals with end-to-end customer-related processes. CRM Module is designed to consolidate the data related to all the customers associated with an organization in one place.

SAP CRM helps an organization

  • Capturing and managing customer’ relationship
  • Improve sales, services, and build marketing strategies according to market demand.
  • Customer data analysis to help the business know more about its consumer.

Apart from the above-mentioned modules, SAP offers many other modules for business purposes and as an add-on to the other module. Some of them along with brief details are mentioned below:

SAP Material Management (MM)

  • SAP Material Management modules deal with the management of materials via other modules like logistics, supply chain management, sales and delivery, warehouse management.
  • Multiple procurement processes are managed with this SAP Material Management System.

SAP Production Planning (PP)

  • SAP PP module comprises specifically designed software. The primary purpose of the software is production planning and management.
  • SAP PP module collaborates with master data, sales, and operations planning, distribution resource planning, material requirements planning, and product cost planning while working towards production management in enterprises.

Additional Read: Importance of SAP Certification Training in 2022

SAP Logistic Execution (LE)

SAP LE Module is divided into two sub-modules: shipment of goods (purchase to procurement process) and warehouse management (storage of goods).

These two modules are often merged along with SAP SD, SAP MM, and SAP PP modules.

SAP Quality Management (QM)

SAP QM module helps in the management of quality in productions across processes in an organization.

This quality management module helps an organization to improve their business while maintaining the quality of service by adopting a structured and functional way of managing quality in different processes.

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Understanding SAP Modules: SAP FI, SAP CO, SAP SD, SAP HCM, and more (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between SAP HCM and SAP FICO? ›

It is used to handle employee-related information. Users:SAP FICO: SAP FICO is primarily used by finance and accounting professionals, including financial analysts, accountants, and finance managers. SAP HCM: SAP HCM is used by HR professionals, managers, and executives responsible for personnel and HR-related tasks.

What is the difference between SAP FI and SAP CO? ›

SAP FICO consists of two sections, SAP Finance (FI) and SAP Controlling (CO). Each of which is used for a specific financial process. SAP FI deals with overall financial reporting and accounting, while SAP CO focuses more narrowly on planning and monitoring costs.

What are the different modules of SAP? ›

Functional SAP ERP Modules:
  • Human Capital Management (SAP HCM)
  • Production Planning (SAP PP)
  • Material Management (SAP MM)
  • Financial Supply Chain Management (SAP FSCM)
  • Sales and Distribution (SAP SD)
  • Project System (SAP PS)
  • Financial Accounting and Controlling (SAP FICO)
  • Plant Maintenance (SAP PM)

What is the difference between SAP SD and FICO? ›

For example, there might be relationships between SD and FICO when it comes to revenue recognition and financial impact when dealing with sales. To sum up, SAP FICO is mostly concerned with financial concerns, while SD oversees sales processes and MM handles materials and inventory.

Is SAP HCM difficult to learn? ›

How difficult is SAP HCM certification? It is not tough if you follow a precise learning path and become easy to ace the SAP HCM certification. Before starting the preparation, focus on the Exam Objectives, check for good preparation resources.

Is SAP HCM technical or functional? ›

Here are some of the key SAP functional modules: Human Capital Management (SAP HCM): SAP HR, now known as SAP HCM (Human Capital Management), helps manage employee data, payroll, and workforce planning. It ensures that HR processes are automated and compliant with regulations.

Which SAP modules are in high demand? ›

However, some of the most commonly used and in-demand SAP modules are:
  • SAP Financial Accounting (FI)
  • SAP Sales and Distribution (SD)
  • SAP Materials Management (MM)
  • SAP Production Planning (PP)
  • SAP Human Capital Management (HCM)
  • SAP Supply Chain Management (SCM)
  • SAP Business Intelligence (BI)
Feb 20, 2023

What is SAP FI module? ›

The SAP FI module is responsible for tracking and reporting on financial data across an organization. It contains nearly every financial business process a company may have. Because it is so versatile, the SAP FI module is one of the most widely implemented by companies using SAP.

Does SAP FI require coding? ›

Most SAP FICO tasks involve configuring the system to meet the company's specific needs, which usually doesn't require extensive coding skills.

What are the modules in SAP SD? ›

Submodules of the SAP Sales and Distribution module include credit management, invoicing, delivery, billing, and customer database. These sub-modules help automate tasks, such as packing, order processing, shipping, and delivery of products.

What is the easiest SAP module to learn? ›

Best Sap Module to learn is ABAP as you are a java developer you are having good knowledge of Coding, it is easy to learn . If you are not interested in Coding Part you can Prefer either BO/HANA. Here need to have SQL Knowledge . Many online books are available For abap related info.

What is SAP HCM module? ›

SAP HCM (SAP Human Capital Management) is a human resources management system. As the successor to SAP HR, it contains all functions that are relevant for personnel administration, payroll, applicant management, and personnel development.

Is SAP SD difficult to learn? ›

SAP is an in-demand job these days. Whether SAP is easy to learn depends on your determination, motivation and efforts. As a fresher, it is natural that you will be looking to land the best job with minimalist efforts. However, as the saying goes, nothing good in life comes easy, and SAP is no different.

What is fi and co in SAP? ›

That tells us while there are many veterans of SAP ERP Financials implementations, many others are new to the concepts. The short answer to that question is that FI refers to financial accounting, and CO to controlling, or managerial accounting.

What is SAP SD full for? ›

SAP SD (Sales and Distribution) is one of the most vital modules in SAP ERP. This module deals with the selling and distribution of goods and services.

What is the difference between SAP HCM and SF? ›

SAP HCM: Organizations using SAP HCM are in charge of managing updates, patches, and maintenance tasks, which can be time and resource-consuming. SAP SuccessFactors: SAP oversees SAP SuccessFactors' upkeep, upgrades, and updates as a cloud-based system.

Is SAP SuccessFactors a HCM? ›

Now, SAP HR has evolved into SAP SuccessFactors HCM – a cloud-based suite of HR solutions that put employees first.

Is SAP HR and SAP HCM same? ›

HR and HCM are two separate names of two separate versions of the same module. So generally, The SAP HR module was named as HCM after variant 5.0 was delivered.

What does SAP HCM mean? ›

SAP HCM (SAP Human Capital Management) is a human resources management system. As the successor to SAP HR, it contains all functions that are relevant for personnel administration, payroll, applicant management, and personnel development.

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