What are the ERP modules - SoftAt Private Limited

What is SAP and its modules

SAP ERP modules and SAP ERP components are the same thing (SAP changed the name in 2004—more on this below).

SAP stands for “Systems, Applications, and Products in data processing,” and it is the fourth-largest software company in the world. SAP provides end-to-end solutions for financials, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, etc. Each SAP module is integrated with other modules.

Get the full list of SAP ERP modules and learn what they are with this detailed article.

So without further a do, let’s do this!

What are SAP ERP Modules

(SAP ERP Components)?

Imagine SAP ERP modules (now SAP components) as building blocks for SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, such as:

SAP R/3 (SAP Real-Time Tier 3)
SAP ECC (SAP ERP Central Component)
SAP S/4HANA (SAP Business Suite 4 SAP HANA)

A company picks the building blocks to integrate into their SAP ERP system that it needs and leaves out the ones that aren’t needed.

Each building block provides technology to run other building blocks or functionality for a specific purpose such as:

Finance
Human Resources
Logistics

SAP ERP modules allow you to break your SAP ERP system into simpler and more manageable parts. SAP NetWeaver is both the technical foundation for the building block and a building block.

Although SAP ERP modules are now called SAP ERP components (since 2004 with the SAP R/3 upgrade to SAP ECC), for the sake of the old days and because modules sound cooler than components (don’t you think so too—leave a comment), let’s just call them SAP ERP modules.

Below SAP ERP Modules vs. SAP ERP Components, you’ll find a detailed explanation of the differences between SAP ERP modules and SAP ERP components.

First, let’s look at the difference between technical and functional SAP ERP modules:

Technical SAP ERP Modules vs. Functional SAP ERP Modules

SAP ERP modules come in two flavors:

Technical SAP ERP modules
Functional SAP ERP modules

Technical SAP ERP Modules

Technical SAP ERP modules make up the technical foundation of an SAP ERP system.

Technical SAP ERP modules are needed to integrate the functional SAP ERP modules.

Technical SAP ERP modules contain NO logic but serve as the environment for running functional SAP ERP modules.

Two technical SAP ERP modules are mandatory:

SAP NetWeaver
SAP ABAP

Functional SAP ERP Modules

Functional SAP ERP modules are building blocks that contain the processes and logic of specific business areas.

For example, three functional SAP ERP modules are:

CO (Controlling)
FI (Financial Accounting)
PM (Plant Maintenance)

SAP ERP Submodules

SAP ERP modules are further divided into SAP ERP submodules.

SAP ERP submodules provide additional functionality in the business area of their parent.

For example, the SAP ERP module SAP PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) offers the SAP ERP submodules:

Basic Data for Process Manufacturing
Classification
Document Management
Engineering Change Management
Enterprise Content Management

SAP ERP Modules vs. Software Modules

Even though SAP ERP modules are software, they are not software in a computer science sense in terms of programming.

In computer science, a software module is a functional and self-contained unit of software consisting of processing steps and data structures.

Though SAP ERP modules have processing steps and data structures. But SAP ERP modules are not functional and self-contained units. Since the functions of SAP ERP modules are intertwined or they rely on each other.

Operating an SAP ERP module always affects other SAP ERP modules. Therefore, SAP ERP modules are not self-contained and are no software modules in terms of computer science.

Maybe this is the reason because SAP changed the name from modules to components to differentiate more clearly between SAP ERP modules and software modules in a computer science way.

SAP ERP modules list

First, an overview of:

All technical SAP ERP modules
All functional SAP ERP modules

Following is the complete SAP ERP modules list including all SAP ERP modules and their submodules.

Let’s get started:

Technical SAP ERP Modules List

Here’s the complete list of all technical SAP ERP modules:

ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming)
Basis
BI (Business Intelligence)
CA (Cross-Application Components)
NW (NetWeaver)

Functional SAP ERP Modules List

Here’s a list of all functional SAP ERP modules:

CO (Controlling)
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
CS (Customer Service)
EC (Enterprise Controlling)
EPM (Enterprise Performance Management)
EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety)
FI (Financial Accounting)
HCM (Human Capital Management)
IS (Industry Solutions)
LIS (Logistics Information System)
MM (Materials Management)
PLM (Product Life Cycle Management)
PM (Plant Maintenance)
PP (Production Planning)
PS (Project Systems)
QM (Quality Management)
SCM (Supply Chain Management)
SD (Sales and Distribution)
SEM (Strategic Enterprise Management)
SRM (Supplier Relationship Management)
TR (Treasury)

Technical SAP ERP Modules and Their SAP ERP Submodules List

Here’s the full list of all of SAP ERP’s technical modules and their submodules:

ABAP

ABAP 00
ABAP Workbench
ALE
ALV reporting
ASAP methodology
Business Connector
Business Server Pages
Business Workflow
Data Dictionary
Dialog Programming
EBP
EDI
IDOCS
Internet Application Server
LSMW
Menu Painter
Mercator Report Painter
Report writer
Repository Information System
SAP Script
Screen Painter
Smart forms

Basis

ABAP Programming & Runtime Environment
ABAP Workbench
Application Link Enabling
Authorization System Monitoring with CCMS Workload Alert Monitor
Basis Services/ Communication Interfaces
Business Management
Change and Transport System
Client Server Technology
Common Program Interface Communications
Computer Aided Test Tool
Computing Center Management System
Controls & Control Framework
Customizing
Database Interface, Database Platforms
Documentation & Translation Tools
Electronic Data Interchange
Fiori
Front End Services
Gateway
HANA
Middleware
Network Integration
Object Linking & Embedding
Operating System Platform
Ready to Run R/3
Remote Function Calls
SAPUI5
Security
Upgrade General

Business Intelligence (BI)

BI Platform
BI Suite—Business Explorer
Business Objects
Data Warehousing
Design Build
Development Technologies
Info Cube
ODS Structures

Cross Application Components (CA)

Application Link Enabling
SAP Business Workflow

NetWeaver (NW)

Application Platform
Business Information Warehouse
Business Intelligence
Enterprise Portal
Exchange Infrastructure
Information Integration
Knowledge Management
Life Cycle Management
Master data Management
Mobile Engine
People Integration
Portal Content
Process Integration
Security
Solution Manager
Visual Composer
Web Application Server

Functional SAP ERP Modules and Their SAP ERP Submodules List

Here’s the list of all functional SAP ERP modules and submodules.

Controlling (CO)

Activity Based Costing
Cost Centre Accounting
Material Ledger
Overhead Cost Controlling
Product Cost Controlling
Profitability Analysis
Sales Order Costing
Split Valuation
Transfer Pricing

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Channel Management
CRM Enterprise
CRM Sales
E-Commerce
Field Applications
Industry Specific CRM
Interaction Center
Marketing
Trade Promotion Management

Customer Service (CS)

Controlling
Service Contracts
Service Processing
Workflow in Customer Service

Enterprise Controlling (EC)

Business Planning and Budgeting
Consolidation (EC-CS)
Executive Information System
Profit Center Accounting

Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)

Corporate Close
Entity Close
Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
Profitability and Cost Management
Reporting and Disclosure
Strategy Development and Translation

Environment, Health, and Safety (HCM)

Basic Data & Tools
Dangerous Goods Management
Global Label Management
Industrial Hygiene and Safety
Occupational Health
Product Safety
Waste Management

Financial Accounting (FI)

Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Asset Accounting
Bank Accounting
Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC)
Closing Cockpit
Consolidation
Credit management
Extended Ledger
Financial Supply Chain Management
Funds Management
General Ledger Accounting
Group Risk and Compliance (GRC)
Joint Venture Accounting
Lease Accounting
New General Ledger
Real Estate Management
Revenue Accounting and Reporting (RAR)
S/4 HANA Finance
Special Ledger
Taxes
Travel Management

Human Capital Managment (HCM)

Benefits Administration
Compensation Management
Incentive
Information System
Internet Scenarios
Organizational Management
Payroll
Personnel Administration
Personnel Development
Personnel Planning
Recruitment
Self-Service
SuccessFactors
Talent Management
Time Management
Training and Events Management
Travel Management
Wages
Workflow

Industry Solutions (IS)

Consumer Industries
- Agribusiness
- Consumer Products
- Fashion
- Life Sciences
- Retail
- Wholesale Distribution
Discrete Industries
- Aerospace and Defense
- Automotive
- High Tech
- Industrial Machinery and Components
Energy and Natural Resources
- Building Products
- Chemicals
- Mill Products
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Utilities
Financial Services
- Banking
- Insurance
Public Services
- Defense and Security
- Federal and National Government
- Future Cities
- Healthcare
- Higher Education and Research
- Regional, State, and Local Government
Service Industries
- Cargo Transportation and Logistics
- Engineering, Construction, and Operations
- Media
- Passenger Travel and Leisure
- Professional Services
- Sports and Entertainment
- Telecommunications

Investment Managment (IM)

Appropriation Requests
Automatic Settlement of Fixed Assets
Corporation Wide Budgeting
Depreciation Forecast
Information System
Investment Measures
Investment Programs

Logistics Information System (LIS)

Inventory Controlling
Plant Maintenance Information System
Production Planning and Control Information System
Project Information System
Purchasing Information System
Retail Information System
Sales Information System

Materials Management (MM)

Extended Warehouse Management
External Services Management
Inventory/Valuations
Inventory Management
Invoice Verification
Logistics (General)
Logistics Information System
Materials Planning
Purchasing
QM in MM
Warehouse Management
Workflow

Plant Maintenance (PM)

Customizing
Equipment and Technical Objects
Information System
Internet Scenarios
Maintenance Order Management
Maintenance Planning
Maintenance Projects
PM Processing
Preventative Maintenance
Service Management
Structuring Technical Systems
Work Clearance Management

Product Life Cycle Management (PLM)

Basic Data for Process Manufacturing
Classification
Document Management
Engineering Change Management
Enterprise Content Management

Production Planning (PP)

Assembly Orders
Capacity requirements
Information System
KANBAN
Make to Order
Master Planning
Plant Data Collection
PP – Processes
PP for Process Industries
Product Cost Planning
Production Orders
Repetitive Manufacturing
Sales and Operations Planning

Project Systems (PS)

Approval
Basic Data
Information System
Operational Structures
Project Execution and Integration
Project Planning
Results Analysis
Work Breakdown Structure

Quality Management (QM)

Certificates
Control
Inspections
Notifications
Planning
QM-IS
Test Equipment Management

Sales and Distribution (SD)

Billing
Credit Control
Electronic Data Interchange
Foreign Trade
Internet
Master Data
QM in SD
Sales
Sales Information System
Sales Support
Shipping
Special Business Transactions
Transportation

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Advance Planning and Optimization
Event Management
Forecasting and Replenishment
Inventory Collaboration Hub
Product Development and Life Cycle Management
SCM Basis
SCM Process and Business Scenarios

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

Catalogue Content Management
Plan Driven Procurement
Self Service Procurement
Service Procurement
Spend Analysis
Strategic Sourcing

Treasury (TR)

Cash Management
Electronic banking
Funds Management
Information System
Loans Management
Market Risk Management
Treasury Management

There you go!

Some SAP ERP Modules Explained

Here are a few SAP ERP modules explained:

SAP FICO (SAP Finance and SAP Controlling)

SAP FICO helps an organization manage its financial data. SAP FICO enables organizations to keep an up-to-date version of their financials. SAP FICO in particular is designed to help companies create and maintain financial statements for analysis and reporting, as well as to assist with effective business planning and decision-making.

SAP FICO is comprised of two parts:

SAP FI (Finance): handles overall financial reporting and accounting
SAP CO (Controlling): focuses on cost planning and monitoringSAP FI and SAP CO used to be two separate modules, but now they’re so tightly integrated that they’re just talked about as one module.

SAP HCM (SAP Human Capital Management)

SAP HCM is used for recruiting, managing and developing employees.

HCM focuses on human resources as assets that need to be invested in and managed so they’re maximizing their business value. HCM is more than HR’s administrative functions and includes such strategic roles as talent management and employee engagement.

HCM also refers to the software that’s used to automate processes like development, management, and recruitment.

SAP MM (SAP Materials Management)

SAP MM allows companies to manage materials, inventory, and warehouses. SAP MM’s primary goal is to ensure the organization’s supply chain is always stable by ensuring material is kept in proper quantities and without shortfalls or gaps.

SAP MM also makes it possible for supply chain professionals and other SAP users to complete their purchases more quickly, and in a cheaper and more efficient manner, and to keep up with changes in these processes.

SAP MM is a part of logistics, and it helps manufacturers with their supply chains.

SAP PM (SAP Production Maintenance)

SAP PM helps companies maintain and support their equipment and systems.

SAP PM has three components to help with maintenance:

Inspections: determines the actual condition of the system or equipment.
Preventive maintenance: helps ensure optimal conditions for systems or equipment.
Repair: supports the restoring of systems or equipment.

SAP PM lets you handle your maintenance requests and take care of some of the repairs automatically. You can use it to log problems, keep track of labor and expenses, and record and settle your costs.

SAP PM automatically triggers processes in the other modules when needed. For instance, a repair activity may trigger a purchase order for a material in MM or purchasing.

SAP PP (SAP Production Planning and Control)

SAP PP helps businesses plan the manufacturing, sale and distribution of goods. As part of logistics, SAP PP plays an important part in a manufacturer’s supply chains.

SAP PP includes:

Bill of material
Capacity planning
Material requirements planning
Routings

What makes SAP PP tick is master data that is manipulated and stored in centralized master data tables.

Data in the master table is used to create transactional data, for example:

Creating a purchase order in MM
Creating a production order in PP
Creating a sales order in SD

Example: The SAP PP production order will use master data from SAP MM to determine the raw materials needed, which will then be used to create the SAP SD sales order.

SAP PS (SAP Project System)

SAP PS is a project management tool that lets users direct funds and resources where they’re needed, and control each stage of a project to make sure it’s timely and doesn’t break the budget.

SAP PS enables project managers to set start and end dates of their projects and break them down into discrete elements and structures.

With a work breakdown structure, projects are broken down into individual tasks and linked together hierarchically, and then by processes. As a result, work packages are created, which includes activities and their details, like dates of start and ends. Additionally, the network function lets you set up relationships between different activities.