Goodbye Leonardo, Hello SAP Manufacturing Execution!

SAPManufacturing Execution (ME) is gaining traction and acceptance in thecommunity. Will it be able to do what Leonardo couldn’t?

Toolbox SAPLeonardo was once the umbrella term for all of SAP’s Industry 4.0 initiatives,mainly concerning the Internet of Things (IoT). A little later, Leonardo wasalso used to describe SAP’s products regarding artificial intelligence (AI),blockchain and robotic process automation (RPA).

However, most of these topics are not SAP’s core competence. The ERP company mostly bought or borrowed solutions and prototypes from other companies, most notably AI and machine learning capabilities from Nvidia. Furthermore, SAP lacked personnel and know-how as most of its developers were focused on cloud integration at the time. Consequently, Leonardo never really took off.

Move over, Leonardo, there’s a new solution in town

Out of thiscreative chaos rose Manufacturing Execution (ME), a fascinating product.Companies planning to upgrade their product control systems more and more oftenshortlist SAP ME next to Siemens and Bosch.

Connecting product control systems to ERP backoffice functions means more efficiency and agility. Topics like variant configuration, simulation and process modulation are at the core, but SAP also offers innovative solutions like digital twins, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and more with ME.

Leonardo may be dead, but SAP Manufacturing Execution (ME) is definitely worth taking a closer look at.