In the industrial sector, where processes are deeply interconnected and business continuity is critical, effective management of ERP systems like SAP is a strategic necessity. A rigorous approach to roles and authorizations is essential to secure your data, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize operational performance.

At ArtimIS, we support industrial companies in improving and securing their SAP environments. This guide presents the key steps to strengthen your access control while boosting your efficiency.

Understanding Roles: The Cornerstone of Access Management

A role defines the access rights of a user or a group based on their responsibilities. It’s the foundation of a well-organized SAP system.

  • Standard role: Preconfigured to meet general access needs.

  • Custom role: Tailored to your company’s specific operational and compliance requirements.

➡️ Concrete example: In a factory, a maintenance technician can manage equipment, while a financial controller accesses accounting data. Each role is designed to meet specific needs, avoiding unnecessary access.

Challenges in Authorization Management

Poorly managed authorizations can lead to serious risks:

  • Exposure of sensitive data: Unauthorized or excessive access puts critical information at risk.

  • Regulatory non-compliance: Violations of standards like GDPR or SOX can result in financial and legal consequences.

  • Increased complexity: Large and complex SAP environments make it easy for human error to multiply.

➡️ Practical case: ArtimIS helped a manufacturing company streamline its authorization model. The result: a significant reduction in vulnerabilities and a more secure SAP environment.

Best Practices for Effective SAP Role and Authorization Management

A methodical approach is essential to optimize your SAP roles and authorizations. Here are the key best practices to implement:

  • Business needs analysis: Map responsibilities and required access for each role.

  • Segregation of Duties (SoD): Avoid concentrating too much power in a single role to reduce the risk of errors or fraud.

  • Regular audits: Identify and fix anomalies in your access configurations.

  • Ongoing training: Educate your teams about the importance of secure and compliant access management.

➡️ Pro tip: A proactive approach to access management makes audits easier and strengthens system security.

ArtimIS: Your Trusted SAP Partner for Industry

We know that each industry has its own operational constraints. That’s why ArtimIS offers tailored solutions:

  • Industry-specific expertise: In-depth understanding of industrial business needs.

  • Customized solutions: Aligned with your operational and strategic challenges.

  • Strong partnerships: We collaborate with key players like oXya and Saviynt to deliver secure, high-performing SAP environments.

➡️ Did you know? Optimized authorization management can reduce operational costs by an average of 15%, while also minimizing risk.

Take action now! Don’t leave your SAP systems to chance — put the right controls in place today to ensure their security and performance.