Process audits

Optimising the process

Absoft’s SAP Process Audit service is designed to help upstream oil and gas companies to optimise the business processes underlying the functional areas of their SAP systems, or to analyse interactions and issues across SAP software modules.

Stage 1: Getting the facts

In the first stage of a SAP process audit we gather the facts and store them in a Date Retrieval Engine (essentially a SAP database). We enter every date on the documentation flow for each transaction.

Using specialist SAP software we build an accurate Date Retrieval Engine and use it to identify management issues, relate them to underlying causes, and provide a sound analytical basis for action.

Stage 2: Review

During the review stage of the SAP process audit we analyse the Date Retrieval Engine statistics in the light of:

  • input from your  SAP support team
  • input from key business units
  • the results of previous audits
  • relevant best practice information
  • practices in other upstream oil and gas companies


Our methodology involves focusing on potential pain points and opportunities in each business process. For example, in a Supply Chain Process Audit we focus on:

  • maintenance / supply chain integration
  • RLM – use of Hold functionality
  • MRP (Materials Requirements Planning)
  • inbound quality inspection
  • supplier expediting/dunning
  • supplier performance monitoring/feedback
  • material tracking
  • repairs process
  • interfaces between SAP software and any other relevant systems

Stage 3: SAP Process Audit Report

For each process area we present:

  • issues and pain points
  • opportunities and solutions available to you
  • key solutions
  • recommendations
  • next steps


We also provide a graphical ‘cost vs value’ analysis for each process area, and an Executive Summary of our findings and recommendations.

Process Audit Benefits

Commissioning a SAP Process Audit from Absoft will give you:

  • a detailed understanding of supply chain processes and their performance
  • a short-term action plan for addressing pain points and process weaknesses
  • a solid basis for strategic decisions
  • detailed evidence to back up proposals for change