SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems complete standard tasks which occur in a typical company. Therefore, the constructed modularly of SAP modules for SAP’s ERP systems meets the organizational structure of a typical company.
SAP Modules Vs. SAP Components
SAP modules are also called SAP components. Because SAP renamed the term SAP modules: Those software buildings blocks were called modules at the time of SAP’s R/3. And those building blocks are called components since the time of SAP’s ECC.
Due to the name change are submodules now subcomponents. But from the point of functionality, everything stays the same. It is just the naming.
SAP Modules / Components Vs. Computer Science Modules
However, SAP modules or components are not modules in a computer science way. In computer science, a module is a functional and self-contained unit of software which consists of processing steps and data structures.
Though SAP components do consist of processing steps and data structures. But SAP components are not functional and self-contained units. Because the functions of the SAP components are intertwined or they rely on each other.
Maybe SAP changed the name from modules to components to differentiate more clearly between SAP modules and computer science modules.
Putting SAP components into operation always has effects on other components. Therefore, SAP components are not self-contained and are no modules in a computer science way.
SAP Modules / Components Overview
SAP categorizes its R/3 modules and ECC components into three business areas:
- Human Capital Management
Each component has a unique abbreviation – for example, CO for Controlling. Each component contains subcomponents. And each component has a unique abbreviation as well – for example, CO-OM for Overhead Cost Management.
Plus, there are SAP components, which are Industry solutions. Those Industry Solutions enhance multiple other components across different business areas. Same goes for the Workflow.