Knocking on Industry’s Door: Product Cost Optimization in the Early Stages Requires Better Software Support

摘要

While theoretical concepts for product-costing methodologies have evolved over decades, little emphasis has been placed on their integration in modern information systems. During a co-innovation workshop at SAP SE, we conducted initial analyses with selected large-scale enterprises from the discrete manufacturing industry. As a result, currently no software fulfills the enterprises' requirements regarding cost optimization in the early stages of a product's life cycle. Thus, the respective processes are lacking integration in corporate environments. Taking this on, our paper compiles problem identification by describing the respective process characteristics and analyzing deficits as well as elaborating on requirements for overcoming the current hurdles discussed by the workshop participants.