The completion of one of the world's largest SAP implementations for Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil and gas company has been announced.

The implementation for Saudi Aramco has replaced about 75 per cent of the company's systems infrastructure (more than 170 systems) with a single, integrated SAP R/3 system that serves 23,000 people across all the company's main functions in 200 major locations, worldwide.
All the major challenges associated with completing such a business critical implementation without disrupting the company's operations, such as the need for a simultaneous go-live of more than 40 plants, were successfully overcome.
The project was first conceived in 1997, when Saudi Aramco gave the go-ahead to implement SAP R/3.
The implementation was then completed in three main stages.
The first area to go live on the new system was Saudi Aramco's human resources function, including all personnel administration, which was completed in November 1999.
The second stage covered Saudi Aramco's product and sales function for hydrocarbon management, and was completed in November 2001.
The third stage covers the remaining core functions of Saudi Aramco: finance and accounting, materials supply, plant maintenance, contracting and procurement, warehousing, projects and capital planning, and knowledge management.
All key modules were implemented, including business warehouse, which provides Saudi Aramco with critical reporting and business intelligence.
Saudi Aramco is engaged through third party integrators and service providers in maintaining the system and strategically evaluating the implementation of the mySAP.com suite of products and other strategic projects throughout the organisation.
In addition to the implementation of all core SAP modules, Saudi Aramco is enabled for e-procurement, e-banking and e-cataloging services, enabling the oil company to progress towards an e-business infrastructure.
Some of the major challenges included: integrating the data that was housed in 170 different systems; the number of on-line interfaces required; and previously mentioned simultaneous go-live of over 40 plants.
When asked if SAP R/3 has met expectations so far, the answer is resoundingly positive: ''Everyone we have asked has said yes,'' said Ahmed M Al Zayyat, general manager of the SAP computer centre, ''which is surprising since there was resistance in the beginning to an integrated system in which information had to be shared. SAP has forced us to share business knowledge and to cooperate, and has helped switch our mindset from an organisational to a corporate outlook.''
The Big Bang was pronounced a milestone in the history of Saudi Aramco by Abdallah S. Jum'ah, president and CEO, after 98 per cent of this immense SAP project was completed by go-live, some of it a full year ahead of schedule.
Saudi Aramco has achieved the implementation of SAP R/3 covering the world's largest onshore and offshore oilfields, including five refineries; five natural gas liquids (NGL) plants; more than 30 gas oil separation plants; 31 bulk plants; three  marine terminals; 11 airports; pipelines; a fleet of crude oil carriers; service stations, schools, camps, etc
The result provides more accurate and timely information to support business processes and a more timely response to changing business requirements and technology.
''The Saudi Aramco SAP project has been unique. We have presented the greatest implementation challenge,'' said Dr. Ibrahim S. Mishari, vice president of Information Technology according to sources.
SAP is one of the world's leading providers of e-business software solutions. Through the mySAP.com e-business platform, people in businesses around the globe are improving relationships with customers and partners, streamlining operations, and achieving significant efficiencies throughout their supply chains.
Today, more than 17,000 companies in more than 120 countries run more than 44,500 installations of SAP software. With subsidiaries in more than 50 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol 'SAP'.