July 29, 2024

Operating in a dynamic region like Latin America (LATAM) presents a unique set of challenges for multinational corporations.  

Staying compliant with ever-changing legal and tax regulations can be daunting, often requiring constant adjustments to your SAP systems. This not only diverts resources from core business activities but also disrupts your overall SAP roadmap.  

This is where Origen’s innovative SAP AMS Safe Harbor program comes into play. It’s a comprehensive support offering designed specifically for companies running SAP in Brazil and LATAM. 

A Game-Changer for LATAM Compliance 

SAP Safe Harbor by Origen fundamentally changes how you approach compliance in the region. It’s a tailor-made program, bundled into a single monthly fee, that addresses all your compliance needs, day-to-day operational support, and essential technical updates for your SAP systems.  

This allows you to proactively manage change. Origen’s team of experts anticipates the impact of upcoming legal and technological changes in the region, ensuring your SAP systems stay compliant and minimizing disruption to your operations.  

By outsourcing complex compliance tasks and day-to-day support, you free up your internal resources to focus on core business activities that drive growth in the LATAM market. 

The Features that Empower Your Business 

Origen’s SAP Safe Harbor program is equipped with features that simplify compliance and streamline your SAP operations.  

The program is customized to your specific needs, ensuring you receive the most relevant support for your unique SAP landscape and compliance requirements. 

Origen’s team, with over a decade of experience in SAP localization for LATAM, provides expert recommendations on how to leverage your SAP solutions for optimal compliance.  

Our proactive approach delivers monthly updates on upcoming legal changes and the necessary actions needed to adapt your SAP systems, ensuring ongoing compliance. We also assign a dedicated team of experts with deep functional and technical knowledge to handle all aspects of your SAP localization, ensuring you receive the highest level of support and guidance. 

Experience the Benefits of True Compliance Peace of Mind  

Implementing Origen’s SAP Safe Harbor program delivers numerous benefits for your LATAM operations: 

• Eliminate budget surprises by saying goodbye to unplanned mini-projects for tax compliance. This program offers predictable monthly costs, eliminating hidden expenses and ensuring budget stability.  

• Maintain your SAP roadmap without derailing your overall SAP strategy. Origen helps you focus on compliance while staying on track with local regulations. 

• With ongoing support and expert guidance, your LATAM operations run smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on core business activities with confidence.  

• Receive timely updates on compliance changes, allowing you to plan strategically and optimize your internal resources for maximum impact on business growth.  

• Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a fixed monthly fee. Origen’s transparent pricing structure eliminates cost uncertainties. 

By partnering with Origen’s SAP Safe Harbor program, you can confidently navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape of LATAM. 

Focus your resources on driving business growth while Origen’s team of experts ensures your SAP systems remain compliant and optimized for success.  

Ready to unlock the true potential of your LATAM operations? Contact Origen today and learn more about how SAP Safe Harbor can transform your compliance journey. 

Operating under Mexico’s IMMEX program presents numerous challenges, from managing inventory and customs requirements to ensuring compliance with complex regulations.  

This program, officially known as the Maquiladora Program, allows companies to import goods into Mexico on a temporary basis without paying taxes or tariffs as long as those goods are re-exported.  

For companies participating in this program, managing inventory, customs catalogs, reports, and compliance can be a complex task. 

Origen Tech’s Comprehensive IMMEX Solution  

At Origen Tech, we specialize in simplifying these complexities through our tailored solution integrated within SAP ECC and S/4HANA frameworks. Our goal is to streamline all aspects of IMMEX operations, ensuring efficiency, agility, and compliance for your business. 

One of the core challenges of the IMMEX program is efficient inventory management under Annex 24 regulations. Our solution within SAP provides robust tools for managing inventory effectively, ensuring compliance with local regulations while optimizing operational processes.  

This integration not only enhances visibility and control over inventory but also simplifies the handling of customs catalogs and processes. 

Origen Tech’s solution also includes advanced reporting modules that provide customized analytical insights into import costs, helping businesses make informed decisions.  

This ensures that your operations adhere to Annex 31 regulations governing the Mexican Credit and Guarantee Account Control System (SCCCyG), thereby mitigating compliance risks. 

Seamless Integration with SAP GTS for Enhanced Efficiency  

Our solution seamlessly integrates with SAP GTS (Global Trade Services), providing direct access for customs brokers and logistic operators. This integration facilitates smoother customs processes and improves operational efficiency, reducing the time and resources required for clearance procedures.  

Furthermore, connectivity with VUCEM (Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior Mexicano) ensures seamless data exchange with Mexican authorities, enabling faster and more reliable customs clearances.  

Financial planning accuracy is another crucial for companies under the IMMEX program, given the complex nature of import costs and regulatory requirements.  

Through our technology we offer SAP ERP integration for additional expenses and advance payments related to imports, maintaining transparency and accuracy in financial planning.  

This integration ensures visibility into the final landed cost of imported goods, encompassing unforeseen fees and broker charges. Consequently, your downstream ERP processes utilize actual costs, preventing planning discrepancies. 

Origen Tech: Your Partner in IMMEX Excellence  

As we can see, navigating the complexities of Mexico’s IMMEX program requires a partner with deep industry knowledge and technological expertise.  

Origen Tech offers a proven track record in optimizing IMMEX operations through SAP integration, ensuring that your business not only meets regulatory requirements but also enhances operational efficiency and financial transparency.  

Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can support your specific needs and streamline your IMMEX operations effectively. Let’s partner to achieve operational excellence together. 

With the official end of maintenance for SAP GTS 11.0 scheduled for the end of 2025, companies using SAP GTS for customs and foreign trade processes will need to migrate to its successor, SAP GTS Edition for SAP HANA.  

This migration is not just an update but a conversion to a completely new solution.  

Let’s explore the innovations that this change brings to our operations. 

SAP GTS: A New Era of Efficiency and Usability  

First, it is important to understand that SAP GTS Edition for HANA is not a simple update of the SAP GTS 11.0 system, but a new solution using SAP’s latest technology stack.  

This means that all functionalities have been reviewed and improved, providing a more modern and efficient experience.  

One of the most noticeable changes is the user interface. SAP has introduced SAP Fiori, which replaces old SAP GUI transactions with redesigned Fiori apps.  

This new interface is much more intuitive, improving usability and transparency, making daily tasks more efficient for users. 

Review of User Roles and Authorizations  

User roles and authorizations have been completely redesigned in SAP GTS Edition for HANA.  

The new authorization system offers more security and flexibility, ensuring that users only have access to the functionalities and data necessary for their specific roles.  

Additionally, trade preference management has been simplified with a new data model and revised processes. This includes the management of long-term supplier declarations (LTSDs), making the process more efficient and less prone to errors. 

New Analysis Capabilities  

SAP GTS Edition for HANA offers new analysis options in key areas such as compliance, customs, and preferences.  

These options are embedded in the Fiori apps, allowing companies to gain valuable real-time insights and make more informed decisions.  

System search functionality has also been significantly improved. The Enterprise Search function allows for more efficient searching of master and transactional data, a major improvement over the previous system.  

The sanctioned party list screening process is another aspect that has gained much more agility in SAP GTS Edition for HANA.  

The new system eliminates the need for complicated preliminary work, making the verification process more straightforward and less time-consuming. 

How to Prepare for the Conversion? 

 

For many companies, the switch to SAP GTS Edition for HANA is a major project, and the time for this transition is running out.  

It is crucial for companies to start planning the migration as soon as possible. Some of the key steps to consider in this process are:  

1. Assessment of the Current Environment: Understand the existing infrastructure and identify current customizations and integrations by running the readiness check. For more information, see SAP Note 3033398. 

2. Understand the differences: To understand the differences between the old and the new systems, SAP has provided the Simplification List for SAP Global Trade Services, Edition for SAP HANA. In this list, it is described in detail, on a functional level, what happens to individual transactions and solution capabilities. 

Follow this link to see the simplification list. 

2. Project Planning: Develop a detailed plan that includes timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies. Check the conversion guide if going for a brownfield or bluefield strategy. 

3. Training and Education: Ensure that end users receive adequate training to use the new interface and functionalities of SAP GTS Edition for HANA. 

4. Rigorous Testing: Conduct comprehensive testing to ensure that the conversion does not cause operational disruptions. 

5. Gradual Implementation: Consider phased implementation, starting with a pilot to identify and resolve any issues before full adoption. 

Origen Tech Localization Solutions for SAP GTS  

Origen Tech has extensive expertise in localization solutions, ensuring that SAP GTS is accessible even in countries where there is no local version available. 

In the case of the new GTS Edition for HANA, Origen Tech has developed a special localization solution for imports in Mexico. Key features include:  

• Pre-processing of customs declarations 

• Access to customs brokers and logistics operators 

• The ability to directly add in SAP GTS advance payments and additional expenses that are reflected back in the SAP ERP system.  

All this is achieved through direct integration with the purchasing and accounting system in the ERP (whether it is the S/4 HANA or ECC version). 

Another significant feature of the solution is its direct integration with the Mexican authorities’ system (VUCEM) to obtain final import documentation.  

Some of these functionalities, such as advance payment integration, are not exclusive to Mexico and can be implemented in other countries.  

Additionally, Origen has developed a solution to leverage Mexico’s IMMEX program, allowing companies with assembly plants in the country to import components without paying taxes or duties, provided the finished product is re-exported.  

This innovative solution demonstrates Origen Tech’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for foreign trade operations, ensuring that companies operating in the Mexican market can maintain efficiency and regulatory compliance. 

With these offerings, companies can better prepare for the migration to SAP GTS Edition for HANA, ensuring a smooth transition and maximum utilization of the new system’s functionalities.  

If your company is still using SAP GTS 11.0, now is the time to consider migrating to SAP GTS Edition for HANA and take advantage of all the improvements that this new solution offers.