^{SAP Analytics & Finance: Trends in Mali and the Role of Augmented Talent}

Mali’s digital transformation is rapidly progressing. Many banks, governments, telecommunications companies, mining firms, energy suppliers and manufacturers throughout Mali have implemented enterprise-wide systems that allow organisations to automate workflows, make better decisions and increase accountability. SAP Analytics and Finance are among these technologies that will enable organisations to gain access to real-time data and improve the efficiency of business operations.

When organisations in Mali begin to use SAP Solutions, they often find there is a lack of qualified professionals available for hire. The traditional recruitment process can be ineffective (especially when looking for specialists with the right skills), and as a result, many organisations are implementing staff augmentation options by hiring independent SAP consultants or freelancers to ensure that they maintain a competitive edge in the evolving marketplace.

This article reviews the present trends of SAP Analytics and Finance adoption in Mali as well as the increasing need for augmented talent, and how businesses can use strategic staffing models to successfully navigate their SAP journey.

^{The Digitisation of Mali's Economy: Where Finance & Analytics Meet}

Mali's economic landscape is rapidly transforming through new technologies. Public sector use of technology for digitising services offered to citizens, and private enterprises' modernisation of their internal processes, creates an environment where the need for integrated and intelligent systems has never been more crucial. With the participation of SAP in the majority of digital transformation projects, especially around finance and analytics, this development is important to note.

The various SAP Finance modules (FICO) contain core financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and planning capabilities. By utilising the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and/or embedded SAP S/4HANA Analytics, businesses can monitor their financial performance, forecast potential business outcomes based on the data they collect, improve their budget planning and cost control methods, adhere to necessary compliance regulations, and so forth.

These are, and will continue to be, critical for businesses in robust or rapidly changing industries, as well as for those companies where the financial operations need to be effectively aligned with their overall strategic objectives.

^{Mali's Changing Economy through Digital Innovation: Financial Management and Analytical Capabilities}

Mali's economy is currently experiencing rapid changes due to the adoption and integration of technology into its operations. Digitisation of government agencies has resulted in improved public service delivery, while private companies have embarked upon their own efforts to modernise internal operations. Therefore, the demand for integrated intelligent solutions has increased dramatically. A key contributor to this effort has been SAP and its involvement in many of the digital transformation initiatives taking place in these areas, namely finance and analytics.

SAP's financial modules (SAP FICO - Financial Accounting & Controlling) serve as the backbone for an organisation's financial reporting, compliance, and budgeting capabilities within a consolidated framework, particularly when those capabilities are combined with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and/or embedded analytic capabilities within SAP S/4HANA.

With these capabilities, organisations have the ability to:

• Track real-time trends in their financial performance;
  
  
• Create a predictive model of their business's future state based on historical and projected data.
  
  
• Better manage budgets and costs associated with their operations;
  
  
• Improve the way they meet compliance requirements set forth by regulatory bodies across multiple industries.
  
  

These capabilities are critical for the success of all organisations engaged in industries that operate within a rapidly evolving business environment and are seeking to align their financial systems with their organisation's strategic objectives.

^{SAP Analytics Skills on the Increase for Businesses in Mali}

As analytics plays a greater role in the success of businesses, demand for SAP Analytics knowledge is increasing. Companies recognise they need people who are able to configure, implement and maintain analytics solutions that can transform large volumes of raw data into usable information.

The main analytics skills in demand are:

• Data modelling and visualisation: Building dashboards/reports to present insights clearly.
  
  
• Integrating with financial and operational modules: Ensuring that analytic tools receive their data from multiple sources, such that they present an integrated view of all relevant data.
  
  
• Predictive analytics and planning: Using machine learning and predictive systems built into SAC to foresee trends.
  
  
• User training and adoption: Training users (internal staff) on the effective use of analytic tools.
  
  

Analytics not only allows a business to support the strategic planning cycle but also allows finance departments to identify anomalies, more effectively manage cash flow and better manage risk by being proactive.

^{Current Financial Trends and SAP FICO in Mali}

Mali is experiencing an increase in the adoption of SAP financial modules due to a number of reasons, including:

• Centralisation of financial information
  
  
• Formal compliance with local and international standards.
  
  
• Automation of routine accounting activities
  
  
• Timely and accurate reporting.
  
  

SAP FICO consultants offer areas of specialisation such as:

• General Ledger and Accounts Payable Process
  
  
• Asset Accounting and Cash Management Process
  
  
• Cost Centre and Profit Centre accounting.
  
  
• Automated financial closing processes.
  
  

The availability of qualified finance-focused SAP professionals in Mali is limited, making it difficult for organisations to acquire the right talent through traditional recruiting methods.

^{Traditional Recruitment Challenges for SAP Roles in Mali}

Organisations often look for ways to fill their SAP vacancies without using external recruitment or directly hiring permanent employees. In a mature market where there is easy access to qualified candidates, this would not normally be a challenge. However, Mali is not the same.

• Extended Recruitment Cycles - Finding the right combination of technical skills and functional SAP expertise usually takes longer than expected to complete.
  
  
• High Costs - Employing permanent SAP employees has a significantly higher cost than those related only to project-based needs.
  
  
• Limited Supply of Available Talent - Certified SAP experts with experience working in finance and analytics are typically hard to find.
  
  
• Scalability Constraints - Traditional sales hiring approaches create long-term hiring commitments for an organisation that may not be compatible with current or future project requirements.
  
  

These factors can increase both direct and indirect costs to the organisation and decrease the time required for both project completion and resource utilisation.

^{Utilising Staff Augmentation as a Business Strategy}

Organisations in Mali that are currently experiencing challenges with workforce scalability and financial constraints are now looking towards utilising a staff augmentation model of business.

With the staff augmentation model, organizations will have access to specialised SAP expertise (temporary or for a limited project) without the commitment of traditional employment.

Benefits of utilising staff augmentation include:

^{1. Access to Specialised Software Providers}

Hiring external SAP consultants or SAP freelancers gives organisations immediate access to specialised SAP personnel with specific experience in areas of SAP analytics, finance, etc.

^{2. Cost Savings}

The staff augmentation model aligns an organisation's workforce expense to the organisation's actual project requirements; this is a huge benefit for budget-conscious organisations.

^{3. Ability to Scale and be Flexible}

As an organisation implements SAP or upgrades or continues to support existing SAP technology, it can continue to scale its SAP team to meet the needs of the project without disruption to its internal operations.

^{4. Acceleration of Project Timelines}

Using an external network to bring in seasoned professionals to assist with SAP Finance/Analytics projects allows for expedited timelines for the successful implementation of digital initiatives.

^{5. Decreased Time Spent on Recruiting}

Utilising an external talent network allows an organisation to eliminate the traditional recruitment cycle and lessen the burden on the HR team, thereby allowing the organisation to focus on other core functions.

Hiring freelance SAP consultants makes strategic sense for a variety of situations:

• For short-term projects or projects in specialised modules.
  
  
• When an expert needs to be brought in to perform specific tasks, such as integration, optimisation, and so on.
  
  
• When an organisation needs to get new employees ramped up as quickly as possible.
  
  
• To support internal teams during times of peak project activity.
  
  

SAP freelance consultants also provide a different perspective on projects based on their previous experience, since they have worked with companies from many different industries and countries.

^{How Prompt Edify Helps SAP Projects in Mali}

Prompt Edify provides reliable support to businesses in Mali that are looking to enhance their SAP capabilities through staff augmentation and outsourced talent. We assist organisations in gaining access to the right balance of expertise in SAP, at the time they require it.

^{What We Provide:}

• Access to Qualified SAP Consultants
We connect you with experts in finance, analytics, technical and cross-functional fields as well as professionals who have the experience you are looking for in SAP consultants who are knowledgeable about what your needs are.

• Flexible Engagement Metrics
You may utilise short-term or long-term engagement types, project-based or ongoing AMS support, so that your company's staffing requirements are met according to your operational requirements.

• Quick Onboarding and Compliance
We handle the logistical aspects of bringing in your new employees, allowing you to concentrate on delivering results and carrying out the work you need to accomplish.

• Scalable Work Force Solutions
As your business grows, we will be able to provide you with whatever resources are needed to continue the seamless movement of your projects.

Organisations in Mali that partner with Prompt Edify will be able to prevent some of the common issues caused by a lack of resources and be assured of achieving predictable, high-quality results for their finance and analytics projects.

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^{The Evolution of SAP Analytics and Finance in Mali}

SAP Analytics and Finance skillsets will continue gaining importance due to the fast pace of digital transformation occurring in Mali. Companies that take advantage of flexible ways to source talent, such as via staff augmentation or freelancers, will enjoy a competitive advantage. These models provide both agility and deep expertise to enable organisations to quickly adapt to rapid changes in their business environment (markets) and technology space.

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