Singapore Management University modernises operations

Singapore Management University has modernised its enterprise operations with RISE with SAP as part of its SMU2030 strategic plan.

The university has rolled out a broad set of SAP systems across finance, human resources, procurement and travel management, with ABeam Consulting as implementation partner. The project focused on replacing and connecting core administrative systems to simplify workflows, unify data and create a shared operating model across academic and corporate functions.

At the centre of the programme is SAP Cloud ERP, which now supports finance, grants, treasury and reporting. The university also adopted SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba, SAP Concur, SAP BTP, SAP Integration Suite, SAP Application Studio, SAP Cloud Identity Services, SAP Cloud Identity Access Governance and SAP Build Work Zone.

The changes were intended to standardise processes across HR, finance and procurement while reducing system complexity and improving governance and visibility. They also give staff a more consistent way to manage leave, HR services, supplier onboarding, expense claims and purchasing.

Since going live in January 2026, the university has recorded early signs of adoption and process change, including 83% active adoption of SAP SuccessFactors and nearly 3,900 workflows triggered.

Procurement and supplier management accounted for some of the larger volumes. More than 10,000 suppliers were onboarded through self-service registration via SAP Ariba, while 4,700 purchase orders have been synchronised since launch.

Supplier collaboration on SAP Business Network has also grown to more than 2,000 onboarded suppliers, giving the university a single portal for source-to-pay activity and more standardised supplier processes.

In finance operations, more than 3,600 claims were processed through SAP Concur shortly after deployment. Within the first month, the university also processed 3,700 payments and recorded more than 500 accounts receivable collections.

The project reflects a wider trend in higher education, where universities are trying to bring together fragmented back-office systems amid pressure to improve staff services, governance and cost control. For institutions facing growing administrative complexity, integrated finance and HR systems have become a common route to tighter oversight of procurement, travel and workforce data.

Founded in 2000, SMU said its growth in scale and complexity created an opportunity to review corporate processes and introduce more automation and data-led decision-making. The university had already built a broad operational base across finance, HR, procurement and travel, but used the shift to a new enterprise platform to reshape how those areas work together.

The HR transformation was delivered in two phases. The first established core HR functions and base processes, while the second added tools to support employee services and changing organisational requirements.

"SMU has always embraced innovation as a key enabler of excellence across our education, research and administrative functions. We focus on building on what is already working well and taking it to the next level. By modernising our core platforms, harmonising processes and creating a more connected data environment, we have enhanced operational efficiency, strengthened decision-making capabilities and created a scalable foundation for future innovation. This transformation helps position SMU to support the evolving needs of our community and advance our SMU2030 vision," said Lau Kai Cheong, Chief Information Officer at SMU.

"The transformation has streamlined many of our day-to-day processes and improved the experience for employees across the university. By bringing together key operational functions on a connected platform, we have improved visibility, streamlined approvals and created a stronger foundation for collaboration and data-driven decision-making," he added.

"Universities today are under increasing pressure to deliver more integrated campus experiences while operating with greater agility and accountability. By bringing together finance, HR, procurement and travel on SAP's unified cloud platform, SMU has established a strong digital foundation that supports its SMU2030 ambitions and ongoing transformation efforts," said Eileen Chua, Managing Director at SAP Singapore.

"We are proud to partner with SMU on this significant transformation alongside SAP. By combining SMU's SMU2030 ambitions with our experience in delivering large-scale enterprise transformations using SAP solutions, we have established an integrated, cloud-based digital foundation that enhances operational efficiency, streamlines processes across finance, HR, procurement and travel, and supports the university's long-term growth and innovation," Thomas Mani Padiyara, Principal and Head of Enterprise Transformation at ABeam Consulting Singapore, said.