This Day in History (2002): SAP in with a bang

From the Jan. 2, 2002 edition of The Arabian Sun

Dec. 29 was a banner day for Saudi Aramco, for Information Technology and for the hundreds of people who had been involved with the SAP Project, some for the past six years.

It was the day of the "Big Bang" as SAP functions went live for Finance and Controlling, Materials and Warehouse Management, Plant Maintenance, Services Procurement (Contracting), Projects and Capital Planning, and Quality Management.

In short, the company switched from a mainframe-based operation to one based on SAP.

Abdallh S. Jum'ah, president and CEO and a staunch supporter of the SAP implementation, pronounced the Big Bang a significant milestone in Saudi Aramco's history.

Since I joined the company on April 1, 1968, I have witnessed the introduction of hundreds of computer systems designed to automate and optimize company processes, keep down costs, and maintain internal controls. This Project has identified all these processes, documented them, and changed them to comply with the best practices available in the world. The project provides Saudi Aramco with brand new engines designed to carry the company for the next 60 years.
— Abduallah S. Ju'mah

And with the Big Bang, most of the massive SAP project is complete — some of it a full year ahead of schedule.

Also on this date

2022 — Richard Leakey, Kenyan paleontologist and politician, dies at his home outside Nairobi

1991 — Sharon Pratt Dixon becomes the first African American woman mayor of a major U.S. city and first woman mayor of the District of Columbia

1981 — One of the largest investigations by a British police force ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper," is arrested

1974 — U.S. President Richard Nixon signs a bill lowering the maximum speed limit to 55 mph to conserve gasoline

1959 — Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and orbit the Sun, is launched by the Soviet Union

1954 — India establishes its highest civilian awards, the Bahrat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan

1942 — Japanese forces capture and control the Philippines

1900 — Chicago Canal opens

1818 — The British Institution of Civil Engineers is founded by a group of six engineers

533 — Mercurius becomes Pope John II, the first pope to adopt a new name upon elevation to his new role