david gebhardt academic profile

David GebhardtExpert level SAP SD/VC/PP consultant

Summary

In the 15 years I have been working as a SAP consultant, I have developed many unique and innovative

solutions to help customers meet their implementation requirements. I am an expert in SAP Sales &

Distribution, Production Planning, and Variant Configuration. I am also highly knowledgeable in Materials

Management, Finance and Controlling, and ABAP. I always have extremely satisfied clients. Not only do

I go above and beyond what is expected, I have also developed many tools to make requirements gathering,

data loading, functional spec writing, and other processes more efficient and easier to perform. I continually

improve these tools and create others to allow me and those around me to get more work done in less

time. That is why clients like to keep me as long as possible, and why they keep calling me back for future

assistance. I am also very adept at explaining difficult concepts in plain language. I believe that it is not only

important to know what to do, but why you are doing it. That allows clients to be self-sufficient, they can

resolve their own issues, and they can come up with their own unique and innovative approaches. If you are

struggling with your implementation, want to improve the way your current system works, or just want an

expert SAP consultant to assist you, then contact me today. Specialties SAP SD SAP VC SAP PP

Skills & ExpertiseSAP R/3SAP PPSAPSAP SDProgram ManagementBusiness ProcessStrategyABAPERPMaterials ManagementTestingSAP ERPSupply Chain ManagementIntegrationProject ManagementLogisticsSAP ImplementationBusiness IntelligenceRequirements AnalysisSDSoftware Documentation

MRPMaster DataDatabasesEDIProject PlanningSAP FIAnalysisBusiness ObjectsSAP PSData MigrationAccessRFC

ProjectsExfo - SAP VC ConsultantJuly 2014 to Present

Members:David Gebhardt, David Louis S.

Exfo brought me on board to help analyze required changes to the variant configuration models. This

involved working to gather requirements, design options for implementation, and work with the modellers to

test various scenarios.Constellium - SAP VC TrainerJuly 2014 to Present

Members:David Gebhardt

I was brought in to do a one-week training course in variant configuration. The course was very well received

and all participants were happy with the material covered and the way the material was presented.Johnson Controls - SAP PP SupportApril 2014 to Present


I was brought in to help support the post go-live SAP system in Monterrey, Mexico. I quickly established

myself as someone who had a deep understanding of many different areas of SAP, answering many

questions about SD, MM, FICO, and WM as well. I also wrote up functional specifications for additional

required custom reports and worked with the ABAP programmers and the business users to test and resolve

issues. Once the go-live support mandate ended, I was asked to assist with a project to move a product line

to a new facility. This involved interacting with the project team to determine requirements and design and

implement solutions.ASM - SAP VC Trainer, PM/QA/SMEFebruary 2014 to Present


I was initially brought in to do a one week training course in Phoenix followed by a one week training course

in Japan. Upon successful completion of these courses, I was asked to join the team to implement the variant

configuration models, but had to decline due to other commitments. I was able to take on a role as PM/QA/

SME, and provided valuable assistance to the client in all three of these areas.Inficon - SAP VC ConsultantSeptember 2013 to Present


I was asked to help with setting up variant configuration at Inficon. The initial engagement focused on

implementing one of their new product lines. I used class hierarchies and multi-level modeling techniques to

design an efficient and easy to maintain model. Subsequently, I have perfomed work on another model that

Inficon needs designed.Johnson Controls - SAP VC ConsultantNovember 2013 to January 2014


I was contacted by Johnson Controls to help set up their variant configuration models for the Monterrey,

Mexico implementation. The work involved converting legacy configuration models to SAP, loading the

data, and performing unit testing on the models. I was able to perform the conversion work in fewer hours

than the contract called for.Raymond Corporation - SAP VC ConsultantJune 2013 to Present


I was retained to perform a proof of concept for the variant configuration implementation. This involved

gathering requirements, designing proposed solutions, modeling theses solutions in SAP, and presenting the

modeled scenarios to the business. Raymond wanted me to continue on with their implementation project,

but due to other commitments I was unavailable at the time.Trench Group - SAP PP/VC ConsultantJune 2011 to Present

Members:David Gebhardt, Enno H., Jens H., Felix Rubinshtein, Frank Hoffmann, Mike Berwian

I was involved in the entire project, from blueprinting through to post go-live support. This role involved

requirements gathering, designing and running workshops with users, configuration in SAP, modelling

variant configuration for many products at four different divisions, and designing custom reports. I also

trained the business super users responsible for variant configuration. As part of my job role, I performed

end-to end demos of variant configuration, from forecasting through to invoicing, for all the divisions.

In order to reduce the amount of time to load data, I used tools available from Winshuttle, saving many

thousands of hours of manual work. After the implementation, I participated in an extended go-live support,

helping to resolve issues in the system and to roll out new functionality. Sandvine - SAP PP/VC ConsultantJune 2010 to September 2011


My role at Sandvine involved blueprinting through extended go-live support. Just like my role at Trench, this

role involved requirements gathering, designing and running workshops with users, configuration in SAP,

modelling variant configuration for many products at four different divisions, and designing custom reports.

I also trained the business super users responsible for variant configuration. I used tools from Winshuttle

to reduce data load times, saving thousands of hours of manual work. I was retained for an extended go-live

support period to help stabilize the system and to implement further functionality. I worked extensively with

a MII consultant to help design the manufacturing execution system. I also assisted with the implementation

of SD, due to my past experience with that module. Johnson Controls - SAP VC Consultant/IT Project ManagerFebruary 2010 to October 2010


I was retained by Johnson Controls to implement variant configuration for their plant in Durango, Mexico.

This role consisted of converting two models from the legacy configuration system to SAP. I designed a

VBA program in Excel to convert the logic in the legacy configurator to the code required in SAP, and this

program is still in use there today. Once the variant configuration models were completed, I was asked to be

the project manager for the IT portion of a move of product to from its current facility in Virgina to one in

Pennsylvania. This involved designing the project timeline, gathering the requirements, and converting the

model from a legacy, non-configurable system to SAP VC. The project involved a very tight timeline of six

weeks from inception to completion.Corning Cable Systems - SAP VC and SD Pricing Consultant/VC Team Lead/OTC Team LeadMarch 2005 to March 2010


I was retained by Accenture as a sub-contractor to assist with the implementation of variant configuration.

Shortly after arriving, I was asked to also implement pricing for sales and distribution, due to my expertise

in that area. I served as an interim OTC Team Lead replacement while Accenture searched for a replacement

for their previous team lead. I later became the VC Team Lead when the VC team was split from the OTC

team. I was involved in the full process from blueprinting through to post go-live support. Upon completion

of the go-live, I was asked to stay and perform an extended support role. I was also asked to assist with the

rollout of variant configuration in Poland. This is where I first used tools available from Winshuttle and

started to develop many of the time-saving processes that I use today.Canac Kitchens - SAP VC ConsultantJanuary 2003 to March 2005


This role involved the setup of many variant configuration models for a kitchen cabinet manufacturer. The

project involved working with a third-party, MBI, who had a CAD design package that was implemented to

design kitchens and pass the information to SAP. This involved modelling the rules in SAP hat were then

downloaded to MBI. Once the information was passed back from MBI to a sales order, SAP exploded the

BOM and completed the entire process from production through invoicing. As part of the project, I designed

an Access database for designing tests and tracking the test results. During the project, I was also involved in

an upgrade from SAP 4.5 to 4.7.Siemens - SAP SD Consultant

September 1997 to February 1999


At Siemens, I was involved in a multi-phase rollout of SAP. I was part of a team of SD consultants

implementing on SAP R/3 3.0f. I quickly established myself as a very knowledgeable and capable

consultant, and was often asked for advice by project managers. In addition to designing the SD processes,

with a specialization in pricing but also working in other areas as well, I was also involved in go-live support

as well as a participant in the upgrade from R/3 3.0 to 3.1.Mul-T-Lock Incrporated - SAP SD ConsultantApril 1997 to August 1997


I worked with a local consultant to implement SAP SD. This role involved requirements gathering,

configuration, participation in workshops with users, and design of functional specifications.Cott Beverages - SAP SD ConsultantFebruary 1996 to April 1997


I had previously been an employee of Cott Beverages performing inventory control duties in the warehouse.

Due to my extensive computer knowledge, I was asked to be the MM super user on the SAP project

and gained my first exposure to the system. Upon resigning my position after the go-live to pursue

other interests, I was asked to return as a consultant support the SD module. As the sole support for this

module and one of only three team members providing functional support, I was able to gain an incredible

knowledge of not only SD, but also other areas of SAP.

ExperiencePresident at ComputerPlus IncorporatedSeptember 1989 - Present (26 years)

As both the President and an active consultant, I have worked in diverse areas such as SAP implementations

in the MM, SD, PP, and VC areas, as well as Microsoft Access database design, website design, ASP, and

custom programming using Visual Basic and .NET. I have performed work for ComputerPlus in Canada,

the United States, England, Germany, Israel, Mexico, and Poland. For details of the different SAP duties I

have performed at client sites, please see the other job descriptions listed in my profile. List of companies

where I have worked for ComputerPlus: Cott Beverages Mul-T-Lock Siemens Canac Kitchens Corning

Cable Systems Johnson Controls Sandvine Incorporated Trench Group

13 recommendations available upon request

Inventory Control/Database Systems Design/SAP analyst at Cott Beverages IncorporatedAugust 1993 - February 1996 (2 years 7 months)

• presented proposal to replace MS Excel-based inventory system with a database system • created database

using MS Access to perform inventory control and produce a daily inventory report and a weekly inventory

aging report; inventory at three warehouses recorded • system used by about 25 employees; accessed

via Banyan Vines network • inventory database imported a dBase IV (.DBF) file of inventory at another

warehouse and manipulated the information so that it could be stored correctly in Access • inventory system

included extensive search capabilities • worked with warehouse staff to create Access database to store

shipping and receiving information • continued to work with users of inventory and shipping/receiving

systems to improve existing functionality and add new features • combined inventory and shipping/receiving

databases and added a production database to create a perpetual inventory system • created Access database

to track warehouse expenditures versus budget • wrote Excel macro to automate generation of can receiving

schedule based on production requirements • participated in design and implementation of SAP system

• analysed business procedures and their application within SAP • participant in meetings to discuss and

resolve MM configuration issues • involved in collection and configuration of MM master data • designed

and performed tests for SAP system prior to installation • as an “expert user”, participated in on-the-job

training for shipping department • provided support for computer users in the warehouse on programs such as

Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Windows-based and DOS-based software • provided support for users of

Access

EducationUniversity of WaterlooBSc (Honours Co-op), Chemistry with Comp Sci minor, 1986 - 1991

David GebhardtExpert level SAP SD/VC/PP consultant

13 people have recommended David

"I worked with David at Sandvine. He is extremely organized, thorough professional and excellent PP

consultant with excellent knowledge of SD. He is hands-on with all SAP logistics modules and able to

communicate well in both business and technical langugage. David is a pleasure to work with and is both

well-liked and well-respected by customer and peers. I hope we cross again some day to work together on a

project."

— Johannes Le Roux, Senior Executive, Jari-Consulting, worked directly with David at ComputerPlusIncorporated

"David Gebhardt is an architect level business consultant that brings a wealth of business and technical

expertise to his clients. During a recent engagement David was our lead architect and helped to develop an

extremely complex solution to meet the needs or the organization."

— Wade Eyre, was David's client

"David is extremely detail oriented. Our recent SAP implementation was a great success largely due to his

contributions and deep understanding and unparalleled commitment. It was a gr"

— Ted S., was David's client

"Dave has excellent knowledge of SAP PP/VC funcitonality. He is very quick to catch on to concepts and

translate them into reality in SAP. He is also a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!"

— David Pullan, was David's client

"I had the pleasure of working with David from day one on the project. He is a very knowledgeable SAP

Functional and Technical leader. Working with him, I can honestly say he is a dedicated SAP professional

that knows SAP functions and internals very well, and is a dedicated worker that is a pleasure to work

with. Working beside him, a noticed that he does his best to understand the customers needs, to ensure, the

configuration fits their needs."

— Andy Boersma, Team lead, functional leader MII, Sandvine, worked directly with David at Sandvine

"David was a mentor to me during the SAP implementation and when we finally went live at Sandvine. His

leadership and calm nerves were evident throughout the project. I would highly recommend David and hope

to work with him again."

— Ben Szmyt-Valois, Master Data Coordinator, Sandvine, worked directly with David at Sandvine

"David and I worked together at Sandvine for 10 months on a complex SAP implementation project.He

repeatedly demonstrated his experience and in depth knowledge of SAP. It was a pleasure working with

David."

— Stephen Dawson CPA, CMA, SAP Finance Consultant, Tacitus Inc, worked directly with David atSandvine

"David was very knowledgable and helpful whenever I had questions reqarding production planning. He also

did very well teaching us the basics in VC. Most of the time he knew the answer to your question and if he

didn't her would find it. All in all David is a great guy to work with and is an asset to any SAP team."

— Jasper Vander Velden, was David's client

"David is a tremendous asset to any SAP project. He offers the knowledge and experience necessary

to become a valued contributor to any implementation. David is considered one of the premier Variant

Configurator specialists anywhere. He is dedicated to helping others in an organization and can be counted on

to provide a clear perspective in the most intense stages of a project."

— Gregory H., Configurator Supervisor, Corning Incorporated, worked directly with David atComputerPlus Incorporated

"I had the pleasure of working with David Gebhardt during Corning Cable Systems SAP global ERP

implementation. During this time David demonstrated an in-depth knowledge across a variety of SAP

modules and was the individual that project members and leaders would seek out for answers. David’s SAP

knowledge is phenomenal. He is extremely customer focused, a team player with a willingness to share

information, always professional and goes the extra mile to ensure success. If I needed an individual to help

deliver an SAP solution, David is the person I would want on my team."

— Tanya Eddins, ERP Project & Data Lead, Corning Cable Systems, worked directly with David atComputerPlus Incorporated

"David is an extremely knowledgeable SAP consultant. His creative solutions allowed us to gain knowledge

and complete the project. David is a very good team player who is results oriented."

— Al L., was David's client

"We hired David for a 2 month assignment in 2005-- and 4 years later, he is still on the same project. David's

SAP knowledge and client facing skills are top notch and have helped him become an integral member of the

client's team. He is considered to be one of B2B Workforce's top resources and I would not hesitate to work

with him again."

— Jennifer Plumer Jannone, was David's client

"I consider David a rare asset in the consulting communities. He is one the most professional and task

oriented individuals that I have had the pleasure to know and worked. He is responsible for his deliverables

and attentive to the client's needs. His calm demeanor is reassuring and persuasive. He has a formidable

knowledge in business process and SAP. I would work with David at any opportunity that presents itself."

— Ruben K., CEO, Terra Firma Consulting, worked directly with David at ComputerPlus Incorporated

Contact David on LinkedIn

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david gebhardt academic profile

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