A Moment of Change for Equipment and Tool Management
The upcoming end of maintenance of SAP Equipment and Tools Management (ETM has many construction and rental companies asking, what’s next? For years, SAP ETM has been a key part of how enterprise companies manage fleet rentals, tools, and contracts. But as SAP phases out ETM, the challenge isn’t just about finding a replacement—it’s about finding a system that works better for your business.
For many, SAP ETM was never a perfect fit. It required workarounds, manual tracking, and separate tools to handle everything from work orders to billing, maintenance, and reporting. With support ending soon, now is the time to rethink how your company manages its equipment and tools, making the move to a single, modern system that does everything in one place.
The Risks of Waiting Too Long to Replace SAP ETM
SAP ETM may still be running, but as SAP phases it out, it’s only a matter of time before updates or security patches stop coming. Companies that wait too long to find a replacement could find themselves scrambling to migrate data, causing potential delays in operations.
Switching to a new system isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes time to:
- Migrate data and ensure accuracy – Equipment records, rental histories, and maintenance logs all need to be transferred without errors.
- Integrate with SAP and financial workflows – Choosing a system that works seamlessly with SAP ensures no disruptions in billing, chargebacks, or reporting.
- Consolidate disconnected systems – Many companies have had to piece together separate tools for dispatching, maintenance, and contract management. Moving to a single system improves efficiency.
- Train teams and transition smoothly – A rushed implementation can lead to errors and frustration. Planning ahead ensures a well-executed transition.
What SAP ETM Couldn’t Do—and Why Now is the Time to Upgrade
Many construction companies have found that SAP ETM didn’t fully meet their needs, requiring them to rely on additional systems or manual workarounds. As you evaluate a replacement, it’s worth considering not just what ETM did, but what it couldn’t do.
Some of the biggest gaps in SAP ETM included:
- Work order management – No built-in preventive maintenance scheduling or easy tracking of work orders.
- Billing and chargebacks – Complex rental charges often had to be handled manually or through a different system.
- Real-time reporting – Limited visibility into equipment usage, costs, and availability.
- Automated compliance tracking – Ensuring inspections and certifications were up to date required outside tools.
Instead of simply looking for another system that does what SAP ETM did, this is an opportunity to move to a platform that is built for equipment and tool management from the ground up.
What to Look for in an SAP ETM Alternative
The best SAP ETM replacement should do more than just match its functionality—it should make managing your fleet, tools, and equipment easier and more efficient. A future-ready system should include:
- Complete lifecycle management – A single platform that handles everything from requisition to return, including dispatching, billing, maintenance, and reporting.
- Seamless SAP and ERP integration – Financial data should flow smoothly between systems to keep billing, costs, and chargebacks accurate.
- Automation to reduce manual work – The new system should eliminate time-consuming workarounds and provide real-time visibility into equipment movement.
- Scalability for growth – The right system should grow with your company’s needs, supporting multiple locations and expanding operations without requiring another transition down the road.
Why Companies Are Choosing RentalResult to Replace SAP ETM
Companies are turning to RentalResult as their SAP ETM alternative because it is built specifically to leverage rental logic for equipment and tool management. Unlike ETM, which was a module inside SAP, RentalResult is designed for managing the entire lifecycle of your equipment, reducing the need for multiple disconnected systems.
With RentalResult, companies get:
- Seamless SAP integration – Keep financial and operational workflows intact without disruption.
- Complete equipment and tool management and tracking – From rentals to consumables, everything is managed in one system.
- Automated maintenance and compliance – Preventive maintenance, inspections, and certifications are all tracked in the platform.
- Billing and contract management – Supports internal and external rental charges, ensuring accuracy in financials.
- Real-time reporting and utilization insights – Gain deeper visibility into equipment performance, costs, and availability.
Start Your Search Now to Ensure a Smooth Transition
With SAP ETM support ending soon, companies need to take action before they are left with an unsupported system. The sooner you begin evaluating solutions, the more time you’ll have to migrate data, integrate with SAP, and train your team for a seamless transition.
This is more than just replacing SAP ETM—it’s about choosing a solution that will support your business for years to come. If your company is looking for a centralized, enterprise-grade equipment management system that goes beyond what ETM offered, RentalResult is ready to help.
Get in touch to discuss how RentalResult can streamline your equipment and tool management, ensuring your company is ready for the future.
