Final spurt SAP S/4HANA transformation: but please with method

ERP projects have always been a complex undertaking. The introduction of SAP S/4HANA is no exception. Those who deal intensively with the "how" of a transformation in addition to the "what" are well advised. A preliminary study helps to set the right course towards S/4HANA and accelerate the transformation.

Innovations, adaptability, and resilience: More than ever, companies are dependent on processes that open the scope for new work and organizational concepts. A key role in the implementation is filled by an ERP system that seamlessly integrates organizational and technical innovations.

Therefore a modern ERP system landscape is essential. The good news is that SAP S/4HANA is a fitting solution. The not-so-good news, anyone who has been through an ERP transformation knows full well that a transformation is not a foregone conclusion. On the contrary. A recent ISG study confirms that SAP S/4HANA migrations are often slow. According to the analysts at the market research company, it also shows that one question is driving those responsible: What is the best course of action? Incidentally, this is a question that is also frequently asked of our consultants.

Detect hotspots immediately

To help determine the best course of action, we have developed our transformationCOMPASS. The transformationCOMPASS helps to identify forks in the road and hotspots before an SAP S/4HANA project really gets underway. It is based on information about strategic orientation, starting position, target architecture, process design, and SAP standard affinity. Thanks to transformation best practices, our online tool identifies the relevant building blocks that should receive the most attention. As with any challenging task, the more thought-out the project, the fewer surprises await along the way.

The building blocks of the transformationCOMPASS later become part of the preliminary study that has emerged from the SAP projects implemented by abat as a planning best practice.

From this point, the company will define the stages of their own implementation – from the creation of a roadmap to process and system analysis, to the evaluation and validation of the implementation options.

Two aspects are in the forefront. First, a preliminary study, as a kind of preliminary project, supplements the Discover phase of the Activate project management and implementation method recommended by SAP. As a result, specific tasks from the Prepare and Explore phases are brought forward. The second aspect is the use of SAP migration and transformation tools refined with content and additional knowledge. Both are secondary to making the content of the project more "tangible", controlling the project complexity, and accelerating the project.

 

Avoid errors in process cutting

Example of activities brought forward: The fit-to-standard analysis checks the fit of the desired customer (target) processes to the S/4HANA standard processes shown in the system demo. SAP typically assigns this task to the Explore phase. If the fit-to-standard analysis is carried out simultaneously with the strategic (target) process specifications and scoping - the identification of best-practice processes relevant for the prototype - an iterative procedure can be used to draw up a process master list that reflects the corporate strategy and has a high degree of similarity with the standard processes in S/4HANA. This pays off directly into the transformation acceleration, since essential implementation questions are already clarified before the actual start of the project and errors in the process design are avoided.

Example Content (now it gets a bit more technical): With the S/4HANA Readiness Check, SAP provides a tool environment with components that check the existing SAP process and system landscape for compatibility with the new ERP product. The "compatibility" check covers all levels - from processes and objects to interfaces and add-on connections to data quality and (T-shirt) sizing of the system and HANA DB to customer-specific enhancements.

The result of the test and analysis run is a list of all functional changes (simplification items), including business functions that are no longer supported and technically related changes. With the support of the abat Conversion Accelerator, the individual activities on the comprehensive list are bundled according to subject and function, clustered into categories and prioritized according to importance. They are collected segmented backlogs assigned time and effort and put together into individual implementation packages which are tailored to the the company's needs.

 

Reveal alternative approach

In short: The abat Conversion Accelerator bundles the experience and knowledge of numerous SAP transformation projects. Critical task areas of a transformation project are identified immediately, connections with other tasks are revealed and given priority in the processing. Additionally, transformation-related issues can be precisely quantified, alternative approaches compared and a detailed implementation roadmap developed - always with the goal of completing the transformation on time and on budget.

Even shorter: If the SAP transformation tools give those responsible a guideline as to what needs to be done, the know-how stored in the abat Conversion Accelerator provides them with additional answers to the question of how and by what means they can achieve their goal.

more about Conversion Accelerator 

As a result, companies receive guidance for their individual SAP S/4HANA transformation. With the know-how provided in the abat methodology, they find the right tactics and can implement the transformation despite limited personnel resources.

The result: Companies receive an application landscape around a clean core that gives them all the freedom they need to integrate or implement new, innovative business processes - regardless of whether these are provided on-prem or via a cloud.

Our Success Stories

Nutrilo

Nutrilo is part of the international PHW Group and sells its products in more than 65 countries. Due to strong growth, Nutrilo decided in 2018 to significantly expand its storage space by building a new warehouse, replacing the existing legacy system with SAP EWM, and introducing a completely new system for production. Two additional production plants and an external warehouse in Cuxhaven were…

to the project

Josera

What began as Josera in 1941 is now one of Germany's largest producers of feed for livestock and pets - Erbacher the food family. Strong growth presented the company with significant challenges. Business processes were changed because transportation could no longer be handled in an efficient sequence. As a result, the company implemented SAP Solution Manager as a central control tool for all SAP…

to the project

Weidmüller

Short interview about the SAP ERP implementation and warehouse redesign at Weidmüller Mexico in Puebla. One of the challenges of the project was the incompatibility of the old warehouse layout with the current SAP requirements. abat changed the warehouse layout for more efficient processes and transparency. Key improvements included optimized goods receiving, storage, picking and shipping, as well…

to the project

B.A.U.M. e.V.

The B.A.U.M. e.V. network faced significant challenges: It lacked a clear strategy for digitizing processes and a system coordinator to integrate the various trades. In addition, the existing CRM solution was not compatible with the newly created Digital B.A.U.M. platform, and there were no certified standard interfaces. What was needed was a future-proof solution that could be used without…

to the project

PFERD

Effective communication is often the key to project success. As a family business with more than 200 years of tradition, the PFERD brand has made communication and trust an important part of its core values. This success story of an S/4HANA migration at the Mexican site describes the challenge and the successful cooperation between abat and PFERD during the project phase and beyond.

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Steinbeis

Since the beginning of the 2000s, Steinbeis has been mapping its business processes with a very sophisticated SAP ERP system that is tailored in detail to its own requirements. Due to the announced end of maintenance, the system will have to be replaced in the medium term. A key objective is to map more processes than before using standard processes. Using a fit-gap analysis, the abat experts…

to the project

Salzgitter AG

2018 startete der Salzgitter Konzern die Umstellung der kompletten ERP-Infrastruktur auf SAP S/4HANA. Im Zuge dieses konzernweiten Transformationsvorhabens sollten in einem eigenen Projekt die Warenwirtschaftsprozesse der Vormaterialbeschaffung aus einer Beteiligungsgesellschaft über alle beteiligten Konzerngesellschaften hinweg vereinheitlicht, optimiert und automatisiert werden. In elf Workshops…

to the project

DESMA

DESMA supports the shoe industry with innovative production solutions for Industry 4.0, highly automated machines, excellent know-how and comprehensive support. However, continuous innovation is only possible if the company optimizes its internal processes. The discontinuation of support for SAP R/3 was therefore a reason for DESMA to take care of a changeover at an early stage. Thanks to abat,…

to the project

Imperial Logistics

Integrated Warehouse and Transportation with SAP S/4HANA

Greenfield implementation of a logistics template in the chemical industry. Imperial Logistics is a pioneer in the use of embedded EWM and TM integration in S/4HANA on Release 1709.

to the project

SAS Automotive Systems

e-Accounting meets the requirements of the Mexican tax authorities

German companies based in Mexico must also adapt their e-accounting to the legal requirements of the Mexican tax authority SAT - and provide information on their key financial figures.

to the project

Our customers in the area of consult

Yi

SAP Developer
China

What I find most attractive working at abat is the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We are coworkers as well as friends. I can ask any question and always receive constructive feedback. Moreover, it is highly encouraged to try new things, which helps broaden the horizon for me and the company alike.

Xu

SAP Consultant
China

I truly enjoy working at abat. The flexible working environment and professional colleagues have made my experience here exceptional. The culture of collaboration and willingness to offer help has allowed me to develop my skills in SAP. Overall, I feel grateful to be a part of such a supportive and dynamic team

Maureen

Business Development
China

abat is a high-tech company, which focus on the specific areas deeply. The attitude of abat towards our customers and business partners is professional, sincere, honest and respect. To the employees, abat provides a humanity culture and environment. The company regards and manages the employees in the way that we are all adults, e.g. to give us enough trust and freedom so that we can arrange our work and develop ourselves. In one word, abat is a professional high-tech company with humanity.

Henrik

Legal Representative
China

For me, abat means a combination of independent work and strong teamwork.

Hao

General Manager
China

At abat, we believe in the magic of mutual trust, personal responsibility, and respectful cooperation rather than rigid rules and long coordination. This creates a dynamic and enjoyable work environment, that results in exceptional experiences for our customers. I am amazed by the wonder of this guiding principle.

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transformation COMPASS

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Conversion Accelerator

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