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

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…

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Salzgitter AG

In 2018, the Salzgitter Group started to migrate its entire ERP infrastructure to SAP S/4HANA. In the course of this group-wide transformation project, a separate project was to standardize, optimize and automate the merchandise management processes for the procurement of input materials from an affiliated company across all participating group companies. In eleven workshops, abat developed the…

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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

Alfred-Wegener-Institut
Atlas Elektronik
Audi
BayWa
BMW
Boehringer Ingelheim
Bolta
Booster Precision
Bosch
Bremer Staßenbahn AG
Brose Fahrzeugteile
BVZ Berliner Zeitungsdruck
Cewe
COMPAS (Daimler / NISSAN)
Continental
Continental Foods
Cooper Standard
Cordes & Graefe
Daimler Trucks & Buses
Desma
Deutsche Post
DHL
Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG
DMK Deutsches Milchkontor
DuMont
Dyckerhoff
Edscha
Eissmann Group Automotive
ElectronicPartner
ERCO
Evonik Industries
eyes and more
Fastlog
Fehrer
FFT Produktionssysteme
Focke & Co.
Friedhelm Loh
Fritz Winter Eisengießerei
Frosta
Gestra AG
Getränke Essmann
Gimmi
GQSystems
Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrik Paul Horn
Haufe-Lexware
HEAD Sport GmbH
HIL Heeresinstandsetzungslogistik
Imperial Logistics
Infineum
Inspirion
iSi Automotive
Isringhausen
JAB JOSEF ANSTOETZ KG
Jacobs Douwe Egberts
Jopp Automotive de México
Josera Erbacher
KAEFER Isoliertechnik
Kaesler Nutrition
Karl Geuther
Kayser Automotive Systems
KHD Humboldt Wedag
Klingspor AG
KLS Martin Group
Knipex
Konica Minolta
Krones
La Lorraine
Leonhard Kurz
Lloyd Werft
Lorel
Lürssen Werft
MAN Truck & Bus
Max Kiene GmbH (über amagno)
Melitta
Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Mercedes-Benz Group
Meva Schalungs-Systeme
Meyer Werft
Müller & Meirer
MV Werften
Nestlé
Neuenhauser Unternehmensgruppe
nobilia
Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke
Novem Car Interior Design
Nutrilo
OHB
Optibelt GmbH
Otto Fuchs kG
Pfeifer und Langen
Pilz
Porsche
PWO
Recaro
Rehau
Rheinmetall
Rhenus
Safran
Salzgitter Flachstahl
SAP
SAS Interior Modules
Schloss Wachenheim
Schnellecke
Schüco International KG
Sidel
SieMatic Möbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG
Siemens
Smart
SMP
South Shore
SPARETECH
Star Cooperation
Steinbeis Papier
Südzucker
Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze
Swiss Krono
Swoboda
Tchibo
Terex
tesa
thyssenkrupp
Unilever
Vaillant
Vetter Pharma
Visscher-Caravelle
Vitakraft
Vitalmex
Volkswagen
VS Logistics Solutions
WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Warema
Webasto
Weidmüller
Wilo SE

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to our jobs

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

Vivien

Consultant
Bremen

I like working at abat because there is a very pleasant, appreciative working atmosphere here with a lot of freedom. There is a lot of trust, so you also have the freedom to try out something new - but if it doesn't work out, there is also the necessary support. That's how I've learned so much! In addition, if you have problems while working in the home office, you can often quickly find colleagues who are happy to help you out via teams.

Tim

Senior SAP Developer
Bremen

At abat, thanks to the great variety of projects, I have the opportunity to constantly expand my horizons and thus always be prepared for upcoming challenges.

Sophie

Working student
St. Ingbert

WORK-LIFE-BALANCE is very important at abat. Thanks to flexible working hours and a great team, you can combine work and university very well.

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You might also be interested in

transformation COMPASS

learn more 

Conversion Accelerator

learn more 

Contact our SAP S/4HANA-Transformation experts

Europe
Markus Fischer
Solution Architekt
+49 421 430460
China
Henrik Lienstromberg
Executive Director
+49 421 430460
North America