On the road to succe with SAP S/4 HANA

After winning the contract to redesign IMPERIAL Logistics Internationals global commercial processes, arvato Systems was also awarded the contract to implement and host these processes based on SAP S/4 HANA.

Using a roadmap based on SAP S/4 HANA created by arvato Systems, a new international group template has been produced that ensures a swift, group-wide implementation of commercial processes.

(arvato Systems) G tersloh - IMPERIAL Logistics International is now working even more efficiently thanks to two SAP R/3 accounting installations. IMPERIAL opened to tender the consolidation of the system onto a central SAP S/4 HANA Finance platform in two separate projects, one covering design and another implementation. SAP partner arvato Systems succeeded in winning the contracts for both projects. Decisive factors in this success were arvatos broad portfolio of consulting and service offerings and their already well-prepared roadmap for SAP S/4 HANA. And the careful preparation for this project has certainly paid off: After only six months of implementation, the first companies within the IMPERIAL Group will be changing over to the central SAP S/4 HANA platform at the end of June 2016.

A solid economy and good acquisitions have helped IMPERIAL to achieve strong growth in recent years. A consequence of this expansion strategy is todays partially heterogeneous system landscape at the company. Currently, IMPERIALs accounting department is working with two SAP R/3 installations in parallel. In practice, this means using different processes, maintaining duplicate master data and having an overly elaborate system administration in place. To more efficiently integrate future acquisitions into the system landscape and to ensure globally standardized processes in financial systems, IMPERIAL decided to consolidate their existing data, processes, and systems based on SAP S/4 HANA. The aim was to develop a template that could be used to quickly and efficiently bring both new and existing companies into the system. In addition to controlling and administrative accounting, it was also important that group-internal cash management be included in the changeover.

Safe migration with the SAP S/4 HANA roadmap

The implementation is being carried out using a two-stage plan, with design and implementation having been bid for separately. The design phase was awarded to arvato Systems. "arvato Systems was one of the first SAP partners to be certified for SAP S/4 HANA and we were really impressed by their existing roadmap. At the same time, by working with them we were also able to bundle strategy and licensing consulting with one partner", says Reimund Kuche, Head of Accounting SSC at IMPERIAL Logistics International, explaining the companys choice. Using the roadmap format, arvato Systems provides its customers with a standardized process model for transitioning to the S/4 HANA platform and presents customer-specific options for solutions that are both transparent and harmonized in line with the customers overall commercial goals. The roadmap also summarizes the most important requirements and provides an objective, 360-degree view of the project. Over the course of several workshops, by the fall of 2015 the project team had developed a comprehensive solution with a "design phase for commercial processes" as the next recommended action.

Faster rollout planned

In December 2015, arvato Systems was also awarded the contract for the implementation. "Once again, their broad portfolio of services played a central role", stresses Thomas Schulz, CFO of IMPERIAL Logistics International. The broad expertise that arvato Systems has as a trusted service partner was, just in the interests of minimizing risk alone, enough to make them indispensable for IMPERIALs purposes. It was, therefore, clear that arvato Systems would take over not only the implementation but also the hosting of the system. On 30 June 2016, initially four companies in the IMPERIAL Group will switch over to SAP S/4 HANA. Then, thanks to the arvato Systems template, the remaining 75 companies will follow in rapid succession. "With SAP S/4 HANA well be achieving significantly leaner processes. At the same time, were also be achieving greater usability. And SAP Fiori is playing an important role in doing this, because our employees will also be able to access relevant information on the go", says Reimund Kuche.

More on the SAP S/4 HANA roadmap

If you would like to find out more about the SAP S/4 HANA roadmap, you can speak to the arvato Systems experts in person. You can do this at the "SAP Forum for Financial Management & Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC)" on 26 and 27 April 2016 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany or at the "8th Info Day for CFO Services" on 9 March 2016 at the arvato Systems offices in G tersloh, Germany.

About arvato Systems

As global next generation IT systems integrator arvato Systems focuses on "Digital Transformation Solutions". We use the technology talent and expertise of over 3,000 people at more than 25 sites throughout the world. Being a part of the arvato network and belonging to Bertelsmann, we have the unique capability to create entire value chains. Our team creates integrated, future-proof business infrastructures that help make our customers more agile and competitive, and enable them to deliver new standards of service to their customers. We create streamlined digital processes that support innovative business models. Moreover we provide operation and support services. arvato Systems offers an exceptional combination of international IT engineering excellence, the open mindset of a global player, and the dedication of employees. We also ensure that all our customer relationships are as personally rewarding and long-lasting as they are successful. www.it.arvato.com

IMPERIAL Logistics International

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