Philipp Hecker
Senior Manager, SAP
Business Applications
Optimisation of your business processes through business applications
Digital transformation presents companies with the challenge of making their processes efficient, flexible and future-proof. End-to-end processes (E2E) are the key to ensuring the seamless integration of all areas of the company, from planning to execution.
BDO DIGITAL supports you with a holistic consulting approach for the introduction and optimisation of modern ERP systems, especially with SAP S/4HANA. By using innovative analysis tools such as painchain analysis, we help you to identify weak points and sustainably improve processes.
Focus on E2E processes: SAP S/4HANA as the basis for end-to-end process optimisation
SAP S/4HANA offers a platform for seamlessly implementing E2E scenarios:
- Quote-to-Cash: Optimisation of the entire sales process, from quotation to invoicing.
- Procure-to-Pay: Automation of purchasing and payment processing with real-time transparency.
- Plan-to-Produce: Integration of production planning, manufacturing and logistics to reduce throughput times.
Painchain: uncovering weak points along the process chain
The painchain method is a key tool for analysing processes. It helps to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies along the entire value chain. The focus is on the "pain points" that hinder the process flow:
- Identification of pain points: Workshops, interviews and data analyses are used to identify critical points in the process chain that cause delays, high costs or quality problems.
- Analysing the cause-and-effect relationships: Linking the pain points with the underlying causes in order to understand the dependencies and effects on the entire process chain.
- Prioritisation: Evaluation of pain points in terms of their impact on efficiency, costs and customer satisfaction in order to identify the most important areas for optimisation.
With painchain analysis, we lay the foundation for targeted improvements that not only solve individual problems, but also optimise the entire process chain.
Transformation approaches: Greenfield, Brownfield and Bluefield
Choosing the right transformation approach depends on your existing IT landscape, your goals and the identification of pain points.
Greenfield (new implementation)
- Benefit: Ideal for companies that want to redesign processes from scratch and eliminate legacy issues.
- Benefit: Maximum flexibility in the implementation of best practices in SAP S/4HANA.
Brownfield (system conversion)
- Benefit: Suitable for companies that want to modernise their existing ERP landscape without completely replacing established processes and data structures.
- Benefits: Faster implementation with lower costs and minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
Bluefield (hybrid approach)
- Benefit: Combines the advantages of greenfield and brownfield by migrating only relevant processes and data and introducing new functionalities at the same time.
- Benefit: Flexibility to optimise existing processes and reduce legacy issues.
The choice of approach is always based on a careful analysis of your E2E processes and the identified pain points.
Our approach for a successful transformation
As BDO DIGITAL GmbH, we follow a proven methodology to efficiently organise the implementation of SAP S/4HANA based on a detailed painchain analysis:
1. As-is analysis and painchain identification:
We start with a detailed analysis of your current business processes. We identify weak points (pain points) and analyse how these affect overall performance.
2. Target definition and strategy::
Based on the painchain analysis, we define the future process landscape and set clear goals to eliminate pain points and optimise E2E scenarios.
3. Transformation planning:
We develop a customised roadmap that includes the appropriate approach (greenfield, brownfield, bluefield) and the necessary steps for the migration to SAP S/4HANA.
4. Implementation and migration:
Our team supports you throughout the entire implementation process, from data migration to optimising your E2E processes. The consideration of best practices ensures a smooth changeover.
5. Training and sustainable optimisation:
We train your employees, ensure acceptance of the new processes and continuously monitor performance. Adjustments based on KPI measurements ensure that pain points are permanently eliminated.
Success factor: combination of E2E approach and painchain analysis
An international manufacturing company decided in favour of the Bluefield approach after the painchain analysis revealed significant bottlenecks in the areas of procurement and production:
- Problem: Long delivery times and high material costs due to a lack of transparency.
- Solution: Introduction of an automated procure-to-pay scenario and integration of real-time data analyses.
- Result:
- Reduction in material costs by 15 %.
- Delivery times reduced by 30 %.
- Improving co-operation with suppliers through transparent processes.
Why BDO?
BDO DIGITAL GmbH is your partner for the successful transformation to SAP S/4HANA. With our expertise in painchain analysis, the optimisation of E2E processes and the selection of the right transformation approach, we offer you:
- Process optimisation with in-depth industry knowledge: Thanks to our experts' many years of experience in auditing and consulting, we are familiar with the specific requirements and regulatory framework conditions of a wide range of industries. This knowledge flows directly into the design and optimisation of your business processes.
- Utilisation of the SAP standard: We attach particular importance to designing your processes in such a way that the SAP standard is optimally utilised. This reduces complexity, lowers costs in the long term and enables you to benefit quickly from innovations within the SAP ecosystem.
- Individual transformation strategies: Whether greenfield, brownfield or bluefield - we develop customised solutions that perfectly match your business objectives and your IT landscape.
- Long-term partnership: We support you from the initial analysis through to continuous optimisation after implementation and ensure that your processes remain efficient in the long term.
Our holistic approach combines technical expertise, a deep understanding of processes and a consistent focus on best practices. This is how we ensure that your digital transformation is successful and gives you a long-term competitive advantage.
With BDO DIGITAL GmbH at your side, you can rely on a well thought-out and future-proof implementation that always focuses on your business objectives!