IBP Demand & S&OP - Solution Optimization and Support
Implementation highlights
- Optimization of the previous system architecture and planning processes
- Ensuring data consistency and availability
- Increasing data quality, usability and system performance
- Standardization of the solution
- Restrictive authorization system at planning object level
- Extensive configuration due to highly customer-specific planning process
- Optimizations in the areas of: Demand, Budgeting, Data Quality, Permission & User Management, Process Orchestration & Stability, System Maintenance & Alerting, IT Security
Challenge
- Detailed sales planning at the level of the goods recipient and client, with the mapping of highly company-specific processes and restrictions
- Consolidation of the requirements of various business units into standardised and clear processes
- Integration of several ERP and third-party systems during the ongoing S/4 rollout
- Restrictive authorisation system at the planning object level
The project
CONSILIO was called in to support the IT department during the rollout of the SAP IBP for Demand solution. IBP is used by LANXESS for global sales planning with integrated financial and capacity planning as part of a higher-level S&OP process for the business units and subsidiaries.
This requires a detailed authorisation concept and user management. The necessary master and transaction data are consolidated from various source systems in a BW/4HANA and integrated into the IBP system via SAP CI-DS (Cloud Integration for Data Services). The implementation of IBP enables a holistic, globally uniform process in the planning of demand and supply chains at LANXESS, both in organisational and technical terms.
The employees of CONSILIO GmbH successfully supported us in optimizing the IBP solution in a cooperative and competent partnership. With high competence and the comprehensive know-how CONSILIO succeeded in adapting the solution to our needs.
The initial objective was to provide technical support for the rollout and, at the same time, to provide application user support, training and to record further requirements or errors in the IBP and connected systems. During this phase, the user management process, for example, was analysed, specified, documented and the resources involved were trained accordingly.
In addition, difficulties with single sign-on and the IBP Excel add-on were identified and resolved in collaboration with the LANXESS network team and Workplace Management, among other things by making adjustments in SAP IAS (Identity Authentication Service). Furthermore, a mail alerting system for the standard jobs of the IBP planning cycle was set up as part of a system monitoring process, and process management was designed to be employee-independent, thus stabilising it.
With the completion of the worldwide rollout, further optimisations of the system architecture and planning processes were carried out alongside classic support activities as part of application management.
Change requests from the business were also continuously recorded, prioritised, discussed with the product owner and implemented. This phase includes, for example, the revision of the data model and the integration tasks for the three ERP systems to ensure data consistency. At the same time, customising corrections made it possible to increase data quality in SAP IBP and ensure data availability.
In the course of optimising the authorisation system, best practices were also implemented to ensure maintainability in this area as well. In addition, technical system, integration and process documentation was created for the IT department.
Furthermore, adjustments have been implemented in IBP and CI-DS that increase overall system stability and performance and standardise planning processes. Advice was also provided on the topics of user provisioning with SAP IPS (Identity Provisioning Service) and IT security.
Due to the phased S/4 conversion and the dynamics of the business environment, further major data adjustments and process simplifications are necessary, which will be implemented in cooperation with the customer's IT department.
LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
- Industry sector: Process industry
- Business area: Development, manufacturing and distribution of chemical intermediates, additives, speciality chemicals and plastics
- Web: www.lanxess.com
- Solution: IBP for Demand and S&OP
- Consulting Partner: CONSILIO GmbH
Further information
Integrated Business Planning (SAP IBP)
SAP IBP offers you real-time planning in an integrated planning environment.
SAP IBP for Sales & Operations Planning
Your planning results are only as good as the synchronisation between the various planning departments.
SAP IBP for Demand
We support you with our process, IT and statistical expertise to sustainably improve your demand planning.