The client, a global market leader in the field of phytotherapeutics, had been experiencing dynamic growth for years. To ensure that business processes could keep pace with this expansion and enable the company to respond even more rapidly to market changes and technological developments in the future, the company planned to convert its existing SAP system to SAP S/4HANA. At the same time, the financial accounting structure was to be transitioned from an account-based approach to a ledger-based structure.

This presented a dual challenge: First, the existing SAP ECC system landscape needed to be migrated to an SAP S/4HANA system environment, requiring the transfer of master and transactional data from the past ten years for selected company codes – without disrupting ongoing business operations due to prolonged system downtimes. Second, the accounting processes had to be adapted to the new ledger structure in the SAP S/4HANA general ledger.

msg industry advisors served as the general contractor, guiding the client throughout the entire conversion and migration process – from the initial analysis phase and SAP S/4HANA architecture design to the go-live. By leveraging a Bluefield™ approach and selective data migration, various migration steps were parallelized, significantly reducing implementation time.

To ensure a smooth transition, the project team first conducted an SAP Readiness Check and a Custom Code Analysis to identify any non-SAP S/4HANA-compliant custom developments. For the subsequent system conversion and data migration, the project team employed a software-supported approach using CrystalBridge™, a solution from strategic partner SNP. The experts at msg industry advisors ensured all necessary system adjustments during the transition to the new SAP S/4HANA system landscape. Additionally, they provided comprehensive support in validation, testing, and project management.

By migrating to SAP S/4HANA and transitioning its accounting processes from an account-based to a ledger-based structure in the SAP S/4HANA general ledger, the client established a future-proof foundation for the long-term optimization of business processes and future digitalization projects.

Through transparent project management, intensive support throughout the implementation process, and a carefully prepared go-live strategy, the entire transformation project was successfully completed within 14 months – on time and within budget – with a planned system downtime of less than 48 hours. A professional change management strategy ensured the sustainable integration of the functional and process-related changes within the organization.

1.200 User

14-month
project duration

>10 Countries

29 Company
Codes