Strategic digitalization: SMA Solar implements global SAP S/4HANA program
SMA Solar Technology AGSMA Solar establishes new scalable enterprise platform with SAP S/4HANA
In light of increasing demand for renewable energy, the specialist for photovoltaic system technology was faced with the challenge of modernizing its global ERP system. With SAP S/4HANA, the company is aiming to create a modern and uniform IT environment, improving scalability and innovation. SNP is supporting the transformation program as a technical migration partner. Multiple release phases are planned between 2023 and 2025, and the first subproject has already been successfully completed.
The journey to intelligent ERP
For over 40 years, SMA Solar has been a technical pioneer in the energy industry and serves a continually growing customer base in around the world. As part of the transformation program, the company is upgrading its global SAP ERP system to the current SAP S/4HANA version to meet demand and lay the foundation for further innovative developments. To create and expand its own global enterprise platform Digital Core step by step, SMA Solar is collaborating closely with two partners: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and SNP.
PwC is the lead partner responsible for strategic consulting in the overall project, while SNP is in charge of the technical data transformation. In the first subproject, the partners implemented a big bang migration along with multiple process improvements, including several quick wins. More than 70 legal entities of SMA Solar and 30 production, sales and distribution, and service locations were transferred to the new Digital Core platform in one step, laying the groundwork for the next steps. SNP’s selective migration approach and automated software ensured the successful go-live around the world in October 2022.
Our partnership with PwC
SNP and PwC, a leading audit and consulting firm, have been collaborating closely as part of their global partnership since 2021. In addition to the SAP S/4HANA and cloud conversion, the cooperation focuses on highly automated solutions from a single source for M&A and finance projects to ensure a fast and secure data migration.
Secure and automated conversion powered by software
The first Digital Core phase, meaning the conversion from the existing SAP ECC ERP system to SAP S/4HANA, went very quickly and smoothly thanks to the SNP software. To migrate the relevant data, SNP leveraged the selective approach while also optimizing business processes and standardizations at the same time.
The new IT architecture connects the platform to various SAP S/4HANA enterprise applications, including Salesforce and Teamcenter. In addition, it is compatible with all other relevant systems, as it already partially uses cloud integration software to connect applications, data, and devices. This provides the strategic starting point for further release phases until 2025. The focus will be on strengthening digital capabilities, activating functions for collaboration, and scaling the platform to pave the way for the digital future of SMA Solar.
Although the digital transformation is not yet complete, the move to SAP S/4HANA has already paid off. SMA Solar is now better positioned to serve its global customers with optimized services and digital solutions – making an important contribution to a climate-friendly energy supply.
Data migration with SNP – the advantages
- Rapid deployment of the preconfigured SAP S/4HANA system.
- Selective redesigning of certain system subareas while retaining those that are important for SMA Solar’s digital processes going forward.
- Automated review of thousands of test cases within minutes instead of hours.
-
Countries invoved
10
-
Legacy system
ERP ECC
-
Systemausfallzeit
60 Stunden
-
Project duration
40 months
-
Company codes
23 legal entities
-
Project type
Global SAP S/4HANA program
-
SAP modules
FI, CO, MM, SD, PM, QM, PP, CS, WM, CA, BP, third-party applications
With SNP's selective transformation approach and software, we were able to quickly, securely and flexibly create the foundation for a fully integrated platform to further optimize, automate and digitize our global business
Klaus Lahmann and Tobias Lippe
Streamlead IT at SMA Digital Core project
SMA Technology AG is setting the standard for the decentralized and renewable energy supply of tomorrow. The company offers a wide range of efficient solar and battery inverters, holistic system solutions for photovoltaic and storage systems in all performance classes, intelligent energy management systems, charging solutions for electric vehicles, and power conversion applications.
