“KAMAX goes SAP S/4HANA” – a new basis for our business processes
Most of us use our SAP system almost every day. Whether for purchasing processes, logistics, sales, finance or production - it provides the technical basis for all business processes at almost all KAMAX locations. Currently, our company is changing in many areas and this also affects our SAP system.
Simply said, the aim of this change is to make your work processes more comfortable: by optimizing the processes in the specialized departments and, above all, modernizing the underlying technology. With the project "KAMAX goes SAP S/4HANA", we are converting our previous SAP system to the state-of-the-art and innovative S/4HANA by renewing the digital backbone of our company.
But what exactly is S/4HANA and what can it do anyway?
The digital transformation sets new requirements on IT and business processes. Large volumes of data must be processed in the shortest possible time. At the same time, users expect solutions that they can use intuitively - regardless of time, place and device and without having to spend weeks familiarizing themselves with a system. In addition, the system must be flexible enough to allow future innovations to be implemented quickly and easily. The answer is S/4HANA.
“We are facing a very big task with the S/4HANA project. There will be changes and there are always fears associated with them, but there are also a great many opportunities in all of these things. So let's be open to these changes and take advantage of these opportunities together!”
Jens Hoidem, Project Manager S/4HANA
S/4HANA is SAP's latest product generation and one of the most modern ERP systems [editor's note: abbreviation for software for planning and controlling a company]. The S in S/4HANA stands for simple, 4 for the fourth product generation, and HANA refers to the underlying database technology. Compared to its predecessors, this one is characterized by a combination of improved technology and simplified structures, allowing data to be retrieved and processed in real time. It's not just performance that improves. We get a 360-degree view of what's happening in our company - in real time. For you as a user, this means: modern and simple use, fewer clicks, shortened waiting times and up-to-the-minute data.
The first steps have already been taken. At the same time, we still have a lot ahead of us; after all, this project will accompany us until 2027.
Our goals:
- Optimization, standardization and harmonization of business processes
- Increased productivity through faster, simpler and automated processes
- More efficient cooperation between different KAMAX companies through the use of a consistent SAP system
- Intuitive, faster operation of the SAP system through new, user-friendly interfaces
How do we proceed?
Specifically, our journey starts with the installation of the S/4HANA system in our new plant in Jintan (China). This is exactly what we are working on intensively in the project team right now, eagerly awaiting the go-live (beginning of July). Rolling out the system in the first plant is particularly exciting. This will be followed by the roll-out in Lapeer (USA), Leon (Mexico) and Turnov (Czech Republic). Moving step by step towards our headquarters in Homberg, with which we will conclude the project.
In doing so, we always want to combine the best from all KAMAX worlds. With the S/4 Innovation Team, we have formed a cross-functional team with members from all business units, which brings together the necessary expertise. Our guiding principle is to keep the core of the new SAP system as lean as possible and close to the standard. This is the only way we can offer you a functioning SAP system in the long term and implement ongoing innovations quickly and efficiently. In the end, we see a future-proof SAP system that serves us all and that we can therefore only develop together.
Do you have any questions about exactly which processes will change, what the whole thing will look like later on or when you will specifically be affected by the transition? In the future, we will report regularly on the individual steps of the project and provide updates on the current status. In addition, project manager Jens Hoidem will be happy to answer questions about the "KAMAX goes SAP S/4HANA" project.
KXpress
