We have transformed our value reporting into a variance-oriented standard reporting based on a unified data foundation with the use of SAP SAC
Ursula Urbas, Vice President Corporate Controlling, Knorr-Bremse AG
We have transformed our value reporting into a variance-oriented standard reporting based on a unified data foundation with the use of SAP SAC
Ursula Urbas, Vice President Corporate Controlling, Knorr-Bremse AG
Case Study
Transform8 implements secure standard reporting for group financials in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC).
Advantage through a spirit of innovation
For more than 115 years, Knorr-Bremse AG, which specializes in braking and other systems for rail and commercial vehicles, has been driving developments in mobility and transportation technologies and has a head start in the field of networked system solutions. Knorr-Bremse has achieved this lead through technological excellence and a constant willingness to innovate and adapt, and this extends beyond developments in mobility. The company also places a strong emphasis on progress through digitization, making it a top priority for this successful industrial conglomerate.
Only Cloud, SAP HANA Migration and Data Analytics in Focus
One core element is cloud transformation. In 2023, the company-wide migration to S/4HANA will begin in order to more strongly network and automate processes on the basis of a uniform system environment. Knorr-Bremse has already completed the S/4HANA migration in the Treasury department. As part of various data and analytics initiatives, employees in the specialist departments will be empowered to make better decisions with various tools and self-service analytics offerings.
Challenge of financial reporting
A kick-off project was the optimization of the reporting system in financial controlling. Due to the international presence of the M-Dax group, generating central financial metrics has been challenging. The two divisions for rail and commercial vehicles currently operate separate central SAP instances with numerous local adaptations. Knorr-Bremse has a presence in over 100 locations across more than 30 countries. This meant a lot of manual effort, which costs time and is prone to errors.
Overview
Customer
Knorr-Bremse AG
Branch
Transport and rail traffic
Region
Munich, Germany
Function
Controlling, Management
Business Value Drivers
Real-time financial key figures presented in a board-appropriate format
Challenges
- Processing data from two central SAP instances with numerous local adaptations
- Replacement of the manually driven reporting process with a suitable BI solution
- Automated generation of financial metrics
Solution
- Implementation of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and provision of applications for the creation and visualization of key financial indicators.
Outcomes
- Availability of (near-)real-time data
- Accelerated retrieval of key figures and analysis
- Simplified authorization management
- Data viewing from different perspectives and in variable depths of detail
- End-device independent data access
The success
Targeted, fast, data-based business decisions
The success
Executive-ready real-time financial dashboard
The solution should be a business intelligence solution that makes it possible to provide reports with board-appropriate key figures with just a few clicks – automatically, efficiently and on the basis of valid, up-to-date data. In addition, it should also be possible to use it on mobile devices, as the Executive Board mainly uses tablet PCs.
Support with the selection of solutions
In order to be on the safe side when selecting software and to make the right decision, the company got together with
Transform8 for competent assistance. The IT service provider is specialized in digital
transformation processes in the BI environment. Customers are supported from the selection of the appropriate solution through conception and project management to implementation and operation. In addition, the Transform8 team has already implemented numerous BI projects in the enterprise environment and is therefore very familiar with the controlling requirements and structures of large corporations.
SAP Analytics Cloud convinces
Two SAP solutions and one third-party solution were evaluated by Transform8 according to a comprehensive catalogue of criteria
compared with each other.
The focus was on topics such as architecture, self-service capability, functionality, especially regarding planning, data connectivity, required skills development, security and governance, performance and scalability, intractability, update cycles, market readiness, roadmaps, licensing costs, etc.
During a workshop at Knorr-Bremse, the BI specialist presented the two solutions that had made it onto the shortlist and made a recommendation for SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). The software for business intelligence, analytics and planning provides all analysis functions in one product. It includes functionalities from reporting and dashboarding to data analytics, storytelling and planning. In addition, as a self-service tool, SAC, unlike classic SAP systems, is designed to be as easy to use as possible, which enables independent usability in the specialist departments – even without IT support. Other arguments in favor of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) were the SAP expertise already available at Knorr-Bremse and the lower licence procurement costs due to the SAP components already in place in some cases.
Data consumers can now easily access key figures with deviations in a self-service process and then drill down into the figures to identify causes and take appropriate countermeasures.
Ursula Urbas, Vice President Corporate Controlling, Knorr-Bremse AG
Data consumers can now easily access key figures with deviations in a self-service process and then drill down into the figures to identify causes and take appropriate countermeasures.
Ursula Urbas, Vice President Corporate Controlling, Knorr-Bremse AG
About Transform8
Transform8 GmbH is a specialized consultancy and solution provider for digital transformation in the BI environment. With technical and professional expertise as well as many years of experience, Transform8 supports its customers in making the modern working world simpler, more flexible and more transparent. The experts at Transform8 achieve this by providing holistic support to their clients as sparring partners from concept to implementation.
About Knorr-Bremse AG
Knorr-Bremse is the world market leader for braking systems and other systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Knorr-Bremse products make a significant contribution to increased safety and energy efficiency on rails and roads worldwide. Around 30,500 employees work for the company at over 100 locations in more than 30 countries. In 2021, Knorr-Bremse generated global sales of EUR 6.7 billion in its two business divisions. Read more
https://www.knorr-bremse.com/de/
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