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SAP S/4HANA.

SAP-competency-level-expert-with-text_horizontal_white2
Digital transformation with Westernacher.
SAP S/4HANA is the basis for the digital transformation of your company. SAP’s Business Suite provides so many improvements that have the potential to fundamentally transform your business and prepare it for the future. These include a real-time in-memory database for all data and the ability to analyze it in real time. Through 25 years of guiding our customers in their SAP implementations, we have gained the experience and expertise to make your move to SAP S/4HANA a success.
Which implementation approach is best suited to your company? A greenfield or hybrid approach (combination of brownfield and greenfield) allows you to realize the full potential. Focus on your core processes that differentiate you from the competition and build on them. A brownfield, i.e., technical changeover, is only the strategically correct solution in a few cases.

Our SAP S/4HANA Assessment Starter Packages are designed to help you develop the right strategy for your transition in the shortest possible time. In just 2-4 weeks, our team of experts will work with you to uncover the best approach for your business. Based on a combination of consulting and tools of SAP Signavio and SNP, we’ll show you how to optimize your processes, identify outdated in-house developments, and streamline your projects – all while keeping your business running smoothly. Choose from our range of packages, tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, including a special version for RISE with SAP customers. Start your SAP S/4HANA journey today with our Time-to-Value Solution!

SAP S/4HANA Assessment Starter Packages.

SAP S/4HANA can impact all critical business functions, from finance and supply chain to customer service and marketing. With SAP S/4HANA, companies are able to analyze data in real time and respond directly.
General
Finance
Supply Chain
Sales & Service

The most important questions about getting started with SAP S/4HANA.

The Why, What and How to ensure the best possible approach.
1
Why?

The strategic imperative.

  • Why digital transformation not a choice but a necessity.
  • How disruption comes from different directions and how it affects the way we do business.
  • How to take full advantage of modern technology, which is a key to future success in any industry.
  • How this offers new business models and tremendous opportunities.
2
What?

Overview of SAP answers.

  • SAP’s application strategy and ERP of tomorrow.
  • How SAP S/4HANA’s next-gen capabilities give you the “unfair advantage”.
  • The importance of the cloud and the right deployment option.
  • How the new architecture will change the way we work forever.
3
How?

Digitization is not an on/off switch. The right approach determines success.

  • The best practices of the best-in-class SAP S/4HANA beginners.
  • The right approach to SAP S/4HANA.
  • How the transition option (Greenfield, Brownfield, Selective) determines your success.
  • How to get both efficiency and effectiveness out of your processes.

1993

start of our SAP journey with SAP ERP

6

years of experience in SAP S/4HANA

>160

ERP & Finance engagements

SAP S/4HANA: You'll get there with us.

Customer references

SAP S/4HANA Highlights.

Implementing full scale SAP S/4HANA at ITW.

VW joint venture ICS drives fast value with SAP S/4HANA.

Smart retail solution for new gen beauty giant Harmay.

Showcasing a smooth migration to S/4HANA at Windmöller & Hölscher.

White paper

Innovation meets inspiration.

Simplification and differentiation with SAP S/4HANA in 3 steps.

The value of migrating to SAP S/4HANA.

SAP S/4HANA in mechanical and plant engineering.

Your path to SAP S/4HANA.

We see switching to SAP’s new Business Suite SAP S/4HANA not as an option but as a necessity. It’s not a question of “if” but of “when” and “how” to carry out the migration. Ideally plan as soon as possible for 2027 and the end of SAP ECC 6. The appropriate implementation strategy is crucial for a successful migration. Should it be a local implementation with a modified infrastructure to handle exponential growth and still enable fast innovation cycles? Or a proven and flexible private or public cloud solution with two innovation cycles per year? Perhaps you are planning to deploy an on-premises version at a hyperscaler instead of on your self-managed infrastructure? We are here for you as the right partner.
1
Conversion of your SAP system (Brownfield)
Complete conversion of an existing SAP Business suite system to SAP S/4HANA. If your current SAP landscape is only modified to a limited extent and your core processes have been optimally structured in the SAP system, you can convert to SAP S/4HANA in just a few steps. It is worth taking a look at the as-is state of your system and your other projects with one of our SAP S/4HANA assessments.
2
Simplification as the basis for fast added value (Hybrid)
Ideal for large enterprises with SAP and non-SAP ERP systems. Consolidation into a global SAP S/4HANA system or selective data migration. Quickly achieve enterprise-level value, such as a soft close at any time, budget simulations, and inventory forecasting. For this we cooperate closely with our partner SNP and use the SNP Crystal Bridge. In our Assessment Packages L and the version for RISE with SAP, an optimal start into planning is possible here.
3
New entry into the SAP world (Greenfield)
Is the design of your current SAP landscape still from the 1990s? Then it’s probably time to take a big step into the future with a fresh start or a fundamental overhaul. Use a central digital core, without modifications or workarounds from the past.

Instant Innovation Tools.

SAP solutions such as S/4HANA, TM, or EWM offer extensive functionality for a wide range of business processes, but if you have a specific requirement that’s not covered, our Instant Innovation Tools are the perfect solution. With our Instant Innovation Tools, you can customize SAP to meet your unique needs and drive your business forward.

One of our SAP S/4HANA Tools. We sync/GS1.

The tool Westernacher We sync | GS1 offers master data management for SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA. It features automatic importation of GS1 data and maintenance of master data in the usual SAP environment enabling you to work faster and safer. Westernacher We sync | GS1 offers the fastest and most convenient way to integrate GS1 into your SAP system.

SAP Fiori. It’s more than just a slick design.

SAP Fiori is the cutting-edge user interface that revolutionizes the way work is done! Simple, role-based and responsive, it's part of SAP S/4HANA, EWM, and TM. Upgrade to SAP Fiori for a seamless and efficient work experience. Westernacher Consulting is a pioneer in adapting SAP Fiori to meet the unique needs of its customers. With a dedicated Fiori developer team, we're here to help you shape and customize S/4 functionalities specifically for your company. Don't settle for a one-size-fits-all solution – choose a tailored, streamlined, and user-friendly experience with SAP Fiori.

Workshops with impact.

We put our expertise into practice by using SAP S/4HANA on our own systems and regularly updating with the latest SAP upgrades. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in implementing and hosting your SAP S/4HANA solution, helping you unlock the full potential of real-time decision support and increased user productivity. With years of experience and distinctive expertise, we have the answers to all of your questions and will work with you to assess your current planning status. Choose a partner who truly understands the power of SAP S/4HANA and is dedicated to helping you succeed.

Unlock your business’s potential with SAP S/4HANA, Analytics, and Fiori Mobile Solutions! Want to improve performance, streamline processes, and increase data quality and flexibility? It’s time to consider implementing SAP S/4HANA or upgrading your established ECC system. Our team offers tailored interview and workshop packages to help you make the right decision for your business. Discover the benefits of SAP S/4HANA and learn more about Westernacher by booking a personal assessment package with us. Our experts are ready to help you take the next step towards a more innovative, efficient, and successful future.

SAP S/4HANA Assessment Starter Packages.

SAP S/4HANA Insights.

Articles
The road to SAP S/4HANA seems long and winding – for many existing systems it is not.
Brochures
6 steps to your digital transformation with SAP S/4HANA.
References
Harmonizing process flows across business units at ITW with SAP S/4HANA.
VW joint venture ICS drives fast value with SAP S/4HANA.
New gen beauty giant Harmay adopts SAP S/4HANA for their omni-channel operations.
A successful change for Westernacher Consulting as it makes the move to S/4HANA.
Showcasing a smooth migration to S/4HANA at Windmöller & Hölscher.
Webinars
The right time to make the right move to SAP S/4HANA.
Series – Level up service parts planning with SAP eSPP.
Digitize HR processes with SAP cloud technologies.
Optimize your warehouse processes with Westernacher and Miebach.
Discover the full potential of DMC for process industry.
The best practices of best-in-class SAP S/4HANA adopters.
RISE with SAP – Become a digital champion powered by Westernacher.
SAP TM goes S/4. What does that mean for your TM?
Discover the new S/4 EWM system release from SAP.
White paper
One supply chain in SAP S/4HANA.
Higher value, faster at lower cost. S/4HANA as your platform for innovation.

Let's work together.

S/4HANA Assessment Starter Package

Start.

Duration: 2 weeks

Business process analysis

Processes / LoB / VD

Interview

  • OtC or PtP process
  • Finance & sales or procurement
  • Value drivers (max. 1)
  • Automation potentials (max. 3)

Technical interview

Workshop on findings and benefits

Outcomes

Key findings and business benefits

S/4HANA Assessment Starter Package

Small.

Duration: 2 weeks

Readiness Check

Business process analysis

Processes / LoB / VD

Interview

  • E2E processes (7)
  • Lines of business (max. 2)
  • Value drivers (max. 3)
  • Automation potentials (max. 10)

Technical interview

Workshop on findings and benefits

Outcomes

Key findings and business benefits

S/4HANA Assessment Starter Package

Medium.

Duration: 6 weeks

Readiness Check

Business process analysis

Processes / LoB / VD

Interview

  • E2E processes (7)
  • Lines of business (max. 6)
  • Value drivers (max. 3)
  • Automation potentials (max. 20)

Comparison with the latest SAP S/4HANA business functionality

Technical interview

Workshop on findings and benefits

Outcomes

Key findings and business benefits

Recommended deployment options

Final presentation and documentation

S/4HANA Assessment Starter Package

Large.

Duration: 8-12 weeks

Readiness check

Business process analysis and SNP system Scan

Processes / LoB / VD

Interview

  • E2E processes (7)
  • Lines of business (6)
  • Value drivers (12)
  • Automation potentials (all)

SNP System Scan

Comparison with the latest SAP S/4HANA business functionality

Technical interview

Workshop on findings and benefits

Outcomes

Key findings and business benefits

Recommended deployment options

Demonstration of the advantages of the hybrid approach

Project plan and cost estimate

Design concept and high-level project plan

Final presentation and documentation

S/4HANA Assessment Starter Package

SAP RISE.

Duration: 12-16 weeks

Readiness check

Business process analysis and SNP system Scan

Processes / LoB / VD

Interview

  • E2E processes (7)
  • Lines of business (6)
  • Value drivers (12)

SNP System Scan

Comparison with the latest SAP S/4HANA business functionality

Technical interview

Workshop on findings and benefits

Outcomes

Key findings and business benefits

Recommended deployment options

Demonstration of the advantages of the hybrid approach

Project plan and cost estimate

Design concept and high-level project plan

Final presentation and documentation

SAP S/4HANA ERP & Finance

General changes.

Moving you closer to business success.
Business
partner
User
interface
Activate
implementation methodology

Business partner

A major change in S/4HANA, which can be anticipated in ECC, is the Business Partner Concept, known already from SAP CRM. All customer and vendor master data have to be migrated as Business Partner. SAP aligns the concept of Business Partner as other Supply Chain Management (SCM) applications like Advanced Planning & Optimization (APO), Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) or Transportation Management (TM) will be integrated to the Digital Core of S/4HANA.

User interface

Fiori is a new User Experience based on web technology. With Fiori you can have good, modern and intuitive user interfaces to operate with your SAP systems. There are plenty of apps available and ready to use. And there are tools and technology to modify existing apps or even create new apps tailored to your needs. The Fiori ecosystem is growing rapidly and offers many options for various use cases and scenarios.

Activate implementation methodology

There is no concept of blueprinting in S/4HANA implementation. S/4HANA has introduced the new ‘Activate’ methodology. SAP offers a prebuilt demo system with SAP’s best practices for specific business processes. Business users can now test a demo system to see whether it meets their business requirements or not. Fit-gap analysis can be done after the initial trial period.

SAP S/4HANA ERP & Finance

Finance.

Your accounting, simplified.

Single source of truth

New General
Ledger

Integration of Finance and
Controlling

Profibility Analysis

Credit
management

Revenue recognition

Single source of truth

S/4HANA simplifies the data structures of Finance and Controlling (Finance FI, Asset Accounting AA, Controlling CO, Profitability Analysis CO-PA and Material Ledger) into the Universal Journal with its centerpiece, the single line item table ACDOCA. This reduces aggregate and index tables and therefore reduces the data volume drastically and speeds up transactions and reporting.

Integration of Finance and Controlling

In S/4HANA, only one field of Universal Journal is used to store both General Ledger account and cost element posting. Reconciliation as in ECC is not needed anymore. Period-end closing and reporting will be several times faster.

Revenue recognition

Revenue Recognition is being replaced by SAP Revenue Accounting and Reporting (RAR) due to the new accounting standard jointly released by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and meeting the requirements of parallel accounting and cost recognition.

Profitability analysis

Account-based Profitability Analysis CO-PA is now the default option, and costing-based CO-PA is optional. Both options can be run simultaneously.

New general ledger

S/4HANA is based on the New General Ledger (GL) of ECC, and the migration is done automatically when converting from ECC with Old General Ledger to S/4HANA. Customers do not need to use the features of New General Ledger as Document Split or Parallel Ledger, but can implement during conversion or at a later stage. The New General Ledger’s functionality is a prerequisite for the new Asset accounting.

Credit management

Credit Management of ECC (FI-AR-CR ) is replaced by that of Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM-CR), which is based on a distributed architecture and allows interfaces with external credit rating agencies. Traditional FI-AR-CR credit control setting requires a high degree of manual work. FSCM-CR has advanced features such as:
  • Credit rule engine for automatic risk scoring & credit limit calculations
  • Automatic update to master data on approval of credit limit
  • Workflow for credit events

SAP S/4HANA ERP & Finance

Supply chain.

Giving you control over your products.
aATP

Warehouse
Management

Foreign
trade

Material
ledger

Material
requirements planning
Material
number

Transportation
Management

aATP

The new advanced ATP check (aATP) is optimized for the HANA database. The logic to read the planning elements has been fully redesigned to improve the performance and is benefiting from the newly introduced inventory data model.

New confirmation strategy in backorder processing.

  • Predefined confirmation strategies: Win, Gain, Redistribute, Fill and Lose

Product allocation process

  • Newly developed
  • Neither ECC process, nor APO process
  • Reduced customizing effort in Fiori Apps

Release for Delivery

  • New Fiori app to review shortage situations and the result
  • Easy control of assigning critical sales order requirements

The newly developed aATP is neither a replacement for gATP, nor delivering all features of gATP in the near future. gATP can be called from S/4HANA for very complex ATP scenarios. gATP on APO has unique features like rule-based ATP (for substitution of location plant or material), multi-level ATP check, advanced check for product allocation with ATP or advanced backorder processing.

Warehouse Management

Existing Warehouse Management modules will be replaced by SAP’s new application for Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). There will be two options:

  1. Native integration inbuilt in S/4HANA
  2. Sidecar approach for decentralized deployment

There are several advantages like complex warehouse processing through Process Oriented Storage Control (POSC), improved and easily customizable RF functionality, value-added services like kitting, enhanced wave & replenishment processes and labor management.

Foreign trade

Foreign trade functionality has been replaced by Global Trade Services (SAP GTS). Advanced features are Sanctioned Party List Screening (SPL), automated embargo check, automatic and simplified license check and automatic import/export declaration.

Material ledger

Activation of Material Ledger (ML) is mandatory. ML valuates inventory in multiple currencies. Traditionally inventory is mainly valuated with a single currency in SAP ERP. ML allows valuation in two additional currencies. Today’s global organizations operating in different countries need to valuate inventory in multiple currencies. For example, a company in Norway dealing with oil needs to maintain their books in Norwegian currency (NOK); they would also like to evaluate their inventory in USD as oil is traded on the international market in USD.

Material requirements planning

Material Requirements Planning (MRP) in ECC is run through batch jobs during off-peak hours. As there is no need for batch jobs in S/4HANA, MRP can now be run in real-time. MRP can be run on plant and MRP area level, but not on storage location level. In ECC, Storage location can either be excluded from MRP or planned separately. SAP recommends using MRP area with MRP type (ND in case of exclusion or VB for re-order point planning) for those scenarios at storage location level. MRP with subcontracting has also been simplified.

Material number

The Material Number can now be 40 characters, as opposed to the existing 18. The impact of this extension on custom coding, interfaces and other SAP applications needs to be evaluated before switching to 40 characters.

Transportation Management

Since the release of S/4HANA 1709, S/4HANA Supply Chain for Transportation Management (TM) is finally fully embedded in the S/4HANA environment. Of course, LE-TRA can still be used in S/4, but it is part of the Compatibility Scope, which means that it can be used during migration phases, but it is not part of the target architecture. There are several possible scenarios to run TM in S/4HANA, which starts with basic shipping, and ends with the complete scope of the inbuilt TM solution. The functional scope of S/4HANA Supply Chain for TM is the baseline for full automation, Control Tower and Management by Exception scenarios.

SAP S/4HANA ERP & Finance

Sales & Service.

Intelligent, quick, effective support.
Rebate
management
Backorder
processing
Lead &
opportunity
management
Service
contracts
Pricing

Rebate management

The Settlement Management Solution is the functional equivalent of SD Rebate processing on S/4HANA. The Condition Contract Settlement Solution allows you to set up different rebate scenarios and settlement processes to fulfill the business requirements.

Key features:

  • Flexible data sources
  • Business selection criteria
  • Settlement calendar
  • Streamlined contract entry and contract processing

Backorder processing

The new Backorder Processing (BOP) introduced with S/4HANA is a new approach to rescheduling and redistributing order quantities depending on the Advanced Available-to-Promise (aATP) confirmation strategies: “Win, Gain, Redistribute, Fill, Lose”.

The backorder rules follow a custom segmentation of ATP requirements. To fulfill your company’s strategy of backorder processing, you can trigger rescheduling and redistribution based on specific selection criteria and prioritization.

Key features:

  • Maintain and reuse existing BOP variants
  • Assign confirmation strategies
  • Define new requirement categories
  • Define global filters
  • Simulate and schedule backorder processing runs in one step

Lead & opportunity management

With the introduction of S/4HANA for Customer Management, the Lead and Opportunity Management of SAP Business Suite CRM is available on S/4HANA. It is now possible to plan the sales pipeline without the need for an additional CRM server, which has a positive impact on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This feature is accompanied by the Activity and Task Manager.

Service contracts

With the introduction of S/4HANA for Customer Management, the Service Contract Management of SAP Business Suite CRM is available on S/4HANA. Service contracts represent long-term service agreements with customers in relation to the content and scope of services guaranteed within a predefined timeframe.

In general, the “S/4HANA for Customer Management – Service Core Option” is the successor solution for the Customer Service (CS) solution that is currently running in “compatibility mode” on S/4HANA.

Pricing

The Pricing Data Model has been optimized for the SAP HANA database.
Some database tables and structures have been replaced and data elements have been changed in their length. As an example, the number of customer condition tables has doubled and the number of access steps in an access sequence has increased to 999. Migration reports are rolled out to update the existing condition records.

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Before you leave.

Download our white paper.

One supply chain in SAP S/4HANA. What you will get out of this:

  • How all the supply chain components of your SAP S/4HANA solution can work together.
  • How to shift from reactive responses to prescriptive.
  • What impact a single source of truth has on how visualization of data.
  • How to avoid the trapped value gap.
Westernacher White paper: One supply chain for SAP S/4HANA