1. Challenge Overview
Lack of Alignment Across Functions
- Disconnected priorities between sales, operations, and finance
- Difficulty defining a shared planning process
Complexity in Planning Process
- Desire to avoid heavy constraint logic in early phases
- Needed pragmatic ways to manage supply variability
Risk of Overengineering Supply Planning
- Each subsidiary relied on its own planning tools, making it challenging to align global strategies.
- Lack of a single source of truth resulted in inefficient coordination and lost revenue opportunities.
2. Solution
2-Month Strategic Redesign with Senior Consultant
- Focused engagement to simplify planning complexity
- Cross-functional workshops to define real planning needs
Structured S&OP Design & IBP Implementation Roadmap
- Co-created a phased implementation plan in SAP IBP
- Introduced a lean S&OP cycle to build trust across business units
- Expanded to IBP for Demand after validating process structure
Unconstrained Supply Planning Approach
- Managed risk using smart inventory buffers instead of complex algorithms
- Enabled flexibility while keeping planning logic lightweight
Hybrid ERP Integration Strategy
- Integrated IBP with both new S/4HANA and legacy ERP
- Ensured no disruption during phased rollout of backend systems
Transition to Rollout Partner
- IBP Ready delivered the strategic foundation and design
- Implementation partner took over for global scale-out
3. Results
Unified Cross-Functional Planning
Sales, operations, and finance aligned around a shared S&OP cycle, improving collaboration and transparency.
Clear, Phased IBP Roadmap
The team co-developed a realistic, actionable implementation path, moving from design to scale with confidence.
Practical Supply Risk Management
Inventory buffers allowed the client to handle constraints without complex supply models or excessive configuration.
Seamless ERP Integration
IBP was integrated with both legacy ERP and S/4HANA without disrupting ongoing operations.
Smooth Ownership Handover
IBP Ready set the foundation; the implementation partner scaled it ensuring continuity and long-term success.
