In a rapidly changing digital landscape, businesses require agility, flexibility, and efficiency. Marubeni-Itochu Steel America (MISA), recognizing the evolving demands of the industry, collaborated with Marubeni IT Solutions to transition to the next-generation SAP ERP system, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, signifying a dynamic shift in the ERP landscape.
With origins traced back to Germany, SAP stands tall as a global powerhouse in business software solutions, particularly ERP systems. Through these systems, businesses worldwide have transformed their operations, making them more streamlined and efficient. SAP Japan, with its strategic positioning in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, serves as a beacon for the brand in the Asia-Pacific arena.
Conversely, Marubeni-Itochu Steel America, a prominent subsidiary of the global steel giant Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc., has continually showcased its dedication to innovation. MISA’s American presence symbolizes its commitment to providing unparalleled steel solutions in the region.
Transitioning to the SAP ERP System: A Catalyst for Change
Marubeni-Itochu Steel America’s pursuit of a core system overhaul stemmed from four foundational objectives. (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.)
- Synchronizing with the ever-evolving digital age.
- Prioritizing and ensuring operational efficiency.
- Amplifying system flexibility and scalability.
- Simplifying processes and systems for better user experience.
Although MISA’s existing SAP ERP system was proficient, the rising tide of digital transformation called for an advanced and adaptable system. Enter Marubeni IT Solutions, with their revolutionary proposal of the Business Transformation as a Service (BTaaS) offering RISE with SAP program. This initiative revolved around the SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, promising unparalleled functionality and adaptability.
Navigating the Transition: Overcoming Hurdles, Setting Precedents
Any monumental shift, especially in the ERP domain, brings its share of challenges. For MISA, integrating peripheral solutions, earlier hosted on on-premises servers, into the SAP Cloud server was a daunting task. The new environment’s constraints meant that direct integration of non-SAP solutions was not feasible, demanding a strategic system overhaul.
Thanks to Marubeni IT Solutions’ expertise and their alliance with AWS server construction specialists, a tailor-made AWS server was birthed. This innovation seamlessly meshed peripheral solutions with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, ensuring maximum asset leverage and a swift, efficient transition.
But the path had more twists. An unforeseen challenge was the extended downtime during migration rehearsals. In a sector where time equates to money, such downtime could have been catastrophic. However, proactive strategies, coupled with Marubeni-Itochu Steel America’s unwavering support, led to effective solutions that minimized system outages, facilitating the flawless shift to the new SAP ERP system.
By embracing comprehensive migration rehearsals and addressing bottlenecks head-on, an uninterrupted production migration was achieved, with the renewed system operational by May 2023.
A Vision of Expansion and Enhanced Efficiency
Marubeni-Itochu Steel America’s journey with the SAP S/4HANA Cloud is just beginning. Together with Marubeni IT Solutions, they’re on a mission to unlock the system’s advanced capabilities, driving efficiency to unparalleled heights. Furthermore, with this robust platform in place, ambitions are high to roll out these innovations to other subsidiaries across the Americas.
In summary, this venture between Marubeni-Itochu Steel America, Marubeni IT Solutions, and SAP Japan is more than a system upgrade; it’s a testament to the transformative power of innovation and collaboration in pushing industry frontiers.
