July 2023 marked a significant milestone in the field of procurement innovation, with SAP Japan hosting the “SAP Spend Connect Forum” in Tokyo. This event spotlighted the transformative steps taken by prominent companies in this domain, particularly focusing on Canon Marketing Japan’s journey toward digitalization and business reform.
Canon Marketing Japan (Canon MJ) has been a frontrunner in adopting digital solutions to enhance business processes. Recognizing the need for a unified and efficient approach, Canon MJ integrated SAP’s cloud-based service procurement platform, SAP Fieldglass, into its operations. (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.) This strategic move was aimed at not only standardizing service procurement procedures across various departments but also at injecting innovation into their system.
Canon MJ, known for its prowess in IT solutions, has been steering towards a vision of becoming a “professional corporate group” that leverages ICT and human expertise to address societal and customer challenges. Central to this vision is the digital overhaul, specifically targeting the management infrastructure, with SAP Fieldglass playing a pivotal role. This platform has enabled Canon MJ to efficiently manage service procurements, ranging from dispatch contracts to more complex outsourcing agreements, thus addressing diverse business requirements.
Canon Marketing Japan Selects SAP Fieldglass
Canon MJ’s choice of SAP Fieldglass wasn’t arbitrary. Four key reasons underpinned this decision. Firstly, SAP Fieldglass stood out as a platform that effectively digitalized connections with suppliers. Secondly, its compatibility with various contract types, notably dispatch and outsourcing contracts, made it an ideal choice. Thirdly, its inherent reporting capabilities allowed end-users to generate customized reports, a significant boost for operational transparency. Lastly, SAP Fieldglass’s high compatibility with Canon MJ’s newly introduced ERP system, SAP S/4HANA, sealed the deal.
The implementation of SAP Fieldglass in Canon MJ’s SI/construction segment has yielded impressive results. A notable achievement is the reduction in service order lead times by an average of six days, a significant improvement in operational efficiency. This time reduction not only streamlines the procurement process but also positions Canon MJ to better respond to the dynamic business environment.
The adoption of SAP Fieldglass has brought about a paradigm shift towards paperless operations, eliminating traditional processes such as physical sealing and document storage. Moreover, the integration with the budget performance management system has streamlined budget management tasks, enhancing accuracy in forecasting and overall project management.
SAP Spend Connect Forum Unveils How Canon MJ Overcame Challenges
Canon MJ’s journey with SAP Fieldglass wasn’t without challenges. The end-of-month processing surges, the need to adhere to various compliance requirements, and the substantial volume of monthly contracts posed significant hurdles. Furthermore, the transition required extensive efforts to familiarize suppliers and employees with the new system, underscoring the need for robust support mechanisms, such as dedicated help desks.
Despite these challenges, Canon MJ, with SAP’s support, has successfully elevated the operation and utility of SAP Fieldglass, aligning it with its initial objectives and operational expectations.
Looking forward, Canon MJ aims to leverage the data and networks accrued through SAP Fieldglass to drive further advancements in service procurement. The focus is on expanding opportunities for departmental supplier matching, enhancing skill-based evaluations of engineers, and fostering data-driven problem-solving. Although they haven’t fully utilized the bidding functions of SAP Fieldglass yet, there’s a strong commitment to exploring these avenues to transform service procurement methods further.
Canon MJ’s experience with SAP Fieldglass is more than just a case study in digital transformation. It serves as a beacon for other companies navigating the complex landscape of service procurement and system innovation. The SAP Spend Connect Forum 2023 has highlighted Canon MJ’s journey, showcasing a successful blend of strategic vision, technological adoption, and resilience in the face of challenges.