SAP® APO implementation, upgrade, rollout and support for world agribusiness leader

The client is a world leader in agribusiness with presence in crop protection

and seeds. With presence across geographies, the client needed a supply

chain planning solution to maintain its complex multi-vendor supply chain

model in a dynamic and a high growth environment.

Overview Country/ Region: Across Geographies Industry: Agribusiness

Customer Profile A world leader in agribusiness operating globally in two major business areas, crop protection and seeds

Business Situation The client needed supply chain planning solution for a complex multi-vendor supply chain in a dynamic environment

The Solution The solution involved an implementation of APO pilot followed by simultaneous APO functionality expansion in DP-SNP-PPDS modules and geographical rollouts to new countries & product lines

The Benefit The supply chain planning solution enabled the client to execute planning and scheduling activities effectively

2 | Infosys – View Point

SituationThe client had implemented SAP® APO 3.1 as a part of their advanced planning program initiative in year 2002 and subsequently upgraded it to 4.1

The key limitations of the existing system included:

• Complex Supply Chain

The client enterprise had a complex multiple-vendor model with design, support, and development owned by different groups

• Dynamic Environment

Dynamic environment with business policies and processes changing supply chains

• Multiple Systems

Client systems had an expanding landscape with APO, (DP, SNP, PPDS) R/ 3®, Multiple Legacy Applications, BW etc.

• Differentiated Forecasting Process

Highly differentiated forecasting processes with tremendous regionalization and very little scope for global harmonization

The client needed a partner who could build a flexible and scalable supply chain planning solution that would facilitate business in a complex and dynamic environment. Infosys was chosen for its domain and technology expertise and its ability to resolve complex challenges.

Infosys’ ApproachInfosys was engaged to develop a comprehensive planning and execution approach helped client realize effective end to end APO services which added great value to their supply chain processes.

SolutionInfosys implemented APO Pilot followed by simultaneous APO functionality expansion in DP-SNP-PPDS modules and geographical rollouts to new countries & product line. The solution had following key components:

Enhanced Visibility System

Designed and implemented complex custom development on top of standard location netting to have visibility across warehouses on under/ over supply situation which provided recommendation to move stock optimally across warehouses.

Extended APO Solution

Infosys implemented forerunning instance of multilevel subcontracting process which was mapped into APO 4.1. The solution also reduced complexity by implementation of standard template and then localizing across regions with Global development centre, which catered to all development needs and offered 24/5 delivery leveraging globally distributed presence. Thus effectively adopted client methodology and processes to deliver end to end APO services.

Change Request Governance Model

Infosys helped the client establish a governance model for effective communication & coordination between various vendors and internal stake holders. The governance model effectively managed all change requests. It provided good structure for analysis and for implementing system changes with a set up of tools to identify global objects, impact analysis of global changes across the landscape and to track changes approved

Business BenefitsThe expertise of Infosys in SCM knowledge, reliable business and IT consulting and implementation experience across multiple geographies enabled quicker rollout of the supply chain planning solution. It helped the company by providing:

• Improved Scheduling and Planning Activities

• Accelerators and templates developed by Infosys like, transport conflict resolution tool, query tool and batch job scheduling tool helped client to execute activities effectively.

• Higher Quality Solution

• Infosys expertise in SAP® tools like BC Sets, eCATTs and other testing tools helped client in executing project better even under very tight time timelines

• Leveraged Infosys COE for testing catering to APO testing requirements

• Automated testing reduced testing phase in rollouts and improved efficiency

• Global Solution Delivery

• Leveraged GDM model of Infosys to provide high quality delivery for APO solution

• Efficient knowledge transfer and transition to production support, ensuring reduced total cost of ownership