From vision to reality

A joint launch event for the latest versions of our Global Template marked the beginning of our largest implementation since the program began. The project team for the S/4 Integrated Flow, representatives of various Business Units and colleagues from both companies came together to set the course for a harmonized SAP future.

There are big plans: Lochow is due to start on July 1, 2025. Einbeck one year later, on July 1, 2026. The project team is preparing for a journey full of improvements and new ideas.

In line with the philosophy of S/4 Integrated Flow Integration, each new version of the Global Template is improved based on feedback from previous conversions. Therefore, both the successes and lessons learned from previous migrations were discussed in detail at the workshop.

Harmonization was a central topic and is a central goal of S/4 Integrated Flow. But what does that mean? Well, it is about ensuring that the processes at KWS are better aligned. Why is this important? Because it helps us to work more efficiently and organize all data correctly. More than 2,300 colleagues in Einbeck and Lochow will benefit from this in the short and long terms. Harmonized processing standards for the cereal and sugarbeet business areas are a major new feature that will be implemented in GT 0.9 and GT 1.0.

Important exchange for the project team

Harmonization played a central role not only in the program itself, but also within the project team. The event showed how important it is to bring a decentralized project team together to exchange ideas and reach a common flight level. At the workshop, the representatives of the project workstreams were able to coordinate with their colleagues from the Business Units. This will ensure the success of the project.

In addition to the work in small groups and numerous discussion rounds, the exact schedule for the next steps was also outlined. And, of course, effective communication is crucial for a large, transformative program like S/4 Integrated Flow. Engaged stakeholders become advocates of the program – and transparency ensures that everyone understands the goals, benefits and impact on our people and technology. For this reason, communication around the project was also on the agenda of the workshop.