Heraeus - MDG Supplier & Customer 

Streamlined Processes

Smooth and auditable processes are important for every organization. The implementation of SAP MDG aimed to create smooth and traceable processes for the creation and modification of business partners. Utilizing SAP BRF workflows and the Alluvion MDG Productivity Pack (MPP), the approval steps became dynamic, adjusting based on criteria and sensitive attributes. This ensured compliance and efficiency in data management, and also fostered data ownership among end-users by giving them greater control and visibility over the data they manage.

The four-eyes principle was always applied, ensuring that requesters never approved their own data. To improve process administration, fall-back approvals were included. In any erroneous situation, the workflow would be managed by a respective group, ensuring visibility and traceability for all process participants.

Enlarged scope of governed data

SAP MDG enabled a consistent approach to data governance, expanding the scope of governed data. Key fields for Credit Management, Return Supplier, Ukrainian Tax information, and Poland Business Partner Classification were incorporated, enhancing daily operations.

For credit management, new sections were delivered to meet customer needs for maintaining credit segments, information categories, credit management texts, and respective calculations. Country-dependent data available in S/4 HANA needed implementation in the MDG user interface to allow users to maintain customer tax data and BP Classification directly.

Enable Returns Supplier in MDG

The Returns Supplier function is an important feature provided by the original business partner (BP) transaction in SAP. However, this functionality is not available in SAP MDG by default. Recognizing its critical role in efficiently processing returns, we built this functionality into MDG for Heraeus Electro-Nite. This ensures that when a return to the supplier is required, the supplier also exists in the system as a customer, enabling seamless and efficient processing of returns.

Introducing Compliance & Data Ownership with the Alluvion MPP

The Alluvion MDG Productivity Pack was introduced to enhance user adaptation, experience, and efficiency of the MDG application. It provided additional compliance through validations and informed users about necessary actions. This included duplicate checks based on address and tax information, checks for required attachments, and manual user confirmation.

The MPP also provided a VAT look-up service for European VAT numbers, automatically deriving address data from the VIES database. Sensitive attributes functionality allowed visualization of user’s sensitive information changes and determined if approvals were required for change requests.

Key Features of MPP

1. MPP Checklist: Ensured compliance through validations and informed users about required actions.
2. VAT Look-Up Service: Automatically-derived European VAT number information.
3. Sensitive Attributes Functionality: Visualized sensitive information changes and determined approval needs.

Mass Changes and Consolidation

Customer requirements included modifying multiple business partners simultaneously. The SAP Mass Change and Consolidation tools facilitated this, allowing users to modify multiple records, run validations, calculate the best record, and produce high-quality data. Custom attributes, such as credit management fields, needed specific implementation for the Mass Processing tool.

With Mass Processing, users had two options:

1. File Uploads for Data Changes: Automatic detection and validation of fields and records.
2. New Process Initiation: Customizable fields and record selection during the Selection and Edit phases.

Results

Alluvion's implementations of SAP MDG on average result in significant improvements:

• Data Accuracy: Increases by 25%, reducing errors and improving decision-making.
• Process Efficiency: Time spent on data management processes reduces by 30%.
• User Satisfaction: User adoption increases by 30%, with positive feedback on ease of use and efficiency.

Centralized Access with SAP Business Technology Platform

Heraeus Electro-Nite integrated SAP MDG with the SAP Business Technology Platform, using SAP Build Work Zone for a central launchpad. This centralization reduced the time spent switching between systems, enhancing user productivity.

Customer Perspective

The improved data management processes not only streamlined Heraeus Electro-Nite’s operations but also benefited their clients. By ensuring high data accuracy and process efficiency, Heraeus Electro-Nite could provide better service quality and faster response times to their clients.

Conclusion

The transition to SAP MDG has significantly streamlined Heraeus Electro-Nite's master data management, providing a consistent and efficient approach to data governance. With the expertise and collaboration of Alluvion, the implementation has enhanced the company's operational efficiency and data integrity, positioning Heraeus Electro-Nite for continued success and growth.

Summary of Key Points

• Challenge: Fragmented master data management.
• Solution: Implementation of SAP MDG and Alluvion MDG Productivity Pack.
• Benefits: Improved data accuracy, process efficiency, and user satisfaction.
• Customer Impact: Enhanced service quality and response times.