SAP, the world's largest enterprise software company, provides a range of solutions that can help organizations optimize their operations, improve customer service, and drive profitability. However, implementing SAP can be a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning, execution, and management. To help companies achieve a successful SAP implementation, this whitepaper explains SAP implementation best practices and presents a real-world case study from the global leader sportwear company ADIDAS as an example of successful SAP implementation. ADIDAS has implemented SAP solutions to address specific business challenges and achieve significant improvements in efficiency, decision- making, customer service, and profitability. By examining its experience, best practices, and lessons learned, this whitepaper provides valuable insights for companies considering or currently undergoing an SAP implementation. Whether you are a business leader, IT professional, or project manager, this whitepaper will help you understand how to plan, execute, and manage a successful SAP implementation that delivers tangible benefits and ROI.

1. SAP
Implementation
Best Practices:
Real-World Case
Study
Lessons Learnt from Successful
Implementation at Adidas

2. 1
Benefits of SAP
Table of contents
A brief history of SAP
2
3
4
5
Introduction
SAP Implementation Best Practices
6
1. Define Your Business Processes
2. Choose the Right SAP Modules
3. Plan and execute data migration
4. Develop a Customization Strategy
5. Ensure Data Quality and Integrity
6. Train Your Users
SAP S/4HANA
SAP Business One
SAP SuccessFactors
SAP Ariba
SAP Concur
SAP Products and Services
Adidas's case study
The Challenge
The Solution - ADIDAS SAP Implementation

3. 8
Better Customer Service
9
10
11
Improved Decision-Making
The Results
12 About Mindquest
Increased Profitability
Increased Efficiency
7
Table of contents

4. Introduction
SAP, the world's largest enterprise software company, provides a range of
solutions that can help organizations optimize their operations, improve
customer service, and drive profitability. However, implementing SAP can
be a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning,
execution, and management. To help companies achieve a successful
SAP implementation, this whitepaper explains SAP implementation best
practices and presents a real-world case study from the global leader
sportwear company ADIDAS as an example of successful SAP
implementation.
ADIDAS has implemented SAP solutions to address specific business
challenges and achieve significant improvements in efficiency, decision-
making, customer service, and profitability. By examining its experience,
best practices, and lessons learned, this whitepaper provides valuable
insights for companies considering or currently undergoing an SAP
implementation.
Whether you are a business leader, IT professional, or project manager,
this whitepaper will help you understand how to plan, execute, and manage
a successful SAP implementation that delivers tangible benefits and ROI.

5. A Brief History of SAP:
SAP was founded in 1972 by five former
IBM employees in Mannheim, Germany.
Their goal was to develop software that
could process and analyze data in real-
time, giving businesses a more accurate
picture of their operations.
The company's first product, R/1, was
released in 1973 and provided financial
and accounting support for businesses.
This was followed by R/2, which added
support for other business functions like
manufacturing and logistics.
In 1992, SAP released R/3, which was a
significant upgrade from its predecessors.
It introduced a client-server architecture
and a graphical user interface, making it
easier for businesses to use. R/3 also had
more features, including support for
multiple currencies and languages.
Today, SAP offers a wide range of
products and services, including enterprise
resource planning (ERP) systems,
customer relationship management (CRM)
software, supply chain management (SCM)
software, and more.

6. SAP S/4HANA
SAP Products and Services
SAP's flagship enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. It is built on the SAP HANA
platform, which provides real-time data processing and analytics capabilities. S/4HANA
is designed to help businesses streamline their operations, improve decision-making,
and drive digital transformation. It includes modules for financials, procurement, sales
and distribution, manufacturing, inventory management, and more.
SAP offers a wide range of products that are designed to help businesses of all sizes
and industries manage their operations more efficiently and effectively. From ERP
software to HR management systems to procurement and travel management
solutions, SAP has a solution to meet the needs of almost any business.
Some of SAP's most popular products include:

7. SAP CONCUR
A cloud-based travel and expense management system that is designed to help
businesses manage their employees' travel expenses more efficiently. Concur includes
modules for travel booking, expense management, and invoice processing. It integrates
with other SAP solutions like S/4HANA and Ariba to provide end-to-end travel and
expense management.
SAP ARIBA
A cloud-based procurement software that is designed to help businesses manage their
procurement processes more efficiently. Ariba includes modules for sourcing, contracts,
procurement, and supplier management. It also includes a network of over 4 million
suppliers that businesses can connect with to streamline their procurement processes.
SAP SUCCESSFACTORS
A cloud-based human resources (HR) management system that is designed to help
businesses manage their employees' performance, compensation, and development.
SuccessFactors includes modules for talent acquisition, onboarding, performance and
goals, learning, compensation, and succession and development.
SAP BUSINESS ONE
A small business ERP software that is designed to help small and medium-sized
businesses (SMBs) manage their operations more efficiently. It includes modules for
financials, sales and purchasing, inventory, production, and customer relationship
management (CRM). Business One is easy to use and can be deployed either on-
premises or in the cloud.

8. In today's fast-paced business environment, companies need to be able to operate
efficiently, make quick decisions, and stay ahead of the competition. SAP offers a
range of products that can help businesses achieve these goals. By using SAP
products, businesses can streamline their operations, gain better visibility into
their processes, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.
Here, we will explore how SAP products can help businesses improve their
operations and stay competitive in today's digital landscape. We will discuss the
various benefits of using SAP products, including increased efficiency, better
decision-making capabilities, and improved overall performance.
Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, SAP products can help you
achieve your goals and stay ahead of the curve.
Later in this whitepaper, we will see how the implementation of SAP helped
improve the following aspects for sportswear leader ADIDAS:
Benefits of SAP
INCREASED EFFICIENCY IMPROVED DECISION-MAKING
INCREASED PROFITABILITY
BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE

9. SAP is a complex software system that can be challenging to implement and
optimize. However, with the right approach and best practices, you can ensure a
successful SAP implementation and get the most out of your investment.
By knowing the best practices for implementing and optimizing SAP, businesses
can save time, reduce costs, and make the most of their investment in the
software.
Let's explore some of the best practices for implementing and optimizing your
SAP system.
SAP Implementation Best
Practices

10. DEFINE YOUR BUSINESS PROCESSES
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SAP MODULES
Before implementing SAP, it’s essential to understand your business processes
and how SAP can support them. This includes defining your business
requirements, mapping out your processes, and identifying any gaps or areas for
improvement. By taking a process-centric approach, you can ensure that your SAP
implementation is aligned with your business goals and objectives.
Once you have a clear understanding of your
business processes, it’s important to select the
right SAP modules that align with your
requirements. SAP offers a wide range of modules
and applications, each designed to address
specific business needs.

11. PLAN AND EXECUTE DATA MIGRATION
DEVELOP A CUSTOMIZATION STRATEGY
The first step in data migration is to identify the data that needs to be migrated.
Then, to determine the best approach for migrating it. This may involve developing
a data migration strategy, mapping the data from the legacy system to SAP, and
developing a plan for cleaning and validating the data.
SAP is a highly configurable system that can be customized to meet specific
business needs. However, customization can also be time-consuming and costly if
not done properly. To minimize the risks associated with customization, it’s
essential to develop a customization strategy that balances your business
requirements with SAP’s standard functionality.
This can involve:
Identifying any gaps or areas for improvement
Evaluating the cost and benefits of customization
Establishing a governance framework to manage changes to the system
Once the data has been migrated, it’s crucial to carry out
testing to ensure that the system is functioning correctly.
This may involve testing individual transactions, testing end-
to-end business processes, and performing load and
performance testing. The goal of testing is to identify any
issues or errors in the system before going live. Also to
ensure that the system is functioning correctly and meeting
the business requirements.

12. ENSURE DATA QUALITY AND INTEGRITY
TRAIN YOUR USERS
To ensure accurate and reliable data, it’s important to
establish data standards, validate data quality, and
implement data governance processes.
This includes identifying any data dependencies or
integration points, establishing data validation rules, and
ensuring that data is entered consistently across the
system.
Finally, user adoption and training are crucial to the success of SAP
implementation. End-users need to understand how to use SAP effectively. This to
perform their daily tasks and make the most of the software’s features and
functionalities. Providing comprehensive training and support can help to increase
user adoption and ensure that the implementation is successful.

13. Adidas is a leading global sportswear company that operates in more than 160
countries. The company has a diverse range of products that include footwear,
apparel, and accessories that cater to athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. With a
strong commitment to quality and innovation, Adidas has consistently delivered
top-quality products to its customers.
In 2018, Adidas announced its plans to implement a modern Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system to support its growth strategy and streamline its supply
chain processes. The company recognized the need for a more integrated and
efficient system to manage its global operations and meet the increasing
demands of its customers.
The decision to upgrade the ERP system was based on the company's vision to
become a more customer-focused and agile organization. The new system would
enable Adidas to better manage its inventory, production, and distribution
processes, resulting in improved efficiency and faster delivery times.
The implementation of a modern ERP system was a significant investment for
Adidas, but one that the company believed would provide long-term benefits.
By streamlining its supply chain processes and improving its operational
efficiency, Adidas can continue to provide top-quality products to its customers
and remain a leader in the sportswear market.
Adidas's case study

14. THE SOLUTION
THE CHALLENGE
To address the challenges faced by its supply chain processes, Adidas decided to
implement a modern ERP system. The company recognized that the benefits of
such a system would far outweigh the investment of time, effort, and resources
required.
By implementing a modern ERP system, Adidas aimed to achieve several key
objectives, resulting in increased efficiency, improved decision-making, better
customer service, and increased profitability.
Adidas’s supply chain processes were struggling with complexity, manual work,
and prone to errors. The company faced significant challenges in managing its
inventory levels and meeting customer demands. These issues not only created
inefficiencies but also resulted in increased costs for the company.

15. To enhance efficiency, the ERP system would streamline Adidas'
supply chain operations. It would integrate with existing software
solutions, providing real-time data visibility and analysis globally.
INCREASED
EFFICIENCY
This would eliminate manual errors and optimize supply chain
processes for improved efficiency. Manual tasks would be automated,
reducing processing times and operating costs while improving
collaboration across departments. The system's resource utilization
capabilities would ensure efficient allocation and management of
resources.

16. IMPROVED
DECISION-MAKING
The system's integration with various software solutions would
ensure accurate and up-to-date information on inventory levels, order
status, and delivery times. Armed with this information, Adidas could
optimize inventory ordering, minimize stockouts, and reduce inventory
holding costs, resulting in improved decision-making and cost
efficiency.
In terms of decision-making, the ERP system would provide real-time
access to critical data. This would enable Adidas to make better-
informed decisions, leveraging enhanced data visibility and analysis.

17. BETTER
CUSTOMER
SERVICE
With improved inventory management, Adidas would be able to meet
customer demands more effectively, reducing instances of stockouts
and ensuring better product availability. These improvements would
enhance the overall customer experience, fostering long-term
relationships and increasing customer satisfaction.
The implementation of the modern ERP system would also
significantly contribute to better customer service. Customers would
benefit from accurate, real-time information on their orders, delivery
times, and product availability.

18. INCREASED
PROFITABILITY
Automation of manual tasks and the reduction of errors would
lead to significant cost savings. Moreover, the system's ability to
provide accurate information and enhance customer service
would contribute to customer loyalty and repeat business,
ultimately driving profitability for the company.
Lastly, the ERP system's impact on profitability would be
substantial. By optimizing supply chain processes, Adidas would
improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

19. The implementation of SAP's ERP system helped Adidas achieve significant
improvements in its supply chain operations:
50% reduction in order-
to-cash cycle time
30% reduction in
inventory costs
THE RESULTS
These improvements not only enhanced Adidas' operational efficiency but also
positively impacted customer satisfaction, financial performance, and market
competitiveness.
This case study serves as an example of how SAP implementation best practices
can bring tangible benefits to organizations by optimizing their business
processes and operations.
25% increase in
delivery performance
REFERENCES:
Modern ERP Solution by Adidas -
https://www.scribd.com/document/635392384/Modern-ERP-Solution-by-Adidas
SAP and adidas Find Solutions to Use Cases and Improve UX | SAP News -
https://news.sap.com/2019/11/sap-fiori-makers-adidas-use-cases-ux/

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support service to companies and candidates. This goes from the publication of the
mission offer and the job search through to the offboarding.
About us...

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An Agile Organization

22. 1
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www.mindquest.io
contact@mindquest.io