NTT DATA Business Solutions Optimizes HR and Finance with SAP Cloud

NTT DATA Business Solutions A/S has successfully united its Human Resources (HR) and Finance operations by harnessing the power of SAP’s advanced cloud solutions. The transformation resulted in not only optimally performing operations but also in minimizing the risks, complexity, and costs inherently linked to managing disparate systems. As a testament to their innovative approach and commitment, the company, headquartered in Germany, has garnered the prestigious SAP MEE Award for Partner Excellence 2024 for Cloud Performance. Their efforts have been pivotal in helping global enterprises leverage SAP solutions for sustainable growth and adaptability.

Their journey towards modernizing HR and finance operations started with a vision to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Established in 1989 originally as S&P Consult, NTT DATA Business Solutions has undergone significant evolution to become one of the earliest SAP partners. The company’s expansion has been marked by a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. However, this rapid development also led to a patchwork of legacy systems that created information silos, ultimately stymying efficient business operations. Recognizing these bottlenecks, NTT DATA Business Solutions saw the need for a modern, centralized digital technology framework to enhance resource management and support future innovations.

Modernizing HR and Finance for Sustained Success

The journey of NTT DATA Business Solutions in modernizing its HR and Finance operations underscores the importance of evolving with the industry trends for sustained business success. Their inception in 1989 marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship with SAP, as they became one of the foundational SAP partners. Over time, the company expanded rapidly through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, but this expansion also brought about complexities. Information silos and outdated legacy systems were among the key challenges that hindered efficient business processes.

To overcome these challenges, NTT DATA Business Solutions identified the need for a centralized and modern digital framework. The goal was to streamline operations, improve resource management, and lay a foundation for future innovations. The company decided to implement SAP solutions as the key to resolving these bottlenecks. By integrating SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, they aimed to create a cohesive system that enhances HR and finance operations.

Leveraging SAP for the Cloud Journey

In October 2019, NTT DATA Business Solutions began its cloud journey with the implementation of SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central for its global workforce. This timing proved to be fortuitous, as it allowed the company to manage its workforce effectively during the unsettling period of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Senior Director Marianne Mia Jensen emphasized that the digitization efforts laid a solid foundation for navigating the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.

The move to implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition in the Nordic countries by April 2023 further modernized their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This step was aligned with the company’s strategic goal of leveraging additional SAP technologies, such as SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), SAP SuccessFactors Human Capital Management (HCM), and SAP Concur, to create a comprehensive and integrated enterprise solution. These implementations were crucial in tailoring their operations to be more resilient, adaptable, and efficient.

A Data-Driven Approach to Resource Management

NTT DATA Business Solutions has adopted a data-driven approach to optimize resource management, making it more efficient and precise. The company now uses a proprietary resource management app on SAP BTP to initiate the process. This app first verifies consultant availability and then cross-references this with the skills database within SAP SuccessFactors solutions to ensure that the right consultants with the right skills are matched to appropriate client projects.

Once a project is initialized in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, the tracking of actual work commences through time registrations within the SAP BTP app, while expenses are managed through SAP Concur. Comprehensive financial processes are then handled within SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, ensuring seamless synchronization of data across different functionalities via SAP’s common data model. Reporting is conducted using SAP Business Warehouse and SAP Analytics Cloud, providing full visibility into workforce trends, costs, and profitability, thus enabling precise and informed decision-making across the enterprise.

Advantages of a Common Data Model

Leveraging SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition offers NTT DATA Business Solutions significant efficiencies through a common data model. This integrated approach ensures a streamlined end-to-end connection between HR and finance functions, guaranteeing that employee data remains consistent, accurate, and up-to-date across the entire enterprise. By eliminating information silos, the organization has enhanced transparency, supported better strategic planning, and ensured compliance with regulatory requirements.

Moreover, this advanced integration minimizes manual data entry and redundant processes. Data entered in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central becomes immediately available in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition and vice-versa. This not only reduces the administrative burden but also boosts efficiency across various departments. The implementation of the common data model has thus been pivotal in achieving a seamless, efficient, and transparent operational framework.

Enhanced People Strategy and Client Engagement

With a centralized and unified data system, NTT DATA Business Solutions has significantly improved its ability to strategize for its employees and engage effectively with clients. This comprehensive overview of its workforce—from project staffing to billing—extends beyond departmental functions, offering detailed insights into projects and client interactions. A new financial model for activity-based revenue recognition further supports this, ensuring accurate and transparent financial management.

Each biannual upgrade to the SAP SuccessFactors solution brings fresh innovations, continually enhancing the organization’s capabilities. Reflecting on their digital transformation journey, Senior Director Marianne Mia Jensen underscores the importance of prioritizing business processes over mere technology adoption. Effective change management is vital for successful integration, requiring everyone in the organization to adapt to new technologies to meet both current and future needs. This strategy ensures that NTT DATA Business Solutions remains agile and prepared for ongoing digital evolution.

Ultimately, NTT DATA Business Solutions’ strategic alignment of SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition within a single data model has driven greater business performance, operational efficiency, and reduced risks and costs. This digital transformation positions the company as a model for businesses aspiring to harness the potential of integrated cloud technologies for optimal performance, both now and in the future.

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