Bionorica implements software-driven data migration

Bionorica

Herbal Medicine Manufacturer Moves to SAP S/4HANA Successfully Despite Complex Project Scope

How can a company successfully convert its existing ERP ECC system to SAP S/4HANA and tap the associated potential to drive its digital strategy? Bionorica implemented the real- time ERP suite with SNP software, setting the course for further growth and future innovation.

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SAP S/4HANA: The digital backbone for the business of tomorrow

Bionorica is a world-leading manufacturer of herbal medicines and is constantly growing. SAP S/4HANA provides the technological platform for this growth: By moving to SAP’s fourth product generation, the company can optimize business processes, respond to changing market requirements in a more agile manner, and keep pace with technological developments. 
Bionorica wanted to move to the next-generation SAP suite, 
including an account-to-ledger approach. The process changes in accounting – account assignment to ledgers in the SAP S/4HANA general ledger – aimed to provide benefits such as a wider range of accounting options. Following conventional migration approaches, this actually involves two separate projects. 

But there was a more efficient way: The phytopharmaceutical company opted for SNP’s selective transformation approach and software to carry out the project. The flexible solution enables multiple tasks to be processed in parallel. 

Thanks to the software-based approach, the high business requirements for the migration were met. The project was successfully implemented together with the strategic partner msg industry advisors, which took on the general contractor role for the project, created the SAP S/4HANA architecture, and handled validation and system deployment. Meanwhile, SNP was responsible for the system analysis, the tailored migration concept and the technical implementation – transferring the data that Bionorica needs for the digital future. 

Our partnership with msg industry advisors​

Following successful collaboration in various projects, msg industry advisors and SNP have been strategic partners since 2020. The aim is to combine the core competencies of both companies in order to offer customers the best solution in every scenario. .​

Software enables parallel implementation of two projects

SNP carried out the transformation project using its in-house selective migration approach (BLUEFIELD™) and the software platform CrystalBridge®. This made it possible to implement the two projects – SAP S/4HANA implementation and account-to-ledger conversion – in one step. Complex issues that occurred during the switch to the modern ledger technology of SAP S/4HANA were also resolved. In addition, SNP fulfilled specific legal requirements for validation in the pharmaceutical industry: The software validation confirmed that the new SAP S/4HANA system runs according to the predefined specifications and that it meets these criteria in day-to-day business.

Bionorica completed this forward-looking project in 14 months and with a short system downtime of under 48 hours during the migration. Since then, the company has taken advantage of the diverse opportunities and possibilities offered by the next-generation SAP suite: scalability, efficiency and speed. 

 

The benefits at a glance

  • Automated SNP approach using in-house software ensures flexibility and efficiency during the migration.
  • Two tasks are combined into one project, eliminating the need for subprojects.
  • Go-live on one weekend and with little system downtime.

Key Facts

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    Countries involved

     >10

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    Company codes​

    29

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    Legacy system​

    SAP-ERP-ECC 6.0

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    Project type

    SAP S/4HANA migration​

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    System downtime​

    Under 48 hours​

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    Users

    1.,200​

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    Project duration ​

    14 months​

  • SAP modules ​

    FI, CO, PP, PM, QM, MM, WM, BP, SD, LE, workflows 

By moving to SAP S/4HANA, we have created a modern system and prepared our organization for further digital transformation projects. Thanks to SNP’s software, we were able to make changes to accounting processes at the same time and ensure a smooth start to SAP S/4HANA operations despite the high business requirements.

Christian Kunzelmann

Head of Information Technology, Bionorica SE

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Market leader in many phyto markets

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Bionorica is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of scientifically researched herbal medicines. The company has been developing and producing effective drugs with few side effects for more than 85 years. Doctors, pharmacists and patients in over 40 countries trust Bionorica’s products.

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Headquarters

Neumarkt (Oberpfalz)Germany

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Employees

Approx. 1,800

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Industry

Pharmaceuticals

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Revenue

EURO 392 million(2022)