BOOSTER on the way to intelligent production
Taking a step back to get a running start
At a glance
Metal Technology
Schwanewede
approx. 300 employees
Group turnover: 183.6 million (2023)
The company
The BOOSTER Group is an international supplier specializing in the production and distribution of high-precision metal parts. The group consists of nine companies in five countries with production facilities in China, Germany, Mexico and two sites in Slovakia. BOOSTER Precision Components GmbH is the holding company of the BOOSTER Group and provides management, consulting and services to its domestic and foreign subsidiaries.
abat implemented the SAP system successfully and on time and gave us a feeling of security as an implementation partner at all times.
The challenge
In today's advanced world, every innovative company is faced with the task of analyzing and restructuring its existing processes and adapting them to innovative and advanced technologies. To meet this challenge, BOOSTER Precision Components has developed a transformation and automation strategy: the "Go iisy" strategy.
The building blocks of this strategy increasingly revolve around flexible automation solutions for manufacturing, logistics and quality processes, and how the integration of artificial intelligence into processes can increase both efficiency and process reliability.
The solution
BOOSTER was using non-SAP solutions that were not integrated into a single system. However, the individual components of the "Go iisy" strategy include the networking of individual manufacturing processes, the flexibilization of manufacturing processes and the integration of artificial intelligence along the entire value chain. For this reason, abat has offered to introduce SAP ECC as a first step, with simultaneous implementation of the FI, SD, MM, LE, QM and PP modules, in order to map all business processes in a standardized system. The next step is planned for the fall of 2024 to make the integration of all locations, especially in logistics, more efficient and transparent.
The project
The project to implement SAP ECC was carried out in several phases, with a 6-week preliminary project focusing on the analysis and comparison of the existing SAP template from another BOOSTER location. The focus was on the technical evaluation and further development of the template. An initial workshop was held to determine in detail how the existing ERP system could be mapped in SAP. This phase was crucial to ensure that all specific requirements could be taken into account.
The initial workshops were followed by the implementation phase. During this phase, the SAP template was adapted and implemented. The abat experts worked closely with BOOSTER employees to ensure that all adjustments met the specific requirements and were smoothly integrated into the existing business processes.
A special feature of the project was the lean test phase. Due to time and resource constraints, extensive and risky testing was dispensed with, but this was compensated for by an extended hypercare phase. An extended abat team was on hand to quickly solve any problems that arose and ensure smooth operation.
The hypercare phase also included a comprehensive start-up concept and intensive on-the-job training. The users were trained directly in their working environment, which enabled a practical familiarization. This approach ensured that the new SAP system could be used quickly and effectively.
In summary, the project was successful despite some challenges and risks. The structured approach, starting with a detailed analysis, followed by a targeted implementation phase and an intensive hypercare phase, created the conditions for the actual replacement of the legacy system and BOOSTER can already gain experience with the SAP solution in the productive environment at the Schwanewede site. The close cooperation between abat and BOOSTER and the practical training sessions also played a decisive role.
Outcome
Schnelle Einführung
Erfolgreiche Datenmigration
Training on the Job ohne vorherige Schulung
99% SAP-Standard ohne Eigenentwicklung
The results
With the implementation of the SAP system, processes have been automated and organized more efficiently. In the near future, BOOSTER will be able to benefit from innovative technologies and make production more intelligent. Another result of the cooperation was that abat took over the Application Management Services (AMS) for the new SAP system. This ensures continuous support and optimized system performance.
The last of BOOSTER's logistics sites has now been converted to SAP, providing a consistent and uniform system landscape. Following the successful rollout, the next step is to further develop the SAP template in Schwanewede. abat successfully implemented the SAP system on schedule.
This was an important milestone that lays the foundation for future developments. The planning of the second stage for 2024 shows that BOOSTER is continuously driving forward the further development and optimization of its processes.
Thanks to the comprehensive measures and close cooperation with abat, BOOSTER was able to make its daily work more efficient, optimize production and strategically position itself for the future. The successful implementation of the SAP system and the planned further steps underline the long-term success of this partnership.
The project was an important milestone that lays the foundation for future developments and we are already looking forward to continuing our journey together.