With DATAGROUP at its side, the specialty chemicals manufacturer Alzchem, based in Trostberg, succeeded in transforming its IT brownfield to SAP S/4HANA - smoothly and cost-effectively.
Brownfield is more than just an upgrade
The IT transformation to SAP S/4HANA was on the to-do list for chemicals specialist Alzchem. The existing IT processes were not to be changed as much as possible, which is why the brownfield approach was chosen. There were many aspects to consider during implementation.
Alzchem had set itself the goal of using the most suitable experts for all topics. Initially, this was the highly experienced IT team at Alzchem itself. The adaptations to customer-specific programs ("custom code conversion") required for the conversion to SAP S/4HANA were implemented and tested entirely by the company's own employees. SAP itself was particularly involved in the planning of the project in order to be able to use first-hand information on the latest release.
Thanks to the experience that DATAGROUP brought to the table, particularly in conversion in SAP Basis, the transformation was carried out without any problems. DATAGROUP's SAP experts had already supported such transformations for other customers and were therefore able to assess where revisions or adjustments were necessary. This saved valuable time during the project. As Alzchem wanted to manage the changeover with as few external resources as possible, without unnecessary risk and within the specified time frame, this was an important factor.
In addition to the technical changeover with the SAP Basis tools, DATAGROUP was primarily responsible for the migration of the accounting system. Important core functions in the new SAP S/4HANA have a different structure than in the previous ECC system, which is why DATAGROUP offered separate consulting and support in this area.
Thanks to regular coordination between the project participants Alzchem, DATAGROUP and SAP, all requirements were successfully met. The cooperation was fair and at eye level - with the clear objective on all sides to use the most suitable resource for the respective task. As a result, optimization potentials, such as those resulting from the so-called "simplification items" for the latest releases of SAP S/4HANA, were quickly taken into account and exploited.
"We are very satisfied with DATAGROUP's role in this project. Thanks to the optimally coordinated consulting and implementation, we mastered our migration to SAP S/4HANA and got exactly what we needed. Thank you very much for your commitment!"
Perfect planning as the key to success
The secret to the success of this project was comprehensive preparation, planning and organization by the customer. Thanks to the internal lead planning, efficient, clear lines and specifications for all project participants (internal and external) could be created and adhered to. In addition, the knowledge gained from the project was anchored within the company. The pleasant collaboration made it possible to carry out the transformation "on time and on budget". This success was duly celebrated with everyone involved in the project! We are very proud of this result and look forward to working with Alzchem in the future.
The project in figures
 5production sites |
 almost 1.700employees |
1.000SAP users |
 3System landscapes |
About Alzchem
Alzchem is a globally active specialty chemicals company that is predominantly a market leader in its fields of activity. Alzchem offers answers to various global developments such as climate change, population growth and increasing life expectancy. They provide solutions through brands and products of the highest quality and through a sustainable vision to help shape global developments.
Alzchem Group AG's broad product range includes food supplements, precursors for PCR tests and pharmaceutical raw materials. These products are our company's response to global trends and developments. Alzchem is ideally positioned here and sees itself as being well equipped for an environmentally oriented future and global developments.
The company employs around 1,690 people at four production sites in Germany and one plant in Sweden as well as three sales companies in the USA, China and the UK. In 2023, Alzchem generated consolidated sales of EUR 540.6 million and EBITDA of around EUR 81.4 million.
