Up-to-date business data is usually as important for companies as the "air they breathe". Following internal changes, a manufacturer of surface materials urgently needed an experienced partner at short notice to take over the operation of its business intelligence platform and also analyze and improve it. The company chose DATAGROUP due to a long-standing partnership. Within a short period of time, the IT service provider's experts were able to stabilize the complex system in such a way that up-to-date reports arrive efficiently where they are needed in the company.
From a support-intensive structure to a stable system
Analysis of the existing system
First of all, it was important for DATAGROUP to understand the existing business intelligence system. The system was complex and consisted of multiple source systems and integration processes that provided the data. Historically, the Microsoft-based data warehouse housed the majority of the data, while an SAP Business Warehouse was also in operation. This complex structure made the system prone to errors.
Every day, reports are sent to hundreds of recipients in management, controlling and other stakeholders via the BI platform. Reliable data on incoming orders and current sales ensure the company's ability to manage, which is why it quickly became clear that the system needed to be optimized.
Stabilizing the business intelligence platform
DATAGROUP's experts initially initiated a stabilization phase in which daily monitoring ensured that the reports were actually created with the latest data and sent by email.
At the same time, they intensively analyzed the backend of the system, optimized the processes and workflows and adapted the logic behind the creation of the reports. Error-prone mechanisms were intensively examined and replaced with more efficient logic. In addition, DATAGROUP ensured that the BI platform was updated to a currently supported release and the necessary patches were installed.
As a result, the BI system became so stable that proactive daily monitoring could be discontinued. Instead, DATAGROUP's experts are now automatically informed by email if an error occurs in the processes. The reports are now reliably provided to the stakeholders and management and controlling have access to current company data at all times.
Implementation of new requirements
After stabilizing the system, DATAGROUP also implemented new customer requirements. For example, they developed a new data model to map daily order backlogs in the SAP Business Warehouse. This allows the company to see at a glance which orders are still open and what quantities have already been processed. Especially in the turbulent times at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, this was crucial for the company to maintain an overview of the current order situation. A new data model for evaluating stock levels and a new report with current production data were further requirements that were implemented and are now used on a daily basis.
Result
- Performance optimization and stabilization of the business intelligence landscape
- Reliable access to current company key figures
- Safeguarding ongoing operations
- Optimization of various management reports
Further information
