Visitors at the south entrance of koelnmesse in Cologne.

July 29, 20262 min read

Koelnmesse GmbH

Koelnmesse GmbH, in collaboration with DATAGROUP, modernized its central SAP ERP system and, through the migration to SAP S/4HANA, laid the foundation for further growth, digitalization, and innovation.

Initial Situation

The demands placed on a modern trade fair company are constantly growing. Digital and hybrid event formats, numerous system integrations, and ongoing digitization initiatives place high demands on the technological infrastructure. At the same time, day-to-day operations must continue to run smoothly and reliably. For Koelnmesse GmbH, it was therefore clear: The existing SAP ERP system had to be modernized in order to integrate new business requirements more quickly, reduce technological complexity, and improve the conditions for future innovation projects.

Objectives

The goal of the SAPHIR project was the technical transformation of the existing SAP ERP system to SAP S/4HANA. The aim was to preserve existing processes, data sets, and integrations while migrating them to a modern, future-proof platform. With the new SAP S/4HANA platform, Koelnmesse GmbH sought to create a stable and scalable foundation to implement future business requirements more flexibly, prepare for further process optimizations, and support the company’s ongoing technological development.

Project Description

DATAGROUP, together with Koelnmesse GmbH’s transformation partner, handled the technical implementation of the SAP S/4HANA brownfield conversion. This was based on a comprehensive preliminary analysis that enabled a predictable and low-risk conversion.

A key focus was on adapting the custom code, validating existing integrations, and conducting extensive testing and quality assurance measures. Clear project milestones and close collaboration among all project participants contributed to the successful implementation of the transformation.

Despite a tight go-live window in November 2025 and the simultaneous adaptation of a central hall planning tool, the project was successfully completed.

Solution and Results Achieved

With SAP S/4HANA, Koelnmesse GmbH now has a modern ERP platform that flexibly supports future business requirements and lays the foundation for further innovation.

The new platform offers Koelnmesse GmbH several key advantages: It is scalable, supports further growth, increases stability and investment security, and facilitates the integration of new applications, services, and business requirements.

In addition, existing in-house developments were optimized and technical complexity was reduced. This has created better conditions for standardization, process optimization, and future innovation and development projects.

Added Value at a Glance

A powerful ERP foundation for continued growth and transformation
Greater stability and long-term investment security
Efficient integration of new business requirements and systems
Reduced complexity through optimization of existing in-house developments
Strong foundation for process improvements, standardization, and further development

The Project in Numbers

Top 10

in the international
trade show industry

1,164

employees
worldwide

2 million

Visitors
per year

About Koelnmesse GmbH

Koelnmesse GmbH is one of the world’s leading trade fair companies and ranks among the top ten in the international trade fair industry. With approximately 80 trade fairs, exhibitions, guest events, and corporate events per year, it connects companies, markets, and innovations on a global scale. More than 43,000 exhibiting companies and approximately 2 million visitors from over 220 countries use Koelnmesse GmbH’s events as a central platform for exchange, business development, and growth.

https://www.koelnmesse.de/