With DATAGROUP as its implementation partner, Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke successfully transitioned to SAP S/4HANA. As part of a greenfield approach, the ERP system was built from the ground up. DATAGROUP supported the project using the SAP Activate methodology—from the comprehensive fit-to-standard analysis through to the subsequent implementation of SAP S/4HANA.
Green Light for SAP S/4HANA
The transition to SAP S/4HANA using the greenfield approach is, at first, quite an adventure in many areas, with users facing many unfamiliar challenges. New processes due to changed data structures, working with the modern Fiori Launchpad, aligning with the SAP standard by activating SAP Best Practices—all of this needs to be absorbed and put into practice in day-to-day business. DATAGROUP helped overcome the initial hurdles with a six-month, preliminary “Fit-to-Standard” analysis, which ultimately paved the way for the transition to SAP S/4HANA using the greenfield approach . With DATAGROUP’s support, neu.sw opted for technical modernization and a return to the SAP standard, thereby choosing a future-proof SAP solution.
DATAGROUP completely rebuilt the new S/4HANA system from scratch using SAP best-practice processes. Approximately 75–80% of neu.sw’s business processes were already covered by the SAP standard. The remaining 20–25% were completed by the DATAGROUP team through additional customizing. For Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke the greenfield approach represented a significant step toward the desired streamlining and standardization of business processes, and the SAP S/4HANA system provided a modern fresh start.
The Project in Numbers
 Approximately 190 million in annual revenue |
 Approximately 500 employees |
 10 companies |
From the Fit-to-Standard Analysis to the S/4HANA Implementation
The process-oriented preliminary project—the “Fit-to-Standard” analysis—significantly helped neu.sw become familiar with the new system and enabled an early assessment of the percentage of SAP Best Practices delivered by SAP that would be covered in relation to neu.sw’s business processes. Subsequently, a twelve-month SAP S/4HANA implementation project was commissioned, covering the following processes:
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Source-to-Pay – Procurement and Inventory Management
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Order-to-Cash – Sales
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Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) – Maintenance
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Project System for Project Management
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Record-to-Report – Financial Accounting
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Plan-to-Perform – Controlling
SAP’s new, flexible workflows were also implemented as part of the project. The existing authorization model was also tailored to the new requirements. As part of the Fit-to-Standard analysis, neu.sw had already identified a few customer-specific developments that were carried over from the previous SAP ECC system and adapted to meet the requirements of S/4HANA.
Successful SAP Go-Live Thanks to Technical Expertise and Comprehensive Coordination
Numerous stakeholders and their process-related interests had to be reconciled with the new implementation of the SAP project system, corresponding budgeting, SAP investment management, and the development of new ad-hoc reports. Through comprehensive joint coordination, all integrative processes were successfully brought together. Following this challenge, the smooth go-live represented a major success for the project teams at neu.sw and DATAGROUP. The system has been running smoothly ever since—and we are proud of the joint achievement of both teams.
A successful go-live is always based on extensive end-to-end testing, detailed cut-over planning, and technically proficient data migration carried out by an experienced migration specialist. We owe our success to the collaboration and the technical expertise of our teams—whether at our client neu.sw or at DATAGROUP.
“Large-scale transformation projects rarely proceed without challenges. This project, too, required a high degree of commitment, flexibility, and a solution-oriented mindset from everyone involved. Precisely because we had to respond to new requirements and manage additional workloads together, we are particularly proud of what we have achieved today. Through our trusting collaboration and consistent focus on our shared goals, we were able to create a high-performance and future-proof solution.”
Dirk Teufel, IT Operations Manager, neu-itec GmbH / Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke GmbH
Close Collaboration as the Foundation for Project Success
Our “One Team” approach supports and fosters close collaboration among all project participants. We work as equals, which fosters trust and genuine teamwork. Different perspectives are also welcome and are given a voice, ensuring that necessary solutions are found together.
Throughout the entire project, there was regular communication with the project team of approximately 25 people. Collaboration within the project—from the project management teams all the way up to the steering committee—was positive and constructive. DATAGROUP once again demonstrated its comprehensive expertise in working with public sector clients and adhering to their security standards.
About Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke (neu.sw)
As the third-largest municipal utility in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, neu.sw supplies the residents of the “City of Four Gates” and the surrounding area with drinking water, electricity, district heating, and natural gas, as well as television, radio, telephone, and high-speed internet. The group is also responsible for wastewater disposal and operates an indoor swimming pool and a crematorium. Furthermore, neu.sw is committed to supporting the people of the Neubrandenburg region and fostering a city worth living in, and it supports numerous events and projects in sports, culture, education, music, and social initiatives.
