It is not the application, but the way you plan and make decisions, that determines your next step.
The migration to SAP S/4HANA is a logical moment to reassess your supply chain planning. Not because an application needs to be replaced, but because your organization wants to plan with more peace of mind, speed, and predictability.
Therefore, the central question is not: “Which solution will replace SAP APO, for example?”
The central question is: “What demand planning and S&OP process do we need to make better decisions?” Only then does the technological implementation follow.
Process first. Technology as an accelerator.
A strong planning process connects sales, supply chain, finance, and operations. It clarifies who decides, using which data, at what cadence, and based on which KPIs. The right application supports that process, not the other way around.
At newITera, we believe that software choice is never a goal in itself. We challenge your process, and based on that outcome, we jointly select the right application. Thanks to our unique position as a proud partner of both SAP and SAS, we offer objective, process-driven advice that aligns with the maturity and needs of your supply chain.
When zooming in on the application landscape, we see three strategic routes for demand planning and S&OP in practice. Which route fits best depends on your ambition, complexity, and desired agility.
- S/4HANA while retaining your current legacy system, such as SAP APO
For organizations that want to execute their S/4HANA migration in a controlled manner and minimize changes to the planning landscape as much as possible, we see a route where your legacy planning application is temporarily retained. This minimizes risk during the core migration and ensures continuity in your demand planning processes until the business is ready for the next step.
- The seamless transition to SAP IBP
For organizations looking to modernize their demand planning within the familiar SAP ecosystem, we see a route toward SAP IBP (Integrated Business Planning). This path is designed for companies that want to fully consolidate their demand processes within the advanced SAP landscape.
- The switch to SAS Demand Planning
For organizations seeking greater predictive power than standard SAP provides, a best-of-breed route is a logical next step. As a certified SAS partner, we implement SAS Demand Planning for companies looking to optimize their planning process with full S/4HANA integration.
Choosing SAS Demand Planning offers your business the following process advantages:
- Faster time-to-value: Due to a significantly shorter implementation timeline, your demand planners can benefit from advanced, AI-driven forecasting much sooner.
- Significantly lower TCO: The implementation and management of SAS Demand Planning bring structurally lower costs, placing less pressure on operations during implementation, maintenance, and support.
- Higher business acceptance: The highly intuitive and user-friendly interface perfectly aligns with the daily needs of the business, leading to faster adoption on the shop floor.
The planning process as a foundation
A reliable forecast and a streamlined demand planning process are the heartbeat of your supply chain. Whether you choose SAP integration or the speed and flexibility of SAS, newITera guides the transition based on expertise. We analyze the specific needs of your planners, the complexity of your data streams, and your goals for forecast accuracy to jointly choose the route that delivers the best business value.
The proof
We believe in proof, not buzzwords. That is why we conduct a 2-to-3-week scoping assessment to check the digital readiness of your supply chain. During this assessment phase, we analyze your processes and datasets and demonstrate a potential solution. You will receive an estimate of the potential impact on your KPIs, providing a solid starting point to build buy-in and set priorities for your migration journey.
