Joining technology specialist undertakes global implementation of SAP NetWeaver BW - IP

Blomberg, October 11, 2011 ---- Phoenix Contact, a market leader in joining technology, is extending its integration approach to international reporting. It has introduced SAP NetWeaver BW – Integrated Planning (SAP BW - IP) in its subsidiaries that don’t yet use SAP ERP, making it possible for them to enter their budget data centrally and use it for integrated planning. This allows an overview of the entire corporate planning at all times. The IT consultancy Camelot ITLab, who supported the introduction of SAP BW - IP, will also assist with the entry of actual and forecast data in future projects.

Unlike the Phoenix Contact subsidiaries using SAP, those using different systems were unable to supply their planning data to SAP NetWeaver BW via the ERP system. Now these branches can capture all their budget data in the areas of sales and labor, profit and loss calculation, assets, cash flow and the 3-year business plan thanks to SAP NetWeaver BW - IP. As all companies in the Phoenix Contact Group now use the SAP planning solution, this enables realtime reporting of target and actual data throughout the company, which reduces complexity and makes planning more flexible.

Another particular challenge facing the implementation project was the organizational restructuring currently under way in the Phoenix Contact Group. This meant that the SAP NetWeaver BW - IP solution being created had to be continually adapted to the new structure. “Camelot ITLab rose masterfully to this challenge, showing great flexibility and a thorough knowledge of BW and IP,” emphasized Anke Winkelhoff, project manager at Phoenix Contact. “They also rose superbly to other challenges, such as the possibilities for optimized printing and for copy & paste in the web-based planning layouts.” As a result, the introduction of SAP NetWeaver BW - IP was completed on schedule and within budget, to the desired quality standard.

Phoenix Contact

Phoenix Contact is a leading supplier of joining and automation technology, electrical interfaces and overvoltage protection. Founded in 1923, the corporation now employs a workforce of over 11,000 people and posted a turnover of EUR 1.3 billion in the 2010 business year. Phoenix Contact ensures direct contact with its customers thanks to a close-knit sales network consisting of 47 of its own sales companies plus around 30 representatives, covering over 60 countries in total.