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Big Data & Analytics

Case Study

CLAAS: Joint Planning and Reporting Platform

CLAAS creates a joint planning and reporting platform. The planning processes are optimally supported by the implemented planning tools as well as the reporting.

The customer

  • CLAAS is an international manufacturer of agricultural machinery, and a leading European producer of combine harvesters, self-driven forage harvesters, agricultural balers and fodder harvesters.
  • CLAAS was established in 1913 by August Claas and is still family owned.
  • The headquarters are in Harsewinkel.
  • In 2009 CLAAS generated a turnover of approximately EUR 2.9 billion, with over 9000 employees.
  • In addition to the core agricultural technology business, production and industrial engineering are also increasing in significance.

The challenge

  • Creating a joint planning and reporting platform for the CLAAS distribution companies and the overseas importers.
  • Securing a seamless process from the determination of requirements to production planning.
  • Optimizing transparency and efficiency in quantity planning for “SOP” (Sales and efficiency planning), in inventory management as well as in sales reports.
  • The ultimate ambition of CLAAS: to satisfy customer expectations for product availability.

The solution

  • Integrated into the SAP Portal: Multi-stage planning process based on integrated SAP planning as well as sales and project list reporting with SAP BI.
  • Layouts as web applications or Bex-Analyser in SAP (Excel functionalities) depending on the user group.
  • Control of the planning process through a Cockpit status based on Web-Dynpro. Retraction of the planning data in the SAP R/3 for use in further production planning.

The benefits

  • In the final expansion stage, the worldwide solution for CLAAS and their importers will be utilized by 200 users and implemented in 80 countries.
  • The planning processes are optimally supported by the implemented planning tools as well as the reporting.
  • The planning is extremely accurate, thanks to the collaboration of the planning groups in a multi-stage process based on consistent comparative figures. The planning process, combined with the Cockpit status, is highly transparent and efficient.