The Challenge
A leading manufacturing organization with operations across 15 global facilities was struggling with fragmented reporting systems. Financial close processes took 3-4 weeks, and executives lacked real-time visibility into production metrics, inventory levels, and cost performance.
Key Pain Points
- Delayed Decision Making: Month-end reports arrived 4 weeks after period close
- Data Silos: Production, finance, and supply chain teams used separate systems
- Manual Processes: Excel-based consolidation consumed 200+ hours per month
- Limited Insights: No drill-down capabilities from executive dashboards to operational details
Our Solution
We designed and implemented a comprehensive SAP Analytics Cloud solution that unified data from SAP ECC, MES systems, and external data sources.
Implementation Approach
Phase 1: Discovery & Design (6 weeks)
- Conducted stakeholder interviews across finance, operations, and supply chain
- Mapped data flows from 12 source systems
- Created dashboard wireframes and user journey maps
- Defined KPIs aligned with strategic objectives
Phase 2: Data Integration (8 weeks)
- Connected SAC to SAP ECC via live connections
- Integrated manufacturing execution system (MES) data through APIs
- Built data models with optimized hierarchies for plant, product, and cost center analysis
- Implemented incremental data refresh for near-real-time updates
Phase 3: Dashboard Development (10 weeks)
- Developed executive dashboard with global KPI overview
- Created plant-level operational dashboards for production managers
- Built custom widgets for production line monitoring and OEE tracking
- Implemented drill-down capabilities from summary to transaction-level detail
Phase 4: Custom Widget Development & Testing (6 weeks)
- Production Timeline Widget: Visual representation of production schedules with delay alerts
- Inventory Heatmap: Color-coded visualization of stock levels across all warehouses
- Variance Waterfall: Interactive chart showing budget-to-actual variances with root cause analysis
- User acceptance testing and refinements
Technical Architecture
Data Sources → SAC Data Models → Analytic Applications → Role-Based Dashboards
• SAP ECC (Live) • Planning Models • Executive Overview • C-Suite View
• MES Systems (API) • Reporting Models • Plant Operations • Plant Manager View
• External Data • Blended Sources • Financial Analytics • Finance View
The Results
Quantitative Impact
- 70% Reduction in reporting cycle time (from 4 weeks to 1.5 weeks)
- 200+ Hours Saved monthly through automated data consolidation
- $450K Annual Savings in reduced FTE time and faster decision-making
- 15-minute Data Refresh providing near real-time operational visibility
Qualitative Benefits
- Executive Confidence: C-suite gained trust in data accuracy and timeliness
- Proactive Management: Plant managers identified production bottlenecks before they escalated
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Single source of truth eliminated data discrepancies between departments
- Faster Month-End Close: Finance team reduced closing cycle from 20 days to 10 days
Technologies Used
- SAP Analytics Cloud (Planning & Analytics)
- SAP ECC (Live Data Connection)
- Custom JavaScript Widgets
- REST API Integration
- SAC SDK for Widget Development
Client Testimonial
“Varnika IT Consulting transformed our analytics landscape. We went from waiting weeks for outdated reports to having real-time insights at our fingertips. The custom dashboards they built are exactly what our executives needed - simple, powerful, and actionable.”
— VP of Finance, Global Manufacturing Company
Key Takeaways
- User-Centric Design: Extensive stakeholder interviews ensured dashboards met actual business needs
- Incremental Delivery: Phased approach allowed users to provide feedback and course-correct
- Custom Widgets Add Value: Purpose-built visualizations provided insights that standard charts couldn’t deliver
- Change Management Matters: Training and adoption support were critical to achieving high user engagement
Ready to transform your analytics? Contact us to discuss how we can help your organization achieve similar results.