Charting success with SAP Analytics Cloud: A deep dive into NTT DATA’s implementation strategy
To further develop and improve their Large Enterprise Acceleration Program (LEAP), a global initiative that improves the value of customers through the adoption of solutions focused on SAP, NTT DATA decided to integrate SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), showcasing their trust in SAP solutions, and leading by example.
This not only fueled NTT DATA’s internal digital evolution by adopting SAP solutions internally, but also emphasized their commitment to nurture deeper partnerships.
It underscored their ability to demonstrate the value of SAP solutions to their partners, solidifying their role as a leader in digital transformation.
The client
NTT DATA is a global IT services provider with a distinguished reputation for delivering comprehensive digital solutions. Their recognition as a leader for SAP S/4 HANA Application Services in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant underscores their dedication to excellence and their ability to successfully collaborate and integrate leading-edge technologies.
NTT DATA’s strategic ventures, designed to broaden their impact within their associated firms, exhibit their progressive mentality and unwavering commitment to leading the charge in technology progression. The execution of the SAP Analytics Cloud stands as a powerful testimony to this dedication.
The challenge
NTT DATA encountered several challenges revolving around their Large Enterprise Acceleration Program (LEAP) that were mainly due to data collection and processing and reporting. The main issue was that their five operational cores – Japan, Europe, Latam, and the United States – each adopted a disparate approach to managing investment-related information, primarily utilizing Excel files. This scattered process generated hundreds of unique Excel files, giving rise to problems associated with data versioning, accuracy, and management. Each operational core maintained its own data, which considerably complicated the identification of the most recent or accurate information, thus creating significant inefficiencies.
In response to these challenges, NTT DATA sought to transition to a singular solution that would unify information within the company, streamline data entry, facilitate data consolidation across all operational cores, and simplify reporting, thereby addressing the key needs of the client. Historically, after manually gathering and consolidating data in Excel, the team would need to prepare reports to present at quarterly committee meetings. This existing process was both time-consuming and prone to errors, revealing its inefficiency.
NTT DATA’s objective was to identify a tool capable of automating this process and enhancing its efficiency. They required a solution that would not only simplify data entry but also automate the amalgamation of data from different operational cores. Moreover, the tool needed to enable the generation of reports in both tabular and graphical formats, ensuring ease of download and presentation during quarterly meetings by end users.
The solution
NTT DATA found their answer in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), a comprehensive tool that directly addressed their challenges around data management and reporting. This solution allowed data entry directly into the application, eliminating the need for cumbersome file uploads. It proved to be a one-stop tool for NTT DATA’s needs, incorporating the three crucial capabilities: data entry, reporting, and predictive capabilities.
By leveraging SAC, NTT DATA significantly reduced work times and the number of data loads, which previously had to be manually inputted into multiple Excel files across various operational cores. The reporting feature of SAC, in particular, brought significant efficiency. It allowed for the automation of reporting and presentation of data, thereby streamlining the reporting process that had to be manually handled in the past.
SAC also leveraged predictive capabilities, allowing NTT DATA to forecast future investments based on historical data. This predictive forecasting added an extra layer of strategic insight to their decision-making process, helping them better anticipate and prepare for future business scenarios. One of the notable features of SAC was its ease of use. The intuitive design and user-friendly interface meant that users could adapt to the tool quickly and with minimal issues. This usability aspect was crucial in ensuring the tool’s successful integration into NTT DATA’s workflow.
The solution was implemented by a seven-person team divided between Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, and Japan. Working remotely, the team coordinated with Japan every two weeks to track the progress and receive feedback. Despite the geographical distribution and remote working conditions, the project was successfully implemented within five months.
In the end, NTT DATA found that the solution not only met their immediate needs but was also robust, intuitive, and flexible enough to adapt to their evolving requirements. SAC was cloud- based, required no installation, and was accessible to all users, aligning perfectly with NTT DATA’s operational model and strategic objectives
The results
The implementation of SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) delivered significant benefits for the client. It drastically reduced the time needed to generate information, minimized the number of errors, and enhanced data security.
Before SAC’s implementation, information generation was a lengthy and error-prone process due to the reliance on multiple Excel versions and extensive coordination via email and phone calls. SAC streamlined this process, enabling the team to simply enter the tool and view the data instantly. Furthermore, SAC provided a safer environment for data handling. Each operational core could only access its own data, ensuring data security while giving specific personnel the necessary authorization to view data across all operational cores. SAC also unified and streamlined reporting. Unlike before, where each operational core had its own unique reporting style and format due to the use of individual Excel files, SAC allowed for a single, unified report, providing consistency across the board.
The success of the SAC implementation didn’t stop at addressing the initial challenges. The positive feedback from users led to the emergence of new projects within the company. Teams that were traditionally reliant on Excel for reporting, like the Market Focus Team, started transitioning to SAP. The SAC tool also assisted in preparing reports for Gartner, allowing direct data entry into the tool.
SAC has been in use for over a year and a half and continues to prove beneficial for NTT DATA. It has received positive user feedback, and its successful implementation has spurred further internal initiatives within the company, highlighting its adaptability and effectiveness across different project scopes. The implementation of SAC has not only addressed the initial challenges faced by NTT DATA but also paved the way for further digital transformation within the company.
Next steps
The successful implementation and use of the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) have not marked the end of the journey for NTT DATA but rather the beginning of a continuous improvement process. As a part of their commitment to maintaining and improving the tool, they have assembled a dedicated support team.
Consisting of three individuals, roughly half the original implementation team, the support team’s role is to constantly monitor and improve the tool to meet the evolving needs of the organization. One of the most recent examples is the incorporation of a feature that tracks asset investments at an industry level. This feature allows for the tracking of assets, which are not project investments but are meant to be sold to clients.
Throughout the year and a half of the SAC being in use, this support team has been consistently providing assistance to users and making necessary improvements to the tool. The future promises more such upgrades as they continue to expand and adapt the tool according to the company’s ever-changing needs.
This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that SAC remains an effective and efficient tool for NTT DATA, capable of meeting their needs not only today but well into the future. The ability to evolve with changing business needs is crucial to maintaining the effectiveness of the SAC and continuing to deliver tangible results.
Why NTT DATA
NTT DATA’s effective blend of technical expertise, strategic planning, and adaptability, illustrated in their SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) implementation, positions them as an ideal partner for similar projects. Their deep technical knowledge, demonstrated by their leading position in SAP S/4 HANA Application Services, ensures successful, efficient implementation.
NTT DATA’s strategic approach focuses on expanding their presence in companies that already use SAP, and they adapt to evolving business needs, constantly aiming for improvement. They manage distributed teams effectively, enhancing their timely project delivery. Also, NTT DATA’s firsthand experience with the solutions they recommend, assures additional trust. Opting for NTTDATA as a partner guarantees tangible results, continuous support, commitment to innovation, and a deep understanding of the transformative power of the right technology.
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