Amcor Implements smartMDG for Faster, Scalable Material Governance

Overview

Amcor is a global leader in packaging solutions, providing innovative products and services across various industries. As a large-scale manufacturer, they rely on robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP, to manage complex business operations. Amcor had previously implemented SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) in a traditional, classic setup. However, due to unforeseen business growth during the pandemic, the company faced the need to rapidly expand its material governance capabilities while maintaining operational efficiency.

Challenge

Amcor initially implemented SAP MDG using a traditional approach, without leveraging any accelerators. The focus was on governing new material types through SAP MDG, ensuring no disruption to the existing system. However, during the pandemic, the business experienced rapid growth, creating an urgent need for a partner who could swiftly implement to govern additional material types to keep pace with the expanding business demands.

Specifically, Amcor faced the following challenges:

  • Rapid Implementation The growing business demand necessitated the rapid creation of new material types, without disrupting the current SAP MDG setup.
  • Automation Requirements Material creation had to be automated according to specific business rules to maximize operational efficiency.
  • Data Accuracy Business rules for data validation and defaulting were essential to maintain the accuracy and reliability of data.
  • Governance Workflows Customized workflows for material governance needed to be set up to align with Amcor’s specific business requirements.

Key Asks

Amcor sought a solution that could:

Automated Material Creation

Design a process where materials are automatically generated based on predefined business rules.

Automated Data Governance

Implement business rules to automatically populate default data and carry out validation processes.

Establish Governance Workflows

Set up workflows and notifications to ensure proper data governance and streamline approval procedures.

Strategic Solution

Amcor partnered with ServGlobal to implement smartMDG, enhancing their SAP MDG ecosystem with a non-disruptive, no-code platform for superior material governance.

  1. Advanced Data Quality Management

    No-code business rule configuration enabled automated data validation and population, ensuring 100% consistency in master data management.

  2. Intelligent Material Generation

    Rule-based automation accelerated material creation processes while eliminating manual errors through standardized workflows.

  3. Adaptive Workflow Engine

    Business teams independently configured approval processes with real-time notifications, maintaining global compliance without developer dependency.

Key Results & Value Delivered

Quick Turnaround

The project was completed in under 4 months, a timeline that would have taken 7+ months without the smartMDG accelerator.

Less Complexity

The no-code nature of smartMDG simplified the implementation process, reducing reliance on technical resources.

Cost Reduction

The implementation costs were reduced by 80% compared to traditional methods.

Minimal Maintenance

Automated processes reduced errors, leading to a reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Scalability and Flexibility

Amcor gained the flexibility to scale their operations without the complexity of traditional SAP MDG implementations.

Conclusion

Amcor’s partnership with ServGlobal and the adoption of smartMDG allowed the company to meet its material governance needs quickly and efficiently during a period of rapid business growth. The no-code capabilities of smartMDG provided significant advantages in terms of speed, cost-efficiency, and ease of maintenance, while ensuring robust governance and data quality.

The solution not only addressed Amcor’s immediate challenges but also established a strategic foundation for long-term scalability and operational agility, including the transition from the traditional SAP MDG implementation to smartMDG during the S4HANA migration. As a result, Amcor is now better positioned to manage its master data governance processes as it grows, with reduced costs, simplified operations, and a more streamlined approach.