Yamazen integrates legacy systems with SAP to drive digital transformation

Yamazen, a specialized trading company dealing in industrial and consumer goods, is undergoing a major digital transformation through its 'Nextage Project' to replace aging legacy systems with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition.

For over 30 years, the company relied on custom-built, disparate systems for its production goods, housing equipment, and home appliance divisions. These legacy systems had become overly complex due to extensive customizations, leading to data inconsistencies, lack of real-time information, and difficulties in system maintenance.

During the first phase of the rollout in the production goods sector, Yamazen faced challenges with the 'Fit to Standard' approach. An overly strict adherence to standard SAP functions caused friction with frontline staff who feared losing competitive advantages provided by specialized workflows. This resulted in a need to re-evaluate the balance between standardization and individual business optimization.

In the second phase, targeting the housing and home appliance divisions, the company adjusted its strategy. By leveraging lessons learned from the first phase, IT teams now work to identify 'non-negotiable' business requirements. This allows the company to distinguish between processes that can be standardized and those that must remain customized to maintain business competitiveness.