When it comes to exploring new ways of optimising Business Intelligence systems and, equally important, the underlying ETL processes Grundfos is at the very frontline. The worldleading manufacturer of circulator pumps with its global headquarters in Bjerringbro, Denmark, take Business Intelligence, data quality and data availability very seriously.

So much so that Grundfos’ internal Global Data Management Solutions team in 2010 decided to migrate from their current ETL tool to SAP BusinessObjects Data Services for global extraction of data from all SAP and legacy systems.

The decision was a natural step in the realisation of our platform strategy and the objective was to improve overall system performance, stability, integration and productivity in terms of development cycles, and Grundfos partnered with Affecto to assist in the process.

Simulations on a global scale

Anders Berg Jacobsen, Application Consultant at Grundfos’ Global Data Management Solutions who managed the project explains: “Having used the former system for some years and not being completely satisfied with performance, we decided to look for other options. In May 2010 we initiated a clarification process with SAP who provided a test system and helped simulate performance on a global scale according to our needs. Simulations clearly showed that the system would meet our demands.”

SAP as a st rategic platform

Adds Michael Bendixen, Department  Head of Global Data Management Solutions:

“SAP is our strategic platform and we have a strategic partnership with SAP. It made perfect sense to explore what their ETL system had to offer, and we made a business case based on criteria such as economy, functionality and stability.”

Following satisfactory tests and simulations, SAP BusinessObjects Data Services was implemented by end of 2010. Simultaneously Affecto’s consultant worked with the Global Data Managements Solutions team in workshops and training sessions while also advising on system architecture and the roadmap for the final migration. Migration of data to the new system commenced at the beginning of January 2011 and the project was completed in June 2011.

Valuable insight and advice

Michael Bendixen points at Affecto’s high level of expertise as one of the factors contributing to success:

“It is obvious that Affecto offer a unique set of competences that enable them to provide valuable insight and advice. They knew a lot about SAP BusinessObjects Data Services even though we are among the first to implement it in Denmark, and they helped us through the process - from installation through implementation, training and data migration.”

Looking more specifically at the new system itself, Michael Bendixen, Anders Berg Jacobsen and their seven colleagues in Europa, Asia and the US, are already harvesting early benefits from SAP BusinessObjects Data Services:

“First and foremost we now have a much more robust platform for developing new tools and features faster. Our development cycle has been reduced. Secondly, system performance and stability are improved. In addition, we see some savings on system and licensing costs as well as operating costs. The fact that we are more productive because we can develop faster also contributes to the cost efficiency,” says Michael Bendixen.