Implementing the connection of external business partners is the biggest challenge when introducing this new required process. The question posed was how could Melchers ensure a continuous and always up-to-date flow of information between suppliers, warehouse staff and the internal sales team. In addition, a tough problem to address is when suppliers and warehouse managers do not have direct access to the SAP system and a connection to the SAP system via VPN is impossible due to poor performance in Asia.

Faced with this challenge, Melchers IT decided to develop a browser-based Neptune application. The goal was to enable a joint view of the entire ordering and delivery process for all parties involved, and to simplify the process to such an extent that an external partner is also able to carry out the process steps without training.

With the experience in terms of development speed, quality and user satisfaction, implementation with Neptune DXP was an obvious choice, even though the complexity of the requirements exceeded what had previously been implemented.

A UI5-based cockpit, accessible to all partners involved in the ordering process and through which the entire information flow can be accessed, replaces the uncontrollable overload of telephone calls and Outlook communication. Approval processes can be conveniently triggered via push messages and through access via mobile devices. The goods receipt booking of the warehouse staff and the graphical processing of relevant KPIs complete the functional scope of the supplier and order cockpit.

“All parties involved must be informed immediately when orders are created or changed. Due to the number of business parties involved, this poses a particular challenge. We have developed an e-mail tool that solves this task very conveniently and extends far beyond the SAP standard,” says Dennis Kessler, describing one of the technical highlights of the application.

“Although all participants use the same apps, we can realize an exact assignment of individual functions via the authorizations. Not only do we increase process stability, but we also reduce training costs to a minimum,” emphasizes Dennis Kessler. With changing external users, intuitive operability is an important factor for trouble-free use.

“From the beginning, our clients were surprised by the speed with which we were able to deliver the first versions. This continued throughout the project, so the schedule was uncritical.”

“From a commercial point of view, the project is a success. The consignment stocks increase liquidity considerably. The establishment of the new process would not have been possible without the use of modern applications that can be operated in the browser. The SAP standard specifies the process, but on the user side this was not realistic in the GUI,” concludes Kessler.

Today, IT is a central component within the group, both in terms of its expertise and personnel, and has earned itself a very good reputation internally. The next step is the SAP rollout for a newly integrated company. The entire front end is to be equipped with UI5 apps, while the SAP GUI is to be completely eliminated. This represents another milestone in the implementation of the global UX strategy.

C. Melchers & Co. KG is a global company, founded in Bremen in 1806, with a wide range of services and with trading know-how in diverse areas of business. C. Melchers & Co. is one of the leading service providers for all those companies seeking to gain a foothold on the markets of the future. Their know-how and infrastructures have grown in the course of 150 years – especially in Asia.

Industry Focus: Trade and Development
Users: 300 Users
System Version: SAP ERP, SD, MM
Devices: Browser applications and cross-device use
Functional Scope: Optimization of sales processes and communication between suppliers, warehouse, and sales units