Actebis completes SAP upgrade

by Stuart Wilson, Thursday 2 October 2008

Actebis has announced that it successfully upgraded its ERP systems across six countries this summer, unlocking numerous business benefits for resellers in the process, according to the European distribution giant. Actebis switched from SAP R3 to SAP ERP 6.0 in an upgrade that was virtually unnoticed by the market – evidence of a smooth transition.

The new SAP version offers resellers a range of benefits, particularly in the use of the Group’s numerous web services and shortened processing times. Access to prices and availability is now easier and EDI connections can be established even faster, with the same being true of handling returns. The new platform also lays the foundation for new services that enable even more efficient processing in the delivery chain and benefit the specialist retail trade in particular, claims Actebis.

“Our resellers benefit from faster implementation of their specific requirements, as we now work on a homogeneous technical platform,” says Klaus Hellmich, CEO at Actebis Group. “Our internal workflows have also been streamlined. Our business partners can therefore rely on faster workflows and also optimise their own processes – a win-win situation for both sides.”

Walter Schulte-Vennbur, head of IT and Organisation departments (ITO) at Actebis, said: “All business management sectors of the group, from purchasing, sales and logistics to bookkeeping and controlling, were affected by the switch. But we were not worried about a module not working.”

Some employees from the 25-strong Actebis ITO team, which was responsible for the changeover, have already successfully carried out numerous SAP roll-outs in Actebis companies and have gained relevant experience over the years.

Actebis claims that it is the third-largest wholesale group in Europe selling ICT and consumer electronics kit from approximately 400 well-known vendors. Alongside its wholesale business, Actebis offers its ICT dealers a wide range of logistics, financial and marketing services. The Germany-based equity investment company, Arques Industries AG, has been the parent company of Actebis since 2007.