Why NTT DATA Business Solutions?
- Structured approach from initial scoping through project design
- Convincing presence in the pre-sales phase
- IT expertise in cloud environment
With NTT DATA Business Solutions we have succeeded in implementing the SAP SuccessFactors project as planned. By introducing Employee Central in Germany, we created the basis, within eight months, for subsequent rollout in eight countries.
Maria Kölbl Management Assistant, Refratechnik Holding GmbH
Products: Manufacturer of fireproof materials
Employees: approx. 1,500 (2021)
Turnover: 432 million euros (2020)
Headquarters: Ismaning, Germany
Website: www.refra.com
Challenges and Benefits
Challenges
- Paper-based processes in vacation requests
- Need for cross-country reporting
- No centralized global master database
- Differing HR processes in individual countries
Benefits
- A future-proof cloud solution to drive innovation
- Multi-system landscape unified into one system to harmonize processes
- Consideration of country-specific requirements
- Uniform reporting across national borders
- Self-services for employees
- Digitalization of vacation requests
Solutions
- SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central
- Stage 1: Introduction in Germany
- Stage 2: Global rollout in eight countries
The leading master data system Employee Central promises centralized HR processes for the entire workforce. The module enables smart automation of HR processes with the help of intelligent workflows and intuitive access to important tasks via so-called self-services on all devices.
About the Project
A Globally Active Family Business with Vision
Refratechnik – a globally operating family business in the markets of refractory systems, industrial minerals and technical ceramics markets. Together with its customers, Refratechnik develops sustainable solutions with the goal of becoming the technology leader in all these markets. Refratechnik Holding guides the entire group with its 1,900 employees at 27 locations and coordinates the business units in strategic matters. The company, which is always striving to grow internationally, has found a reliable partner in NTT DATA Business Solutions (hereinafter NTT DATA) for optimizing HR-related IT concerns, first in Germany and then globally and thereby creating company-wide added value. Innovation, quality and reliability have long driven the work of this family business.
Refratechnik Goes SAP SuccessFactors
SAP’s leading master data system Employee Central (EC) holds the promise of centralized HR processes for all employees. Refratechnik also long ago recognized the advantages of the SAP SuccessFactors cloud solution and started implementing it in Germany. The EC module enables intuitive access to important tasks via self-services on all devices as well as smart automation of HR processes with the help of intelligent workflows. This enables managers and employees to maintain and update their personal data themselves. The most important personal data are stored via the employee profile, allowing for visualization of the entire organizational structure. Integrated analyses in real time also ensure an overview of employee performance. This forms the basis for optimized personnel recruitment, simplifies succession planning, enables more precise personnel planning and improves Refratechnik’s overall HR strategy.
From Germany to Other Countries
The EC module went live in Germany as scheduled after an eight-month project run time . The decision for a subsequent rollout in additional countries was quickly made. Soon, Australia, North America, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Hungary, Spain and India should be able to benefit from the new functionalities. The great benefit is that by using the solution in all countries, there will be just one source of truth and thus a centralized global basis for master data. This also means that global reporting functionalities will soon be established. Despite HR processes that vary from one country to the next, Refratechnik wishes to have as few deviations as possible in the configuration. In compliance with local provisions, conducting Fit Gap workshops and using best practices will allow global HR processes to be largely standardized and harmonized.
A Big Step towards Digitalization
Equipped with the new solution, Refratechnik can now make strategic HR decisions much more easily. The new workflows and self-services lead to a significant increase in the company’s performance and simplify HR processes. The multi-system landscape was successfully unified into one system. SAP SuccessFactors EC provides new transparency with regard to all employees and offers holistic views as well as data-based decision-making for both the HR department and management. Modern graphic dashboards offer an extensive overview of personnel-related information. Equipped with the new cloud solution, Refratechnik has taken a big step towards digitalization.
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