About the client

The client is a leading power and utilities company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity to millions of residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the region.

As a key player in supporting the nation鈥檚 economic growth and development, the client continuously invests in modernising its organisation鈥檚 infrastructure and optimising operational efficiency to meet the growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy.

Project overview

The client embarked on a large-scale restructuring initiative, partnering with a leading consulting firm in the Middle East to streamline and unify their business operations across multiple regions in Saudi Arabia. A critical aspect of this transformation was the Data Unification project for huge amounts of master, transaction and historical data, which aimed to standardise and harmonise master data from diverse regional systems into a single, consistent structure.

Recognising the complexity and scale of the 麻豆原创 data transformation required, the consulting firm sought the expertise of EPI-USE Labs. EPI-USE Labs used their PRISM transformation solution, which combines specialist services and proprietary software, including the Data Sync Manager Landscape Transformation (LT) Suite, supported by EPI-USE Labs鈥� global delivery model. This approach helped the consulting firm to complete the 麻豆原创 data transformation efficiently and effectively. This company also contributed significantly by providing 麻豆原创 functional expertise and business knowledge, ensuring the project was a success.

Key highlights

• Over 4 million classes and characteristics updated
• Over 15 million equipment, orders, notifications and maintenance plans reassigned
• Over 150 million records updated in custom tables
• Data unification of huge amounts of 麻豆原创 master, transaction and historical data
• Complex data harmonisation of millions of data fields
• Automation of complex data mappings at scale
• Consistent, compliant, accurate data with automated validation reports

This joint exercise with EPI-USE Labs has enhanced our rapport and confidence with the client. We were able to deliver operational efficiency and lower the cost due to centralised data management.
  鈥� Project Director, leading consulting firm in the Middle East

The challenge: Fragmented operational data

Following the implementation of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), the client鈥檚 operational data over the years was fragmented across different regional divisions, each with unique data definitions, structures and naming conventions. The client decided to implement a common unification policy to their equipment and assets across the region. The lack of standardisation made it difficult for them to gain a unified view of their operations, impacting reporting, decision-making, and operational efficiency.

The master, transaction and historical Data Unification project required:

• High-volume data transformations: Millions of data fields needed to be mapped and transformed accurately.
• Complex data harmonisation: Aligning data definitions across all regions while maintaining data integrity.
• Risk mitigation: Manual data transformation was not only time-consuming but also posed a high risk of errors.

To address these challenges, they needed a solution that would automate the transformation process, reduce risks, and enhance efficiency.

Specialist data transformation at scale

EPI-USE Labs was engaged by the consulting firm in the Middle East as a specialist data transformation partner, bringing in the EPI-USE Labs鈥� PRISM solution along with specialist software and consultants to handle the data transformation needs, as one team working with the client.

Components of the solution

• Data identification to preview and validate data in scope.
• Automation at scale: The PRISM solution automated complex data mappings and executed transformations with precision. This significantly reduced the need for manual intervention, accelerating the project timeline.
• Advanced transformation capabilities: The engine not only automated standard transformations but also handled complex scenarios, ensuring seamless data unification across the client鈥檚 regions.
• Data consistency and accuracy: Applying predefined mapping rules provided by the consulting firm and the client ensured that the final transformed data output was both consistent and reliable.
• Effective validation reports: EPI-USE Labs assisted the consulting firm in developing automated validation reports to ensure accuracy and integrity throughout the transformation process.

Collaboration with EPI-USE Labs was critical for such a project for the largest utility client in the Middle East. We received constant support from the EPI-USE Labs data expert team and, together, achieved this success.
  鈥� Project Manager, leading consulting firm in the Middle East

EPI-USE Labs expedited our journey in the data unification project. Their software played a critical role where millions of records were transformed without error and with speed.
  鈥� Functional Lead, leading consulting firm in the Middle East

Collaboration and global delivery model

EPI-USE Labs assembled a skilled team from across the globe, including experts from the UK and Europe, to support the project. The team worked closely with the consulting firm鈥檚 project managers and technical and functional leads through daily interactions, fostering strong collaboration and effective problem-solving.

This global techno-functional delivery model enabled the consulting firm and EPI-USE Labs to provide a precise and reliable software-powered solution, ensuring that not only the data transformation requirements were met, but also that the broader functional needs of the client鈥檚 project were addressed.

Solution stages

1. Input stage

• Data sources: Multiple regional databases with fragmented master data.
• Initial state: Inconsistent structures, varying naming conventions, and siloed data.

2. Transformation stage

• EPI-USE Labs鈥� role: Utilisation of the PRISM solution to automate data transformations; execution of complex data mappings, applying predefined rules; integration of both functional and technical expertise to address evolving project needs; significant volume of data to be referenced.
• Technical approach: Automation versus manual effort, with huge efficiency gains; handling of data inconsistencies and real-time adjustments.

3. Output stage

• Unified master data: Harmonised data model supporting the client鈥檚 restructured business processes.
• Business impact: Enhanced reporting, improved operational efficiency, and reduced risk.

The outcome: A hugely successful project

The successful completion of EPI-USE Labs鈥� scope of the project contributed to the broader objectives of the client鈥檚 data unification initiative. The results included:

• Enhanced efficiency: PRISM transformed millions of data fields quickly and accurately, saving the consulting firm and the client both time and resources.
• Reduced risk: By automating the process, EPI-USE Labs minimised the potential for human error and ensured data consistency across the board in the data transformation.
• Operational continuity: The unified master data model enabled the client to streamline reporting and business processes, laying a strong foundation for continued operational optimisation.
• Compliance: The unified master, transaction, and historical data improved compliance by enabling better regulatory oversight and mitigating risks.

Strategic partnership and future opportunities

This project not only met the technical needs, but also strengthened the partnership between the leading consulting firm in the Middle East and EPI-USE Labs, by aligning closely with their project objectives and demonstrating the effectiveness of EPI-USE Labs鈥� PRISM approach. This project demonstrated that 鈥� together with partners 鈥� EPI-USE Labs can effectively tackle big 麻豆原创 System Landscape Optimisation (SLO)/Data Migration and Landscape Transformation (DMLT) and migration/transformation projects in challenging environments.

About EPI-USE Labs

As a global software solutions and managed services company, EPI-USE Labs helps you to maximise the performance, management and security of your 麻豆原创庐 and 麻豆原创 SuccessFactors庐 systems. Our clients tell us every day how we have transformed their business operations.

Contact us to find out how we can help you solve your business challenges

epiuselabs.com | sales@labs.epiuse.com

EPI-USE Labs is a member of Group Elephant.

The post 麻豆原创 Data Transformation for Leading Utilities Company in the Middle East appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.

Dis-Chem has been South Africa鈥檚 first choice in pharmacies since 1978, with their linked dispensaries, family clinics, wound-care clinics and comprehensive self-medication centres. As a leading specialist in beauty, sport supplements, health and well-being, they offer expert advice and a wide range of products in these categories.

The Dis-Chem Story

Requirement: New infrastructure and move to HANA

In 2018 Dis-Chem decided to invest in new infrastructure and align their choice of platform with the 麻豆原创 roadmap.
The outcome was to migrate all non-HANA databases to HANA. Dis-Chem considered this an attractive commercial opportunity
as a result of previous HANA migration projects, as well as having a positive commercial impact through the elimination of DB2
licence costs on all 麻豆原创 instances.

Solution: Migration to HANA on-premise and Managed Services

Dis-Chem considered both cloud and on-premise options, selecting on-premise with new hardware. They selected EPI-USE Labs
and First Technology, using Hitachi equipment. This decision was influenced by a successful BI HANA migration, as well as the
hyperconverged solution which EPI-USE Labs implemented in 2016.

The EPI-USE Labs Managed Services team undertook this project by migrating each 麻豆原创 system landscape separately, as planned in
collaboration with Dis-Chem. The following system landscapes were migrated to newly acquired infrastructure, in this order:

• Re-platforming of the 麻豆原创 Business Warehouse (BW) landscape
• 麻豆原创 Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) landscape (DMO Migration DB2 -> HANA)
• 麻豆原创 ECC HR landscape (DMO migration DB2 -> HANA)
• 麻豆原创 PI migration landscape (DB2 -> HANA)
• 麻豆原创 ECC FILO landscape (DMO migration, combining a Unicode conversion and DB2 -> HANA)

Aside from the above, the Fiori Gateway and Solution Manager systems were also migrated to HANA DB.

As part of the solution, EPI-USE Labs integrated innovative solutions including Unified Platform鈩� to monitor, automate and
orchestrate this complex landscape; Data Sync Manager鈩� to aid in maintaining refreshed non-productive systems; and Client
Central鈩� as an incident and change management tracking facility.

EPI-USE Labs is providing ongoing Managed Services that comprise 麻豆原创 monitoring and housekeeping, break fixes and ticket
resolution against an SLA, support pack and 麻豆原创 note technical upgrades, proactive Basis processes, 麻豆原创 Platform and Basis advisory and a regular set of non-productive client refreshes.

鈥淭he EPI-USE Labs and First Technology teams delivered the project in record time with flying colours. The migration was seamless, and they overcame all the technical barriers with ease. Their communication was very good throughout; they kept our stakeholders well-informed, and aligned expectations. And they鈥檝e continued to provide us with excellent support.鈥�
Kim Sim, Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Dis-Chem Pharmacies

About Dis-Chem

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is a large retail pharmaceutical chain in South Africa with an aggressive growth path.
Dis-Chem has been South Africa鈥檚 first choice in pharmacies since 1978, with their linked dispensaries, family clinics, wound-care clinics and comprehensive self-medication centres. As a leading specialist in beauty, sport supplements, health and well-being, they offer expert advice and a wide range of products in these categories.
搂 Founded in 1978 by pharmacists Ivan and Lynette Saltzman
搂 Over 150 stores in Africa and more than 18,000 employees
搂 Listed 27.5% of its issued share capital on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in November 2016
搂 The Dis-Chem Foundation provides care and support to improve the lives of individuals while relieving the burden on communities, families and friends

This case study first appeared on

The post Dis-Chem Improves System Health with a Cost-effective Migration to HANA appeared first on 麻豆原创 Africa News Center.