Carlsberg, the global brewery group headquartered in Denmark, has chosen IBM as System Integrator for their SAP S/4HANA implementation. This is a multi-year digital transformation program that will cover the Carlsberg markets in Western Europe region.

The implementation initiative will transition Carlsberg to SAP’s next-generation ERP platform. The cloud-based SAP S/4 HANA platform is future-proof technology, lending Carlsberg a high degree of flexibility. It will allow the brewery group to perform day-to-day operations much more efficiently and also adapt to future business needs without significant IT infrastructure changes. Carlsberg’s current ERP platform is based on SAP ECC, which will be phased out in the years to come.

The modernization program is a key element of Carlsberg’s Accelerate SAIL strategy that sets the strategic frame for the company’s growth. To help to drive productivity and revenue growth, the strategy centers on improved tools, processes and digitization in a wide range of business areas. The SAP S/4HANA implementation project will apply the Selective Transformation approach, where only the most critical data and functionalities are transferred, allowing for a more efficient transition.

Carlsberg has chosen IBM Consulting as technology partner for the SAP S/4HANA implementation. The choice of partner was both based on IBM Consulting’s technology experience from comparable projects around the world – and on their industry knowledge from partnerships with a wide range of international consumer goods companies. In addition, the initial discussions between the Carlsberg and IBM Consulting teams showed a match in mindsets and working cultures that goes beyond technology, paving the way for an innovative and productive partnership.

“We look forward to this new partnership with IBM. We have conducted a thorough selection process, where IBM matched our requirements not only in regards to technical knowledge and acumen but also the willingness to play a partnership role, the importance of bringing all players in our big programme together and the focus on business ownership,” says Cecilia Lundgren, Regional VP, Finance, WE in Carlsberg.

”We are proud to partner with Carlsberg on their international, technology and business transformation journey. We’re looking very much to bringing our deep expertise in the consumer goods industry to bear and to support Carlsberg on the digital replatforming to SAP S/4 HANA,” says Andrew Worsley-Tonks, Head of SAP EMEA Business at IBM.