As part of the digitization strategy, the requirements from departments to replace legacy and often paper-based processes with lean and mobile applications is becoming increasingly frequent. To avoid uncontrollable technological chaos, the focus on scalable and agile application development represents a central challenge for modern IT departments.

“At the beginning, we worked intensively with the SAP development tools and even built our first SAP Fiori App. The Neptune DX Platform is much leaner on the architectural side and fit much better to our internally available ABAP know-how. For us, Neptune Software was the ideal compromise between the use of the actual SAP standard and a fallback to proprietary front-end technology,” says Mr. Hütköper, who manages the app development across modules.

In implementing Neptune Software Fiori Apps, Hauni now draws on both internal development resources and external partners. In the beginning, the Hauni team was supported in the development of the first apps by Neptune Software partners. With growing knowledge, more tasks were completed step by step by the internal developers. Today, Hauni IT only relies on external support for special requirements or staff shortages.

“Since we only had a vague knowledge of web development, the ready-made front-end components (code snippets) helped us a lot, especially in the beginning. Today, we use over 100 Neptune Software Fiori applications across all modules and have a wealth of internal experience. In particular, the expansion of our service center in Hungary has proven to be very successful, so that we can now react flexibly and cost-effectively to new requirements”, Mr. Hütköper continues.

While Hauni originally focused exclusively on apps for sales and equipping them with iPhones, the strategy with Neptune Software has been a complete success. Today, the company can implement requirements independent of processes and end devices using a single central platform.

The overarching project goal is the establishment of a Technical Service Suite, which includes offline-capable apps for customer service. Hauni is approaching this final project stage step by step by developing individual applications for sub-processes.

“The first requirement we developed was the Inspection App – an application that guides technicians through the inspection process and, as a result, accelerates the downstream quotation process for the modernization of plants. Using the notification and the assigned technical position, checklists are dynamically built up via the parts lists, which sometimes contain more than 900 items,” explains Mr. Hilker.

Currently, many processes at Hauni are mapped in different systems or are still implemented on paper. The digitization of paper processes and consolidation on a platform with central access for technicians and a consistent user experience are the common goals of all subprojects.

“After time recording, an order information app is planned. Here all order-relevant information will be collected. Starting with technical drawings, access descriptions, or private information like hotel recommendations. We also want to support the concept of “One Shift Maintenance” with a documentation list so that the technician can track in an app which activities and installations could be carried out during a production shift,” Mr. Hilker continues.

Hauni’s ambitious strategy of building up IT competencies for app development internally has proven to be a lasting success for the medium-sized mechanical engineering company. Today, complex project plans, such as equipping service technicians with offline-capable apps, can be realized using the internal IT team. At the same time, the close integration of the Neptune DX Platform with the SAP Fiori Design System means that the company is equipped for decades to come for the ongoing migration to SAP S/4HANA. This makes Hauni independent of external suppliers and consolidates competitive advantages through high individualization and quality in the service process.

Hauni is the world’s leading supplier of technologies as well as technical services for the international tobacco industry. With around 4,500 employees at more than 20 locations, the Hauni Group is represented worldwide and combines the brands Hauni, Garbuio, Decouflé, Borgwaldt, Borgwaldt Flavor, Sodim and Kodis. The Hauni Group forms the Tobacco Business Area of the Körber Group.

Customer Industry: Manufacturing
System version: SAP CS, HCM, PP, and SD
Devices: Windows, Android, iOS with a mix of different devices
Timeline: Ongoing, implemented Neptune Software in 2016