Schaeffler to work with SAP to improve digital efficiency

Schaeffler plans to work with business software group SAP to further develop its IT systems and step up digital transformation to improve efficiency.

Schaeffler and SAP

Source: Schaeffler

SAP’s Holz (l) and Schaeffler CEO Rosenfeld agreed to closely cooperate to improve IT at the German supplier group

The German automotive supplier group said it had agreed on a strategic partnership with SAP to have faster access to the software company’s new products and services and to make better use of SAP systems in general.

A key part of the plan is to make the SAP S/4 Hana data platform a key part of Schaeffler’s future IT landscape.

Schaeffler also plans to introduce SAP SuccessFactors, an HR management tool, to comprehensively optimize business processes. This will further help the company’s digital transformation, it said.

Schaeffler CEO Klaus Rosenfeld said the strategic partnership with SAP will allow it to more effectively pursue its strategy to develop key areas such as electric mobility, industry 4.0 and the digitalization of core business operations.

The cooperation “will allow us to shape our processes more efficiently and, that way, respond better to the needs of our customers,” he said in a press release.

Daniel Holz, managing director of SAP Germany, said the partnership foresees an in-depth exchange of information between the two companies. As a result, SAP will be better able to support Schaeffler’s corporate goals and priorities, Holz said.

Other automotive manufacturers are also investing in SAP S/4 Hana’s cloud capability, including Volkswagen, which is upgraded to the system as part of a €4 billion modernization of its IT systems and processes. 

Shoukat Ali Bhamani, vice-president, chief information officer and chief digital officer at Schaeffler Group Americas, will be among the key speakers at the first automotiveIT International Go Innovate! Live conference this December 3-5th in Detroit.