case study
Robotic pioneer KUKA continues its innovation course thanks to ecosio’s efficient EDI solution and optimises its EDI strategy for a networked future.
Results at a glance
XRechnung live in under three months
As a first step, the XRechnung e-invoicing format was integrated in just under three months, after which it was ready for use and working flawlessly.
Seamless SAP S/4HANA integration
Using the SNAP ecosio bridge connector, the new EDI solution was integrated seamlessly into KUKA’s SAP S/4HANA system, replacing complicated add-ons and IDocs interfaces.
Internal teams free to focus
E-invoicing and EDI are no longer headaches, so internal teams are free to focus on what they do best.
As SAP people, we felt that ecosio picked us up straight away. We're not EDI specialists, but ecosio's SAP expertise immediately gave us a feeling of comfort, as it was clear they knew what they were talking about!
KUKA's previous EDI setup was a rudimentary ad hoc solution that couldn't keep pace with the dynamic robotics business or the growing EDI demands of customers and suppliers. After a thorough evaluation, KUKA chose ecosio for its SAP expertise and fully managed approach. Starting with the XRechnung e-invoicing format (live in under three months) and followed by a seamless SAP S/4HANA integration via the SNAP ecosio bridge connector, ecosio improved speed, efficiency and data visibility – freeing internal teams to focus on other topics and paving the way for a wider EDI strategy.
About KUKA
Founded in Augsburg in 1898, KUKA is a global leader in industrial robotics and automation. Its distinctive orange machines and pioneering development of the world’s first industrial robot have made the company synonymous with innovation in manufacturing.
Industry
Automation & Robotics
Head office
Augsburg, Germany
ERP System
SAP S/4HANA
KUKA’s previous EDI solution was a rudimentary ad hoc solution for spontaneously responding to orders. The dynamic nature of the robotics business requires a high degree of flexibility from the IT infrastructure. Meanwhile, the increasing demands of customers and suppliers with regards to EDI mean that having a reliable and scalable solution is crucial to long term success.
Our toolbox was empty and we found it difficult to respond to urgent requests. Given our existing situation wasn’t capable of matching our future plans, we decided to search for a proper EDI service provider.
KUKA’s decision to work with ecosio was the result of a thorough evaluation that began with a simple introduction over email. As SAP people, KUKA immediately felt comfortable with ecosio’s SAP expertise.
Fully managed approach, tested first
Before migrating fully to ecosio, KUKA wanted to see whether ecosio met its requirements. “We wanted to test the fully managed approach, so to speak. That’s why, as a first step, we integrated the XRechnung format as part of the e-invoice requests.” This allowed KUKA to see how the migration process works and to analyse the technical expertise, professionalism and cooperability of ecosio’s team up close.
SAP S/4HANA integration with SNAP
Following the success of the XRechnung project, ecosio helped replace KUKA’s existing approach to handling EDI in their SAP S/4HANA system, which involved complicated add-ons and IDocs interfaces. To facilitate seamless integration into KUKA’s ERP system, the SNAP ecosio bridge connector (developed with SNAP Consulting) was used.
Improved visibility within existing SAP
The integration improved speed and efficiency as well as data visibility and accessibility for all relevant teams at KUKA. Whereas sending attachments and receiving status feedback had previously been handled via additional tools, this could now be managed within KUKA’s existing SAP system.
KUKA took a step-by-step approach, beginning with the integration of the XRechnung format for e-invoicing. This allowed the company to experience ecosio’s fully managed approach first-hand. The project took just under three months, after which XRechnung was fully operational.
Following this success, ecosio replaced KUKA’s existing EDI setup in SAP S/4HANA, including complex add-ons and IDoc interfaces. The new solution uses the SNAP ecosio bridge connector, developed in collaboration with SNAP Consulting.
As a result, KUKA can now send attachments and receive status updates directly within its existing SAP system instead of relying on additional tools.
Until now, EDI was a topic that we only ever dealt with in the short term. As non-EDI professionals, we were never able to meet the requirements properly. But now we can leave the whole thing to the experts at ecosio, who are always there for us. And we can devote ourselves to other topics.
Spurred on by the successes to date, KUKA is planning to rethink its entire EDI strategy with ecosio. In particular, by integrating ecosio into the workflow, KUKA hopes to transform the efficiency of supplier EDI processes moving forward. Thanks to ecosio’s unique solution, e-invoicing and EDI are no longer headaches, and internal teams are free to focus on what they do best.
With e-invoicing and EDI now handled by the experts, KUKA is free to focus on innovation – and is planning to rethink its entire EDI strategy with ecosio, transforming the efficiency of supplier EDI processes for a networked future.
Learn what managing a successful e-invoicing project require
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