SQMC upgrades its SAP platform with Novis

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SQMC’s upgrade was carried out with a methodology that minimizes system downtime, and the project met the implementation and live operation scheduled deadlines in early 2019. Novis has managed SQMC’s SAP operation since 2001.

Soquimich Comercial S.A. (SQMC) has been importing and commercializing fertilizers for crop, fruit, horticulture and pasture nutrition for over 30 years in the Chilean agriculture market.

With a staff of more than 100 employees, SQMC delivers products to approximately 10 thousand customers, direct or indirectly, through specialized distributors and agricultural consultants, who recommend the most suitable products for each type of soil, crop and form of application required (soluble, granulated or foliar).

SQMC has commercial presence throughout Chile and a yearly revenue of more than USD 140 million; the company has warehouses and facilities in Coquimbo, San Antonio, Penco and Puerto Montt. It is a publicly traded company operating since 1987 and is part of the SQM Holding.

The SAP ERP to EHP8 upgrade project

Carlos Ríos Malbrán, Chief Financial Officer at Soquimich Comercial S.A., explains: “We had to update our Microsoft base support platform (Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 database). During that process, we decided to also upgrade our data processing and information system (SAP ERP) to a newer version, in order to be able to continue developing systems and applications using SAP as the main engine.

Pere Palés, Business Manager at Novis, says: “We are SQMC’s SAP hosting and management partners, delivering SAP AMS services since 2011, and were selected by the end of 2018 to update their SAP ERP 6.04 from version EHP 4 to version EHP 8, with the purpose of maximizing the ERP’s available functionalities, ensuring continuity and stability.

At Novis we apply a specific methodology for SAP updates that focuses on minimizing system downtimes while anticipating and addressing possible difficulties encountered during the process, without affecting the operation. To this end, we use a sandbox system hosted in Novis’ platform, using our SAP AMS service resources and procedures, such as the helpdesk for ticket reception and the functional support team for all the modules, as well as ABAP consultancy to resolve tickets.”

Carlos Ríos adds that the project was essentially a teamwork effort. “Novis’ specialists worked together with the company’s leaders in the different modules and processes. Then, all the following steps were addressed jointly: task programming, Gantt charts, etc. Thanks to this alliance of Novis-SQMC teams, we were able to carry out the upgrade process in an orderly and reliable manner, transparently to all the companies’ users. Another equally important aspect was the fulfillment of the committed implementation and live operation deadlines”.

He says that “in general, the end user does not notice any relevant changes, except for screen views/displays of the different transactions they use; therefore, from that point of view there has been no negative impact. From a more technical perspective, better performances were achieved for the creation of new technological solutions related to data processing and the generation of information, as well as higher reliability in the execution and/or integration with other applications or developments”.

What would you recommend to others who are considering similar projects?

“There are four important steps to keep in mind:

1. Determine the project’s why and what for.
2. Select a partner with verified experience in upgrade processes.
3. Determine jointly with the specialists which new version is better suited for the current and potential needs of the company (applying cost/benefit concepts).
4. Define work teams with participants who are fully acquainted with each of the different SAP modules. Create a Gantt chart with critical milestones and a Plan B in case something goes wrong.”

How would you rate Novis’ services, both in this project as well as in the SAP hosting and management services?

“Novis is a reliable company, with trained professionals who are qualified for the requirement levels according to the circumstances, and they have a good service availability. They are truly a good ‘partner’ in this area”, concludes Carlos Ríos.

Contact us for further information about Novis services.

Feedback/discussion with the bulletin editor: Gilda Valderrama, Marketing Manager at Novis.