SAP PLM discrete Manufacturing

SAP Activate with SI PRO

We support discrete manufacturers in the planning, implementation, and support of SAP Integrated Product Development—including the integration of third-party PLM systems. With the new SAP Activate methodology, we ensure a structured and efficient project execution.

Phase 1: Discover

In the Discover phase, we analyze customer requirements and demonstrate how a successful implementation can look. Using our demo and development systems, we show potential scenarios, such as a customer providing product data from Teamcenter or EPMDocuments / WTParts from Windchill in SAP to enable seamless integration of design and production planning. SI PRO can implement such scenarios and advise on setting up cross-system change management. On the technical side, this might involve using Siemens’ Teamcenter Gateway for SAP or a middleware solution such as SAP PI/PO. In this phase, SI PRO provides feasibility studies, develops proofs of concept, and offers initial effort estimates and scoping services.

Phase 2: Prepare

The Prepare phase lays the foundation for project success. In this phase, the project is initially set up and planned. Additionally, relevant stakeholders—such as SAP system architects, product owners, engineers, and experts from management and IT—are identified and made aware of the project’s scope and importance. SI PRO supports the establishment of the project team and the definition of the necessary roles within the team. SI PRO’s activities in this phase also include the creation of a detailed project plan, a risk analysis, and a communication plan to ensure regular coordination with all stakeholders.

Phase 3: Explore

In the Explore phase, the focus is on detailing the requirements and developing the solution blueprint. Through workshops, optimization opportunities are evaluated, and the system architecture is further refined. A common discussion point is the synchronization of master data such as materials, bills of materials (BOMs), and change numbers between SAP and third-party systems. Key questions include which system is the leading one for change requests, which objects are to be synchronized between the systems, and at what point in the process—making it clear that a thorough process analysis is essential. Alternative approaches for the technical implementation of the integration scenarios are also discussed and documented. SI PRO ensures that customer business processes are improved through innovative solutions.

Phase 4: Realize

During the Realize phase, the technical implementation takes place, including the configuration of SAP Integrated Product Development and the seamless integration of third-party PLM systems. The blueprint document and the project plan serve as key guides throughout this process. The focus is on efficiently translating customer requirements into functional solutions. For example, if a suitable technology for data synchronization has been identified and the third-party system is designated as the leading system for the change process, the SAP implementation would be designed to allow change requests to be created in the third-party system and utilized within SAP. SI PRO’s responsibilities during this phase include the coordinated setup of a testing environment to carry out development and functional tests. In parallel, technical documentation is created to support long-term system use, along with the development of initial test cases in close collaboration with end users.

Phase 5: Deploy

In the Deploy phase, SI PRO supports its customers in successfully transitioning the implemented solutions into productive operation. The execution of cutover planning is intended to minimize operational disruptions. SI PRO also develops a customized training program and provides client-specific training materials to ensure that user acceptance testing (UAT) can be carried out thoroughly by end users. In addition to testing and training, special emphasis is placed on careful data migration. This includes thorough data cleansing as well as validation within test environments prior to go-live. An example scenario might involve the transfer of existing master data from the third-party system to SAP, so that the data can be made directly available to users. Establishing a hypercare support phase for the first few weeks after go-live is also a key part of this phase.

Phase 6: Run

In the Run phase, SI PRO provides long-term support to ensure the stable operation of the implemented SAP IPD solution and its continuous optimization. After a successful go-live, the focus shifts to maintaining system stability and addressing initial challenges. One such challenge can be dealing with data inconsistencies. Due to the complexity of product data and bills of materials, incorrect or incomplete synchronization between the PLM and SAP systems may occur. To address this, a robust data validation and error correction process can be established to regularly check and ensure consistency between systems. Another common issue is a lack of user readiness or insufficient detailed knowledge to use the new solution effectively. To mitigate this, it can be highly beneficial to provide additional training sessions even after go-live and to organize regular Q&A sessions for users. Furthermore, the goal should be to gradually adapt the solution to evolving requirements. Accordingly, SI PRO supports the introduction of new features and technologies and works closely with customers to develop strategic roadmaps for the continued development of the solution. With comprehensive support covering both technical and organizational aspects, SI PRO ensures that customers can derive lasting value from their SAP Integrated Product Development implementation and system integration—while remaining flexible and responsive to changing market demands.

By integrating SAP and third-party PLM systems, a single source of truth for product data is created—helping customers streamline and enhance process transparency. SAP Activate serves as the framework for delivering such projects, offering room for agile methods during the core phases (2–5) to accommodate unforeseen developments.

SI PRO is your trusted partner for implementing integrated SAP and third-party PLM solutions such as Siemens Teamcenter or PTC Windchill. We offer comprehensive support across all phases of the SAP Activate methodology.