Ahlstrom Goes Live with SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP Public in Just Four Weeks

Ahlstrom, a Finnish specialty materials maker, achieved a significant ERP milestone by implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP Public at one of its factories in just four weeks. Delivered in partnership with Vincit, the project compressed what is traditionally a multi‑month ERP initiative into a tightly scoped rollout that now serves as a reference model for future deployments.

The move was part of a broader effort to standardize operations, while also reducing the time and cost typically associated with large‑scale ERP programs. Ahlstrom, which operates 36 plants across 13 countries, also aimed to establish a scalable digital core that could be reused across its other locations.

Clean Core Architecture and Lean Delivery

Ahlstrom, which produces compostable food and beverage processing and packaging materials, liquid and air filtration media, diagnostic materials, and protective medical fabrics, operates a diverse manufacturing footprint with multiple ERP systems in place across locations. This complexity drove the need for a more standardized and scalable ERP foundation.

The company selected SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP Public for the project, citing its clean core approach and a standardized architecture in which the ERP core remains unchanged by relying on SAP standard processes, with integrations and application extensions handled through SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). This reduced technical complexity, supported long‑term upgradeability, and allowed the project team to focus on core business processes and deliver a production‑ready system in weeks.

Suvi Albert, Vincit’s Business Area Lead, said, “This is possibly the most significant change in ERP implementations since SAP was founded in 1972. ERP projects have traditionally been seen as slow and expensive, but cloud-based ERP systems have permanently changed the game. Fast rollouts also motivate SAP consultants: value can be delivered to the customer faster and with smaller teams than ever before.”

According to SAP, the delivery model also departed from traditional ERP staffing structures. Instead of large teams of narrowly focused specialists, the project relied on multi‑skilled consultants capable of managing end‑to‑end business processes across functional areas. This approach streamlined coordination, shortened feedback loops, and supported faster issue resolution throughout the implementation.

Preconfigured best‑practice templates tailored for public cloud deployments further accelerated execution. Strong business ownership and rapid decision‑making from Ahlstrom’s internal stakeholders ensured the project maintained momentum throughout the four‑week timeline.

A Repeatable, Scalable ERP Blueprint

The go‑live delivered a modern digital core that improved operational visibility and efficiency from day one. Standardized processes and real‑time data access provide a stronger foundation for day‑to‑day execution while supporting future optimization initiatives.

Kari Halmela, Head of Shared IT Platforms, Ahlstrom said, “We didn’t just implement a new system but proved that a project that used to take months and massive resources can be done in four weeks. Vincit succeeded with a truly ambitious schedule and gave us a scalable, modern foundation that will define our future SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP Public rollouts. This would not have been possible without their exceptional expertise in both S/4HANA implementations and manufacturing industry processes.”

More importantly, the project established a repeatable deployment model that Ahlstrom can apply across additional factories. By reducing implementation effort and long‑term maintenance overhead, the company is positioned to scale its ERP modernization program more predictably while taking advantage of ongoing SAP cloud innovation.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Cloud ERP is redefining implementation timelines. This project demonstrates how SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP Public, when combined with disciplined scope control and standardized processes, can dramatically shorten ERP delivery cycles.

Clean core strategies are becoming foundational to ERP scalability. SAPinsider’s RISE with SAP 2025 Benchmark report shows that 17% of organizations are already using clean core setup and analysis tools, while 38% are leveraging SAP BTP to externalize custom logic. Together, these trends point to growing recognition that limiting core customizations supports smoother cloud upgrades and faster access to new capabilities.

Real‑time data is now a baseline architectural requirement. Cloud ERP platforms inherently support unified data models that enable real‑time operational visibility. For IT leaders, this reinforces the importance of designing architectures that support continuous insight and rapid decision‑making across the enterprise.