From SNP Transformation World 2025 – Robert Schmaltz
Meet the Experts
Key Takeaways
⇨ The transformation began in 2021 by designing 270 level four business processes, followed by a pilot rollout and ongoing milestones to integrate 15 different source systems over approximately five rollout waves, plus a separate serialized approach for DHL Express's 300 legal entities.
⇨ A key to success for the transformation is making it business led by the CFO and involving divisional CFOs and their teams in designing the template processes, ensuring they are actively engaged in project success.
DHL Group is currently undertaking a global SAP S/4HANA transformation program, with Robert Schmaltz, Global Head of Process Standards and Governance, overseeing the process model and ensuring its fit for various entities. DHL has a long history with SAP, including legacy systems from R2 to R3 migrations, and is now transforming a “very customized, very grown SAP system”.
The primary drivers for this move are that “ECC systems are end of life and they just need to be replaced”. Furthermore, the finance function aimed to “unify the systems, unify the processes and the data model”. Robert Schmaltz explains the goal is to “move away from transaction codes to a more modern user interface and a more modern user experience” and achieve “substantial efficiency gains” through standard processes, shared services, and leveraging AI tools.
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The project began in 2021, with the first phase involving building our global template by designing 270 level four business processes. After a pilot rollout, DHL is now in regular migration waves, expecting “about five rollout waves” to integrate legacy systems onto their new platform, with a separate approach for DHL Express. A key success factor for the transformation is to make this a business project, led by the CFO and involving divisional CFOs, ensuring “they actually own the system” that is built. SNP served as a transformation tool provider, commended for their “very competent, very resilient team” who aided in complex data migrations.
Tune in to hear ERP Today’s Robert Holland speak with Robert Schmalz about the project, DHL Group’s history with SAP, the role played by SNP, and how DHL Group is managing the project to ensure success.
