Would you like to find out what our satisfied customers have to say about us? We would be happy to arrange an appointment with you to talk to one of the more than 250 renowned companies that rely on apsolut's specialist knowledge and IT expertise.
Festool, a leading manufacturer of professional power tools, has systematically modernised its supplier and purchasing processes. In the course of its S/4HANA transformation, individual IT solutions developed over many years were replaced – with the aim of standardising processes, increasing transparency and optimising cooperation with suppliers.
Festool was in a complex situation at the beginning of the project: fragmented systems, manual qualification processes and numerous different communication channels with suppliers made it difficult for the company to maintain control. To change this, Festool decided to implement SAP Ariba Supplier Lifecycle & Performance (SLP) and SAP Business Network Supply Chain Collaboration (SCC). Key factors in the company’s decision included the high level of integration with SAP S/4HANA and the scalability of the platforms. Festool selected apsolut as its partner for the implementation process on the basis of the consultancy’s proven SAP Ariba expertise, its experience with complex projects in an industrial setting and its ability to combine technical excellence with pragmatic implementation expertise. When directly comparing apsolut with other service providers, Felix Leister of Festool felt that apsolut stood out:
“I would give them nine out of ten points – apsolut is definitely among the top five per cent of all consulting services we’ve ever worked with.”
The project initially focused on mapping the vendor-managed inventory processes (VMI) in the SCC module. The information that suppliers receive about demand and warehouse capacity is now updated daily, ensuring that the supply chain is much more stable and secure. At the same time, SAP Ariba SLP established a digital qualification process within the company, allowing for structured supplier data and automatic transfers to the ERP system. To date, around 150 suppliers have been successfully qualified via SLP, and about 40 of those have also been integrated into SCC for operational cooperation.
A key challenge was the integration of processes for handling consignment stock – cleanly mapping the individual demand logics and display formats was a particular focus here. The team successfully tackled these challenges by adopting a forward-thinking project planning approach and coordinating very closely with apsolut. Supplier onboarding was also organised systematically: individual training courses ensured that the users on the supplier side are now able to work with the system efficiently. At the same time, an accompanying internal change management process was also established in order to familiarise users in Purchasing with the new processes in a targeted way. Ongoing support currently requires less than one hour per week.
The effects are clearly measurable: cooperation with suppliers is more structured, up-to-date information is available on a daily basis and processes run without media disruptions. In addition, the closer ties with suppliers have helped improve the company’s strategic risk management – thanks in particular to the expansion and targeted management of the supplier pool. Operational efficiency has increased, and the solution has also freed up more time for Purchasing to deal with strategic tasks.
Felix Leister, Global Process Owner in Purchasing, summarises: “In the past, information came by e-mail or telephone. Today, everything is in the system – reliable, structured and available at all times. And the cooperation with apsolut was a major factor in our success here: they have strong technical expertise, and our partnership was clearly structured and on an equal footing.”
Festool plans to continue driving the digitalisation of its purchasing processes – with the aim of mapping both operational and strategic procurement processes in an integrated platform. The company is now evaluating modules such as SAP Ariba Sourcing. Its current solution creates a reliable, future-proof foundation on which Festool can build and develop.
150
suppliers were onboarded in SLP, and 40 in SCC.
Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) is a logistics model in which the supplier takes responsibility for monitoring and replenishing the customer’s inventory.
Would you like to find out what our satisfied customers have to say about us? We would be happy to arrange an appointment with you to talk to one of the more than 250 renowned companies that rely on apsolut's specialist knowledge and IT expertise.
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Language: English
18.09.2025 2025-10-29 https://ap-solut.zohobackstage.eu/WebinarapsoluteSignatureConnectorforDocuSign#/?affl=website OnlineWebinar: Save Time and Increase Efficiency with the apsolut eSignature Connector for DocuSign
How will AI shape the future of procurement?
The Visionaries Executive Roundtable will bring together senior supply chain and procurement executives into one room for discussions on AI-powered transformation. Listen to valuable insights from industry players shaping the future of business. Join us in Dubai!
29.09.2025 2025-11-11 https://fortinusevents.com/apsolut/ Dubai, UAEVisionaries Executive Roundtable Dubai
How can you continuously deliver cross-functional value and stay competitive with your External Workforce program? We’ll explore this and other key topics during our collaborative round table on the day before the apsolut Procurement Convention at the Pyramide Mainz. Starting at 1:30 p.m. CET, you can expect expert insights, peer exchange, exclusive SAP updates, and facilitation by Erika Thier and Phil Biddle — both experienced in managing global External Workforce programs.
22.10.2025 2026-02-09 https://landing.ap-solut.com/RoundtableExternalWorkforce/ Pyramide MainzShaping the Future of your External Workforce Programs
We’re excited to return to the iconic Pyramide Mainz for the apsolut Procurement Convention 2026! Under the theme “Where Intelligence meets Integrity”, we invite you to experience a dynamic program featuring an inspiring keynote, hands-on breakout sessions, and valuable networking opportunities. Together with our partners, we’ll explore how smart technologies and human integrity are shaping the future of procurement. Gain exclusive insights from leading companies such as RITTER SPORT, RWE, Big Dutchman, KNAPP, Beutlhauser, Heraeus, and many more.
15.10.2025 2026-02-10 https://ap-solut.zohobackstage.eu/apsolutProcurementConvention2026#/?affl=website Mainz, Germanyapsolut Procurement Convention 2026
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