terranets bw
Gas transmission system operator
approx. 350
230 million euros (2023)
Stuttgart, Germany
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Background
As part of the process of converting their old ERP system to SAP S/4HANA, terranets bw planned to digitalise their signature system – with the aim of significantly reducing the processing time for each order. Project managers Philipp Schulte and Bernd Burgemeister opted for the apsolut eSignature Connector for DocuSign at an early stage.
However, the plan initially took a backseat: the company had to pool all its available internal resources for its major S/4HANA project. But the original project schedule was quickly revised. Rather than waiting, terranets bw decided to start integrating the eSignature Connector into their existing ERP system straight away – freeing up valuable resources for the S/4HANA project.
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Application
Today, a fully integrated signature process is in place between SAP S/4HANA and DocuSign, thanks to the apsolut eSignature Connector for DocuSign. Users can track the current status of every individual signature process directly in S/4HANA. At the same time, the requester and supplier are automatically notified of the progress by e-mail – with no intermediate manual steps at all.
Approvals are both digital and legally compliant.
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Einbettung in S/4HANA Flexible Workflow
The process for obtaining signatures in DocuSign is integrated into the S/4HANA Flexible Workflow for orders.
With this workflow, an order is not marked as ‘approved’ in the ERP system until all signatories have provided their digital signatures. Only then will the supplier receive an automatic notification.
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Business Outcome
The click-based signature approval process and newly acquired transparency regarding the status of orders significantly reduced order processing times.
According to Philipp Schulte, purchasing agent and project manager at terranets bw, the company processes around 5,000 orders annually. Previously, they had to schedule two to three minutes per transaction for answering questions about the order status – by e-mail or telephone. Today, those sorts of questions are the exception rather than the rule. Generally, everyone involved in the order process now knows exactly where an order is at all times. The amount of time the company saved here is substantial – time they can now invest in more strategic issues in purchasing.
“‘No can do!’ is something we never heard from apsolut. Our contacts were even able to provide us with information on requests that went well beyond the scope of the standard – ad hoc, at any time. Thanks to this quick, proactive approach, we were able to go live with the tool within nine months – right on schedule.”
Philipp Schulte, Purchasing Agent and Project Manager, terranets bw