Performing standardized planning
Efficiency, Speed, and Transparency
Bionorica SE, a globally leading manufacturer of phytopharmaceuticals, standardizes and consolidates annual budget cost planning using the Excel-based and SAP-integrated solution Allevo. This allows Bionorica to conduct planning quickly, securely, and transparently.
Planning for 400 Profit Centers
Bionorica SE relies on the planning solution Allevo. Seamlessly integrated into SAP ERP, this application enables the planning and budgeting of all planning objects consistently and efficiently in a single, user-friendly Excel interface directly under SAP CO. The software operates based on consolidated data, replacing a self-programmed VBA-based Excel solution. The company can simultaneously work on several marketing projects in various planning layouts on a single Excel sheet. Marketing campaigns, such as special promotions with pharmacies and drug retailers or the use of advertising materials for the introduction of new drugs, are planned at the level of PSP elements.
Better Planning Values, Better Decisions
"This brings more efficiency, speed, transparency, and meaningfulness to the detailed personnel cost planning, cost planning for marketing projects, and investment cost planning," emphasizes Markus Ulrich, Head of Controlling at Bionorica SE. "Management and executives receive high-quality data that provides them with a valid decision-making basis for financial corporate planning."
The central controlling and planners are also relieved by the SAP-integrated planning. This allows controllers more time to carry out their strategic tasks and to review and analyze planning data for plausibility. Another advantage is that controllers can oversee the current status of all planning objects seamlessly through Allevo’s status management. "A click is enough, and we immediately see where time constraints may arise in planning areas, and we can counteract," emphasizes Markus Ulrich.
Planning processes are now completed "almost in the blink of an eye". The data entered by approximately 45 planners into the user-friendly Excel interface of Allevo flows directly into the SAP system and is booked there. Conversely, all necessary actual data for a planning round from the SAP ERP system is directly available in the planning solution. This is possible because Allevo has a bidirectional interface to SAP. This is particularly beneficial in very detailed personnel cost planning. In addition, Bionorica utilizes Allevo’s functions for flexible planning.
Conducting Standardized Planning
Since Allevo merges Excel with SAP, Bionorica was also able to establish uniform planning processes based on standardized Excel interfaces. Finally, the new solution also ensures more efficient communication between controlling and planners in international subsidiaries without SAP access: Local planners receive a pre-configured Excel file via email in which they enter their offline plan figures. They send this file back to controlling, which then imports the data directly into SAP CO with just one click.
Automating Plan-Actual Comparisons
Markus Ulrich draws an entirely positive conclusion. "Since the introduction of Allevo, we have been benefiting from the various advantages of fully integrated planning in SAP." Several projects are already on the agenda: Controlling intends to use Allevo’s reporting functions to provide management with meaningful and visually appealing reports with plan-actual comparisons.