Facing service disruptions, mounting past due orders, and underutilized SAP systems, Southco knew a change was necessary—not just to survive the S/4HANA transition, but to thrive beyond it. By partnering with Reveal, Southco redefined how supply chain, operations, and manufacturing functions worked together across vertically integrated sites. The result: a $17.3M reduction in late orders, a 20% improvement in service levels, and a future-ready foundation for S/4HANA success.

The Challenge

Despite being a global leader in engineered access solutions, Southco faced increasing supply chain turbulence. Each site and function operated in silos. SAP was lightly used—primarily for financial reporting—not as a strategic tool for operations. Key issues included:

• Poor visibility into manufacturing constraints
• Chronic year-end inventory issues
• Customer service degradation during COVID
• Fragmented processes and inconsistent handoffs
• SAP implementation that hadn’t been updated in over a decade

With S/4HANA on the horizon, the risk was clear: make the same mistakes in a newer system—or transform how SAP was used altogether.

The Decision

Southco’s leadership didn’t just want a technical upgrade—they wanted operational transformation. They asked deeper questions:

• How can we align demand with capacity across sites?
• How do we turn SAP into a driver of business value?
• What does world-class customer experience look like post-S/4HANA?

They chose Reveal as their transformation partner—recognizing the need to move from passive recordkeeping to real-time execution, and from workaround-driven processes to sustainable, system-enabled performance.

The Transformation

Southco took a bold, integrated approach—launching a cross-functional, multi-site initiative focused on performance, not just platform. Key outcomes included:

• Demand-Capacity Alignment: Finite scheduling and supply chain stabilization eliminated planning guesswork.
• Inventory Optimization + Service Level Gains: Planning strategies were overhauled with accurate forecasts and a “plan for every part.”
• Real-Time Execution: Teams used SAP as a single source of truth to resolve issues proactively.
• Cross-Functional Cohesion: Clear roles, standard work, and shared priorities replaced local heroics.
• Full Production Planning Visibility: Labor, material, tool availability, and capacity constraints were integrated into daily operations.
• Iterative Master Data Optimization: Real-time monitoring enabled continuous improvement, not just one-time fixes.

The Results

Southco didn’t just upgrade systems—they transformed performance:

• $17.3M Reduction in Past Due Orders
• 20% Decrease in Late Deliveries, improving customer satisfaction
• 67% Fewer “Red Lights”—ensuring the right inventory is in the right place at the right time
• 53% Reduction in Supply-Demand Exceptions, allowing proactive supply chain management
• 95% Drop in Overdue Elements, signaling stable, reliable promise dates
• 17% Inventory Reduction, freeing up working capital
• Successful S/4HANA Migration, with operational momentum already in motion

Southco’s story proves what’s possible when strategy meets execution. By activating SAP’s true potential and empowering its teams, the company didn’t just prepare for the future—it accelerated into it. If your operations are still driven by spreadsheets, workarounds, and disconnected teams, it’s time to ask: what’s your $17.3M opportunity?

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