Ecom Giant implements SAP S/4HANA Cloud on Azure

Challenge

For more than 20 years, Komplett Group relied on an ERP solution that had become increasingly complex and expensive to upgrade or customize. Every new development required deep involvement in SAP together with Pearl’s developers, explains CIO Thomas Pedersen. With a wide product portfolio, a large customer base, and ambitious growth targets, Komplett needed a modern ERP platform that was less complex, more flexible, and better suited to future demands.

Solution

As a leading e-commerce pioneer, Komplett Group chose a full “Greenfield” approach, building a completely new ERP system from the ground up. This modernization project was a cornerstone of the company’s growth strategy. After a competitive tender, Komplett selected Pearl to lead the large-scale implementation of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition on Microsoft Azure. Pearl coordinated a team including Evidi, Westernacher, and Vistex to deliver the project — the largest ERP implementation in Pearl’s history.

Customer benefits

With SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud, Komplett gained a fully scalable ERP system that reduced complexity and made customizations and upgrades faster and simpler.

– We structured the new system into three layers, explains CIO Thomas Pedersen. At the foundation lies a stable, standardized ERP. The middle layer provides dedicated services and APIs, enabling functionality outside the ERP. On top, we have customer-facing interfaces such as webshops, where the focus is innovation.

This three-layer architecture allows Komplett to adapt and replace functionality more easily, since the systems are not tightly bound together.

Standardization brings multiple benefits

The new ERP system has delivered clear business value, directly addressing previous challenges while creating a solid foundation for growth and efficiency. Within just six months, Komplett achieved a more cost-effective operating model with a significant reduction in daily operating costs. The standardized ERP also streamlines business processes across the organization.

– The new IT platform makes it easier to integrate with partners and new systems, and to share solutions across Komplett Group. It gives us a more standardized and streamlined approach, accelerating the development and rollout of new strategies, says CIO Thomas Pedersen.

He highlights the benefits of the system’s Composable Architecture: We can now upgrade systems without having to change the entire portfolio. With a modern, standardized platform, we are able to leverage synergies across the business.

SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud’s Composable Architecture is designed for flexibility, enabling rapid adaptation and extension of business systems without disrupting the core. Through microservices and APIs, companies like Komplett can innovate faster, integrate new functions independently, and execute new strategies with greater speed.

Increased innovation pace and in-house competence

The new ERP system freed up critical resources, enabling Komplett to focus more on development and innovation instead of time-consuming operational tasks.

– By shifting resources and costs from operations to development, we can now accelerate innovation independently of third-party developers. This is a key factor for Komplett’s future growth, says CIO Thomas Pedersen.

Greater focus on innovation also strengthened Komplett’s competitive edge in a demanding market. At the same time, the modernization built valuable in-house competence. Before the implementation, the company struggled to secure the right skills to execute tasks and request the right services. Through the project, employees developed expertise tailored to the new solution, creating more security, accuracy, and business value.

Overall, the modernization transformed Komplett’s operational and technological capabilities, giving the company a robust platform to meet both current and future challenges.

An agile implementation process to the finishing line

The project began with an analysis phase in June 2022, followed by realization in the autumn. After significant redevelopment of webshop functionality to fit the new IT platform, the solution went live in October 2023 — just ahead of the critical Black Week and Christmas sales period. With Pearl as partner, the transition was smooth and nearly flawless.

– We chose Pearl because their proposed architecture and methodology impressed us the most. They already knew our processes well, yet still challenged us with fresh perspectives — and they were ready to adapt, says CIO Thomas Pedersen.

Komplett’s project team came from a highly agile development culture, while Pearl contributed deep expertise in large-scale ERP implementations. The collaboration bridged these approaches, creating a flexible and effective process.

– In fact, we may have influenced how Pearl works. They adapted well to a more agile methodology, which made the migration from old to new seamless, Pedersen notes.

Pearl’s implementation approach ensured that critical operations remained stable throughout the transition.

– We experienced almost no downtime, very few errors, and close collaboration all the way to go-live. It was a smooth, agile process that delivered excellent results, Pedersen concludes.

E-commerce Giant implements SAP S/4HANA Cloud on Azure

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