Life Science

Global Pharmaceutical Leader’s SAP Technology Enabled Business Transformation

25 of April 2025

Building a Harmonized and Standardized Digital Core as the Backbone of the Company

Global Pharmaceutical Leader’s SAP Business Transformation Enabled by Technology_Fusion Consulting

A global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in Switzerland embarked on a transformative digital journey to establish a unified digital core and implement consistent ways of working, definitions, and system usage across all divisions—maximizing business value. The project aimed to harmonize business processes, standardize the IT landscape, and build a future-ready technology platform that could adapt to evolving market and customer demands.

Fusion Consulting partnered with the client to successfully implement a global enterprise-wide template and a single SAP S/4HANA ERP landscape.

The Challenge

The company needed to implement a global S/4HANA template to address several key challenges:

  • Complex System Architecture: Each site operated its own disconnected ERP system, often with heavily customized solutions tailored to local needs.

  • Fragmented Processes: Processes varied significantly by region, with numerous localized adaptations and inefficiencies.

  • Increasing Complexity: Rising operational complexity and demand highlighted the need for scalable, future-proof systems.

  • Innovation Blockers: Legacy ERP versions limited the ability to adopt innovations and lacked sufficient vendor support.

  • Industry Disruption: Personalized healthcare, competitive pressures, and emerging technologies demanded a more agile, technology-driven approach.

Our Approach

Fusion Consulting collaborated closely with the company to define, design, and deploy the SAP core (S/4HANA, MDG, EWM), creating a scalable and efficient foundation. Our approach was guided by the following key principles:

Transformation Strategy

  • Greenfield Implementation: Start fresh to avoid legacy technical debt and enable clean process design.

  • Cloud-Proven Architecture: Optimize for speed, scalability, and ongoing enhancement.

  • Fit-to-Standard Mindset: Leverage S/4HANA best practices; minimize customizations and local variations.

  • Future-Ready System: Enable faster time to value and system resilience.

Technology Architecture

  • Cloud-First: Adopt cloud solutions where regulatory requirements allow.

  • API-Enabled Core: Build for digital integration and agility.

  • Reusable & Scalable Development: Promote consistent, efficient solution reuse.

  • Strict Safeguarding: Limit deviations from SAP standards using guardrails and governance.

  • Best Practice Alignment: Apply SAP, internal, and industry best practices throughout.

  • Modern Tech Stack: Leverage SAP BTP, Joule, and other innovations to meet future demands.

Data Model & Governance

  • Standardized Global Data Model: Implemented a unified template across business units.

  • Data Ownership & Accuracy: Established ownership roles and conducted profiling for quality.

  • Capture at Source: Built data workflows to ensure a single source of truth.

Agile Transformation & Collaboration

  • SAFe Methodology: Enabled global agility and streamlined execution.

  • Collaborative Model: Strengthened teamwork across global teams and partners.

The Results

  • Standardized Global Template: Unified SAP S/4HANA system across divisions and business units.

  • MDG Co-Deployment: Material, BP, Finance, and EAM domains integrated into the core template.

  • Industrialized Rollouts: Successful pilot deployments with global scalability.

  • Technology Guardrails: Strong architecture principles ensured long-term sustainability.

  • Enhanced Collaboration: Agile frameworks like SAFe improved speed and teamwork.

  • Future-Ready Landscape: The company now runs a robust, scalable, and resilient digital backbone.

  • Cloud-Proven Infrastructure: Ready for ongoing enhancements and innovation.

Expert Insight

“A Greenfield implementation is about more than just new systems—it’s about building a scalable, efficient, and future-ready foundation. By combining cutting-edge SAP technologies, agile methodologies, and robust data management, we created a seamless global framework for long-term success.”
— Neelam Daulat, Partner & Global Account Lead

This transformation went beyond implementing a digital core—it was about thinking globally, standardizing with purpose, and placing business value and innovation at the center of every decision.

Conclusion

Through a strategic partnership, Fusion Consulting helped this global pharmaceutical leader design and deploy a modern, future-ready SAP S/4HANA and MDG landscape. With a strong focus on technical excellence, agile delivery, and business alignment, the company is now better equipped to innovate, collaborate, and lead in the evolving healthcare industry.