From ECC to S/4HANA:
Intelligent Migration to a New Era

A Seamless Digital Transformation: How Votorantim Took the Next Step

Votorantim, one of Brazil’s largest business groups, faced the challenge of migrating from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA while ensuring continuous operations and keeping its systems up to date with the latest technological innovations. This project required meticulous planning, cutting-edge technology, and, above all, a strong partnership with Exed Consulting, which led the entire process.

Sabrina Guedes, IT Manager at Votorantim, highlighted the importance of a step-by-step approach:
“For me, one of the key success factors is truly taking one step at a time, building what you need to reach the final result.” According to her, the migration involved years of preparation, including system upgrades and package implementations to ensure that ECC was fully ready for the transition to S/4HANA.

Such a rich and challenging journey deserves to be shared. That’s why we prepared an exclusive case study, where we explore the challenges, solutions, and results of the migration to SAP S/4HANA.

Client Challenges

The migration process was complex and presented several key challenges:

• Technical complexity: Data transfer, system updates, and process reengineering.
• High data volume: Ensuring information integrity and consistency during conversion.
• Long timelines and high costs: Traditional migration methods required significant time and resources.
• Compatibility risks: Uncertainty about system and process compatibility post-migration.
• Downtime risks: Operational disruptions could negatively impact business performance.

Sabrina emphasized Votorantim’s commitment to staying up to date:
“At Votorantim, we always strive to stay aligned and updated. For this migration to succeed, we followed a series of preparatory steps, and Exed’s support was essential in ensuring a smooth transition.”

The Role of Exed Consulting

From initial planning to Go Live, Exed Consulting was a strategic partner, deploying a team of over 20 specialized consultants. The project management, led by experienced professionals, ensured that every stage was executed with excellence, focusing on:

• Robust planning: A structured step-by-step approach to prepare ECC for migration, including HANA database upgrades and support pack updates.
• Integrated execution: Close collaboration between Votorantim, Exed, and SAP teams to ensure alignment and synergy.
• Advanced technology: The use of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to minimize manual efforts and accelerate the process.

“For me, one of the key success factors is truly taking it step by step, building what you need to reach the final result.”

Sabrina Guedes, IT General Manager
Votorantim

Benefits & Results

Thanks to Exed Consulting’s expertise, Votorantim achieved impressive results, including:

• Significant downtime reduction: Ensuring greater operational continuity and efficiency.
• Risk mitigation: Errors and incompatibilities were avoided with a 100% accuracy forecast.
• Faster and cost-effective process: Conversions were 4 to 5 times faster than manual methods.
• Continuous updates: S/4HANA now stays aligned with the latest innovations.
• Minimal operational impact: The migration was completed with minimal disruptions.

Sabrina also highlighted the importance of teamwork:
“The integration between Exed, SAP, and Votorantim leaders was crucial. With an experienced and committed team, we overcame project challenges and now feel systemically prepared for future changes.”

A Winning Partnership

More than just a consultancy, Exed Consulting proved to be a true strategic partner. With its technical leadership and commitment, the migration journey became more secure, efficient, and fully aligned with Votorantim’s goals. This synergy strengthened client trust and positioned Exed as a reference in SAP S/4HANA migration projects.

This case study proves that digital transformation is achievable when technology, expertise, and strategic partnerships come together. Don’t miss the video case to see all the details of this success story!