BPW Bergische Achsen

“In BPW’s SAP Platforms team, we asked ourselves whether the parallel introduction of a workload management system would reduce the overall costs of the migration or whether additional capacity would be required. In the end, we are convinced that we saved time overall and were therefore able to speed up the S/4HANA project despite the need to build up expertise and redesign all automation. This decision also brought many additional benefits for the subsequent line operation.”

-Florian Breit,  Specialist SAP Platforms, BPW Bergische Achsen

Key Outcomes

• Seamless migration: All processes were transferred to the new S/4HANA environment in time for production go-live.
• Optimized execution and central control: Time-based jobs were replaced with event-driven process chains for more efficient, cross-system control.
• Integrated file handling: The Stonebranch managed file transfer (MFT) technology enabled centralized management of scripts and data exchanges.
• End-to-end transparency: All jobs were centrally documented and monitored to ensure visibility and rapid incident response.

Background

BPW Bergische Achsen Kommanditgesellschaft, the parent company of the BPW Group, is a familyowned manufacturer headquartered in Wiehl, Germany. Since 1898, the company has developed and produced complete running gear systems for truck trailers and semi-trailers. 

With approximately 1,500 employees, including 100 trainees, BPW provides a comprehensive portfolio of technologies such as axle systems, brake technology, suspension, and bearings. These solutions are used globally, helping vehicle manufacturers and operators improve the efficiency of their production and transportation processes. 

As a long-established and forwardthinking leader in the commercial vehicle industry, BPW initiated a strategic migration to SAP S/4HANA to modernize its IT infrastructure and ensure long-term operational resilience.

Challenges

BPW Bergische Achsen set out to complete its SAP S/4HANA migration within an extremely tight timeframe. A major obstacle was the decentralized job control across individual SAP systems, which prevented the management of cross-system job chains. 

Additionally, much of the existing automation relied on legacy operating system scripts that were incompatible with the new Linux infrastructure and HANA database — putting automation continuity and operational efficiency at risk. 

BPW needed an optimal solution to implement S/4HANA and the new automation platform in parallel without disrupting operational efficiency.

The Search

In 2023, BPW Bergische Aschsen launched its S/4 migration project on a tight timeframe. For BPW, the shortest possible timeframe for the entire project was crucial. It was therefore essential to carry out all necessary project activities as efficiently as possible. 

At the time, job control at BPW was decentralized and siloed in multiple SAP systems. This meant that cross-system job chains could not be visualized or centrally managed. 

BPW chose an “empty shell” approach for the S/4HANA migration — no data or jobs were carried over to the new system. However, much of the existing automation relied on operating system scripts that were incompatible with the Linux-based infrastructure and HANA database. As a result, BPW sought a solution to transfer existing automations to the S/4 systems as efficiently as possible and to operate them there securely and transparently going forward. 

BPW Bergische Achsen had clear requirements for the new SAP automation solution Integration with S/4HANA:

• Integration with S/4HANA: Automated and smooth transfer of jobs from the legacy system to the new environment.
• Transparency through documentation: Central and up-to-date documentation of jobs in the system.
• Central monitoring: Comprehensive monitoring of all processes for rapid problem detection and alerting of the responsible teams.
• Flexible scheduling: Extended options for flexible and detailed job scheduling.
• Replacement of operating system scripts: Introduction of a no-code solution to simplify processes and increase efficiency.
• Optimization of process controls: Job chains should be able to be defined across multiple SAP and non-SAP systems.

The Solution

BPW made the strategic decision to convert all existing jobs in its legacy SAP environment to centrally managed workflows using the Stonebranch SAP job-scheduling solution. Jobs with multiple steps were restructured into streamlined job chains — across systems where needed. This approach enabled a controlled transition of automation ahead of the broader SAP S/4HANA migration. 

Controlled step-by-step implementation in the S/4HANA environment at BPW 

To stay aligned with their ambitious S/4 project timeline, BPW wanted to start implementation directly in the legacy production environment. After a successful proof-of-concept and testing phase, converted jobs were subjected to quality and process checks. At the same time, the jobs were included in central monitoring, and alerts were configured for the responsible team. 

Throughout the process, BPW maintained a strong focus on end-to-end optimization and automation of job processes, setting the stage for a seamless migration to S/4HANA and the Stonebranch solution.

Installation and initial use 

The Stonebranch installation was supported by an experienced specialist who ensured a smooth rollout. BPW Bergische Achsen benefited from close collaboration with Stonebranch, especially during the implementation of the initial use cases.  

As a result, the BPW team configured the remaining jobs independently and moved them into production. For specialized requirements and quality assurance, BPW continued to receive fast, straightforward support from the Stonebranch team.

The Results

BPW successfully implemented the Stonebranch solution in parallel with its SAP S/4HANA migration, enabling a structured and efficient transformation of its job automation landscape. This significantly reduced the SAP Platforms team’s workload, freeing them to focus on other critical project activities within their tight S/4HANA migration timeline. 

At go-live, all of the new processes built in the legacy environment were seamlessly migrated to the new S/4HANA systems, ensuring production continuity from day one. 

Time-based scheduling was replaced with event-driven job chains, eliminating delays and enabling real-time, efficient process execution. In addition, the integration of Stonebranch file transfer add-on centralized the management of data transfers and operating system scripts, creating a more streamlined end-to-end automation framework. 

System-based documentation was introduced to ensure full transparency and accuracy ABOUT STONEBRANCH in job definitions. Centralized monitoring enabled faster incident response, while alerting mechanisms ensured that process owners could address issues promptly. 

Overall, the Stonebranch solution helped BPW streamline job control, enhance operational visibility, and modernize its automation landscape — ultimately accelerating the S/4HANA migration and establishing a stable, future-ready foundation.