Infraserv Höchst

“The Stonebranch SAP job scheduling solution provides us with a stable, cost-effective, and efficient way to manage and monitor our batch processing and ensures reliable operation. We are very satisfied with the support (fast ticket handling) and the functionalities of the software itself.”

-Stefan Dietz, IT-Infrastructure, Infraserv Höchst

Key Outcomes

• 30–40% reduction in manual workload
• Smooth and structured migration
• Cross-system scheduling directly within SAP
• Centralized monitoring and automated error handling
• Extensive reporting functions
• Efficient mass updates across all fields
• Transparent access and visibility for all relevant departments

Background

Infraserv GmbH & Co Höchst KG operates the 460-hectare Industriepark Höchst, home to approximately 90 companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, specialty chemicals, crop protection, food additives, and services industries. Around 22,000 people work at the site, and total investments since 2000 amount to approximately €8 billion. 

As an operator of a highly complex industrial ecosystem, Infraserv Höchst depends on stable, efficient, and transparent SAP-based processes. Job scheduling plays a critical role in ensuring smooth daily operations, including SAP daily and monthly closing procedures and Business Warehouse (BW) process chains. 

Before the migration, Infraserv Höchst used the free version of SAP CPS by Redwood (Central Process Scheduling), part of SAP NetWeaver. The solution offered limited functionality and was no longer being actively developed. 

Challenges

When SAP announced that CPS support would end in late 2020, Infraserv Höchst needed a replacement to ensure operational continuity and future readiness. 

At the same time, they saw the opportunity not only to replace an unsupported tool, but to improve automation, monitoring, and integration across its SAP landscape. 

The search for a suitable tool included the following criteria: 

• Decentralized installation for better integration
• Alerting in case of job aborts or errors
• Optimized integration with the existing landscape, specifically into the point-of-business (POB) ticketing system
• Cost efficiency

The Solution

When selecting a replacement for SAP CPS, key decision criteria included cost efficiency, seamless SAP integration, on-premises deployment, and ease of system maintenance. 

Implementation began with a standalone installation, with SAP S/4HANA configured as the master system and BW/4HANA as the client. Following the initial training provided by Stonebranch, Infraserv Höchst initiated and subsequently continued the data migration to the production environment. Any questions that came up along the way were answered promptly by Stonebranch support. 

Functional Improvements Over the Predecessor

With the migration to the Stonebranch solution, Infraserv Höchst significantly enhanced its SAP batch management capabilities. 

The Stonebranch solution enables cross-system data linking and provides graphical visualization of complex job networks, which can be edited directly. Before a job is scheduled, the system automatically validates whether all required objects — such as programs, variants, users, or printers — are available. If any required component is missing, scheduling is prevented, reducing potential errors at an early stage. 

Compared to the CPS solution, these capabilities represent a substantial functional improvement. In addition, Stonebranch offers extensive builtin reporting and allows mass updates across all data fields, considerably simplifying ongoing maintenance and administration.

The Results

Process Optimization During the Migration

Beyond the technical replacement, the project also served as an opportunity to optimize existing processes. 

During the migration, BW process chains were consolidated and streamlined. SAP daily and monthly closing procedures were simplified and optimized. Additionally, automated POB ticket creation for job failures was implemented, and an “info” access level to the Stonebranch solution was introduced to provide visibility across departments. 

30–40% Reduction in Manual Workload

The project was completed on time and within budget, achieving all defined objectives. 

Today, operational effort is primarily focused on maintaining structured data — such as new schedules, changes, or deletions — and on daily monitoring of batch runs. In the event of critical job failures, tickets are automatically generated in the ticketing system, significantly reducing manual intervention. 

With Stonebranch, Infraserv Höchst has achieved a 30–40% reduction in manual workload, resulting in greater efficiency, improved transparency, and more reliable batch operations.