Bavaria Film: Cloud Solution Takes the Reins of Financial Management
To modernize, harmonize, and integrate systems, the perfect choice was SAP S/4HANA Cloud. With the migration to the cloud system, Bavaria Film is making its finance department future-ready. It serves as the centerpiece of consolidating the entire application landscape. Document downloadenBavaria Film: Cloud Solution Takes
the Reins of Financial Management
The heart of German film and TV industry beats in Geiselgasteig, near Munich, where
Bavaria Film GmbH is headquartered. This versatile company operates across four
business units: Content, focusing on the development and production of content; Rights
& Distribution, dealing with the exploitation and distribution of rights; Studios & Services,
providing technical production services; and Real Estate, which involves the operation
and management of studio and office properties.
With around 1,500 full-time and freelance employees spread across the group and its ten
operating companies, Bavaria Film boasts a diverse and closely interconnected business
landscape. This complexity presents a particular challenge in intercompany
reconciliation. To streamline its financial processes, the management decided to
transition to the cloud.
Picture Credit | SAP SE, Walldorf, Germany. Used with permission.
the Reins of Financial Management
The heart of German film and TV industry beats in Geiselgasteig, near Munich, where
Bavaria Film GmbH is headquartered. This versatile company operates across four
business units: Content, focusing on the development and production of content; Rights
& Distribution, dealing with the exploitation and distribution of rights; Studios & Services,
providing technical production services; and Real Estate, which involves the operation
and management of studio and office properties.
With around 1,500 full-time and freelance employees spread across the group and its ten
operating companies, Bavaria Film boasts a diverse and closely interconnected business
landscape. This complexity presents a particular challenge in intercompany
reconciliation. To streamline its financial processes, the management decided to
transition to the cloud.
Picture Credit | SAP SE, Walldorf, Germany. Used with permission.
Simplify Business-to-Business Transactions with SAP S/4HANA®
Cloud
“Our group-wide financial processes have become
significantly more efficient, faster, and more secure.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud represents a quantum leap forward
for us.”
Tino Lenza, Head of Finance and Authorized Signatory, Bavaria Film GmbH
Bavaria Film GmbH
Geiselgasteig, Germany
www.bavaria-film.de
Industry
Media and Entertainment
Employees
Approximately 1,500
across the group
Revenue
€305.9 million
(fiscal year 2022/23)
Products and Services
Moving image production,
rights exploitation and
distribution, studio and
office rental
Featured Solutions
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
2x
faster business closure
compared to the old
system
Secure
and error-free billing
across all companies
within the group
Before: Challenges and Opportunities
• Bavaria Film wanted to consolidate the financial processes of the entire group.
• Differences in master data and ID numbers between the holding company and its ten subsidiaries complicated
the assignment, invoicing, and evaluation of projects.
Why SAP and SAP Services
• SAP received the highest overall score in the vendor evaluation.
• Operational security, disaster recovery, and data protection are standard in the SAP Cloud.
• Continuous innovation, modern features, and scalability complete the picture.
• The SAP® Activate methodology helps achieve ambitious goals.
• An “Extended Prepare and Discovery Phase” instilled confidence in the team and the solution.
After: Value-Driven Results
• Intercompany settlements, target/actual analyses, and reporting have become much simpler.
• Liabilities are easier to track and reconcile.
• All business units work on a common platform, using a lean cost plan.
• Auditors can pull data directly from the system, which saves a lot of time.
• Achieving fast closure within six working days is the next goal.
91575enEN(03/24) © 2024 SAP SE or an SAP affiliate company. sap.com/terms-of-use
Executive overview Objectives Solution Results Future plans
Cloud
“Our group-wide financial processes have become
significantly more efficient, faster, and more secure.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud represents a quantum leap forward
for us.”
Tino Lenza, Head of Finance and Authorized Signatory, Bavaria Film GmbH
Bavaria Film GmbH
Geiselgasteig, Germany
www.bavaria-film.de
Industry
Media and Entertainment
Employees
Approximately 1,500
across the group
Revenue
€305.9 million
(fiscal year 2022/23)
Products and Services
Moving image production,
rights exploitation and
distribution, studio and
office rental
Featured Solutions
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
2x
faster business closure
compared to the old
system
Secure
and error-free billing
across all companies
within the group
Before: Challenges and Opportunities
• Bavaria Film wanted to consolidate the financial processes of the entire group.
• Differences in master data and ID numbers between the holding company and its ten subsidiaries complicated
the assignment, invoicing, and evaluation of projects.
Why SAP and SAP Services
• SAP received the highest overall score in the vendor evaluation.
• Operational security, disaster recovery, and data protection are standard in the SAP Cloud.
• Continuous innovation, modern features, and scalability complete the picture.
• The SAP® Activate methodology helps achieve ambitious goals.
• An “Extended Prepare and Discovery Phase” instilled confidence in the team and the solution.
After: Value-Driven Results
• Intercompany settlements, target/actual analyses, and reporting have become much simpler.
• Liabilities are easier to track and reconcile.
• All business units work on a common platform, using a lean cost plan.
• Auditors can pull data directly from the system, which saves a lot of time.
• Achieving fast closure within six working days is the next goal.
91575enEN(03/24) © 2024 SAP SE or an SAP affiliate company. sap.com/terms-of-use
Executive overview Objectives Solution Results Future plans