Explore Fujitsu General’s journey with SAP
Fujitsu General Limited (Fujitsu General) is leaping into the digital age with the RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition solution and SAP Business Technology Platform for streamlined operations, enhanced data management, and a future focused on continuous innovation and sustainability.
| Industry | Region | Company Size |
| Industrial manufacturing | Kanagawa, Japan | 8,765 employees (March 2024) |
reduction in add-on functions.
reduction in printed output formats, with 2,000 types consolidated to 96.
General Manager, IT Management Division, Fujitsu General Limited
Overhauling IT systems to power modernization
Established in 1936, Fujitsu General has grown into a global leader in the air conditioning systems industry. Known for its innovative products, the company faced significant challenges due to its reliance on an outdated IT infrastructure. For over 30 years, Fujitsu General depended on a mainframe system using COBOL, which had become problematic due to its rigidity and the diminishing pool of skilled personnel capable of maintaining it. Additionally, the impending “Showa 100-year problem” threatened to disrupt operations in 2025. Fujitsu General’s mainframe’s database year field was limited to two digits, and there was a risk that it would not work properly when the 100th year of Showa (2025) was reached.
Relying on a fragmented architecture hindered the integration of business processes across sales, production, procurement, accounting, and human resources. Data silos and manual data aggregation using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets led to inefficiencies and delayed decision-making. Recognizing the urgent need to modernize its IT infrastructure, Fujitsu General embarked on a journey to find a comprehensive solution that would not only replace the legacy system but also transform its operations through digitalization.
General Manager, IT Management Division, Fujitsu General Limited
Taking the path to seamless integration
Evaluating various options, Fujitsu General selected SAP as a trusted partner. Several factors made SAP the clear choice for this ambitious transformation project.
Firstly, SAP’s reputation as a leader in enterprise resource planning solutions was a significant factor. With robust and reliable ERP systems that support complex business processes across various industries, SAP is an ideal partner.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition offered the ability to integrate diverse business processes into a single solution. This integration is crucial for breaking down data silos and enabling a seamless flow of information across the organization. With SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, Fujitsu General could achieve a holistic view of its operations, facilitating better decision-making and improving overall efficiency.
Positioning SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition as the core system of execution, the aim was to standardize data and processes within the company and respond quickly to changes. To realize a clean core strategy without modification to ERP, data analysis and utilization as well as company-specific processes and forms were designed and developed in-house with low-code development through SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP).
The capabilities of SAP BTP, with its suite of tools for data integration, analytics, and application development, provide the technological backbone needed for a smooth transition and operational coherence. SAP Integration Suite ensures that different data sources and business applications could be connected, providing real-time data synchronization across all departments.
Advanced data management capabilities were another key advantage of the SAP solution. Fragmented data storage was a major issue with the traditional system. SAP HANA Cloud consolidates data into a single source of truth, ensuring consistency and accuracy. This was especially important for Fujitsu General’s global operations, where data inconsistencies could lead to major problems. SAP HANA Cloud also holds data from SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition and, with the use of SAP Integration Suite, interoperability with third-party systems in the Fujitsu General landscape is achieved.
General Manager, IT Management Division, Fujitsu General Limited
Transforming operations and empowering employees
Implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition delivers a wide range of benefits for Fujitsu General, addressing both immediate operational challenges and long-term strategic goals.
Enhancing operational efficiency was a primary goal of the SAP solution implementation. By integrating various functions into a single system and following a fit-to-standard implementation philosophy, Fujitsu General has reduced manual interventions and eliminated redundant processes, leading to significant time savings and improved accuracy in transactions. The company eliminated 50% of add-ons and interfaces and 90% of output forms. To make the most of the characteristics of cloud ERP, add-ons were not added to the ERP main body as much as possible (clean core). Further, order processing, inventory management, and financial reporting are automated and optimized with standard capability, reducing the likelihood of errors and speeding up the entire workflow. This increase in efficiency and reduction in operational costs is expected to compress routine tasks from 90% to 40%, increasing the time available for strategic initiatives sixfold.
Increasing scalability and flexibility is essential for supporting Fujitsu General’s growth and response to changing business needs. The flexibility of SAP’s solutions allows Fujitsu General to customize and configure the system to meet its specific requirements, helping ensure that it can continue to innovate and evolve without being limited by its IT infrastructure. On top of that, SAP BTP enables side-by-side development of functionalities on SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, allowing Fujitsu General to keep a clean core.
General Manager, IT Management Division, Fujitsu General Limited
Pursuing continuous innovation and sustainability
Implementing SAP solutions is not just a one-time project but a stepping stone toward a future of continuous innovation and growth for Fujitsu General. The company has laid out a comprehensive plan to leverage the capabilities of SAP to drive further business transformation and achieve its long-term strategic goals.
Utilizing data and analytics more effectively is a key focus for the future. Clean core and fit-to-standard approaches standardize the data and processes within the company. And to speed up the response to change, Fujitsu General has created an organizational structure that allows in-house production of post-operational improvements and enhancements for additional expansions.
By leveraging SAP’s powerful analytics tools, the company aims to implement predictive analytics and machine learning models that can forecast trends, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks. These insights will inform strategic decisions across various functions, from marketing and sales to production and supply chain management. SAP Business AI will play an integral role in these advanced capabilities. Continuous improvement is a core principle of Fujitsu General’s approach to digital transformation. This iterative approach helps ensure that the system remains at the cutting edge and continues to meet the evolving needs of the business. Fujitsu General will work closely with SAP to explore new features and capabilities that can drive further efficiency and innovation.
Focusing on sustainability, Fujitsu General recognizes the importance of minimizing its environmental impact and contributing to a sustainable future. SAP’s systems will play a crucial role in supporting sustainability initiatives by optimizing resource usage and reducing waste. By integrating sustainability into its business practices, Fujitsu General aims to achieve long-term environmental and economic benefits.