Atem: Working with tailored services and a dedicated team to speedily upgrade cloud ERP and put an innovation plan in action
Explore Atem’s journey with SAP
Petroleum distributor Atem faced a tough task: upgrading to the latest version of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition in just six months. Using SAP Cloud Application Services offerings, it completed the project on time, opening the door to integrated, automated operations in the cloud that help it innovate and grow.
| Industry | Region | Company Size | Partner |
| Oil, gas, and energy | Manaus, Brazil | 400 employees | Verus Brasil |
reduction in time needed to upgrade software.
improvement in usability expected with the SAP Fiori user experience (SAP Fiori UX).
AI readiness with enablement of Joule copilot and the path to AI
IT Systems Manager, Atem Distribuidora de Petróleo S.A.
Improving the IT landscape to harness the potential of cloud ERP
Atem Distribuidora de Petróleo S.A. helps Brazilians to “always go further,” whether that’s by bringing electricity to the interior of the Amazonas state or serving thermoelectric plants in the country’s northern region. The company distributes fuel to 13 Brazilian states at more than 300 franchised stations, while its Akitem convenience stores satisfy customers’ needs 24 hours a day.
After acquiring a refinery and merging with its oil distribution company, Atem deployed SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition in a short project lasting just nine months. The strict deadline imposed at the time limited the implementation’s scope, and Atem’s next step was to adopt a range of SAP solutions to help it get the most from its new software. Plans included embracing the automation potential of SAP Business Technology Platform as well as adopting software such as the SAP Transportation Management application, the SAP Analytics Cloud solution, and SAP for Oil, Gas & Energy solutions.
To realize this innovation strategy, however, Atem needed to first upgrade its instance of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. Once again, it found itself with a tight deadline—this time only six months. And the challenge facing the company was exacerbated by a highly customized software landscape and a complex organizational structure comprising multiple companies.
IT Systems Manager, Atem Distribuidora de Petróleo S.A.
Fielding a unified team of experts to meet the deadline
The release version upgrade package from SAP Cloud Application Services was the answer to coordinate the upgrade in the limited time available. These outcome-based services help organizations run and manage their private cloud solutions from SAP.
Atem and the project team agreed that an undertaking of this scope would normally require eight months. This was due to the multiple customizations that would need to be migrated and tested as well as other technical considerations to streamline the upgrade. The SAP Cloud Application Services team quickly evaluated the project, as the release version upgrade package is designed to be ready to run and to be repeatable. A series of carefully planned steps and standard processes would then be mapped out to help ensure Atem could achieve the compressed upgrade timeline.
Atem also sought assistance from SAP partner Verus Brasil, which provided skilled experts to help run an efficient project. Together, the implementation team identified a scenario that would help Atem upgrade SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition within the six-month deadline. Atem also adopted the SAP Activate methodology to promote architectural best practices and smooth execution.
CIO, Atem Distribuidora de Petróleo S.A.
Enabling new possibilities with next-generation cloud ERP
The close partnership among Atem, SAP Cloud Application Services, and Verus Brasil achieved what seemed almost impossible six months before. The upgrade of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, including the successful migration of custom applications, happened on time and on budget.
Since fully embracing SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, Atem has seen an 80% reduction in its energy consumption and an 87.5% reduction in its data footprint. Monthly financial closing time has fallen by 40%, from 10 to six days. And aided by the services, the company can continuously optimize software performance through robust tracking, incident management, and recommendations for improvement.
Most importantly, Atem can now realize its innovation strategy, including by taking advantage of SAP Transportation Management and reinventing analytics capabilities using real-time data in SAP Analytics Cloud. Also on the agenda is deploying SAP Signavio solutions and SAP Fiori UX to enhance core business processes and increase automation.
In other words, SAP solutions are now enabling Atem itself to “always go further” on a foundation of tailored-to-fit ERP that can nimbly evolve with its unique needs.
With the successful upgrade of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, Atem is now positioned to embrace advanced capabilities such as AI-driven insights through solutions like Joule copilot. These insights will empower teams with real-time contextual data to accelerate decision-making, optimize operations, and unlock new innovation opportunities as part of Atem’s long-term digital transformation strategy.
Featured partner
Verus Brasil is a long-standing SAP partner offering a comprehensive portfolio of consulting and value-added services to customers. Verus Brasil holds the official SAP competency and specialization designation for RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition and is SAP-certified in SAP S/4HANA solutions operations and works with RISE with SAP. In Atem’s software upgrade project, Verus Brasil led the management and execution with a team of functional and technical SAP S/4HANA specialists, driving and supporting activities throughout the project lifecycle to help ensure a successful and value-driven outcome for Atem.