ZF Friedrichshafen: Driving the future of mobility with accurate demand planning
Explore ZF Friedrichshafen’s journey with SAP
ZF Friedrichshafen AG shapes the future of the automotive industry. To meet customers’ needs for next-generation technologies, the company looked to integrate demand planning. Today, SAP Integrated Business Planning applications for Supply Chain empower the ZF Aftermarket division to make data-driven decisions about demand.
9
x
more planning combinations using algorithms to reduce forecast errors.
15
minutes to run forecasts with SAP IBP, down from three hours.
1
unified standard for planning processes throughout sales and operations planning.
Based on the holistic planning approach, we built the foundation for improved availabilities and reduced inventories within our multi-echelon supply chain.
Rainer Scheuring
Vice President Corporate Finance, IT, M&A AC Market and Materials Management
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
The Challenge
Keeping up with demand in an evolving industry
ZF Friedrichshafen AG is responsible for enabling the next generation of mobility. It supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology that keep the automotive industry innovative and focused on the future. With integrated solutions and the comprehensive ZF product portfolio, the ZF Aftermarket division of the enterprise guarantees the performance and efficiency of vehicles throughout their lifecycle.
In times of change, ZF Aftermarket knows it’s important to react quickly to customer needs and be flexible in operational and demand planning. However, ZF Aftermarket’s existing solutions did not provide a unified system for the global organization to understand demand and create plans effectively. So, ZF sought the right technology to enhance demand planning with intelligence.
SAP IBP applications help us prepare for the future with flexibility. They provide the insights we need to make the right decisions about demand in the moment.
Stefan König
Head of Central Inventory Management
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
The Solution
Implementing an integrated ecosystem of demand planning applications
The aftermarket division of ZF Friedrichshafen used SAP Integrated Business Planning applications for Supply Chain (SAP IBP) to replace legacy planning software that held the enterprise back. Specifically, it implemented the applications for inventory and demand, as well as the SAP Supply Chain Control Tower solution, with guidance from SAP Services and Support.
Together, the applications provide intelligent capabilities that span and enhance sales and operations planning, forecasting and demand, and other key processes. At the same time, SAP Supply Chain Control Tower provides greater visibility into the SAP IBP applications and their related processes with alerts and in-depth analytics.
The Result
Forecasting demand for the next generation of mobility
SAP IBP applications connect with ZF Aftermarket’s ERP systems to create one environment for demand planning. Across the enterprise, ZF Friedrichshafen operates with an accurate and unified view of demand and uses new insights to drive demand.
For instance, the company successfully connected its SAP solutions with other systems to receive data from across the enterprise. It can use these data insights to inform marketing activities that drive demand on social media.
SAP IBP provides ZF Friedrichshafen with a new level of insight into demand. It now has flexible control over levels of the supply chain regarding location, product, channel, and customer.
With SAP IBP, SAP Supply Chain Control Tower, and SAP Services and Support, ZF Friedrichshafen has an integrated ecosystem of demand planning applications. Now, the company is making better decisions about demand that will help it live up to its role as a reliable provider of innovative technologies for the automotive industry.
SAP helps ZF Friedrichshafen run better
Key business outcomes and benefits
Featured solutions and services
About ZF Friedrichshafen
ZF Friedrichshafen AG is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology. The company’s products enable the next generation of mobility and make ZF Friedrichshafen AG a leader in its industry.
| Industry | Region | Company Size |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | Middle East and Europe | 150,000 employees |
About ZF Friedrichshafen
ZF Friedrichshafen AG is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology. The company’s products enable the next generation of mobility and make ZF Friedrichshafen AG a leader in its industry.
| Industry | Region | Company Size |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | Middle East and Europe | 150,000 employees |