Building a Future-Ready SAP MDG Landscape at AkzoNobel
Managing master data across a global organization is complex. For AkzoNobel, years of growth, multiple business units, and decentralized processes had created a fragmented landscape that was difficult to manage centrally.
Together with Accenture, Avelon helped modernize and upgrade AkzoNobel’s SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) environment to S/4HANA. In addition to the technology upgrade, the project also focused on improving stability, performance, governance, and usability.
Thilak Selvam, Master Data Management Delivery Lead at AkzoNobel, and his team played a key role in the transformation.
“Avelon’sinvolvement gives me confidence that complex challenges will be handledeffectively”
A fragmented landscape that hinders efficiency
AkzoNobel’s master data environment had evolved over many years, with business units using separate processes and applications that were not properly integrated. This resulted in inconsistent processes, manual uploads, post-processing corrections, and the absence of a single, reliable view of customer and product data.
“Our master data management landscape was not fit for purpose from a central perspective,” explains Thilak. “It was fragmented, with different processes and applications that were not properly integrated.”
The organization needed a more connected and scalable foundation to support future business needs and improve data quality.
Modernizing SAP MDG on S/4HANA
The transformation began with the upgrade of AkzoNobel’s SAP MDG platform from MDG 9.0 to the latest SAP S/4HANA environment.
Accenture and Avelon supported the entire upgrade process while ensuring business continuity. At the same time, previously isolated MDG environments were consolidated into a single federated master data governance landscape, linking both customer and product data. The new setup also introduced new SAP MDG capabilities, including mass consolidation functionality for large-scale master data changes.
“With the help of Accenture and Avelon, we modernized and upgraded our system landscape to the latest SAP technology,” says Thilak.“For the first time, we gained a unified view of our master data objects.”
Faster processes and improved data quality
The project delivered significant improvements across AkzoNobel’s master data operations. Improved system performance reduced delays in workflows and accelerated the creation of customer and product data. Data quality also improved by reducing manual interventions and eliminating post-processing corrections.
“We can now create customer and product data correctly the first time, without having to redo it,” says Thilak.
Beyond the technical implementation, Avelon also played a key role in stakeholder engagement and change management.
“Avelon helped the company understand how technology drives real business results. It wasn’t just a system upgrade,” explains Thilak.
A trusted advisor in the SAP MDG space
For AkzoNobel, Avelon’s value extended beyond technical expertise alone. Thilak explains that AkzoNobel and Avelon have had a long-standing relationship built on trust:
“Avelon’s involvement gives me confidence that complex challenges will be handled effectively. Avelon is a trusted advisor in the master data governance space. They understand the latest innovations and bring best practices from similar organizations.”
And according to Thilak, Avelon combines in-depth knowledge of SAP MDG with a pragmatic and business-focused approach:
“Avelon is like a Swiss Army knife. The consultants combine technical expertise, business acumen, and change management skills in a way that is particularly valuable in the SAP S/4HANA MDG space.”
“Avelonis like a Swiss Army knife in the SAP MDG and S/4HANAspace”
A strong foundation for the future
AkzoNobel now has a stronger foundation for scalable and reliable master data management.
The new environment supports improved governance, better data quality, and more efficient processes, while preparing the organization for future data-driven initiatives such as analytics and AI.
“The successful completion of the project demonstrates how modernizing SAP MDG can deliver tangible business value when technology, governance, and stakeholder engagement come together effectively,” concludes Thilak.
More information
For more information about SAP MDG, please feel free to contact Sander van der Wijngaart. He would be happy to help you explore ways to optimize SAP MDG within your organization.
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