Company Description

Diethelm Keller Siber Hegner (DKSH) is a Swiss holding company specializing in market expansion services and outsourcing. The company provides a range of services including sourcing, marketing, sales, distribution, and after-sales services, organized into four Business Units: Consumer Goods (including Luxury & Lifestyle), Healthcare, Performance Materials, and Technology. DKSH’s core business is supporting other companies to grow their businesses in new or existing markets, with a significant focus on logistics and shipping containers.

Problem Statement

DKSH, with its extensive network of subsidiaries, faced challenges in providing consistent and effective support for financial issues across its numerous entities. The subsidiaries either operated on the central SAP system or maintained their own SAP implementations. The primary need was to offer both implementation and technical advice to ensure smooth financial operations. Addressing these issues in a timely and efficient manner was critical to maintaining operational efficiency and business continuity across the organization.

Solution That Was Implemented

To tackle these challenges, a series of targeted implementations and support measures were introduced, focusing primarily on the FI-CO (Financial Accounting and Controlling) module of SAP. The solution involved multiple small implementations across various subsidiaries, ensuring that each entity's specific needs were met. Key aspects of the solution included:

1. Implementation Support: Tailored FI-CO module implementations were carried out for subsidiaries that required new setups or enhancements to their existing systems. This ensured that all financial operations were aligned with DKSH’s overall financial management framework.

2. Technical Advice: Ongoing technical support and advice were provided to address any issues or improvements needed in the subsidiaries' SAP systems. This included troubleshooting, system optimizations, and process enhancements to ensure smooth financial operations.

3. Centralized Coordination: A centralized support system was established to manage and coordinate the various implementations and support activities. This central coordination ensured consistency and efficiency across all subsidiaries.

Value Added

The implementation of these solutions provided significant value to DKSH by ensuring timely resolution of financial issues and maintaining consistent support across the organization. Key benefits included:

1. Timely Problem Resolution: With dedicated support and rapid implementation of solutions, financial issues were resolved promptly, minimizing disruptions to business operations.

2. Enhanced Response Time: The centralized support system ensured that response times were optimized, providing subsidiaries with the necessary assistance exactly when needed. This acted as a form of operational insurance, guaranteeing that financial processes continued smoothly.

3. Operational Efficiency: By standardizing financial operations and providing consistent technical support, DKSH was able to maintain high levels of operational efficiency across its subsidiaries. This enabled the company to focus on its core business of market expansion and logistics.  

In conclusion, DKSH's approach to supporting its financial operations through targeted SAP implementations and technical advice has been instrumental in maintaining seamless and efficient operations. By focusing on the FI-CO module and ensuring timely support across all subsidiaries, DKSH has reinforced its commitment to operational excellence and business growth. This case study highlights the importance of strategic support systems in managing complex financial operations in a multinational organization.