SAP BW Data Integration for a Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

ACBaltica helped a global pharmaceutical manufacturer to build a reliable, structured, and scalable data integration layer in SAP BW to improve supply chain visibility across multiple production sites and countries.

Operating in a highly customized and heterogeneous IT landscape, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer needed more than technical adjustments. It required a careful consolidation of critical supply chain data – without disrupting ongoing operations.

From October 2023 to January 2026, ACBaltica developed and implemented a robust SAP BW-based integration layer that helped transform segmented data from different sources (both SAP and non-SAP) into consistent, management-ready insights delivered via the third-party analytical systems.

Customer

The customer is a global pharmaceutical manufacturer operating multiple production facilities worldwide.

Due to the complexity of their system landscape – including SAP and non-SAP solutions with extensive custom development – supply chain data was fragmented across multiple platforms and difficult to consolidate for decision-making.

Challenge

The customer needed to:

• Consolidate data from multiple heterogeneous systems

• Process and normalize the data in SAP BW

• Enrich datasets with additional attributes and calculations

• Deliver structured, reliable data to analytics platforms

Complex system landscape

Data sources included:

• SAP ECC

• SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP)

• Oracle JD Edwards

Each system had different data structures, naming conventions, and custom developments.

Additional complexity:

• A large number of custom-built objects

• Precise attribute mapping requirements

• File-based extraction via Open Hub

• The need to retain stability instead of innovation

While file-based extraction is not the newest technology, it was the most stable and appropriate solution within the existing landscape. Accuracy and reliability were more important than launching new tools.

Solution

To address the customer’s challenges, ACBaltica designed and implemented a centralized consolidation and orchestration layer within SAP BW.

Scope of data flows

The project covered key supply chain domains, including:

• Inventory movements

• Inventory projections

• Production planning

• Quality inspection data

• Sales orders

• Safety stock analysis

• Transport receipts

• Inventory forecasting

• Capacity utilization

• Demand planning

What was done in SAP BW

Within SAP BW, ACBaltica:

• Cleansed and normalized raw data

• Harmonized data structures across systems

• Enriched datasets with calculated fields and additional attributes

• Aggregated data for analytical use

• Implemented precise attribute mapping logic

After processing, the data was then extracted into flat files (via Open Hub) and delivered to:

• Qlik Sense

• Databricks

Business users used these third-party tools for reporting and analytics, while SAP BW acted as the trusted consolidation and preparation layer, ensuring data consistency and reliability of decisions based on that data.

Implementation approach

The project followed an Agile Scrum methodology with two-week sprints.

Collaboration included:

• Daily stand-ups

• Sprint planning and review sessions

• Estimation and refinement meetings

• Online coordination via Microsoft Teams

On ACBaltica’s side, the work was primarily delivered by an experienced SAP BW Consultant who quickly engaged with the highly customized environment and ensured stable execution throughout the project lifecycle.

The system went live in January 2026.

Results & business impact

1. Improved supply chain visibility

Management now has clear, consolidated insights into:

• Available material at each plant

• What is currently in production

• What is being shipped and where

• Future inventory projections

2. Reliable, structured data for decision-making

All analytics platforms now consume:

• Consistent datasets

• Structured information

• Harmonized master and transactional data

The consolidation layer built by ACBaltica secures that data used for strategic supply chain decisions is accurate and trustworthy.

3. Stable operations in a complex environment

Most importantly, improvements were implemented without disrupting ongoing operations in a business-critical pharmaceutical supply chain environment.

When data accuracy directly influences production, distribution, and regulatory standards, stability is not optional – it is essential.

Why ACBaltica?

The project required a partner who could:

• Quickly understand a highly customized, non-standard SAP landscape

• Work safely within an already functioning environment

• Improve data flows without introducing operational risk

• Focus on stability and accuracy rather than unnecessary technical changes

ACBaltica demonstrated strong analytical expertise, rapid onboarding capability, and the ability to operate effectively within an international, distributed team.

The success of this engagement led to ongoing cooperation, including support for the customer’s next step – transitioning from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere.