At the start of the project, the celver consultants worked with the business departments to define the planning process that had been developed and documented during the analysis workshop. However, before the detailed implementation of rolling sales and distribution planning could begin, the celver consultants first had to consolidate the required data from SAP into a new data warehouse (Microsoft SQL Server) using an appropriate interface. The nightly data consolidation and verification takes place within an ETL process. With the resulting consistent database, the project team was now able to build the application.

The starting point for planning is a basic reporting function that is directly integrated into the planning interfaces. This allows planners to make direct comparisons within their work interface. Using these data, Board generates suggested values for up to 3,000 different items to be planned per sales area and month, based on individually defined algorithms and taking seasonal factors into account. Within the designed planning interfaces, sales managers can now plan at the desired level—for example, product group, sales territory, or directly at the item level. To do this, they simply need to adjust the suggested quantities as needed. Price modifications can also be made.

In addition, the celver consultants integrated an automatic bill of materials explosion for sales sets—which consist of multiple stockable and saleable components—based on sales planning. The final result—taking into account relevant factors such as inventory levels, reorder points, delivery times, etc.—is a corresponding daily demand plan that is returned to SAP overnight and supports the ordering and production processes there. In addition to rolling planning, the project team implemented further planning functions. For example, Board automatically calculates suggested values for future years based on the planned figures and historical data. This includes, among other things, planning for the following year, medium-term planning, market planning, and a scenario environment.

Following positive test results and comprehensive training for key users, the board application was successfully launched into live operation. As the project neared completion and users gained more experience, additional ideas emerged. Consequently, STIEBEL ELTRON, in collaboration with celver consultants, expanded its sales and distribution planning to include accessory planning.

Board now automatically generates design figures for accessory items such as cladding or connection accessories for heat pumps. This has significantly reduced the workload for designers and markedly improved the quality of design in this area. The values are determined using an accessory matrix calculated within Board, which is based on historical data.

The key factor here is how often an accessory has statistically been sold alongside a particular item. The standout feature is this: on demand, as soon as a sales manager plans the quantity of heat pumps and requests it, Board calculates the expected quantity of relevant accessories. Further enhancements to the planning application are planned. Currently, an expansion to accommodate additional users is in the works, and the transition to the new in-memory database is underway. Close and trusting collaboration between the STIEBEL ELTRON project team and the celver consultants ensures the best possible results.