SAP S/4HANA Optimization and Regional Rollout for Retal Group

LeverX migrated the SAP S/4HANA environment to Microsoft Azure and stabilized the Global Template for a PET manufacturing company, laying the foundation for operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and scalability.

Client

Retal Group is an international manufacturer of PET products, encompassing polymer closures, PET preforms, PET containers, and films. The products are delivered to customers in over 70 countries. Also, Retal Group provides R&D, design, project support, and customer services in the packaging sector.

As a recognized global player in the PET packaging market, the company is focused on the continuous improvement of its efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and compliance with various environmental and recycling standards. In line with these priorities, Retal Group has a 70% score in sustainable procurement. 

Challenge

LeverX has been working with the client since 2019. In this period, we implemented SAP S/4HANA with a focus on such core modules as SAP S/4HANA Finance (formerly SAP Financial Accounting and SAP Controlling), SAP Material Management, SAP Sales and Distribution, and SAP Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling for the Lithuanian entity of Retal Group. Our team also integrated SAP S/4HANA with the existing solutions for warehouse management and manufacturing execution.

Following the initial implementation of the SAP S/4HANA, the client wanted to reinforce and expand the success by addressing the following strategic objectives:

• To transition the infrastructure to a scalable cloud environment for better flexibility
• To stabilize the Global Template in accordance with a high-performance operating model
• To enable the system’s operational continuity
• To accelerate the global deployment by using the Lithuanian Global Template as a blueprint for new regional rollouts

Retal Group faced a new stage of digital transformation, and LeverX remained the leading strategic partner to enhance and optimize the client’s SAP S/4HANA environment aligned with the growth and sustainability priorities.

Solution

The LeverX team created a stable and flexible cloud foundation to modernize operations across several locations. Our effort covered several strategic areas.

Platform modernization and transformation

We upgraded the existing SAP S/4HANA environment and migrated the infrastructure, with application services and the database, to MS Azure for alignment with the modern standards for cloud infrastructures. 

System stabilization and ongoing management

Our specialists stabilized the Global Template while incorporating Lithuanian localization by implementing change requests to prevent regression issues and support reliable daily operations. We also provided Application Managed Services for operational continuity. 

Strategic expansion

Our team also provided guidance and support in the Global Template rollout in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic as a part of the company’s growth initiatives.

The implementation process and the final infrastructure comply with ISO 27001 (Security) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management) standards. Since part of the solution was prepared for the Lithuanian location, LeverX ensured its compliance with Lithuanian localization requirements: SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax), i.VAZ (electronic waybill management), and i.SAF (registration and reporting of VAT invoices).

Technology Stack

The solution is built according to the principles of a multi-tier architecture, which aligns the strategic plans of Retal Group with their daily activities.

Digital core: SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA serves as a central layer with critical logic across different lines of business — controlling, finance, sales, and material management. It ensures consistent data across various modules.

Hosting layer: Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is an infrastructure platform that was used for hosting the SAP S/4HANA application servers and data hub. MS Azure’s global availability made it easier to roll out the solution in different regions.

Methodology: SAP Activate

The SAP Activate methodology encompasses best practices, preconfigured templates, and regulated project governance to keep rollouts predictable, controlled, and aligned with SAP and industry standards.

Results

The upgrade and transition to the cloud environment helped Retal Group accomplish a number of goals:

• Enhanced system stability and continuity: The stabilized Global Template and Application Managed Services mitigated regression risks and supported the reliability of daily operations for nearly 500 business users.
• Future-proof infrastructure: Migration to the cloud environment provided by Microsoft Azure simplified the rollout of SAP S/4HANA across new locations and ensured the resources to maintain the growing number of workloads.
• Faster local deployments: The Lithuanian model became a blueprint for rollouts in other locations.
• Strengthened regulatory alignment: The automated localization reporting and adherence to the ISO standards minimized compliance risks.

The client established a technically resilient digital foundation that is ready to evolve alongside the company’s ambitions and prospects.