Building a future-ready SAP MDG landscape at AkzoNobel
Managing master data across a global organisation is complex. For AkzoNobel, years of growth, multiple business units, and decentralised processes had created a fragmented landscape that was a challenge to manage centrally.
Together with Accenture, Avelon helped modernise and upgrade AkzoNobel’s SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) environment to S/4HANA. Alongside the technology upgrade, the project focused also 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’s involvement gives me confidence that complex challenges will be handled effectively”
A fragmented landscape limiting 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 lacking a single, reliable view of customer and product data.
“Our master data management landscape was not fit for purpose from a central point of view,” explains Thilak. “It was fragmented, with different processes and applications that were not properly integrated.”
The organisation needed a more connected and scalable foundation to support future business requirements and improve data quality.
Modernising 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 full upgrade journey while ensuring business continuity. At the same time, previously isolated MDG environments were consolidated into one federated master data governance landscape, connecting 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 modernised and upgraded our 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 better data quality
The project delivered clear improvements across AkzoNobel’s master data operations. Improved system performance reduced delays across 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 first time right, without rework,” says Thilak.
Beyond the technical implementation, Avelon also played an important role in stakeholder engagement and change management.
“Avelon helped the business understand how technology supports real business outcomes. It wasn’t just a system upgrade,” explains Thilak.
A trusted advisor in the SAP MDG space
For AkzoNobel, Avelon’s value went beyond technical expertise alone. Thilak explains that there has been a long-standing relationship between AkzoNobel and Avelon, 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 organisations.”
And according to Thilak, Avelon combines deep SAP MDG knowledge with a pragmatic and business-focused approach:
“Avelon is like a Swiss Army Knife. The consultants combine technical expertise, business understanding, and change management capabilities in a way that is especially valuable in the SAP S/4 HANA MDG space.”
“Avelon is like a Swiss army knife in the SAP MDG and S/4HANA space”
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 organisation for future data-driven initiatives such as analytics and AI.
“The successful completion of the project demonstrates how modernising SAP MDG can deliver practical business value when technology, governance, and stakeholder engagement come together effectively,” concludes Thilak.
More information
For more information about SAP MDG, feel free to contact Sander van der Wijngaart. He is happy to help think along about the optimization of SAP MDG within your organization.
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