The POINT project created polymer manufacturing companies in all European countries where the Bayer Group maintains a presence. The project coincided with a Europe-wide upgrade to SAP R/3 4.6C, designed to provide a single, standardized system for streamlined processes across all the Group’s European companies.
To ensure these far-reaching changes went off smoothly, Bayer Polimeri needed fast, effective training for some 60 to 70 users of the SAP Logistics and Sales and Distribution modules. In addition, the newly founded company required expert assistance to introduce and communicate the corresponding roles and responsibilities.
The project
Since REALTECH Italia had already provided Bayer with user training for migration from SAP R/2 to SAP R/3, it was only natural to call in the SAP specialist when new needs emerged. REALTECH carried out the project in accordance with Bayer AG’s training program and guidelines. In addition, REALTECH provided change management, knowledge transfer, and expert advice on localization.
Working closely with the customer, the REALTECH consultants analyzed Bayer’s extensive implementation documentation, carefully selected material for translation into Italian, and added information geared specifically to the needs of local users. Together with Bayer, REALTECH determined the curriculum, and played a key role in actually delivering the content to marketing and sales personnel in Milan and logistics staff in Filago.
Rather than focusing on the individual SAP modules, REALTECH opted for a more holistic approach. The learning elements were geared to the specific roles and responsibilities of individual employees. As a result, REALTECH helped Bayer develop skills across a number of modules.
Following training and go-live of the SD module, REALTECH provided additional consulting services. These focused on change management, and explaining the significance of the reorganization to endusers.
Thanks to REALTECH, all the requirements identified in the gap analysis have been met.
REALTECH Italia is currently helping to train personnel in charge of IT and customizing at Bayer in Italy. And as a number of new projects calling for user training are in the pipeline, the two companies look likely to collaborate again in the near future.
About Bayer Polimeri S.r.l.
In Italy, the Bayer Group manufactures and markets high-quality products in the areas of healthcare, crop science, polymers, and chemicals. With over 2,500 employees, Bayer posted revenues of 1,788 million euros in 2002. Founded on 1 October 2002, as part of the Bayer Group’s international polymers project (POINT), Bayer Polimeri
S.r.l. is a subsidiary of the Bayer Group in Italy. The new company, which specializes in plastics, employs a workforce of over 160 at its production facility in Filago.