Selected Practices:
Case Study
Streamlining Global Operations Through SAP Concur Site Consolidation
Focus Area/Service
SAP ConcurHow Acquis Consulting Group’s Phased SAP Concur Implementation Strategy Transformed T&E Operations for a Global Pharmaceutical Company
Client Overview
- Industry: Pharmaceutical
- Company Size: Enterprise
- Headquarters: Switzerland
- Implementation Timeline: 2024-2025
When expanding global operations, companies often discover that fragmented systems block growth instead of enabling it. A leading Swiss pharmaceutical company faced this challenge after creating two separate SAP Concur instances to serve different regions. Though these regional systems initially met local needs, managing multiple instances drained resources and slowed operations, forcing the organization to seek a more strategic solution.
The Challenge: Consolidate to Scale
When the organization first implemented SAP Concur 10+ years ago, it had minor technical demands. However, as the company expanded globally, teams struggled to efficiently manage separate instances. An outdated system prevented the company from scaling effectively and caused significant challenges:
- Unnecessary complexity and costs due to multiple instances
- Legacy configurations limited system flexibility
- Total utilization of all custom fields in one instance, restricting further customization
- Lack of standardization across global operations
- Complex migration requirements across multiple markets
To address these obstacles, the company needed a partner who could go beyond technical expertise to understand global business needs and create a sustainable solution.
Finding the Right Partner
The path forward required three key elements:
- A comprehensive global model that could serve all markets
- A detailed understanding of regional requirements and restraints
- A carefully orchestrated Concur implementation plan to minimize business disruptions
Acquis Consulting Group, the first SAP Concur Certified Implementation Partner, designed a bold transformation strategy for the client. Acquis’ expert consultants crafted a phased plan to unify two regional systems into one powerful global platform, setting the foundation for seamless worldwide expansion.
Explore Acquis’ SAP Concur Managed Services →
Building a Global Framework: A Phased Approach
Through intensive discovery workshops, Acquis uncovered critical insights about the client’s global operations. The team analyzed both legacy instances to architect a unified global model, establishing the blueprint for a seamless worldwide platform.
The Acquis team:
- Assessed T&E policies across markets
- Evaluated technical requirements and constraints
- Designed a Global Model balancing standardization and local needs
- Developed a strategic Concur implementation roadmap
Phase I: Consolidate and Standardize
Acquis’ implementation strategy focused on maintaining business continuity while methodically consolidating systems. The Acquis team launched a net-new global instance in 2022 and three net-new markets in October 2024, completing the first global instance consolidation phase of Travel & Expense. The team standardized processes across regions, embedded global best practices, and built powerful reporting capabilities.
Early Wins
Phase I has already delivered promising results:
- Streamlined processes across global operations
- Reduced system maintenance overhead
- Improved user experience through standardized interfaces
- Enhanced visibility into global T&E data
Phase II: Sunset and Stabilize
Acquis designed a strategic roadmap to complete the system consolidation by 2025. In Phase II, Acquis will retire legacy instances while maintaining critical operations, enabling the client to:
- Expand rapidly into new markets
- Standardize processes globally
- Cut operational costs
- Make data-driven decisions
- Strengthen compliance and control
The Road Ahead
As the SAP Concur consolidation project progresses toward completion, this transformation story offers valuable insights for global enterprises facing similar challenges. Acquis’ strategic partnership demonstrates that technical consolidation, when properly executed, delivers benefits far beyond system simplification — it creates a platform for sustainable growth and operational agility.
This technical challenge became a catalyst for business transformation. Through detailed analysis, methodical planning, and expert execution, Acquis helped turn a complex systems landscape into a streamlined, future-ready platform that will support the company’s continued expansion in the global pharmaceutical market.