Episode #233
Introduction
In episode 233 of our SAP on Azure video podcast we talk about Tata Projects.
Migrating a 400 TB of SAP systems to RISE with SAP on Azure alone is a huge challange. Doing this within 9 months, with only 9 days of blackout is even better. But what makes this story so special is really leveraging the benefits of this Microsoft and SAP integration by implementing Power BI, Security Copilot, Power Platform and obviously also AI.
Find all the links mentioned here: https://www.saponazurepodcast.de/episode233
Reach out to us for any feedback / questions:
- Robert Boban: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rboban/
- Goran Condric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorancondric/
- Holger Bruchelt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holger-bruchelt/
#Microsoft #SAP #Azure #SAPonAzure #RISE #RISEwithAzure #CustomerStory
Summary created by AI
Introduction and Project Overview:
- Holger introduced the podcast episode and welcomed Ashish to discuss a significant SAP migration project by Tata Projects. The project involved migrating 400 terabytes of SAP systems to Azure within nine months, leveraging Microsoft and SAP integration.
- Podcast Introduction: Holger introduced the podcast episode 233, dated March 19th, and welcomed Ashish to discuss a significant SAP migration project by Tata Projects. The project involved migrating 400 terabytes of SAP systems to Azure within nine months, leveraging Microsoft and SAP integration.
- Project Significance: Holger highlighted the significance of the project, emphasizing the challenge of migrating 400 terabytes of SAP systems to Azure within nine months, with only nine days of blackout. The project leveraged the benefits of Microsoft and SAP integration, including Power BI, security copilot, power platform, and AI.
- Project Background and Complexity:
- Ashish provided an overview of Tata Projects, highlighting the complexity of their operations with multiple ERP systems across 40 countries and 200 projects. The project aimed to consolidate data and modernize their SAP landscape.
- Company Overview: Ashish provided an overview of Tata Projects, describing it as a large engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) organization with operations across 40 countries and 200 projects. The company is a multi-billion dollar organization and one of the top EPC organizations in India.
- Operational Complexity: Ashish highlighted the complexity of Tata Projects’ operations, with multiple ERP systems and data spread across different locations. The company handles 200 projects simultaneously, including significant projects like the Parliament of India and international airports.
- Project Goals: The project aimed to consolidate data from various ERP systems into a single SAP S/4HANA system on Azure, modernizing their SAP landscape and providing real-time data access to management.
- Greenfield Project and Migration:
- Ashish explained that Tata Projects moved from a competitor’s ERP system to SAP, consolidating data from multiple joint ventures into a single SAP S/4HANA system on Azure. The project was completed in nine months with only nine days of blackout.
- ERP System Transition: Ashish explained that Tata Projects transitioned from a competitor’s ERP system to SAP, consolidating data from multiple joint ventures into a single SAP S/4HANA system on Azure. This transition was part of a Greenfield project.
- Project Timeline: The project was completed within nine months, starting in mid to late 2023 and going live in mid-2024. Despite the complexity, the blackout period was only nine days.
- Project Complexity: The project involved consolidating data from five different ERP systems used across multiple joint ventures and entities of Tata Projects. The goal was to migrate to a single SAP S/4HANA system on Azure.
- Data Consolidation and Visualization:
- Ashish discussed the importance of unifying data streams and providing real-time data access to management. Tata Projects used Azure Data Lake and Power BI for data consolidation and visualization, enhancing their data management and reporting capabilities.
- Data Unification: Ashish emphasized the importance of unifying data streams to provide real-time data access to management. Tata Projects used Azure Data Lake to consolidate data from various sources into a single scalable cloud platform.
- Visualization Tools: Tata Projects used Power BI for data visualization, enhancing their data management and reporting capabilities. Power BI was already in use before the migration, providing stability during the transition.
- Data Management: The project involved setting up a data lake on Azure to store raw data in the required format. This setup allowed for efficient data processing and improved reporting capabilities.
- Security Measures:
- Ashish highlighted the security measures implemented, including Azure Active Directory, Sentinel, and Defender XDR. These tools helped Tata Projects manage and remediate threats in real-time, ensuring data security for their operations and customer data.
- Security Tools: Tata Projects implemented Azure Active Directory, Sentinel, and Defender XDR to manage and remediate threats in real-time. These tools ensured data security for their operations and customer data.
- Identity Management: Azure Active Directory was used to consolidate identities and manage access, providing a secure identity management solution for Tata Projects.
- Threat Management: Sentinel and Defender XDR were used to manage and remediate threats, with a focus on reducing the mean time to detection and remediation. Security copilot helped detect and remediate threats in real-time.
- AI and Future Projects:
- Ashish mentioned that Tata Projects is exploring AI use cases, leveraging Azure OpenAI and M365 Copilot to enhance productivity and generate intelligent responses. The foundational data layer on Azure Data Lake supports these AI initiatives.
- AI Initiatives: Tata Projects is exploring AI use cases, leveraging Azure OpenAI and M365 Copilot to enhance productivity and generate intelligent responses. The foundational data layer on Azure Data Lake supports these AI initiatives.
- Generative AI: One of the AI projects involves generating intelligent responses using generative AI capabilities, although specific details were not disclosed due to confidentiality.
- Project Success and Future Plans:
- Holger and Ashish discussed the success of the project, with Tata Projects going live in mid-2024. They hinted at future discussions on additional use cases and the evolution of the project, inviting Ashish to return for a follow-up podcast.
- Project Success: The project was deemed a success, with Tata Projects going live in mid-2024. The project involved significant data consolidation and modernization efforts, resulting in improved data management and reporting capabilities.
- Future Plans: Holger and Ashish hinted at future discussions on additional use cases and the evolution of the project. Ashish was invited to return for a follow-up podcast to discuss these developments.