SAP Manufacturing Apps: How low-code app development is driving digital transformation

Hauni Manufacturing, a company that provides solutions for the tobacco industry, needed to reduce paper-based work and replace static Excel-based documentation. They wanted to provide better guidance for service technicians during the inspection process to accelerate the retrofitting process and downstream commercial processes. Furthermore, they needed to transfer captured data to key SAP business systems automatically. To address these challenges, Hauni turned to Neptune Software, a low-code development platform [Neptune DXP].

With Neptune DXP, Hauni was able to build hundreds of SAP Manufacturing apps. In a short amount of time, they implemented an app for machine inspection, integrated existing hardware, built easily offline-capable apps for customer service, eliminated paper, created central access to multiple systems for technicians, and gained independence from external suppliers. Over time, this resulted in the creation of over 100 SAP and non-SAP apps that are built in-house, boosting employee and customer satisfaction by pushing out paper to make room for real-time data access. Mr. Hütköper, App Design Manager at Hauni, said, “Since we only had a vague knowledge of web development, the ready-made front-end components (code snippets) helped us a lot, especially in the beginning. Today, we use over 100 Neptune Software Fiori applications across all modules and have a wealth of internal experience.”

Rust-Oleum partnered with Neptune to easily optimize their warehouse operations. With Neptune DXP, they were able to create 40+ apps in just four months. Their daily warehouse dollars increased by $14K by going 100% paperless with a system-driven warehouse.

Neptune DXP helped them to provide a uniform user interface and completely eliminated paper on the floor. The tile-based app makes it easy for workers to identify outstanding tasks, and after completing those tasks, to be guided to the next one. Furthermore, some SAP Manufacturing apps help to keep the end user working smoothly despite continuous Wi-Fi and power disruptions.

Fonterra, the world’s fifth-largest dairy farmer, also turned to Neptune Software to reduce admin time, increase tooling time, and cut down on waste and re-work. By developing SAP Manufacturing apps with Neptune DXP, they mobilized their workforce with easy-to-use tools, and integrated RFID and offline capabilities. With Neptune DXP, Fonterra was able to cut down time spent on admin, empower employees with the information and tools they need to work best, and create a happier workforce. Dan ‘Chuck’ Norris, General Manager, Engineering, said, “We had people logging into the app on a Sunday night, on their own device at home in their own time to look at what they had lined up for the following workday. That’s unheard of in my [IT] world. That’s a phenomenal amount of change, so a really good outcome beyond the dollars and cents, which for most engineering departments is what they really want.”

Ultimately, Fonterra was able to realize $3.08 million in annual savings, thanks to the right low-code app development platform. Both Hauni and Fonterra’s success stories demonstrate the power of low-code development in helping companies of all sizes and industries to streamline their processes, empower their employees, and deliver tangible business results.

By embracing no-code/low-code, you can accelerate technology onboarding, especially Fiori app development by 10x, optimize supply chains, maximize line usage, and cut costs with easy-to-use SAP Manufacturing apps designed specifically for your business and governed by your IT. With our low-code app development solution, you can create a sustainable and maintainable digital future built on efficiency and performance.