Enhancing SAP Master Data Validation and Maintenance with DataLark for an Electrical Equipment Company

Context 

The client is a globally-known technology pioneer in electrical equipment and automation, focusing on sustainability and efficiency. The company started as an electrical manufacturer in Sweden in 1883, later expanding its presence worldwide, including the USA. Now, the client is a true global leader, striving for innovation and worldwide digital transformation.

The customer was looking for a data validation solution to support their daily operations, ensuring consistency across SAP master data and automating key data management processes, previously handled manually. We introduced them to DataLark, offering a trial to evaluate its capabilities for their validation needs.

Challenge

The client outlined their use cases, key requirements, and challenges, aiming to enhance automation and efficiency in their data validation processes. Their primary needs included:

• Connecting existing databases with SAP master data.
• Implementing validation checks to ensure data accuracy.
• Creating and managing custom validation rules.
• Creating custom dashboards and visualizations to track KPIs.
• Automating data validation processes.
• Identifying and correcting inaccurate data within the application.
• Enabling real-time validation at data entry.

Configuring DataLark to meet the requirements was a smooth process, with only a few minor challenges during the initial setup, which is typical when integrating a new application into an existing infrastructure. Some adjustments were needed for SAP user roles and authorizations to allow external connections, and a few client-specific script executions via DataLark required fine-tuning. Both were quickly resolved with DataLark’s responsive support and comprehensive user documentation.

The client’s well-defined requirements streamlined the implementation process, making it easier to integrate DataLark with their existing workflows. Their team provided a detailed use case document, allowing us to focus on specific DataLark functionalities and ensure the solution met their needs.

Solution

The client adopted DataLark as their data validation solution, enabling them to seamlessly retrieve, validate, and load SAP master data, while automating existing manual processes. By improving data accuracy and reducing operational effort, DataLark helped streamline their SAP data management workflows.

Key capabilities that delivered value to the client:

• Automated Data Validation: Applied predefined rules (via the Transformation plugin) to detect inconsistencies, identify missing data, and ensure data accuracy across SAP.
• Custom Rule Creation: Provided flexibility to define validation logic tailored to business requirements.
• Seamless Data Extraction & Loading: Enabled efficient retrieval of inconsistent records from SAP and loading of automated corrections back into the system.
• Advanced Scripting Capabilities: Allowed for custom validation logic and complex data transformations, enhancing flexibility for specific use cases.
• Intuitive UI & Visual Mapping: Simplified complex data handling, eliminating the need for SAP ABAP coding, making it accessible for a wider range of users.

The client’s Master Data Governance team shared positive feedback, highlighting how DataLark streamlined their processes, reduced manual effort, and accelerated user adoption.

Technology Stack

The solution was deployed on-premise with minimal customization, ensuring a smooth and efficient implementation. The key technologies used in the project included:

• DataLark: A comprehensive solution with automated validation, flexible scripting for business-specific logic execution, seamless SAP integration via RFC, an intuitive UI, and powerful visual mapping tools.
• ERP System: SAP ECC (EHP 8).
• Operating System: Windows.

Results

The client successfully integrated DataLark into their SAP data validation and master data management processes, achieving noticeable improvements in efficiency. DataLark automated and supported SAP data validation, materials extension, and data consistency checks, ensuring data accuracy and greatly reducing manual effort in maintaining SAP master data.

Key Business Benefits:

• Automated Data Validation & Improved Accuracy
  • Reduced manual effort by automating multiple validation rules, ensuring SAP data consistency across materials, procurement relationships, and classification data.
  • Enabled timely error detection and correction, minimizing the risk of incorrect or missing data.
• Streamlined Material Extension Process
  • Reduced manual and script-based material extensions, improving efficiency for plant-to-plant extensions.
• Increased Operational Efficiency & Reduced IT Dependency
  • Business users gained more control over data validation without heavy reliance on the IT team for scripting and troubleshooting.
• Scalability for Future Expansion
  • While the solution is currently used only by the Master Data Governance team, the client sees the potential for expanding DataLark’s capabilities to other departments as they refine their internal processes.

With DataLark, the client now has a robust, scalable solution for ongoing SAP data validation and maintenance, reducing manual workloads, and improving data reliability across their operations.