Streamlining Quality Assurance in Manufacturing with cbs Lean MES Implementation on SAP BTP

3. November 2023

In the dynamic world of manufacturing, ensuring quality assurance is paramount to delivering reliable products to customers. To address this critical need, cbs has implemented a suite of integrated applications for the
Lean Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
In this article, we’ll delve into each of these applications and explore how they work together to revolutionize
quality assurance in manufacturing.

1. Serial Number Recording App

Serial Number Recording App

At the outset of production, the Serial Number Recording app plays a pivotal role. Manufacturing companies,
such as excavator producers, often deal with numerous parts and components. This app, developed by cbs,
simplifies the recording process. Through barcode scanning, it intelligently identifies each part and links it
to the corresponding excavator type in the SAP system. This ensures precise documentation of the configuration
and the components used. Production line workers can streamline the recording process using this app, saving time
and minimizing errors.

2. Checklist App for Quality Assurance

Checklist App for Quality Assurance

The next step in the quality assurance journey is the Checklist app. Tailored to each product type, this app
guides operators through quality checks and inspection tasks derived directly from SAP inspection lots. Workers
are presented with the inspection characteristics relevant to their workstation, simplifying the process. Whether
evaluating quantitative or qualitative aspects, they can efficiently assess the product. In case of discrepancies,
a quality notification can be created immediately. This app is mainly used by Quality Assurance personnel, who
play a crucial role in ensuring products meet predefined quality standards.

3. Notification Creation App

Notification Creation App

Quality issues must be reported quickly, and the Notification Creation app simplifies this process. It extracts
essential information from the production order stored in SAP. Operators can enter detailed descriptions of quality
issues, including error codes, and even attach photos for clarity. This versatile app also enables the initiation of
Andon tasks for immediate production stops, ensuring rapid responses to critical problems. It is a valuable tool for
the Quality Assurance department to document and address quality issues effectively.

4. Defects Management App

Defects Management App

The Defects Management app provides an overview of all quality-related notifications linked to production orders.
Like a bird’s-eye view, it gives production managers a comprehensive perspective, allowing them to prioritize and
allocate resources efficiently. Notifications can be processed as needed, and the app tracks the planned resolution
time for each issue. During feedback, employees reassess inspection characteristics to ensure accurate reporting and
resolution. This app is indispensable for senior production staff seeking insight into the production landscape.

5. Rework Management App

Rework Management App

For production managers, the Rework Management app serves as a strategic tool. It provides insights into rework
requirements across different orders, including prioritization and parts availability. The app simplifies planning
by allowing drag-and-drop allocation of rework tasks to workstations based on predefined shift sequences. This dynamic
scheduling ensures optimal resource utilization, making it a valuable asset for production management.

6. Rework Overview App

Rework Overview App

Finally, the Rework Overview app supports employees responsible for executing rework tasks. It offers a user-friendly
interface displaying the planned rework tasks for their workstation. Workers receive critical information about each
rework operation, including defect descriptions and materials involved. This app streamlines task execution, ensuring
previously identified issues are resolved efficiently and in line with production plans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cbs Lean MES applications on SAP BTP make a significant contribution to quality assurance
in manufacturing. The integrated tools developed by cbs address every stage of production and quality control — from serial
number recording to rework execution. These applications help manufacturers improve product quality, reduce errors, and
optimize production processes by seamlessly connecting workers, quality control teams, and production management.
In an industry where precision and efficiency are vital, cbs’ Lean MES applications on SAP BTP are truly a game-changer.

Related articles
oneascent-m&a-image-4
Insight
A Safer Way to Manage ERP Change During M&A
Read More
14. March 2026
oneascent-m&a-image-3
Insight
Why ERP Systems Make Divestitures and Carve-Outs So Difficult
Read More
14. March 2026
When a merger, acquisition, or divestiture is announced, the spotlight is usually on the strategic story. Market expansion. Portfolio optimisation. Synergies. Shareholder value. Behind closed doors, deal teams are working intensely on valuation models, legal structures, and regulatory approvals. Leadership teams focus on how the new organisation will operate once the transaction is complete. Technology rarely sits at the centre of these discussions. And yet, once the deal is signed, it often becomes the hardest problem to solve. Where the real complexity begins In large enterprises, ERP systems sit at the centre of how the organisation actually runs. Finance reporting, procurement, supply chain operations, manufacturing processes, and compliance controls are all deeply connected through the same digital core. Over time, these systems evolve into highly integrated environments. Multiple legal entities may share the same ERP instance. Business units that look independent on an organisational chart may rely on shared data structures, reporting frameworks, and operational processes inside the same system landscape. This works well when the organisation remains intact. It becomes far more complicated when the structure of the business changes. When a company sells a division, spins off a business unit, or acquires another organisation, those shared systems suddenly need to be separated, replicated, or reorganised. Data structures that support several entities may need to be redesigned. Reporting environments must remain stable even as the underlying systems change. And this often needs to happen under strict deal timelines. Why ERP challenges appear late One reason ERP complexity catches organisations by surprise is timing. In many transactions, technology teams are brought into the conversation only after the deal structure is already defined. By that point, legal agreements are signed, Day-One deadlines are set, and the operational expectations of the new organisation are already clear. What becomes visible at that stage is the gap between the business structure of the deal and the technical reality of the systems that support it. Separating a business entity on paper may take weeks. Separating it inside an ERP system can take months if the dependencies are not fully understood. When technology risk becomes business risk This is where technology stops being a purely IT concern. If ERP systems cannot be separated cleanly, finance reporting may be affected. Regulatory obligations may become harder to fulfil. Supply chains and operational processes may experience disruption. Integration timelines can extend far beyond what deal teams originally expected. In other words, ERP complexity can quickly become a business continuity risk. This does not mean that mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures are inherently problematic from a systems perspective. Organisations execute these changes successfully every year. But the most successful programmes share a common mindset. They recognise early that enterprise systems are not just operational tools. They are structural components of the business itself. Treating ERP as part of the deal strategy When ERP landscapes and enterprise data structures are considered earlier in the transaction process, organisations gain much greater control over execution. Dependencies between business entities become visible sooner. Separation or integration scenarios can be evaluated earlier. Technology teams can design approaches that protect operational continuity while still supporting the strategic intent of the deal. This shift in thinking is becoming increasingly important. Modern ERP environments support far more than financial accounting. They underpin operational processes, regulatory reporting, supply chain coordination, and increasingly the data foundations that support analytics and AI. Changing the structure of the business inevitably means changing the structure of the systems that run it. For organisations navigating mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures, the real question is no longer just how to close the deal. It is how to execute the change without destabilising the systems that keep the business running. Over the coming weeks, the ONE.Ascent campaign will explore how enterprises approach ERP change during structural events such as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, and what separates high-risk programmes from those executed with confidence. Continue the Conversation If your organisation is navigating a merger, acquisition, carve-out, or divestiture, join our upcoming ONE.Ascent executive webinar where we explore the practical realities of managing ERP change during structural transformation. Register for the session or explore the ONE.Ascent campaign hub to see how enterprises across the Asia Pacific are approaching modernisation with greater clarity and control.
Insight
The Hidden ERP Risk in M&A: Why Technology Becomes the Hardest Part After the Deal
Read More
14. March 2026