Future-proof supply chain planning with SAP IBP

Replace rigid APO planning with dynamic, integrated scenario planning with SAP IBP. Achieve up to 20 % higher forecast accuracy and lower Inventory costs by up to 15 %.

The challenge: Limits of classic planning software

Many industrial companies today are faced with the challenge of organising their supply chains flexibly and resiliently – and are increasingly reaching the limits of their existing SAP APO planning software. Planning that focuses on the plant level hinders a holistic view of the network and leads to isolated decisions that have a negative impact on stock levels, capacity utilisation and delivery reliability.

The lack of simulation options means that risks and alternatives cannot be assessed in a well-founded manner – scenarios are often mapped in Excel, which slows down processes and increases the susceptibility to errors.

There is also a lack of transparency regarding stocks, requirements and capacities in the overall network, which makes proactive management more difficult. In a dynamic market environment with fluctuating demand, supply bottlenecks and short-term changes, this planning practice leads to unnecessarily high costs, inefficient use of resources and limited responsiveness along the end-to-end supply chain.

Why action is needed now: Making APO planning Clean Core–ready

In many industrial companies, SAP APO has grown over the years, become deeply customized, and tightly intertwined with surrounding systems. What may appear functionally stable increasingly turns into a structural risk from an IT and architecture perspective. Custom developments, individual logic, and complex interfaces have transformed APO in many landscapes from a standard solution into a hard-to-manage custom architecture. As a result, planning comes into conflict with core requirements such as Clean Core principles, compliance, cybersecurity, and long-term investment security. While APO remains functionally capable, it was not designed to sustainably support modern cloud strategies, standard-oriented architectures, and long-term transformation readiness. In addition, SAP APO support will end in 2027. Time to act now.

Our solution: From APO to SAP IBP - Integrated real-time planning with cbs

cbs supports companies in switching from SAP APO to SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and makes your planning fit for the requirements of dynamic markets. Our end-to-end consulting services include

Development of an IBP target image and roadmap design
Introduction of rolling planning with real-time data and AI-based algorithms
Harmonisation of S&OP processes across locations

Intelligent optimisation and seamless integration

Implementation of multi-echelon optimisation for inventories and capacities
Implementation of scenario analyses for risk hedging
Integration into the SAP S/4HANA system landscape

The result: An integrated, transparent planning network that reacts proactively to market changes.

SAP IBP as a strategic planning architecture

From an architectural perspective, SAP IBP enables significantly better integration of planning functions into a modern IT landscape by consistently leveraging Clean Core–aligned standard functionalities, clearly defining interfaces, and implementing functional enhancements in a controlled and transparent manner. This architectural clarity reduces unplanned dependencies, increases transparency around operational responsibilities, and creates the foundation for a cloud-ready, auditable, and long-term stable planning architecture that meets the requirements of compliance, security, and robust operating models. On this basis, the transition from APO to IBP becomes a strategically sound investment initiative that delivers measurable value to planning while simultaneously addressing key requirements for a future-proof IT architecture.

Focus on customer benefits

Up to 20 % better forecast accuracy

Accurate planning with AI-supported forecasting

By using innovative algorithms and continuously learning models, SAP IBP significantly improves the prediction quality – over a period of up to 24 months.

Up to 15 % lower inventory costs

Reduce stock, secure service level

New safety stock models based on real-time data enable needs-based stocking – and at the same time reduce capital commitment and storage costs.

Up to 3 % lower production costs

Utilise capacities more efficiently

Production programmes can be stabilised and additional costs avoided through cross-location planning and improved transparency regarding bottlenecks and resources.

Greater supply chain agility

React flexibly – locally and globally

Networked planning across all plants and locations creates the conditions for rapid reactions to market changes, supply bottlenecks or fluctuations in demand.

The switch from APO to SAP IBP is much more than a technical upgrade - it is a strategic lever for harmonising planning processes, identifying risks at an early stage and making the supply chain more resilient. Deciding today means reliable delivery tomorrow.

Leif Hamschmidt, Manager | cbs Corporate Business Solutions

Success Story

Mannesmann

Replacing APO without loss of functionality

As part of its S/4HANA transformation, Mannesmann decided to replace its SAP APO solution with state-of-the-art capabilities in SAP IBP and S/4HANA. Complex processes for availability checks and supply chain planning were migrated from APO to S/4HANA and IBP.

Leveraging new technologies without any loss of functionality, despite highly customized APO developments
Integrated project executed as part of the overall S/4HANA transformation

Rheinmetall

60 % time saving

Rheinmetall’s Pierburg Division was faced with the challenge of reacting flexibly to fluctuating delivery call-offs. cbs implemented an SAP IBP S&OP solution to completely replace APO DP.

60 % less planning effort in day-to-day business
Rollouts in APAC, EMEA and USA
Seamless transition APO → IBP in 6 months

"Every day, the company has new ideas and new requirements on how the process can be improved. Our way of working enables us to keep the process of continuous improvement going."

Uwe Krause, Senior Program Manager, Rheinmetall IT

Get started now with SAP IBP

Create transparency in 120 seconds - ready for the next step in supply chain planning?

Process model & project approach

cbs Fast Value Roadmap in steps to SAP IBP

IBP target picture & APO migration preparation

Analysis of the initial situation, target definition, architecture design

IBP implementation & configuration

Technical implementation, integration of data sources, user enablement

Cutover & Hypercare

Parallel operation, go-live, stabilisation, continuous optimisation

Project duration: 2 to 12 months - depending on complexity and scope

From silos to synchronisation

Find out in detail how the path to integrated planning with SAP IBP works in this blog post.

Why cbs?

Methodology M-cbs

Our M-cbs method is designed for the complex challenges of company-wide change projects. M-cbs is our DNA.

From strategy to integration

With cbs, you have a partner at your side who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence. We provide you with holistic support – from the initial definition of objectives through to sustainable anchoring in your systems and processes.

Design-to-Operate

Thanks to our end-to-end expertise along the entire value chain – from design to operate, we put your data in the right context, create process clarity and enable well-founded decisions at all levels. In doing so, we combine a deep understanding of processes with state-of-the-art technology – for real impact instead of mere concepts.

Integrated Business Planing

More info & downloads

Deepen your knowledge of the transformation from SAP APO to SAP IBP: discover practical success stories, white papers and further materials on strategic planning along the supply chain.