Fujitsu Expects Resurgent SAP Services and Solutions Business in ANZ Region

⇨ Fujitsu leverages its extensive experience in manufacturing and technology to provide innovative solutions for supply chain and manufacturing customers in the ANZ region, focusing on advisory and managed services.

⇨ Fujitsu's Uvance initiative aims to create a sustainable world through digital innovation, emphasizing collaboration, sustainability, and the advancement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

⇨ Strategic partnerships and robust technology offerings are crucial for Fujitsu’s success in enhancing supply chain resilience, driving digitalization, improving customer experience, achieving sustainability goals, and enhancing collaboration within the ANZ supply chain landscape.

Fujitsu leverages its seven-decade history as a global manufacturer to deliver world class technology and services to supply chain and manufacturing customers. The company was one of the SAP partners at the recent MasteringSAP Connect event in Gold Coast, Australia, where Fujitsu team members Greg Lindsay, Nikhil Chawla, Bruno Cechella, Nanette Baber, and Kathy Sudnik provided delegates with an impressive booth demo of Fujitsu’s Smart Factory. In the ANZ region, Fujitsu is focused on delivering advisory, professional, managed, and subscription services to SAP customers. Future investments include capability upliftment, IP creation, and ecosystem collaboration. In the burgeoning area of AI, Fujitsu is assessing its own AI engine Kozuchi, conversant with SAP’s Joule, as a joint solution component and a key driver for optimizing workforce decision-making and business outcomes.

Fujitsu is a global organization serving customers in over 100 countries, with 124,000 employees working on resolving some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The company’s portfolio of services and solutions draws on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data and Security, and Converging Technologies, which are brought together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu benefits from synergies between its manufacturing and technology divisions, illustrated by the use of SAP Signavio for process improvement and the adoption of digital manufacturing.

“The implementation of digital manufacturing within Fujitsu’s operating factories was driven by lessons learned from manufacturing operations,” said Naived Merchant, Head of the SAP Business at Fujitsu ANZ. “And these learnings from manufacturing were crystallized into offerings that the technology division brings to market, showing our industry focus and collaborative approach.”

Naived oversees the complete SAP business for Fujitsu in the ANZ region, overseeing the entire supply chain, from pre-sales to consulting engagements and managed services. Having recalibrated itself, the business is rebuilding itself and aims to become a leader in the mid-market for ERP and supply chain solutions. The ANZ team is taking a consultative approach, understanding client business challenges, and building specific intellectual property. In addition, partnerships will be crucial to Fujitsu’s success in the region, with each player leveraging their strengths for client success.

Fujitsu’s SAP business falls under the greater umbrella of Fujitsu Uvance, which is the company’s global business brand dedicated to creating a sustainable world through digital innovation. Launched in October 2021, it focuses on addressing societal challenges and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The name “Uvance” combines “Universal” and “Advance,” reflecting Fujitsu’s commitment to progressing all aspects of society toward sustainability. Fujitsu Uvance encompasses seven key focus areas:

• Sustainable Manufacturing: Promoting eco-friendly production processes.
• Consumer Experience: Enhancing customer interactions through digital solutions.
• Healthy Living: Developing healthcare technologies for improved well-being.
• Trusted Society: Building secure and resilient societal infrastructures.
• Digital Shifts: Facilitating digital transformation across industries.
• Business Applications: Offering advanced business solutions.
• Hybrid IT: Integrating traditional and cloud-based IT systems.

What this means for Mastering SAP insiders

Get real-world examples of how Fujitsu has already helped SAP supply chain organizations. Supply chain leaders should talk to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which implemented SAP S/4HANA Manufacturing for Production Engineering and Operations (SAP PEO) with Fujitsu’s assistance, and as a result achieved real-time integration between design and manufacturing. This initiative improved collaboration, operational efficiency, and production quality, serving as a model for integrating engineering and supply chain processes. Another good source is Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., which was facing the challenge of migrating a 14-terabyte SAP ERP system to Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company partnered with Fujitsu to complete the migration within a three-day window. And another source is Fujitsu Die-Tech Corporation of the Philippines, a subsidiary that utilized Fujitsu’s Supply Chain Planning Solutions to innovate its production planning operations. The initiative led to a 40% reduction in indirect work hours, a 5-10% improvement in equipment utilization rates, and a 20% decrease in manufacturing lead times.

ANZ supply chain organizations should push Fujitsu to prove it can move five key needles. SAP supply chain leaders in the ANZ region should evaluate any SAP partner through the lens of their ability to contribute to five critical objectives:

• Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience: The goal is to create robust supply chains capable of withstanding disruptions. This involves implementing digital tools for real-time visibility and predictive analytics to anticipate and mitigate risks.
• Driving Digitalization and Automation: Companies focus on automating manual processes and integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
• Improving Customer Experience: Enhancing customer satisfaction through faster delivery times, personalized services, and transparent supply chain operations is a key objective. Leveraging data analytics and digital platforms enables organizations to better understand and meet customer needs.
• Achieving Sustainability Goals: Aligning supply chain practices with environmental and social governance (ESG) standards is increasingly important. This includes adopting sustainable sourcing, reducing carbon footprints, and ensuring ethical operations throughout the supply chain.
• Enhancing Collaboration and Integration: Strengthening partnerships with suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders through integrated platforms facilitates seamless information flow and coordination, leading to more agile and efficient supply chain operations.

ANZ supply chain leaders should thoroughly vet the ability of any technology or services provider to address the unique requirements of the ANZ region. Australia and New Zealand are geographically distant from major global markets, leading to longer lead times and higher transportation costs. This isolation necessitates robust inventory management and strategic planning to mitigate potential disruptions. Also, a significant portion of goods is imported due to limited local manufacturing capabilities. This reliance on imports makes supply chains vulnerable to international disruptions and emphasizes the need for diversified sourcing strategies. Both countries have stringent regulations concerning product standards, biosecurity, and environmental sustainability. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for supply chain operations, affecting sourcing, transportation, and distribution processes. While urban areas have well-developed infrastructure, remote and rural regions often face logistical challenges due to less developed transport networks. This disparity can lead to increased costs and complexities in distribution. There is a growing focus on sustainable practices within supply chains, driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressures. Companies are increasingly adopting eco-friendly initiatives, such as reducing carbon footprints and implementing circular economy principles. The ANZ region is progressively embracing digital technologies like automation, data analytics, and blockchain to enhance supply chain efficiency, transparency, and resilience. This technological integration is pivotal in addressing operational challenges and meeting evolving market demand.