An increasing number of organizations are migrating their ERP systems to the cloud. This shift also requires a new generation of process automation tooling. SHERPACE was developed specifically to meet this need: a modern solution that enables organizations to load data into their ERP systems quickly, easily, and reliably—without scripting or recording. By leveraging API technology, data is automatically validated, resulting in higher data quality and more efficient business processes.
The Situation
As part of the migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA, Van Gestel (part of HANOS) took the lead within the organization. However, the transition to the new cloud environment brought new challenges. Existing on-premise process automation tools no longer provided a future-proof solution for the new SAP S/4HANA environment. As a result, temporary workarounds were needed, but these were not suitable as a long-term solution.
Van Gestel needed a modern, flexible solution that would enable users to manage SAP data independently and efficiently.
About the Customer
HANOS is a leading foodservice wholesaler in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Van Gestel specializes in professional kitchen design and large-scale kitchen equipment solutions. Combining distribution with specialist services, the organization processes large volumes of material, supplier, and customer data in its ERP system every day. Manual processes made this time-consuming and error-prone, directly impacting data quality and operational efficiency.
Challenges & Why SHERPACE was chosen
Efficient Management in a Cloud Environment
Due to personnel changes and Van Gestel’s unique position as an early SAP S/4HANA implementation within HANOS, managing the S/4 environment became increasingly complex. Existing on-premise process automation tools were no longer sufficient.
= > SHERPACE enables fast and easy creation and maintenance of ERP data in a fully cloud-ready environment.
Aligning Test and Production Environments
Testing within the existing setup proved difficult because environments were not synchronized. Third-party solutions introduced additional cost and dependency.
=> With SHERPACE, the organization can manage this independently—faster and more cost-effective.
Configuration of Functional Locations
The need to configure functional locations in SAP S/4HANA required flexibility and speed.
=> SHERPACE made this easy to achieve.
An additional advantage is that SHERPACE also integrates with SAP ECC, providing immediate value across other parts of the organization.
“I can now download and upload all data objects, and uploading 499 records takes less than a minute!”
— Hanos
The Approach
The implementation was fast and smooth thanks to the tool’s ease of use. Instructional videos, documentation, and access to the SHERPACE User Community helped users quickly become productive. Van Gestel deliberately selected SHERPACE, a solution developed by experienced data management consultants. A Proof of Concept started in February, followed by a successful go-live in April.
The Results — SHERPACE delivered immediate value
SHERPACE gives users access to real-time data by simply selecting which fields they want to see for a specific data object. There is no need to build complex queries or reports.
The main results:
✅ Easily export SAP data, edit it in Excel, and upload it back directly
✅ Bulk upload and download SAP data objects (500 records in under one minute)
✅ Faster and easier creation of materials and business partners
✅ More efficient processing of purchase and sales orders
✅ Independently load inventory and master data
✅ Fully synchronized test and production environments
✅ Greater control over data, higher quality, and more efficient processes
Thanks to SHERPACE’s simplicity and speed, the solution was quickly adopted across the organization. The result: greater control over SAP data, higher data quality, and significantly faster, more reliable, and more efficient data processes. SHERPACE helps organizations prepare for the future of cloud ERP.
