Ofoodi UK Case Study

Introduction

As more businesses shift their operations online, there is a growing demand for reliable and efficient e-commerce platforms. This was the case for Ofoodi UK, an African online grocery store based in Stoke on Trent, UK. The company’s rapid growth required a robust and scalable solution to manage their operations and meet customer demand. In response, Ofoodi UK engaged Bellcrest Solutions to provide SAP services that would streamline their processes and enhance their customer experience.

During the project, Bellcrest Solutions implemented a range of SAP services to support Ofoodi UK’s operations, including SAP Simple Logistics and SAP S/4HANA. The project involved a detailed analysis of the client’s business processes and requirements to ensure that the implemented solutions were tailored to their specific needs. Bellcrest Solutions’ team of SAP experts collaborated closely with Ofoodi UK’s IT team to ensure a seamless integration and transition to the new system.

The following sections provide an overview of the SAP services implemented by Bellcrest Solutions and the impact they had on Ofoodi UK’s business. These sections also highlight the challenges faced during the project and how they were overcome to deliver a successful outcome.

A. Brief Overview of Ofoodi UK and Their Business

Ofoodi UK is an African online grocery store based in Stoke On Trent, UK. Their mission is to provide customers with easy access to authentic African food products that may not be readily available in mainstream grocery stores. They strive to offer high-quality products at competitive prices, while also providing exceptional customer service.

Overview of Ofoodi UK’s Operations

Ofoodi UK operates both an online grocery store and physical retail locations. Their online store offers a wide range of products including grains, spices, sauces, and snacks. Customers can conveniently order online and have their products delivered directly to their doorsteps. Additionally, Ofoodi UK has a physical retail location where customers can shop in-person for their favorite African products.

Key Challenges Faced by Ofoodi UK

Like many small businesses, Ofoodi UK has faced a number of challenges in their operations. One of the biggest challenges they have encountered is sourcing high-quality products at affordable prices. As a niche business, many of the products they offer may not be widely available and require importing, which can be costly. Additionally, they have faced challenges with logistics and delivery, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when shipping and transportation have been disrupted. Finally, they have had to navigate the competitive landscape of the online grocery market, finding ways to stand out and attract customers.

B. Problem statement: Why Ofoodi UK needed Bellcrest Solutions’ SAP service

Ofoodi UK faced several challenges in managing their operations, which prompted them to seek the services of Bellcrest Solutions. These challenges included difficulties in managing their supply chain, inventory, and financial reporting processes. As a growing African online grocery store based in Stoke On Trent UK, Ofoodi UK needed a more efficient and streamlined system to manage their operations and support their business goals.

Specific pain points in Ofoodi UK’s supply chain management included manual processes, which led to errors and delays in managing suppliers and tracking inventory. This affected their ability to meet customer demand and maintain adequate inventory levels. In addition, their inventory management processes were not integrated, resulting in poor visibility into inventory levels, which led to overstocking and understocking of certain products.

Furthermore, Ofoodi UK’s financial reporting processes were time-consuming and lacked real-time visibility into their financial performance. This made it difficult to make informed business decisions and identify areas for improvement. These challenges were impacting Ofoodi UK’s ability to grow and expand their business, and they recognized the need for a more efficient and integrated system to manage their operations.

C. Scope of the SAP service provided by Bellcrest Solutions

Bellcrest Solutions was contracted by Ofoodi UK to provide an end-to-end SAP implementation that would address the specific challenges faced by the online grocery store. Bellcrest Solutions worked closely with the Ofoodi UK team to analyze their business processes and identified areas where an SAP solution could add value to their operations.

The scope of the SAP service included implementing specific SAP modules such as SAP Materials Management (MM), SAP Sales and Distribution (SD), and SAP Financial Accounting and Controlling (FICO). Bellcrest Solutions also provided customizations to the SAP solution to meet Ofoodi UK’s unique business requirements.

The SAP solution implemented by Bellcrest Solutions brought several benefits to Ofoodi UK’s operations, including improved supply chain management, enhanced inventory management, and streamlined financial reporting processes. The SAP solution provided real-time data visibility, allowing the Ofoodi UK team to make informed decisions and respond quickly to changing market conditions.

II. Implementation Process

A. Planning and Assessment Phase

At the planning and assessment phase, the objective was to gain a deep understanding of Ofoodi UK’s business and the specific challenges they faced in their operations. This phase was critical to ensure that the SAP solution provided by Bellcrest Solutions was tailored to Ofoodi UK’s unique needs.

Activities carried out during this phase included:

1. Understanding Ofoodi UK’s business processes and operations Bellcrest Solutions carried out a comprehensive review of Ofoodi UK’s existing business processes and operations. This helped to identify the pain points in their supply chain management, inventory management, and financial reporting processes.
2. Identifying key business requirements Based on the review of Ofoodi UK’s business processes and operations, Bellcrest Solutions identified the key business requirements that needed to be addressed by the SAP solution. This included streamlining supply chain management, inventory management, and financial reporting processes.
3. Developing a project plan A project plan was developed to guide the implementation of the SAP solution. The project plan outlined the timelines, milestones, and activities for each phase of the implementation process.

Deliverables of the planning and assessment phase included:

1. Business requirements document The business requirements document outlined the specific business requirements that the SAP solution needed to address.
2. Project plan The project plan provided a roadmap for the implementation of the SAP solution.
3. Gap analysis report The gap analysis report identified the gaps between Ofoodi UK’s existing processes and the capabilities of the SAP solution. This helped to guide the customization of the SAP solution to meet Ofoodi UK’s specific needs.

B. Design and Configuration Phase

The design and configuration phase is the second stage of the SAP implementation process carried out by Bellcrest Solutions for Ofoodi UK. During this phase, the team focuses on designing and configuring the SAP system to meet the specific needs of Ofoodi UK’s operations.

Key Objectives: The objectives of the design and configuration phase include:

• Defining the business processes and requirements of Ofoodi UK in detail
• Designing the SAP system to meet Ofoodi UK’s unique needs
• Configuring the SAP system to ensure it aligns with Ofoodi UK’s business processes

Activities carried out during this phase: The activities carried out during the design and configuration phase include:

• Identifying the necessary SAP modules for Ofoodi UK’s operations
• Mapping the business processes of Ofoodi UK to the SAP system
• Defining the roles and responsibilities of SAP users within Ofoodi UK
• Configuring the SAP system to meet the specific needs of Ofoodi UK
• Developing customizations to the SAP system to address Ofoodi UK’s unique requirements
• Creating test scenarios to ensure the SAP system meets Ofoodi UK’s needs

Deliverables of the design and configuration phase: The deliverables of the design and configuration phase include:

• A detailed design document outlining the SAP system design and customizations made for Ofoodi UK
• Configuration documents that outline how the SAP system was configured to meet Ofoodi UK’s needs
• Test scenarios and scripts used to test the SAP system
• A prototype of the SAP system configured for Ofoodi UK, including user roles and permissions

C. Testing Phase

The testing phase is a crucial stage in any SAP implementation project. This phase is designed to ensure that the system meets the requirements and functions as intended. The testing phase for Ofoodi UK’s SAP implementation project involved the following:

Key Objectives:

• To ensure that the SAP solution meets the requirements of Ofoodi UK.
• To identify and fix any bugs or errors in the system.
• To ensure that the system is stable and reliable.
• To provide end-users with training on how to use the SAP system.

Activities carried out during this phase:

• Test cases were created based on the business requirements of Ofoodi UK.
• System integration testing was carried out to ensure that the SAP solution was integrated with the other systems used by Ofoodi UK.
• User acceptance testing was performed to ensure that the system meets the needs of the end-users.
• Regression testing was carried out to ensure that changes made to the system did not affect existing functionality.
• End-user training was provided to ensure that they were able to use the system efficiently.

Deliverables of the testing phase:

• Test cases and scripts.
• Test results and defect logs.
• User acceptance test sign-off.
• End-user training materials.
• Training completion certificates.

The testing phase helped to ensure that the SAP system implemented for Ofoodi UK was functional, stable, and met their business requirements. It also provided end-users with the necessary training to use the system effectively.

D. Go-Live and Support Phase

The go-live and support phase is the final stage of the SAP service project provided by Bellcrest Solutions to Ofoodi UK. This phase focuses on ensuring a smooth transition from the previous systems to the new SAP solution, as well as providing ongoing support to ensure the continued success of the project.

Key Objectives: The key objectives of the go-live and support phase include:

1. Successful deployment of the SAP solution: The main objective of this phase is to deploy the SAP solution in a production environment and ensure its smooth functioning.
2. User training: To ensure that Ofoodi UK employees are familiar with the new system and can use it efficiently, training is provided to users. This training is focused on the specific roles and responsibilities of the employees.
3. Data migration and system integration: Ensuring the accurate transfer of data from the previous system to the new SAP solution, and verifying that all systems are integrated and functioning as intended.

Activities: The following activities are carried out during the go-live and support phase:

1. Final testing and quality assurance: The SAP solution is rigorously tested to ensure that it is functioning as expected and that all customizations have been implemented.
2. Data migration: Migrating data from the previous system to the new SAP solution.
3. User training: Ofoodi UK employees are trained on how to use the new SAP solution.
4. Post-go-live support: Providing support to Ofoodi UK in case of any issues or challenges with the new SAP solution.

Deliverables: The key deliverables of the go-live and support phase include:

1. Production-ready SAP solution: A fully functional SAP solution that is ready for deployment.
2. Trained employees: Ofoodi UK employees who have been trained on how to use the new SAP solution.
3. Migrated data: Accurate transfer of data from the previous system to the new SAP solution.
4. Ongoing support: Post-go-live support from Bellcrest Solutions to ensure the continued success of the project.