Digital asset management can save millions. At RWE, SW asset management begins with an order in the internal SW online store and ends with automatic deployment and SW maintenance on the user's end device.
A lot happens in between - in quite a few different systems. All previous attempts by RWE with well-known and reputable solution providers and service providers had failed due to the rapid change in the global corporate and process landscape.
Our concept and approach was therefore based on a low-code approach for the user interface and a stable EAI integration behind SharePoint as a document and workflow hub in order to be able to react quickly to changes in a global environment despite high system stability.
With SharePoint, BPA xRM and EFEXCON, we were able to solve a challenge where all previous approaches had failed.
RWE AG, Dieter Bürgel, Head of Software & Services Department
EAI as the basis for digital asset management
The successful integration of different systems requires the data structures and semantics of the systems to be analysed and harmonized in order to derive a common technical information model that makes data comparable and analysable.
Digital asset management naturally includes not only digital but also physical assets - the term therefore refers to the digital implementation of the solution.
Thanks to the integration of previously non-integrated systems, we were able to analyze data - as a curious detail - previously unknown License surpluses in the millions identify. By consolidating the license agreements and volumes of various country organizations, it was possible to justify the commercial license optimization to the licensors.
With a project duration of just 6 months, we were able to map the core processes for the Germany region and then anchor further countries and additional functional capabilities in the product in subsequent sprints.
The clear separation between the user interface (UX/UI), integration architecture (EAI) and data storage was crucial to the success of the project. This makes it much easier for us to control data transformation to connect other systems without having to adapt and test all layers again for each change.
High benefit
We were able to achieve the following results above and beyond the minimum requirements:
- Identification of surplus licenses worth millions
- 360° process coverage
- Intuitive interface
- Stable enterprise application integration
- Flexible response to changing requirements and regulations in connected countries
Outlook
The SAMT project has been running for more than 10 years now. Good concepts and applications do not impose themselves for replacement.
However, we see extensive new possibilities through Cloud & Co... and are looking forward to designing a new concept.
