AWARDED FOR SPEED,
QUALITY, AND EXECUTION EXCELLENCE
We are proud to announce that the joint project between Hicron and Leifheit has won the prestigious SAP Quality Award 2026 in the „Rapid Time to Value – SAP S/4HANA“ category. The award was granted for an exemplary transformation (Brownfield Conversion) to RISE with SAP S/4HANA, spanning 9 European locations.
This recognition highlights projects that successfully combine top-tier project governance and execution precision with the rapid delivery of tangible business value. The official awards ceremony took place on June 3 at SAP headquarters in Mannheim.
WHAT DOES THIS AWARD MEAN?
The SAP Quality Award for Customer Success honors organizations that plan effectively, execute rigorously, and successfully deploy SAP solutions. The jury evaluates candidates across three core pillars:
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Effective planning, execution, and project governance at every stage.
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Rapid and cost-effective Time-to-Value.
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Process simplification that delivers measurable business outcomes.
Evaluations are based on the 10 SAP Quality Principles. The high standard of this year’s edition was highlighted by Irini Kalamaris, Head of Active Quality Management at SAP Germany (MEE region):
“The sheer number and exceptional caliber of submitted projects made this year's competition fierce.”
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE "RAPID TIME TO VALUE" CATEGORY
The Rapid Time to Value category was created for projects that deliver swift operational gains. To qualify, a project must meet at least two of the following criteria:
In the 2026 German edition, SAP introduced a dedicated subcategory: "Rapid Time to Value – SAP S/4HANA", specifically for successful go-lives of SAP S/4HANA in private cloud, public cloud, or on-premise environments. The Leifheit project secured a spot among these standout implementations.
WHAT MADE THE LEIFHEIT CASE SO COMPELLING?
Leifheit operated a complex SAP environment comprising multiple international locations, numerous interfaces, and tailored custom extensions.
DIE AUFGABE IM PROJEKT WAR KLAR:
THE MISSION WAS CLEAR:
Transition to SAP S/4HANA without compromising on speed, operational stability, or quality. The transformation was executed as a Brownfield Conversion to the Private Cloud via RISE with SAP, utilizing a fast-track strategy backed by tight, daily team alignment.
Here lies the true value of the transformation: a stable, flexible ERP foundation that paves the way for further process harmonization, higher productivity, and continuous innovation.
„We took a calculated risk by partnering with a completely new partner from Poland – Hicron. It turned out to be a total game-changer! We were particularly impressed by their technical excellence and the speed with which they identified and resolved challenges. At the end of the day, it also takes courage to just get started.“
Torsten Gaul, Head of Group IT, Leifheit
RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
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Successful SAP S/4HANA Conversion completed in just 9 months.
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Migration across 9 locations with seamless integration of 30 add-ons and interfaces.
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System downtime kept to a mere 80 hours.
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Zero significant business process disruptions post Go-Live.
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Hypercare phase successfully concluded after just 3 weeks.
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
The Leifheit implementation clearly highlights the decisive elements for a high-speed SAP S/4HANA transformation.
Priority was given strictly to areas essential for operational stability, productivity, and schedule adherence.
A Brownfield approach demands technical depth alongside clear organization, thorough preparation, and the right talent on both sides.
Agility, rigorous project control, and daily touchpoints between Leifheit, key users, and Hicron kept the project strictly on track.
Implementing Quality Gates, early risk checks, integrated tooling, and a robust Cutover plan allowed risks to be addressed proactively, ensuring a safe Go-Live.
„The project’s success hinged on clear Quality Gates and stringent daily governance. Early verification checks, integrated tools, and a well-prepared cutover plan enabled us to mitigate risks early and achieve a fast, secure Go-Live.”
Wolfgang Hopfes, Managing Director, Hicron Deutschland
LESSONS FOR YOUR ERP TRANSFORMATION
The Leifheit case illustrates the crucial decisions and framework required to achieve rapid production readiness without operational disruption.
DEFINE YOUR FOCUS FROM DAY ONE
Identify mission-critical processes right at the start. These must form the prioritized core of the project – everything else can wait. Strict boundaries are essential to keeping timelines tight.
MASTER SYSTEM COMPLEXITY BEFORE GO-LIVE
Map out and evaluate all add-ons, interfaces, and legacy architecture long before conversion begins. The clearer the initial picture, the fewer surprises down the road.
DRIVE ACTIVE PROJECT GOVERNANCE
Establish robust quality mechanisms – defined milestones, Quality Gates, and clear decision-making pathways – to ensure progress remains measurable and risks are spotted early.
MAINTAIN TIGHT, DAILY ALIGNMENT
High-velocity projects require total synergy between Business, IT, and the implementation partner. Daily standups and short feedback loops sustain momentum without sacrificing quality.
PLAN AND REHEARSE THE CUTOVER
The cutover plan, dry-run testing, and operational transition must be thoroughly mapped out and rehearsed multiple times to minimize risks during the critical transition window.
DESIGN FOR CONTINUOUS BUSINESS VALUE
A project does not end at Go-Live. The real metric of success is operational stability immediately after deployment and how quickly the organization derives value from the new platform.