Snop: Standardized SAP documentation for 12 countries

As a pan-European automotive supplier, Snop has grown through numerous company acquisitions. Each new location brought its own processes, cultures, and IT structures. The aim of the company-wide “OneIT” project was to standardize all SAP systems. However, as early as the process documentation stage, it became clear that standardization was still a distant dream.

The biggest hurdles to creating a functioning, company-wide knowledge base were:

• Different formats: Process documentation was scattered in Word, PowerPoint or Excel files - without standards, without structure.
• Language barriers: Many instructions were only available in one language, often not in the official corporate language of English or only in English, although this posed comprehension problems for many employees.
• Lack of transparency: It was unclear whether all core processes were documented - and whether these contents were harmonised with quality management.
• Cultural differences: While some plants documented well, there was hardly any documentation culture in others - knowledge remained implicit.
• No standardised workflow: The creation, updating and distribution of content did not follow a clear process, which severely limited its findability and usability.

The project launched in May 2022 under the leadership of the Operations Department. Initially, only authors were given access to the platform to create and consolidate content. By the second year, around 180 SAP users were using the provided content, a number that rose to 500 by the third year. The focus was on high-risk processes, such as those in production, logistics, and finance. Synchronizing the local work instructions with the central quality standard was particularly important. tts providedprovided technical support and methodological expertise.

Snop successfully achieved key objectives. The most important and high-risk business processes are now documented, from production to purchasing to accounting. A standardized format ensures clear, comprehensible instructions that are now stored and made available centrally in the tts performance suite. Therefore, the Digital Adoption Platform is the only valid storage location for SAP documentation.

At the same time, it ensures that all process descriptions meet the quality standard by consistently synchronizing local work instructions with the central core model. Content is created locally in the respective national language but follows centralized governance. Titles and descriptions of all documents are now available in at least six languages.

As a result, employees are using SAP more correctly, data quality is improving, the error rate is falling, and productivity is increasing. The vice president of operations and the CFO are particularly satisfied with the progress made so far.
 

Snop is already thinking ahead. Currently, it is evaluating how tts performance suite can be integrated with the internal ticket system. Business guidance - i.e. context-based support for complex decisions - is also becoming more of a focus. What's next? Supporting even more processes digitally and strengthening the company's long-term knowledge transfer.

Snop is an international automotive supplier that specializes in metal body parts, structural components, and assembly systems. As part of the French FSD Group, Snop has a presence in twelve countries and forty locations across Europe and North America. Snop's dynamic growth has made it a diversified, decentralized company. Snop currently employs 7,400 people and supplies nearly all major car manufacturers worldwide. Technological excellence, efficient processes, and a commitment to quality are at the core of the company's strategy, supported by modern, integrated IT and process management systems.