SWAN Connects the SAP World with Intralogistics and Transport

Founded in 2011, SWAN GmbH, a project house for SAP logistics, offers flexible solutions for intralogistics and transport in the SAP world. The solutions include warehouse management, material flow, and transportation management, along with the associated consulting and training. The company, based in Augsburg, has a presence at seven locations in Germany and Austria. Since last year, SWAN has been part of the SSI Schäfer Group.

(Augsburg) The core competence of the globally active SWAN GmbH, founded in 2011, is the SAP logistics world. The company integrates the process control of intralogistics and the supply chain directly into the ERP systems of its customers. This improves the performance of warehouse and logistics management, providing customers with greater transparency over their own supply chain.

SWAN focuses on optimizing warehouse management through the independent SAP module SAP EWM (SAP Extended Warehouse Management) and the integrated module SAP MFS (SAP Material Flow System) within SAP EWM. SWAN’s clients include medium-sized companies as well as corporations from the automotive, food & beverage, fashion, chemistry, pharma, retail, and industry sectors.

In addition to the modules for intralogistics, the company also offers the tool SAP TM (SAP Transportation Management) for controlling and providing transparency across the entire supply chain.

Managing Director and co-founder Alexander Bernhard states: “Currently, 95 percent of our revenue comes from intralogistics tools. However, we aim to change that. Since early April, we have had Martin Fröschl as Director of SAP TM, with the goal of gradually increasing the share of this module to 20-25 percent.” 60 to 70 percent of the orders are new projects from customers, while the rest consists of retrofit programs.

In 2021, SWAN GmbH celebrated its 10th anniversary. A success story (© SWAN GmbH)

Emulation Software with Future Opportunities

To support the modules, SWAN employs various technologies. One particularly successful tool is an emulation software that realistically simulates processes even before the go-live of a system. This ensures a smooth start of a system without failures or downtime. “We are proud of this software, and our customers highly appreciate it. We see great potential for the future,” Bernhard is optimistic. The software can also be used during ongoing operations, for example, to test improvements.

In addition to emulation, SWAN offers other software modules, such as the “SWAN 3D Logistics Cockpit,” which visualizes processes, or a forklift tracking system that allows constant monitoring of goods movements in the warehouse.

SWAN 3D Logistics Cockpit (© rawpixel.com Freepik.com / SWAN GmbH)

Weathered Through Various Crises

SWAN has weathered the crises since early 2020 well. Bernhard explains: “We were able to bridge the pandemic effectively through hybrid work. Operationally, we were not affected, and the ongoing demand for automation worked in our favor.”

The difficulties in supply chains and the war in Ukraine are still not fully foreseeable. “We are well occupied until mid-2023. However, customers are already feeling the effects of the crisis, for example, due to shortages of steel or chips,” Bernhard adds.

Currently, around 130 employees work at seven locations for SWAN. With over 150 customers, a revenue of approximately 13 million euros is generated.

Partner of the SSI Schäfer Group for a Year

A year ago, in the year of its 10th anniversary, the SSI Schäfer Group acquired a majority stake in SWAN as part of a strategic partnership. In return, SWAN integrated all employees of the SAP division from SSI Schäfer at the locations in Dortmund, Giebelstadt, Walldorf, and Graz in Austria.

“Initially, SSI Schäfer’s competitors viewed this with some skepticism, but we continue to work with some of them,” Bernhard explains.

Since 2021, SWAN has been a member of the SSI Schäfer Group (© SWAN GmbH)

Outlook

Starting in 2027, a new generation of SAP will be introduced. SAP will no longer provide mainstream maintenance and support for its previous ERP solutions. This deadline may be extended until 2028-30. Companies need to prepare in advance and pursue new solutions to continue using SAP-based software.

3D visualizations will become increasingly important and in demand, as they significantly simplify work in the warehouse. No prior SAP knowledge is required; employees can see everything at a glance and no longer need to switch between lists and inconvenient SAP views.

SWAN already offers a SAPUI5 application with a Fiori-designed interface for real-time visualization of warehouse management: “The days of long lists, confusing structures, and cryptic numbers are over. With the existing data from SAP, such as movements, storage locations, stocks, and HU information, a virtual and three-dimensional representation of the warehouse is created. This ‘Digital Twin’ provides an overview and directs the forklift driver with 3D indoor navigation on the optimal route to the destination,” Bernhard describes.

About SWAN GmbH

SWAN GmbH, based in Augsburg with branches in Nuremberg, Wächtersbach, Dortmund, Giebelstadt, Waldorf, and Altenstadt an der Waldnaab in Germany, as well as Graz in Austria, implements manual and automated logistics solutions based on the SAP modules SAP EWM, MFS, and TM. The focus is on SAP systems, plant modernization, as well as service and support. Additionally, SWAN offers a variety of add-ons in the areas of material flow, direct coupling, real-time location systems (RTLS), and SAPUI5 workplace interfaces. In connection with its own expertise in control technology, SWAN thus realizes turnkey solutions for customers worldwide.

The customer base includes both medium-sized companies and international corporations. A multitude of successfully implemented projects in the areas of food and beverages, automotive, chemistry, pharma, trade, high technology, and electrical/electronics testify to SWAN’s competence, both in the context of distribution warehouses and in production supply and disposal. The employees of SWAN GmbH can draw on years of experience in their respective fields and thus provide competent contacts for tailored solutions for customers.

www.swan.de

Alexander Bernhard is an entrepreneur by passion and managing director of SWAN GmbH in Germany and Austria. With the SWAN Group, he aims to shape the digital transformation in logistics in conjunction with SAP solutions.

Eleven years ago, Alexander Bernhard founded the company together with other consultants and developers. He has extensive experience in technical issues in SAP logistics as well as in building a modern and efficient organization.