Creating Real Value with Connected Platforms

Black coffee at McDonald’s. There’s something beautifully unpretentious about it. No frills, just the pure essence of caffeine to get things done. For those who appreciate the grind, this kind of motivation fuels not just our mornings—it fuels innovation.

Innovation doesn’t just happen in garages or labs—it also happens in businesses that continue to adapt to the market every day. Innovation is nothing but the creation of value for customers and stakeholders. And value is what customers or stakeholders will pay for, plain and simple.

As personal examples, let’s look at some projects in my portfolio, designed to deliver significant value to both the top and bottom lines, as well as better cash flow. We’re implementing Primavera P6, Unifier, and SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) on top of S/4 HANA globally for a leading green energy provider. These platforms are not just deployed for today, but are set up to drive future growth, profitability, and innovation in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) through 2030 and beyond. The real value of these platforms will be realized when project and planning systems are integrated with each other as well as ERP, sharing data seamlessly, using common standards, and being fully interoperable. This ensures that information flows effortlessly between systems, leading to informed decision-making and minimizing inefficiencies throughout the value stream.

Value Creation through Breaking Information Silos

Information is useless when it’s stuck in place. To create value, information must be in motion. It must flow freely between internal and external customers and suppliers. Tools like Primavera P6, Unifier, and SAP IBP help break down barriers between the project teams who install and commission Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the multi-echelon supply chain providing BESS and Balance of Plant (BOP) equipment to the project site. Breaking down silos isn’t glamorous—but the value becomes evident when project and supply chain organizations collaborate and operate as one.

Even in the initial phases of projects, attention must be given to connectivity, interoperability, master data management, data quality, and governance that will allow these systems to work as a unit in the future. While there is value in low-hanging fruit during MVP phases, the true value comes when systems work seamlessly together, ensuring data flows timely and accurately across platforms.

Primavera P6 is the Swiss Army knife of project management, especially for industries with complex, interwoven tasks—such as construction, energy, aerospace, and BESS. It enables project teams to identify resource bottlenecks early and adjust schedules, saving time, reducing costs, and avoiding liquidated damages. P6 provides real-time visibility across the entire project portfolio, allowing teams to not only meet deadlines but also predict outcomes, adjust plans, and reduce inefficiencies. This level of insight simply isn’t achievable with tools like S/4HANA or Excel.

Primavera P6 at scale is impressive, but when integrated with Unifier, project execution and financial controls are seamlessly linked. Unifier adds capabilities for capital planning, cost control, and project execution in one place. It’s like having a bird's-eye view of everything happening while also zooming in on specific areas that need attention. But the real power comes when these tools are connected—when data from project schedules, costs, and resource planning flows seamlessly, enabling better decision-making at every level.

Adding SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) creates a central nervous system for guiding material flows through multiple layers of contract manufacturing, ports, storage locations, and across the supply chain. SAP IBP focuses on supply chain optimization, and for a BESS company where demand, supply, logistics, and resource allocation are mission-critical, this capability is transformative. Businesses in energy storage need agility, and SAP IBP allows for real-time adjustments in demand and supply planning. S/4 HANA acts as the powerhouse, processing vast amounts of data and delivering actionable insights effectively.

The integration of these platforms creates a cohesive, interconnected ecosystem. Master data management, interoperability, and governance ensure data moves accurately and efficiently, making sure the right information is available at the right time to the right people. This interconnectedness drives innovation, accelerates processes, and creates significant value.

Value through Speed and Improved Working Capital

The phrase “time is money” may be overused, but in enterprise projects, it’s absolutely true. When data is siloed and project timelines are unsynced, both time and money are wasted. The innovations being implemented significantly reduce these inefficiencies and improve cash-to-cash cycles.

On the working capital front, innovation doesn’t always involve shiny new gadgets. Sometimes, it’s about unlocking cash tied up in inefficient processes. SAP IBP’s ability to forecast project, free-stock, and spares demand—and align it with supply chain strategies—means delivering battery systems exactly when needed for installation and commissioning, without paying for expensive storage or dealing with shelf-life issues. Meeting project milestones sooner allows for quicker billing and reduces the risk of liquidated damages. You’re not just managing capital; you’re making it work harder for the company.

Future Proofing Energy Storage Delivery with Connected Systems

All of this takes place against the backdrop of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) industry—a sector driven by innovation. The future of energy isn’t distant—it’s happening now. As the world leans more heavily into renewable energy, effective storage solutions become crucial. Solar and wind are excellent, but when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, you need a buffer. That’s where BESS comes in. You’re working in an industry that’s redefining how energy is perceived and used.

When everything is integrated, accessible, and flowing seamlessly, teams can align more effectively, enhancing collaboration between project management and supply chain functions. This alignment fosters innovation, better planning, and greater value across the business. By breaking down silos and enhancing end-to-end visibility, you’re unlocking potential, streamlining operations, and driving the organization forward.

Conclusion: From Information Silos to Real World Outcomes

As you sip your coffee, consider the real value in your project portfolio and adjust where necessary. You’re not just implementing software; you’re tearing down walls that have kept information trapped and teams disconnected. You’re accelerating time to benefit for your customers, freeing up capital to work harder for the company, and improving your company’s brand and competitiveness.

Your work focuses on ensuring interoperability and alignment, creating value through end-to-end visibility, seamless collaboration, and transforming interactions between project teams and supply chains—ensuring the entire enterprise operates at its best. Customers and the broader world, especially in green energy, depend on delivering these solutions faster than ever.