Streamlining Global Operations Through SAP Concur Site Consolidation
Acquis' phased Concur implementation strategy transformed T&E operations for a global pharmaceutical company. Here's how.
Client overview
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Company Size: Enterprise
Headquarters: Switzerland
Implementation Timeline: 2024-2025
When expanding global operations, companies often discover that fragmented systems block growth instead of enabling it. A leading Swiss pharmaceutical company faced this challenge after creating two separate SAP Concur instances to serve different regions. Though these regional systems initially met local needs, managing multiple instances drained resources and slowed operations, forcing the organization to seek a more strategic solution.
The challenge: consolidate to scale
When the organization first implemented SAP Concur 10+ years ago, it had minor technical demands. However, as the company expanded globally, teams struggled to efficiently manage separate instances. An outdated system prevented the company from scaling effectively and caused significant challenges:
Unnecessary complexity and costs due to multiple instances
Legacy configurations limited system flexibility
Total utilization of all custom fields in one instance, restricting further customization
Lack of standardization across global operations
Complex migration requirements across multiple markets
To address these obstacles, the company needed a partner who could go beyond technical expertise to understand global business needs and create a sustainable solution.
Finding the right partner
The path forward required three key elements:
A comprehensive global model that could serve all markets
A detailed understanding of regional requirements and restraints
A carefully orchestrated Concur implementation plan to minimize business disruptions
Acquis Consulting Group, the first SAP Concur Certified Implementation Partner, designed a bold transformation strategy for the client. Acquis’ expert consultants crafted a phased plan to unify two regional systems into one powerful global platform, setting the foundation for seamless worldwide expansion.
Building a global framework: a phased approach
Through intensive discovery workshops, Acquis uncovered critical insights about the client’s global operations. The team analyzed both legacy instances to architect a unified global model, establishing the blueprint for a seamless worldwide platform.
The Acquis team:
Assessed T&E policies across markets
Evaluated technical requirements and constraints
Designed a Global Model balancing standardization and local needs
Developed a strategic Concur implementation roadmap
Phase I: consolidate and standardize
Acquis’ implementation strategy focused on maintaining business continuity while methodically consolidating systems. The Acquis team launched a net-new global instance in 2022 and three net-new markets in October 2024, completing the first global instance consolidation phase of Travel & Expense. The team standardized processes across regions, embedded global best practices, and built powerful reporting capabilities.
Early wins
Phase I has already delivered promising results:
Streamlined processes across global operations
Reduced system maintenance overhead
Improved user experience through standardized interfaces
Enhanced visibility into global T&E data
Phase II: sunset and stabilize
Acquis designed a strategic roadmap to complete the system consolidation by 2025. In Phase II, Acquis will retire legacy instances while maintaining critical operations, enabling the client to:
Expand rapidly into new markets
Standardize processes globally
Cut operational costs
Make data-driven decisions
Strengthen compliance and control
The road ahead
As the SAP Concur consolidation project progresses toward completion, this transformation story offers valuable insights for global enterprises facing similar challenges. Acquis’ strategic partnership demonstrates that technical consolidation, when properly executed, delivers benefits far beyond system simplification — it creates a platform for sustainable growth and operational agility.
This technical challenge became a catalyst for business transformation. Through detailed analysis, methodical planning, and expert execution, Acquis helped turn a complex systems landscape into a streamlined, future-ready platform that will support the company’s continued expansion in the global pharmaceutical market.
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