EY has unveiled a new suite of finance transformation services built on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, aiming to help large companies modernize their financial operations. The offering comes as businesses face mounting pressure to update aging systems while adapting to economic volatility.
“Most enterprises today are working with financial systems that were designed for a different era,” said Tim Fuller, EY Global SAP Finance Leader. “Our new solution helps CFOs tackle their biggest pain points – visibility, efficiency, and strategic decision-making – all while reducing implementation risks.”
The services combine EY’s finance expertise with SAP’s latest cloud technology. This pairing promises to cut implementation time by up to 40% compared to traditional deployments, according to EY’s internal benchmarks. For many organizations struggling with outdated financial infrastructure, this acceleration could prove crucial.
Market research firm Gartner recently found that 67% of enterprise finance departments face significant challenges with legacy systems. These aging platforms often hinder reporting capabilities and create compliance risks. EY’s new offering addresses these issues through pre-configured solutions that align with industry standards.
The transformation package includes built-in analytics, automated compliance monitoring, and AI-powered forecasting tools. These features enable finance teams to shift focus from data processing to strategic analysis. Early adopters report spending 35% less time on routine transactions and 50% more time on forward-looking activities.
Global manufacturing giant Daikin Industries participated in the early access program. “We needed to overhaul our financial systems across 26 countries without disrupting operations,” said Katsuhiko Takagi, Daikin’s Finance Transformation Director. “The EY approach with SAP S/4HANA Cloud gave us both speed and flexibility we couldn’t find elsewhere.”
Cloud deployment remains a key selling point, especially as remote work becomes standard for many finance teams. The platform enables secure access from anywhere while maintaining strict controls over sensitive financial data. This flexibility has become increasingly important as organizations adopt hybrid work models.
Implementation challenges remain a concern for potential customers. Enterprise finance transformations typically fail at rates approaching 50%, according to research from McKinsey & Company. EY aims to address this through its “finance-first” methodology that prioritizes business outcomes over technical specifications.
“We’ve learned that successful finance transformations start with the ‘why’ not the ‘how,'” explained Maria Garcia, EY Americas Finance Technology Leader. “Our approach focuses on specific business outcomes first, then configures the technology to support those goals.”
The service includes predefined industry templates for manufacturing, consumer products, life sciences, and energy sectors. These templates incorporate regulatory requirements and reporting structures specific to each industry, reducing customization needs. For multinational companies, the solution supports more than 40 country-specific tax and legal frameworks.
Pricing follows a subscription model based on company size and complexity rather than traditional licensing fees. This approach aligns with broader market shifts toward operational rather than capital expenses for technology investments.
Data security features prominently in the offering, with enhanced controls for sensitive financial information. The platform complies with major regulatory frameworks including GDPR, SOX, and industry-specific requirements. These safeguards help address a common concern for companies considering cloud-based finance systems.
Competition in the finance transformation space has intensified with similar offerings from Deloitte, PwC, and specialized SAP partners. EY differentiates its approach through deeper integration between technical implementation and finance operating model design.
The launch comes amid growing demand for finance modernization projects. According to IDC, spending on financial transformation technology will reach $28.8 billion by 2024, growing 18% annually as companies seek to improve decision support capabilities.
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