Project Description
Implementation of SEPA in SAP Standard
Results of the project
- Low bank transfer fees and shorter bank transfer times
- Higher efficiency and more transparency
- Centralization of payment interfaces due to focusing on just a few bank details and notes
- Implementation of international debit memos and thus optimized cash flow and liquidity planning
- Less methods of payment in SAP
- Same legal requirements
- Standardized regulations and norms for the execution of credit transfers inland and abroad
- Better integration options of payment transactions and internal accounting
IFCO Systems
The whole story
IFCO Systems – The Customer
IFCO Systems is an international logistic service provider.
The company has a worlwide pool of over 175 Million RPC´s (Reusable Plastic Container).
These are mainly used for the transport of fresh products from the producer to food retailers – and thus help to improve the life cycle assessment in the trade.
The Challenge: At a glance
- Payment processes are not standardized, differences between countries and regulations in the transition need to be considered
- Country-specific file volume formats of the member states need to be successively transferred into XML formats
- There are XML templates from SAP, which need to be customized depending on the bank’s requirements
- Technical requirements need to be met for the transition
- Payment methods and form of payment media – that are accepted by any bank – need to be applied
IFCO Systems – The Challenge
With more than 145 locations worldwide IFCO performs transactions with various banks.
In every country there is one main bank, each with specific formats and requirements. This country-specific file volume formats of the member states need to be successively transferred into XML formats.
In Addition there are technical requirements that need to be met for the transition.
IFCO Systems
SEPA-Conversion in SAP
IFCO Systems – The Project
In collaboration with SERKEM IFCO Systems has successfully converted to SEPA. The implemented system allows to standardize international payment processes from SAP ERP.
SEPA credit transfer operation and SEPA debit payment in SAP
At IFCO the SEPA credit transfer operation was introduced in 10 company codes for the countries France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Austria and Iceland.
The direct debit payment is available in 4 company codes : France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Adjustments of the created payment media formats
The conversion is performed sequentially since 08/2012, adjustments of the payment medium formats have been made to the requirements of various domestic and foreign banks.
The created payment media formats must be read in with the respective bank software.
The complexity of bank formats and local approval and signature authorizations is reduced and effectiveness in communication between the company and banks is increased.
The Result
With the SERKEM-solution it is possible to track and administrate the status of collection authorizations (Mandate Management) and to integrate collection authorizations and operational processes like periodic payment runs
IFCO is able to create and send direct debit pre-notifications and operate the XML generation of the new European SEPA standard direct debits and bank transfers
