SNP SE, a software provider specializing in Digital Transformation, automated data migration, and data management for SAP environments, has supported Lulu Group, the largest full-line retailer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a critical data transformation project ahead of the retailer’s planned IPO.
The project involved the selective data migration and segregation of Lulu’s UAE non-retail, India, and Egypt business units from the main SAP ECC production system, migrating them into two separate target systems.
The partners completed the complex carveout two weeks ahead of schedule without delays or cost overruns. Following the success of this migration, SNP has been selected as Lulu Group’s strategic partner for its upcoming SAP S/4HANA transformation.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Lulu Retail is the region’s largest full-line retailer, operating both physical stores and an e-commerce platform. The carveout project faced challenges typical for large retailers, including managing a significant database size and ensuring speed and agility to meet market demands. Given the approaching IPO, auditable and verifiable data segregation and validation were essential.
The project succeeded thanks to collaborative efforts between Lulu, SNP, AWS and Redington, utilizing SNP’s Bluefield approach and CrystalBridge software for selective data migration. This approach automated and accelerated multiple complex tasks, enabling a single go-live with less than 48 hours of downtime, minimizing cost and risk. Immediate business benefits included faster return on investment, improved business continuity and agility, reduced total cost of ownership, and enhanced governance and compliance. The successful data transformation helped Lulu proceed with its IPO plans in the UAE.
Anish Mohamed, Group CIO at Lulu, said: “SNP has demonstrated the ability to be a highly reliable SAP transformation partner. The volume of this selective data migration amounted to about 20% of the 6-terabyte database. Our joint success fueled our trust in SNP’s expertise to handle complex data transformations and large data volumes in a timely manner. This makes us even more excited about tackling the move to SAP S/4HANA together we are already planning this upcoming project.”
Ravi Mahalingam, Managing Director of SNP Middle East, added: “We support companies like Lulu in tackling both current and future challenges by optimizing their IT systems and business processes, helping them strengthen their market position. Our software platform ensured a fast, secure transformation journey for Lulu, from system analysis to seamless data migration and management.”
