NTT DATA Business Solutions UK&I will implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition for Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). This move, slated to go live in early 2026, will underpin SSTL’s ongoing mission to drive innovation within the space industry.
The aerospace company has a rich history of groundbreaking achievements, including the launch of 70 satellites for 20 international customers and the development of the first modern microsatellite with in-orbit reprogrammable computers. The adoption of SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition will modernize SSTL’s back-office operations, embedding advanced automation across crucial functions such as project lifecycle management, from initial bid to design, engineering, and ultimately, launch.
This digital transformation is expected to unlock new levels of operational insight and efficiency, leveraging the power of SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere for enhanced data analysis and decision-making.
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Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director of SSTL, said: “This investment will deliver the precision, automation, and scalability our business needs to continue to focus on what we do best; pioneering satellite technologies.”
Implementing SAP S/4HANA
NTT DATA Business Solutions will utilize its EVOLVE framework to ensure a streamlined migration process. Justin Brading, EVP Western Europe and MD UK&I conveyed his pride in supporting SSTL’s next chapter of innovation and growth, while Pablo Castagnini from NTT DATA Business Solutions further emphasized that this program is about leveraging the new platform to fuel automation and deliver deeper business insights, thereby accelerating SSTL’s continuous journey of innovation.
“SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is about more than a system of record, it’s about providing a platform for our business that enables us to scale,” said Steve Khetani Digital Transformation Manager at SSTL. “The extended toolset that SAP brings in terms of extensibility, automation and analytics represents a huge opportunity for us to continue to deliver real value to the very talented people who make this business so special.”
Since its acquisition by Airbus in 2009, SSTL has expanded its technological capabilities and market reach. This latest digital operations transformation with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition represents another milestone in the company’s ongoing pursuit of enhanced productivity and sustained innovation within the dynamic aerospace sector.
What This Means for SAPinsiders
Embrace cloud for agility and innovation. Cloud ERP solutions like SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition offer significant advantages. Studies have shown that companies adopting cloud ERP can experience up to 20-30% reduction in IT infrastructure costs and accelerated deployment times by as much as 40% compared to on-premise implementations. In aerospace, this agility is crucial for responding to evolving customer demands, integrating new technologies like AI and IoT, and managing complex global supply chains. For example, Rolls-Royce has leveraged cloud-based solutions for predictive maintenance of aircraft engines, demonstrating the potential for real-time data analysis and proactive service delivery enabled by cloud infrastructure.
Implementing SAP to manage the entire project lifecycle boost compliance. Aerospace projects are characterized by long lead times, intricate workflows, and stringent regulatory requirements. However, case studies in project-based industries using integrated SAP solutions have reported reductions in project completion times by 10-15% and improved project profitability by 5-10% through better resource allocation, cost control, and risk management. Aerospace manufacturers dealing with build-to-order scenarios can benefit from real-time visibility into material availability, engineering changes, and production schedules within a unified SAP environment.
Advanced analytics for deeper insights. In the data-rich environment of aerospace, advanced analytics are essential for turning raw data into actionable intelligence. SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere provide powerful tools for this purpose. For example, airlines utilize analytics integrated with their SAP systems to optimize fuel consumption, predict maintenance needs, and personalize customer experiences. Similarly, aerospace manufacturers can leverage these capabilities to identify production bottlenecks, improve quality control, and gain a competitive edge through data-driven decision-making across their operations.
