Brewer Asahi appoints Optimum as ERP training partner for European roll-out
Japanese brewer Asahi has selected UK-based ERP training consultancy Optimum as its training partner for its major SAP S/4HANA transformation programme.
Branded internally as Project Odyssey, the SAP migration will see Asahi’s Europe & International business unit transition from SAP ECC 6 to SAP S/4HANA, providing a standardised regional template for core business processes across the continent.
The programme will span ten countries, including the UK, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Germany, Italy, Hungary and the Netherlands, with the planned goal of bringing SAP S/4HANA live across all core modules by 2028. The delivery will take place in waves, with wave 1 covering hub functions and markets including Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Poland and Romania.
Founded in 1949, Asahi is a Japanese beverage company headquartered in Tokyo. The group is the largest of the four major beer brewers in Japan, and also has business units focused on soft drinks (17% of the business) and food products (5%).
The Europe & International business unit produces and distributes a portfolio of well-known European beer brands, including Peroni, Grolsch, Pilsner Urquell and Tyskie.
Project Odyssey’s training partner
London-based Optimum, which specialises entirely in the delivery of training for major system implementations, will lead the design and delivery of Project Odyssey’s training programme to support user readiness, adoption and long-term success.
Working in close partnership with Asahi’s in-house change and training teams, the ERP training consultancy will start with a detailed training needs analysis to understand audiences, roles and local requirements, and to shape learning plans that reflect both operational priorities and cultural differences across markets.
Training will be delivered through a blended learning approach, combining customised learning materials, interactive workshops, virtual and classroom-based sessions, and engaging eLearning. Optimum will also support the creation of a multilingual knowledge base and provide post-training support to help embed learning and maintain momentum after key milestones.
“We are delighted to have been chosen by Asahi as their S/4HANA ERP training partner for this major transformation,” said Joanne Harrison, Sales Director at Optimum. “Supporting such a renowned global brand through this journey is a privilege, and we look forward to equipping Asahi’s teams with the skills and confidence to fully realise the benefits of S/4HANA.”
Optimum
Since launching in 1998, Optimum has delivered more than 800 projects around the world for companies such as Chevron, J.P. Morgan, Pfizer, and The Body Shop. The firm supports system implementation from a wide range of vendors, including Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Unit4.
