SQLI’s Unit4 Cloud ERP Journey: A Success Story with Arribatec
SQLI, a European full-service digital company that defines, builds, and grows the digital business value of international A-brands with over 2000 employees and headquartered in France, had relied on Unit4’s ERP systems for their accounting needs since the early 2000s.
However, in 2021, they needed extra consultants to help them with the projects, and Unit4 recommended that they work with Arribatec.
Challenges of migrating Unit4 to the cloud
The primary challenge for SQLI was migrating their on-premise Unit4 ERP 7 to Cloud Step 1. This involved navigating complexities like multiple localisations across countries and shifting from Oracle to SQL databases. Additionally, it was paramount to ensure no critical functionalities were lost during the migration.
Although this was finalised the same year, SQLI’s users did not change their habits and continued to use the solution on the desktop. Arribatec implemented a multi-phased strategy during these major projects to ensure a smooth transition for all entities.
In January 2023, subsidiaries with no prior Unit4 experience, as they were using local accounting tools, were successfully migrated to the web platform (a seven-month project completed in 2022). The SQLI team quickly adapted and felt comfortable. With this first milestone completed, the focus was on deploying the solution more extensively across SQLI Group and finally migrating the whole solution to Unit4 Cloud.
Building upon this success, the focus shifted to adding more SQLI Group entities into the solution: Belgium and Luxembourg, where teams had relied on SAP for over two decades. Through the addition of essential functionalities, these entities were transitioned to Unit4 web, going live in January 2024.
During the build phase of Belgium and Luxembourg clients, SQLI had begun exploring Cloud Migration options before Unit4’s official SaaS announcement. While the overall cloud adoption strategy was still evolving at the time, Arribatec played a vital role in navigating initial uncertainties.
Supporting business process automation
After completing the cloud migration journey in April 2024, Arribatec is now supporting SQLI in business process automation, such as Intercompany invoicing and other maintenance tasks, to improve the solution’s performance for Users.
Recognising the need for user adaptation, as sometimes people’s habits of using desktops prevailed, Arribatec conducted comprehensive training sessions, workshops, and screen shares to educate SQLI users on the new web UI.
“The transition to Unit4’s cloud platform felt seamless for users already comfortable with the web interface. It was more of a formality than a significant change,” notes Pascal Sureau, SQLI’s Responsable SI.
Successful Unit4 Cloud migration
Despite initial hiccups, the project proved successful. The new cloud-based ERP system, maintaining all critical functionalities, went live in April 2024. SQLI now benefits from a modern and efficient system with Arribatec’ s ongoing support.
“Having a strong and supportive team behind you is crucial, especially when navigating complex projects. Throughout the project, I particularly valued the constant support and responsiveness of Arribatec’ s team,” Pascal Sureau explains. “Their willingness to tackle challenges head-on and reassure the team throughout the process was invaluable. It’s safe to say that their expertise and collaboration were key factors in achieving a smooth transition.”
SQLI’s story highlights the importance of thorough planning, robust testing, and effective user training in cloud migrations. With Arribatec’s expertise, SQLI has achieved a successful migration and positioned itself for future growth with a scalable and efficient cloud ERP infrastructure.
