鶹ýƵ

Skip to Main Content
syniti logo
CS IKEA v1

IKEA Builds a Seamless Data Foundation for a Smarter Future

Discover how global retailer IKEA teamed with 鶹ýƵ to harmonize complex legacy systems and build a trusted, automated data foundation that powers its SAP S/4HANA transformation, improves data accuracy, and enables scalable operations across finance, procurement, and future AI-driven initiatives.

How IKEA Modernized Its Data Landscape with SAP S/4HANA

Global retailer IKEA embarked onstrategicSAP S/4HANA transformation to harmonize and modernize itsprocesses anddata environment. With operations spanning multiple regions, systems, and vendors, IKEA needed a way to synchronize critical businesspartner, product, and financial data whilemaintainingday-to-day operations in its legacy systems.

To achieve this, IKEA partnered with鶹ýƵto design and deliver a unified data migration and continuous integration solution—one that would provide accuracy, automation, and control across its business landscape.

“We’veseen data migrations fail before because the mappings between SAP and legacy systemsweren’tconsistent.鶹ýƵstood out because they brought the transformations inside the system—connecting directly to both SAP and our sources, instead of relying on manual offline mapping.”

Naveen Gupta
Data Transformation Leader, IKEA

Data Challenges in a Complex, Multi-System Environment

IKEA’s environment consisted ofnumeroushomegrown systems, each with its own structures and standards. The organization had more than a dozen different data sources contributing to key business objects, creating complexity andinefficiencywhen trying toconsolidateand prepare data for SAP S/4HANA.

While each system worked well in isolation, combining their data into a single, consistent “golden record” provedto be a challenge. Value mappings and transformations varied widely, and the lack of standardized APIs made it challenging to extract, cleanse, and align information across platforms.

IKEA needed to:

  • Integrate data from multiple legacy systems into a single, trusted environment
  • Automate ongoing data flows without sacrificing quality or control
  • Reduce manual effort and dual maintenance across systems
  • Establish a foundation for continuous improvement, not just one-time migration

“We’veseen data migrations fail before because the mappings between SAP and legacy systemsweren’tconsistent.鶹ýƵstood out because they brought the transformations inside the system—connecting directly to both SAP and our sources, instead of relying on manual offline mapping.”

Naveen Gupta, Data Transformation Leader, IKEA

“Our first test cycle already had 93–94% migration success. That gave us immediate confidence that the data would migrate with quality—and that continuous integration would actually work.”

Naveen Gupta
Data Transformation Leader, IKEA

Implementing Continuous Data Integration with 鶹ýƵ

Working closely with鶹ýƵ, IKEA implementedSAP Advanced Data Migration and Management by 鶹ýƵ (SAP ADMM) to support both one-time migration and customized solution for continuous daily integration.

Key Highlights

  • Continuous data integration:Rather than a one-time migration, IKEAestablishedan automated, daily flow of businesspartner,vendor, and financial data from source systems into SAP.
  • Built-in data validation and enrichment:Enriched data met SAP’s requirements whiledrastically reducingmanual rework. “Our systems spoke Swedish and SAP spoke German,” Naveen said. “鶹ýƵacted as the translator, enriching and transforming the data so it could run end to end.”
  • End-to-end orchestration:With manual stepsremoved,fasterdata approvals and issue resolutionhappenedwithin structured workflows.
  • Custom multi-tier setup: A unique two-tier databasedesign facilitatedpromotion between development and production environments.
  • Collaborative delivery:鶹ýƵworkedhand-in-handwith IKEA’s internal data teams to deliver a sustainable, scalable integration model.

“AI is just the tip of the iceberg. The real mass below the surface is data quality, lineage, and data governance. With the right data baseline, the innovation will follow.”

Naveen Gupta
Data Transformation Leader, IKEA

Achieving High Data Quality and Streamlined Financial Processes

By implementing a connected, rule-driven migration and validation process, IKEAachieved data migration and accuracymore than 90–95%even in early test cycles. Most errors are nowidentifiedand corrected at the source before they reach SAP.

“Our first test cycle already had 93–94% migration success,” said Gupta. “That gave us immediate confidence that the data would migrate with quality—and that continuous integration would actually work.”

Lead times for onboarding new data have also dropped significantly. Today, if all required information is available,a new product or supplier record can be live inS/4 HANAwithin 24 hours. Manual intervention is minimal, and teams have greater trust in the accuracy of their data for financial operations.

Laying the Groundwork for Supply Chain and Procurement Integration

While the current implementation phase focused on finance processes, the platform has createda strong foundationfor upcoming phases that will extend to procurement andlogistics.

The continuous integration framework now serves as a model for future deployments, ensuring IKEA can expand clean, consistent data practices across its full business ecosystem.

Building a Data Foundation for AI and Automation

IKEA’s long-term goal is to move towardfully touchless, AI-driven data management. Theaccurate, integrated data foundation built with鶹ýƵenables this evolution by ensuring the right baseline for automation, AI, and analytics.

“AI is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Gupta. “The real mass below the surface is data quality, lineage, and data governance. With the right data baseline, the innovation will follow.”

Transparent Partnership Built on Trust and Collaboration

鶹ýƵacted as bothsolution architect and delivery partner, working closely with IKEA’s internal teams to ensure successful delivery and knowledge transfer. What began as a migration project evolved into a continuous integration initiative that nowoperatesdaily.

“鶹ýƵ was transparent about what could and couldn’t be done,” Gupta shared. “They listened, they adjusted, and in the end, everything we agreed to deliver is up and running.”

Next Steps: Expanding Continuous Data Quality Acrossthe Enterprise

IKEA’s multi-year roadmap includes expanding continuous integration to procurement andlogistics, introducing AI-driven business rules, and further automating data approvals.

“Focus on your data foundation first,” Gupta advised. “Don’t aim for perfect data right away—prove the value in small steps, then scale. That’s how real transformation happens.”

With its new unified data platform, IKEA is well on its way to achieving a smarter, more connected enterprise—built on a solid, trusted data foundation.

See What 鶹ýƵ Can Do For You