Swarovski has followed its cloud transformation from 2023 with a global go-live of SAP Cloud ERP Private after choosing an exciting brownfield approach for the rollout. With its migration, the luxury brand is laying the foundation for using AI and for reaching its strategic targets by 2030.
Anyone who is looking for a prime example of how migration to the cloud can do far more than just simplification and standardization should take a closer look at Swarovski. The legendary manufacturer of precision-cut crystals, jewelry, and watches—with its origins in Wattens, in the Austrian region of Tyrol—has transformed its IT landscape from a cost factor into a strategic tool for a digital future.
The transformation was guided by Lea Sonderegger, serving in a dual role as CDO and CIO at Swarovski, with such great success that she was awarded the special “Cloud Excellence” prize in the large enterprise category at the CIO of the Year ceremony held by CIO Magazine last October.
The judging panel found her brownfield approach to be especially praiseworthy: Swarovski employees use SAP Cloud ERP Private but continue to use the familiar processes and databases. A complete redesign of these processes in parallel to the migration would have been too risky and cost-intensive. It would have also resulted in a much longer project duration, Sonderegger is convinced.
