A global IT CREM template

With the digitisation of corporate real estate management (CREM) and facility management (FM), companies can simplify and automate operational processes. MAHLE GmbH is among the companies taking on that task. MAHLE is the world’s leading development partner for the automotive industry and a technology driver for the mobility of tomorrow. Now the global player is also shifting up a gear internally – with the pioneering expertise of M&P.

160 locations worldwide, 72,184 employees, a unique product portfolio: the MAHLE Group, with its headquarters in Stuttgart, is racing ahead into the future – with the aim of making mobility more efficient, sustainable and comfortable. The company’s products include engine systems and components, filtration and thermal management, as well as integrated system solutions for electromobility. MAHLE products are installed in at least every second vehicle worldwide. Now the company is also setting benchmarks with its internal digitisation: with the introduction of a global IT CREM template – put into action by M&P BEGIS.

Standardised CREM and FM processes worldwide

As part of the global MORE project to consolidate IT applications (focus: replacement of SAP ECC with a globally uniform S/4HANA), a template for the CREM and FM processes was created using MAHLE’s central CREM. The template was implemented and piloted on the basis of the newly introduced S/4HANA (focus: operational processes and service processing) and the special application pitFM (focus: processes related to space). It is scheduled to be rolled out globally from mid-2022. The aim is to establish standardised and largely automated processes at all MAHLE locations worldwide. In terms of content, the IT CREM template is divided into three subject areas:

• Strategy and controlling
• Operation
• Data

11 sub-projects are assigned to the subject areas. The main component of the division into sub-projects and subject areas comprises the associated processes. The process descriptions are the linchpin of the implementation, the system and process tests and the training documents.

M&P BEGIS delivers decisive added value

What are the challenges of a global harmonisation project intended to ultimately achieve qualitative and financial effects through process simplification and standardisation? What added value does M&P BEGIS, with the leadership of Andreas Germer and Miguel Ebbers, provide in such a project?

The challenge lies in the complexity and the different starting points of the locations. It would be wrong to see things purely through the eyes of German engineers and transfer our standards for CREM/FM processes and data requirements to the whole world. Our project experience has taught us that this never ends well.

With that in mind, we have defined a reference standard and a global minimum standard (data model and recording). The minimum specification is usually applied at MAHLE’s non-DACH locations.

The data models that form the basis of the processes described define the recording standards in architecture, use and technology. Scaling ‘upwards’ from the global minimum standard to the reference standard is also possible outside the DACH countries. The intention is for no location to be held back, but also for no location to be overwhelmed by excessively high requirements.

To put it simply: for a small aftermarket location, the global minimum standard might make sense. For a large production site, on the other hand, the reference standard is a good solution, as the CREM/FM team on-site can make optimal use of the more in-depth process support.

Thanks to the two standards, every location can quickly enter the ‘new’ world – no matter what level its CREM/FM is at. The first pilot locations have confirmed to us that we are on the right track with our dual model. Now we will prove it with the global roll-out!