"SAP ERP implementation at NATS - a case study"

NATS (National Air Traffic Services) has experienced a significant period of change and controversy since its move to the new Swanwick centre, its change of status through PPP (Public Private Partnership), changes in air traffic levels since 9/11, and the arrival of the new CEO in 2004. Significant challenges remain to ensure the independence of NATS and the commercial success of the organisation, and its place as a service provider in the airline industry.

In 2001, NATS decided to implement a strategic ERP solutions, using SAP, which had, and continues to have, significant impact across all areas of NATS (Air Traffic Control, Technology & Programmes, Airports, and Business Development) in locations across the UK (Swanwick, Hurn, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Prestwick, regional airports, regional centres, etc.). The SAP modules currently implemented include: Finance and accounting modules; Sales, logistics and materials modules; and HR modules. Further implementations are planned in 2005. The talk will conclude with the challenges of moving to a single platform, the lessons to be learnt, and the next steps to be performed at NATS.

Our speaker, Susanne Barber, was the Programme Manager for the development of NATS Integrated Business System (NIBS). Since then, she has moved on to become the General Manager for Project Performance in NATS, where she is co-ordinating the evolution of engineering People, Systems and Procedures to meet NATS business needs in the UK and internationally. Susanne's NIBS role was to manage the Programme, focussing on business improvement and change, supported by technology, to provide efficient and effective information flow across NATS.

Susanne Barber's early career was in Business IT consultancy including the design and development of Decision Support and Executive Information systems. She then moved into Change Management and Strategy Development for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. Her NATS experience has been varied, including business process engineering; creating an operational strategy; involvement in Public Private Partnership; running corporate engineering, and running the benefits-led ERP implementation programme.

This is a joint event with BCS Hampshire Group.

Event logistics:

Date:	Thursday 9 December 2004	Time:	19:00 (refreshments from 18:30)
Venue:	Room HC024 Herbert Collins Building Southampton Institute Southampton SO14 0YN	Bookings:	Bookings are not required for this event