Case Study: Electronic Invoicing Implementation Across Multiple European Subsidiaries
Industry
FMCG, Information Technology, Finance & Tax Compliance
Services provided
Project Management, IT Project Delivery, Business Analysis, Compliance Consulting, Vendor Coordination
Challenge
The client needed to implement electronic invoicing across several European subsidiaries within a very short timeframe. The project had to comply both with strict corporate group standards and with varying local legal and tax regulations. Failure to deliver on time would have resulted in substantial financial penalties and reputational risks. In addition, the project faced constraints in internal SAP development resources and local tax advisory availability.
Solution
The project team collaborated with external tax advisory partners to design country-specific solutions aligned with local legal requirements. Internal business analysts and tax experts tailored the requirements to each market, while the SAP Competence Center assessed feasibility and resource allocation for the necessary developments. A detailed project plan was created and approved through corporate governance forums, after which development and testing phases were launched. Unique country-specific challenges had to be solved, such as integrating local tax authority platforms in Romania or complying with mandatory cash register connectivity rules in Greece. The team also managed logistical complexities, such as relocating certified devices under strict local regulations. Despite the high pressure and resource constraints, the team coordinated effectively between internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely execution.
Results
The implementation successfully avoided severe financial penalties, estimated at several hundred thousand euros per quarter. All required subsidiaries met compliance deadlines, enabling legal electronic invoicing processes in alignment with group-level systems. Country-specific risks, such as integration of external tax platforms and device certification requirements, were mitigated within the project scope. The project strengthened collaboration between internal IT, business, and tax teams, and also improved the client’s ability to rapidly respond to changing regulatory environments. Although mandatory in nature, the solution delivered clear value by protecting revenue and reputation, and by ensuring business continuity across multiple markets.
Value delivered
The project eliminated the risk of recurring regulatory fines, amounting to several hundred thousand euros per quarter. It safeguarded the company’s reputation and ensured compliance with both corporate and local standards. The solution created a unified, SAP-integrated process for electronic invoicing, enhancing the client’s operational resilience across Europe.
