General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that it has implemented the first major phase of its Operational Process Integration (OPI) project. A major company-wide initiative, OPI intends to redesign and improve its operational end-to-end processes extending from engineering to supply chain to manufacturing.

OPI encompasses a range of operations, including programs, contracts, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and finance. GA-ASI worked closely to implement this new process with Accenture as the primary systems integrator and SAP® Service and Support. The company expects to consolidate data more efficiently, increase reporting fidelity, and improve cross-functional processes. For example, OPI integrates the company's engineering and manufacturing systems so that data can flow reliably and automatically between the two.

“OPI is the single largest process transformation initiative in our company's history,” said Linden P. Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “OPI supports GA-ASI's ability to lead internal change, while we continue to provide exceptional service to our customers.”

Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, integrated its Advanced Accenture Enterprise Service with GA-ASI's system. This integration enables rapid reuse of software, systems, assets, and capabilities for operations such as accounts receivable, manufacturing supply and demand management, logistics, procurement, and sales. GA-ASI worked closely with Accenture and SAP Service and Support in adopting aerospace and defense leading practices to build a scalable solution for the company's current and future needs.

“The digital coming of age is coalescing in the aerospace industry, and this successful program with GA-ASI is a great example of how a major industry player is building the digital platform of the future,” said John Schmidt, managing director for Accenture's North American Aerospace and Defense group. “At the heart of this major program is running business operations at lower costs, which is consistent throughout the aerospace industry.”

SAP Service and Support identified the scope, value, and benefits that would align with GA-ASI's business' strategic goals. With SAP's and Accenture's support, the company deployed the SAP Best Practice for Aerospace & Defense package to help reduce operational costs, provide visibility into its business for quick and effective decision making, and to operate on a platform that supports growth, flexibility, and scalability. GA-ASI's project includes the SAP Complex Assembly Manufacturing for Defense and Security solution, the SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP MII) application, and SAP ERP and SAP Supplier Network Collaboration (SAP SNC) solutions.

“GA-ASI is a very progressive and highly innovative company,” said Jeff Nuzum, SAP western region vice president. “SAP is proud to be part of an integrated business process platform that will enable GA-ASI to drive efficiencies, automation, and greater scale throughout its organization.”

GA-ASI's transition to OPI spanned 36 months from initial planning and scoping to actual delivery and deployment in March 2015 and impacted 7,000 users company-wide. The company implemented OPI because of disparate and labor-intensive systems and processes coupled with a growing demand for service and support of its products.