SAP Asset Management Strategy and Architecture

TasNetworks

Industry: Utilities and InfrastructureEngagement Focus: Strategy, enterprise architecture, asset management modernisation

Context

TasNetworks is responsible for electricity transmission and distribution across Tasmania, managing a geographically dispersed and asset intensive network that underpins essential services across the state.

In 2015, TasNetworks commenced a major SAP S/4HANA transformation. While corporate functions were scheduled for early implementation, it was recognised that Asset Management required a clear strategy and architectural foundation before build activities commenced.

ZWare was engaged to lead the strategy and design of the SAP Asset Management solution.

The Challenge

TasNetworks was undertaking a major SAP S/4HANA transformation within a complex, asset-intensive operating environment. While the technology roadmap was defined, there was limited clarity around how Asset Management should be structured to support long-term operational needs.

Key challenges included:

• Multiple legacy systems supporting asset management across different business units
• Inconsistent asset data standards and taxonomies
• Variations in asset management processes across transmission, distribution, fleet and infrastructure
• A high number of operational systems requiring ongoing integration

The primary risk was that, without a clear strategy and data foundation, the SAP implementation would formalise existing fragmentation rather than resolve it.

The Approach

The engagement prioritised clarity before build.

ZWare led a structured programme of work that included:

• Establishing a clear view of existing systems, data and asset management processes
• Facilitating design workshops with business process owners and stakeholders
• Redesigning asset management processes aligned to SAP capabilities
• Defining a single enterprise wide asset data taxonomy
• Designing a future state architecture integrating SAP with operational systems

The focus was on making decisions that would remain valid over the long term, not just during the initial implementation phase.

Outcomes

By establishing clarity before build, TasNetworks was able to move into implementation with confidence and control. Early uncertainty was replaced with a shared understanding of how systems, data and processes would work together.

The engagement delivered:

• A clearly defined future state architecture aligned to operational needs
• Standardised asset data models and governance across the organisation
• Consistent asset management processes across business units
• Clear integration strategies for critical operational and field systems

These outcomes reduced long-term risk, limited rework during implementation, and provided TasNetworks with a foundation it could scale and evolve over time.

Why ZWare

ZWare was trusted with this engagement because early decisions would shape TasNetworks’ operational capability for decades.

The work required an understanding of asset heavy, safety critical environments and the discipline to prioritise clarity before build. ZWare’s role was to help TasNetworks make a small number of sound decisions that reduced long term risk and complexity rather than shifting it elsewhere.

This ensured the SAP implementation was grounded in a strategy the organisation could implement and scale with confidence.

What This Means for You

If your organisation is planning a major platform or enterprise system implementation, the highest risk often sits in decisions made before build begins.

ZWare helps organisations to:

• Establish a clear view of existing systems, data and processes
• Design architecture and standards that support long term operation
• Move into implementation with confidence rather than assumption

Starting with clarity reduces rework, cost and risk later.

Re:Fresh provides a structured entry point to assess readiness and define a sound foundation before committing to large scale change.