Case Study | Menasha

Menasha Corporation: Transforming SAP for the Future
Modernizing SAP with RISE and AWS to accelerate innovation.

 

Menasha white logo

 

 

 

 

 

Case Study | Albemarle

Navigating SAP Transformation to SAP Cloud ERP Platform with Confidence:
The Power of Choosing the Right Partner

 

 

 

 

 

ALB_BIG.D-5b70b207

 

5

SAP landscapes migrated

112

locations supported

6

month migration

Menasha-Corp-logo-and-tagline-full-color

Menasha Corporation is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions. Its subsidiaries, Menasha Packaging Company and ORBIS Corporation, specialize in high-end graphic corrugated and folding carton packaging, promotional displays, reusable plastic containers, pallets, protective packaging, metal racks, and fulfillment and supply chain services.

Founded in 1849 and headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Menasha Corporation operates 112 locations across North America and Europe, employs more than 7,000 employees, and generates annual sales exceeding $2 billion.  

Opportunity

Menasha Corporation has a mature IT organization that consists of both experienced internal support teams and managed services providers (MSPs). Its subsidiary, Menasha Packaging Company (“Menasha”), was running a large SAP ecosystem that included SAP S/4HANA and associated systems hosted on AWS with another partner.  Menasha was interested in streamlining operations, establishing an AWS presence and taking advantage of modern SAP features.  

In parallel, Menasha was beginning an enterprise data analytics project, which included source-to-target mapping of three environments and 45 source systems, which would be housed on AWS. Menasha needed a partner to support their data strategy by providing architecture design, implementation, and data governance services to ensure long-term viability and value of the solution. 

In addition to the SAP and data projects, Menasha was also looking for a new MSP to reduce cost, receive more personalized service, and accelerate innovation. Because of the nature of their business, both projects needed to be executed with minimal business disruption, while laying the foundation for long-term modernization and innovation.  

Quote sign

We talked to a number of potential partners extensively. We were looking for someone that we were going to be comfortable with beyond the go-live date. It’s one thing to work through a technical project, but that’s just the beginning. We had to make sure that we were comfortable with the team, resources, and experiences post go-live. Protera’s not the largest partner, but it was the one that we felt the most comfortable with.”
 
- Brian Nason, Senior Director of Enterprise Applications, Menasha  

Protera Solution  

As the requirements and potential solutions were analyzed, the combined team determined that a migration of all Menasha’s SAP workloads to Cloud ERP Private (RISE with SAP) was the most advantageous solution. To begin the transformation, Protera performed a well-architected framework review to land on the optimal AWS footprint. Drawing on its extensive experience with SAP ECS, Protera developed an achievable, risk-mitigated migration plan that was successfully executed over a six-month period. 

Post-migration, Protera delivers enterprise managed services for Menasha, providing SAP technical support (BASIS) and AWS cloud infrastructure management, including monitoring, OS support, security services, database management, and IT help desk. The Protera team works closely with Menasha’s IT team daily, operating as a collaborative partner and strategic advisor. 

To establish a future-ready data lake strategy, Protera conducted discovery and planning activities, including source environment assessments, application dependency mapping, AWS infrastructure and data lake reviews, and governance planning. Protera applied monitoring to the 45 source systems to ensure proper usage and identify operational issues and continues to provide oversight and optimizations for the data strategy.

Quote sign

Like any project, there were challenges. But we worked closely with Protera throughout and the go-live went as well as it could. There was minimal disruption to our business and our executive team remarked on how well things went with to go-live.”
 
- Rob Crawford, Senior Director of IT – Digital Innovation, Menasha

Business Outcomes 

For Menasha, the migration to SAP Cloud ERP Private platform is more than an upgrade, it is a foundation for innovation and resilience. With stability achieved, the company is now planning additional efficiencies for Menasha Corporation’s global operations and working to leverage SAP’s AI and automation capabilities to drive further operational excellence. 

  • Modernized SAP Platform: Protera and SAP designed a custom RISE with SAP Private Cloud solution to meet Menasha’s specific SAP system and performance requirements, modernizing the SAP estate and establishing a foundation for innovation.  

  • Successful RISE Transformation: Protera successfully completed Menasha’s migration to SAP RISE through a phased, wave-based approach for five SAP landscapes, achieving production cutover with zero critical post-go-live issues. 

  • One Vendor for Delivery & Support: Protera provided end-to-end project services, including program governance over a combined team of 70 from SAP, Protera and Menasha; SAP architecture; technical execution; and ongoing managed services, simplifying vendor management and enabling Menasha IT to focus on critical strategic initiatives. 

  • Hybrid Cloud Optimization: Four non-SAP applications were migrated to AWS Native in the same region, avoiding latency and improving performance.  

  • Reduced Risk & Cost: AWS incentives helped offset migration costs, while Protera’s proven RISE experience reduced execution risk.  

What’s Next? 

With a modern and stable SAP landscape and a well architected data strategy in place, Menasha Corporation is actively investigating opportunities to incorporate advanced SAP capabilities, such as Joule, SAP BTP, and SAP AI Core, to develop targeted, resilient solutions that continue to modernize and optimize the corporation’s operations.

Quote sign

Now that we’re stable from a release standpoint, we're looking at getting started with our BTP journey. We are working to enable BTP along with AI, activating Joule, and using the skills and agents that are available. We're also on a data analytics journey, building a data lake, on AWS.” 
 
- Rob Crawford, Senior Director of IT – Digital Innovation, Menasha

 

Menasha's Path to SAP Modernization with Protera

Tune in to our ProteraPod

 

Listen Now

Connect With Protera For Cloud Success

Thank you for joining us and exploring how Protera powers cloud modernization. Ready to dive deeper or discuss how we can support your unique goals?