The Customer
NorthRiver Midstream is an energy company that specializes in gas gathering and processing, providing connectivity to major demand markets across North America.
The Project
NorthRiver Midstream embarked on a digital transformation journey to modernize its financial planning. The company transitioned from an outdated on-premises SAP BPC system to SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) — a flexible, cloud-based platform that streamlined financial processes and improved overall efficiency. With full integration into SAP S/4HANA, the new solution eliminated manual work and brought more structure to financial planning.
Overview
As a major player in energy infrastructure, NorthRiver Midstream needed a planning solution that could keep pace with its evolving business. The existing financial planning system was rigid, time consuming, and heavily reliant on spreadsheets. Finance teams struggled with inefficient workflows, inconsistent data, and a lack of intuitive reporting tools. To stay competitive, the company needed a smarter, more automated approach.
The Challenges
Rigid & Inflexible System – The legacy SAP BPC solution required excessive manual intervention, making it difficult to adapt to business changes.
Time-Consuming Processes – Financial planning was hindered by the use of spreadsheets, version control issues, and manual data consolidation.
Limited Reporting & Analytics – Decision-makers lacked a clear and structured way to analyze financial data, making it harder to drive strategic actions.
Complex User Experience – The previous system was not user-friendly, requiring technical expertise for even basic financial modeling.
The Solution
To overcome these challenges, NorthRiver Midstream partnered with Improving to implement SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), using Improving’s xi.Planning Packages as the foundation of its modern financial planning strategy. The project included the implementation of five key financial planning modules:
Operational Expenses (OPEX) – Simplified budgeting and forecasting across cost centers, improving financial accuracy.
Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) – Structured tracking and planning of capital projects for better investment decisions.
Labor Planning – Automated workforce cost projections per employee to align headcount and salary planning with business goals.
Revenue Forecasting – Enhanced revenue modeling to improve forecasting accuracy and financial transparency by customer.
Financial Statements – Integrated balance sheet and income statement planning for a single source of financial truth.
By leveraging SAP Analytics Cloud’s native connection to SAP S/4HANA, the company replaced siloed processes with a more structured and connected approach to financial planning. Interactive dashboards and automated workflows enabled the finance teams to shift their focus from manual tasks to more strategic decision-making.
The Business Benefits
With the successful implementation of xi.Planning Packages, NorthRiver Midstream transformed its financial planning process from a cumbersome, manual operation into a streamlined, automated workflow. The shift to a cloud-based platform allowed the company to eliminate inefficiencies, improve data accuracy, and empower its finance team with deeper insights. The benefits of this transformation were significant:
Increased Efficiency – Automated financial workflows significantly reduced manual effort and streamlined planning cycles.
Seamless Integration with SAP S/4HANA – A fully connected planning ecosystem that eliminated data inconsistencies.
Advanced Analytics & Reporting – Intuitive dashboards provided a clearer view of financial data for better decision-making.
Scalable & Future-Ready – The cloud-based platform provides flexibility to grow with the business.
Improved User Experience – A modern, easy-to-use interface empowered finance teams with self-service analytics.
"The biggest improvement we've noticed is in how our accounting team and stakeholders utilize their time. Previously, we spent a significant amount of effort preparing Excel files, presenting them to stakeholders, and then inputting the data into BPC. Now, with a built-in system solution that includes analytics, we can focus on value-added activities—such as rationalization, strategy, and prioritizing work for the business—when collaborating with stakeholders."
- Brady Virostek, Director, Accounting
Why Improving
Improving was the ideal partner for NorthRiver Midstream’s transition to SAP Analytics Cloud, bringing deep expertise and industry best practices to the table. By moving away from outdated legacy systems, we helped the company:
Unify Financial Planning: Achieved seamless integration with SAP S/4HANA.
Enhance Forecasting and Budgeting: Utilized advanced planning tools for improved accuracy.
Reduce Manual Workload: Automated processes to accelerate decision-making.
