It is often said that true development lies at the intersection of technology and business understanding. For nearly two decades, Rahul Bhatia has occupied this space, leading systems, applications, and product (SAP) implementations that have improved financial processes for global companies.
Based in London, England, Rahul Bhatia has successfully led numerous full-life-cycle implementations across various industries, from project preparation and blueprinting to go-live. His proficiency spans multiple SAP modules and technologies, including S/4 high-performance analytic appliance (HANA), central finance (CFIN), and SAP Ariba.
Streamlining Global Financial Operations
Rahul Bhatia’s proficiency has helped global financial operations for numerous clients. His method of SAP implementation is characterized by meticulous planning and agile project management, guaranteeing that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
His work with Scania exemplifies this skill. Here, he led the global design and implementation of the S/4 HANA 2021 solution, which involved integrating complex systems across multiple regions. According to his peers, his skill in creating cohesive financial architectures for multinational corporations is commendable.
At another international brand, Adidas, Rahul Bhatia was responsible for the global design and implementation of S/4 HANA 2021. His work included managing the functional delivery of the CFIN implementation and rolling out the solution across different regions—a project that highlighted his ability to coordinate large-scale financial transformations across diverse geographical regions.
Additionally, he led the implementation of the S/4 HANA 1909 CFIN solution at Akzonobel. Here, he worked on global design according to best practices, guaranteeing that the system was optimized for the company’s specific finance needs.
“I configured critical financial components such as CFIN, central payments, financial supply chain management (FSCM), and group reporting, and you can only do that if you fully understand how to translate the application of SAP’s financial modules in a global business context,” he explains.
Connecting Legacy Systems and Modern SAP Solutions
Rahul Bhatia has developed robust strategies for migrating legacy systems to modern SAP solutions with minimal disruption and maximum client benefit. His experience creating functional specifications and design documents has facilitated smooth transitions and optimized system performance.
This is evident in his work with the Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG) Group. As the S/4 HANA finance architect, he integrated legacy systems, a complex task that required a comprehensive understanding of both old and new financial systems.
At Boehringer Ingelheim, Rahul Bhatia implemented the SAP Ariba Downstream Application Integration, which demonstrated his ability to create seamless connections between different financial systems, facilitating data consistency and operational efficiency.
His work at SEQIRUS also helped the new system meet all the business requirements of a complex pharmaceutical company.
Customizing SAP for Industry-Specific Needs: Rahul Bhatia’s Skill in Action
Meeting industry-specific needs has been a hallmark of Rahul Bhatia’s career. For example, his work with Coach, a leading retail fashion house, where he built the SAP FMS (Fashion Management Solution) functional design, showcased his understanding of flexible inventory management and quick response to changing consumer trends.
In the pharmaceutical sector, he worked with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he implemented SAP Finance solutions across commercial and manufacturing markets globally. This included implementing healthcare professional/organization functionality for Europe and Asia-Pacific countries, which demanded an extensive understanding of pharmaceutical industry regulations and reporting requirements.
Rahul Bhatia’s experience in the oil and gas industry is demonstrated by his work with Tullow Oil. As a senior SAP FICO consultant, he set up joint venture accounting across six company codes globally. This project required customizing SAP to handle financial arrangements common in the oil and gas sector, including revenue sharing and cost allocation among multiple partners.
Rahul Bhatia’s Role in Training, Change Management, and IT Evolution
Rahul Bhatia’s training and change management methods have been essential for his clients’ successful adoption of SAP. His ability to mentor and train team members has contributed significantly to developing a skilled workforce capable of addressing complex SAP challenges.
In many of his projects, he is involved in the design configuration testing phases and training. This ensures that end-users are well-prepared for new systems and minimizes disruption to business operations. With agile project management methodologies, Rahul Bhatia has managed cross-functional teams and met key deliverables within stringent service-level agreements (SLAs).
The industry is currently seeing steady advancements and new challenges. Companies are increasing their focus on digital transformation, leading to a growing need for reliable and scalable finance system solutions. Rahul Bhatia’s work shows how one person can make a difference and how technology can help industries grow and move forward.
