Since 1934, Bank WIR has stood for stability, innovation and close ties to Switzerland’s SME landscape. Even a strong foundation needs updating from time to time. The bank was therefore faced with replacing its existing SAP modules for financial accounting and controlling. With support for the system ending in 2027, this step became unavoidable.
The challenge
The requirements were far from standard. Alongside the mapping of the complementary currency CHW, processes such as accounts payable, asset accounting, planning and cost accounting had to be rebuilt and integrated into the core banking system Finnova. A standard solution was not an option.
The goal was clear. Everything that worked before had to be covered in the new setup. Ideally, it should work better.
How Datalizard entered the picture
The story began at a controller conference at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences. A conversation between a Bank WIR employee and Philipp Künsch, CEO of Datalizard, led to an initial exchange around planyourbusiness. The contact was then passed on to Alexandra Krimmer, who led the project internally.
What started as an informal recommendation turned into a formal tender process. Datalizard submitted a comprehensive proposal that took a different approach. Instead of a like-for-like replacement, the concept focused on a broader setup.
- Abacus was introduced as the new ERP system.
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The datalizard platform became the central hub for financial and cost accounting data.
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planyourbusiness was used for planning and management.
The solution convinced not only from a technical perspective but also in day-to-day use. Multiple users can now work in the system at the same time, without switching between tools or dealing with conflicting file versions. At the same time, the platform met all requirements in terms of architecture, auditability, data security and access control. This was a key factor in the decision.
The path to go live
The implementation was demanding. Two new systems had to be introduced in parallel while existing applications were replaced. The technical complexity was high, particularly when it came to interfaces. With Datalizard’s support, the components were integrated cleanly while operations continued. The solution now runs securely and scales within the Microsoft Azure cloud.
What the new setup enables
The datalizard platform now acts as the central data hub between Abacus and Finnova. Previously, the two systems had to be reconciled manually. Today, data flows automatically and consistently between them. This is especially visible during month-end closing. Instead of checking accounts manually, planyourbusiness prepares the data automatically. The time savings are significant.
As Alexandra Krimmer puts it: “We used to have two systems that did not communicate. Today, data is loaded into the datalizard platform, processed and passed on automatically. What once felt unrealistic is now part of our daily work.”
The change is just as visible in controlling. Processes now run centrally and in real time, without Excel ping-pong. Planning follows a consistent and structured approach. Data preparation is faster, easier to understand and more reliable. Data quality has improved, and the daily workload has become lighter.
Coclusion
Replacing the SAP modules was far more than a technical migration. It required considerable effort, but the outcome justifies the investment. The new setup brings stability, future readiness and room to grow. Processes were not simply replaced, but improved.
Even though the datalizard platform operates largely in the background, it forms the backbone of the new system landscape.
With the foundation in place, Bank WIR is now entering the next phase. The systems are stable. The focus shifts to making full use of what is now possible. Or, in the words of Alexandra Krimmer: “What we have today is just the starting point. The system can do much more, and that is exactly what we are now building on.”
Technical highlights of the datalizard platform
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Full replacement of SAP FI/CO, including accounts payable payments in the complementary currency CHW, asset accounting and cost accounting
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Integration of Abacus and Finnova via the datalizard platform, ensuring consistent data across system boundaries
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Operation within the Microsoft Azure cloud, including integration of Azure services
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Access to historical SAP data through the datalizard platform
Modular and extensible platform architecture
User benefits with planyourbusiness
- Implementation of planyourbusiness for budgeting, forecasting and interest rate simulation
- Replacement of fragmented Excel files with a central, collaborative planning environment
- Standard interfaces to Abacus and Finnova, ensuring consistent data availability
About Bank WIR – From Switzerland, for Switzerland.
Whether entrepreneur, craft business owner or family, we are the cooperative bank for SMEs and private customers. Grounded in our approach and closely connected to current developments. Founded in 1934, we continue to support our customers as a reliable partner. Our offering combines a complementary currency designed for successful businesses with modern banking products, as well as savings and pension solutions that rank among the best in the market. In line with our guiding principle: from Switzerland, for Switzerland.
«With the introduction of planyourbusiness, we are able to bring together relevant information from our core banking system Finnova and Abacus. This allows us to run our financial planning and management processes much more efficiently within a modern operating setup.
Datalizard showed strong expertise throughout the project. The team quickly understood the challenges, especially around interfaces, and provided clear and practical solutions.»
