As part of its digital transformation journey, Singapore Management University (SMU) streamlined and integrated finance, HR and procurement workflows for academic and administrative staff to deliver greater efficiency and user experience.
In recognition of these efforts to enhance agility and user satisfaction, SMU received the Line of Business Transformation Award at the SAP Customer Excellence Awards for Southeast Asia 2026, held recently at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.
This year's awards had more than 90 entries in six categories. Notably, the Line of Business Transformation Award celebrates organisations that have used two or more SAP solutions. These organisations focus on improving their processes and getting their users on board to successfully transform different parts of their business.
Project Optimus
Working with SAP and ABeam Consulting as its implementation partner, SMU adopted several SAP solutions as part of its massive digital transformation journey to modernise corporate functions, dubbed ‘Project Optimus’.
The implementation helped to establish a connected, cloud-based digital foundation for SMU, one that aims for operational excellence while positioning the university for future innovation. These solutions included a wide range of SAP solutions, spanning Cloud ERP, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba, SAP Concur, and more.
Mr Lau Kai Cheong, Chief Information Officer, SMU, said: “SMU has always embraced innovation as a key enabler of excellence across our education, research, and administrative functions. We focus on building on what is already working well and taking it to the next level. By modernising our core platforms, harmonising processes, and creating a more connected data environment, we have enhanced operational efficiency, strengthened decision-making capabilities, and created a scalable foundation for future innovation.”
“The transformation has streamlined many of our day-to-day processes and improved the experience for employees across the university. By bringing together key operational functions on a connected platform, we have improved visibility, streamlined approvals and created a stronger foundation for collaboration and data-driven decision-making,” Mr Lau added. “This transformation helps position SMU to support the evolving needs of our community and advance our SMU2030 vision.”
Since its establishment in 2000, SMU has consistently adopted new technologies to drive innovation. As part of its SMU2030 Strategic Plan, which is anchored on a purposeful impact agenda to transform lives through education, research and partnerships, the University embarked on Project Optimus to simplify workflows, unify data, and deliver more seamless experiences for employees.
Core of SMU’s ERP platform
At the centre of this transformation is SAP Cloud ERP, which serves as SMU’s modern ERP platform supporting finance, grants, treasury and reporting processes.
SMU also transformed how employees interact with HR and procurement. SAP SuccessFactors introduced mobile-enabled self-service capabilities designed to streamline access to leave management, HR services and routine administrative tasks through a single digital platform. SAP Ariba digitised supplier onboarding and procurement workflows, supporting process standardisation and visibility across procurement activities.
Efficiency and Better Engagement
Since going live in January 2026, SMU has delivered strong, measurable improvements across employee experience, operational efficiency, and financial governance, demonstrating the impact of its transformation. Early results include 83% active SAP SuccessFactors adoption and nearly 3,900 workflows triggered, reflecting strong user engagement.
The University has also significantly increased efficiency in procurement and supplier management, with over 10,000 suppliers onboarded through self-service registration via SAP Ariba and 4,700 purchase orders synchronised to date, delivering end-to-end procurement visibility from requisition to sourcing to invoicing in real-time. Supplier collaboration on SAP Business Network has grown to exceed 2,000 onboarded suppliers.
In finance operations, claims processed through SAP Concur shortly after deployment have surpassed 3,600, alongside 3,700 payments processed and upwards of 500 accounts receivable collections recorded within the first month.
The transformation also established a foundation to support future digital initiatives.
Ms Eileen Chua, Managing Director, SAP Singapore, said universities today are under increasing pressure to deliver more integrated campus experiences while operating with greater agility and accountability.
Mr Thomas Mani Padiyara, Principal and Head of Enterprise Transformation, ABeam Consulting Singapore, said ABeam is proud to partner with SMU on this significant transformation alongside SAP to support the university’s long-term growth and innovation.