Sustainable system architecture for technical documentation. How parson supported Körber Business Area Technologies in modernizing its technical communication
Körber Business Area Technologies is undergoing a digital transformation that includes redesigning several IT systems and business processes. A key part of this transformation is the migration from SAP R/3 to SAP S/4HANA.
Until now, the Business Area Technologies has mapped and automated its processes for order-specific technical documentation and translation entirely within SAP. With the phase-out of SAP R/3, a modern system architecture for technical documentation must be developed that supports both order-specific documentation for each delivered machine and documentation for machine modifications. This includes translation, publication, and spare parts cataloging.
Analysis of the existing system landscape
In a two-month project, parson conducted a detailed analysis of the existing system landscape within Körber Business Area Technologies. The following methods were applied:
- Conduct interviews with stakeholders from the technical writing department and IT experts for the current SAP R/3 landscape to document existing functionalities and automation processes
- Collect and prioritize functional requirements in the form of user stories (from "could have" to "must have")
- Define non-functional requirements
- Design a potential target architecture and map the required functions to various system classes, clearly distinguishing those that will remain in SAP from those that will not
- Research and select suitable system vendors, then prepare a Request for Information (RFI)
Drafting the target architecture
As part of its digital transformation, Körber Business Area Technologies strongly emphasizes standard solutions. Therefore, mapping documentation processes directly to a customized SAP S/4HANA system is not feasible. The future system architecture should be guided by the following principles:
- Create development-related and order-specific technical documentation in a component content management system (CCMS)
- Use automation features in the CCMS for processes that are already automated today (for example, compiling and publishing documentation to match customer orders)
- Manage translation workflows via the CCMS
- Retain existing processes and tools for catalog creation
- Clearly defined interfaces between the CCMS, SAP, and software development systems to manage documentation variants and exchange technical data and software strings
- Interfaces to translation management and software localization systems
- Options for migrating from document-based to topic-based information architecture and intelligent information
Collaboration as a key factor
Because the migration to SAP S/4HANA follows a tight schedule, the definition of requirements and the design of the target architecture were carried out jointly by a project team from Körber and parson. This close, collaborative partnership proved to be a key success factor.
Given the tight timeline, parson’s broad experience with different system vendors and possible solution approaches for our requirements was a real asset. We benefited greatly from parson’s standardized approach to system evaluation, including helpful templates, which enabled us to capture requirements and develop a target architecture in a very short time.
Key project results
- Clear documentation of requirements for a CCMS
- Design of a system architecture integrating authoring, translation, and publication processes
- Execution of an RFI with system vendors to validate the target architecture
Next steps
Implementation of the new CCMS is scheduled to begin in 2026. With this architecture, Körber Business Area Technologies is laying the foundation for more efficient, flexible, and future-ready technical documentation.
About Körber-Geschäftsfeld Technologies
Körber is an international technology group that employs around 13,000 people at more than 100 locations worldwide. The group operates in the business areas of pharma, supply chain, and technologies, offering products, solutions, and services across these sectors. The business area Technologies develops customized solutions in the fields of machinery, equipment, software, measuring devices, flavors, and service offerings, primarily for the tobacco and leisure industries.
Additionally, the portfolio includes innovative concepts for battery cell production. Körber Technologies has 25 production, sales, and service sites around the world. (Translated from German)