Relay Pro
SCJ Pro: Blackline–SAP Account Reconciliation Automation
Vantage Cloud delivered a high-impact R2R automation for the SCJ Pro business unit - achieving 50% auto-certification and saving 4,400+ manual hours through secure SAP S/4 HANA integration.
The Challenges
S.C. Johnson’s (SCJ) Pro business unit faced a major bottleneck in its Record-to-Report (R2R) cycle. The finance department was tethered to fragmented legacy systems and manual workflows that couldn't keep up with the scale of a global enterprise. Without a unified digital ecosystem, the reconciliation process was slow, labor-intensive, and prone to human error.
Primary Pain Points:
Manual Overload
Thousands of hours were lost annually to manual account verification, spreadsheet-driven workflows, and redundant data entry.
System Fragmentation
Without a unified automation tool, account reconciliations lacked a standardized digital workflow, increasing the complexity of regional audits.
Compressed Timelines
The business required a functional, audit-ready solution within a strict 6-month window to meet fiscal year-end objectives.
Integration Gaps
The absence of a secure, automated bridge between SAP S/4 HANA and the Blackline reconciliation platform led to data latency and increased risk of manual entry errors.
How We Helped
We were brought in to lead Project Relay Pro, a high-impact, 6-month digital transformation with a $240,000 budget. Our mission was to eliminate manual touchpoints by building a seamless bridge between SAP and Blackline. We moved beyond quick fixes to deliver a robust, automated architecture that standardized accounting across the entire SCJ Pro business unit.
The Solution Breakdown
We focused on three core pillars: Connectivity, Automation, and Validation.
01
SAP S/4 HANA Connector Implementation
We implemented and optimized the native Blackline SAP Connector. This enabled direct, real-time communication between the ERP and the reconciliation engine, removing the need for manual data pulls.
02
Custom Data Extraction
Our engineers built tailored data extracts to ensure high-fidelity financial data was pulled from SAP with 100% accuracy.
03
Secure Middleware Architecture
Established secure, automated data transfers using GoAnywhere and SFTP. Transfers included reconciliation and error queues to ensure reliable handoffs.
04
Standardized Workflow Enablement
We replaced region-specific reconciliation practices with a single BlackLine Pro workflow for SCJ Pro, improving consistency and reducing the time spent on internal compliance reviews.
05
Precision SIT Scripts
We prepared and executed rigorous System Integration Test (SIT) scripts. This ensured that every data point, from the general ledger to the final report, was validated and audit-ready.
The Results (The ROI)
Project Relay Pro delivered immediate, measurable ROI, turning the finance department from a cost center into an efficiency engine.
50% Auto-Certification
Half of all current account reconciliations are now fully automated, requiring zero human touch.
Massive Labor Savings
The project saved 3,740 hours across Years 1 and 2. By Year 3, the efficiency gains will hit 4,480 hours annually.
Unified Technology Stack
Successfully migrated the SCJ Pro business from 10+ legacy systems to one standardized global solution.
Enhanced Data Integrity
Real-time connectivity and automated extracts have virtually eliminated manual data entry errors.
Audit Readiness
With centralized documentation and standardized flows, SCJ is now prepared for global compliance at the click of a button.
Risks & Strategic Mitigations
To meet the aggressive 6-month timeline, our team proactively managed several critical integration risks:
- Data Accuracy: Custom extracts were subjected to multiple validation rounds to ensure data completeness before moving to SIT.
- Middleware Security: We prioritized the setup of GoAnywhere and SFTP early in the lifecycle to ensure no delays in secure bi-directional testing.
Lessons Learned (Executive Maturity)
Reflecting on this 6-month sprint, we identified two key areas for further cycle-time compression:
- Automated Extract Validation: Earlier automation of the data validation process could have further compressed the SIT and UAT phases by several weeks.
- Middleware Security: We prioritized the setup of GoAnywhere and SFTP early in the lifecycle to ensure no delays in secure bi-directional testing.
Why this mattered
Project Relay Pro converted the manual reconciliation effort into reliable automation for SCJ Pro. By focusing on secure extracts, dependable integration, and pragmatic process enablement, the program reduced repetitive work and provided finance with a better audit posture and faster close activities — all while avoiding claims of enterprise-wide policy change.
About Vantage Cloud Solutions
Vantage Cloud Solutions is a systems integration and advisory partner specializing in ERP finance automation, BlackLine, and SAP S/4HANA integrations. We deliver targeted automation programs that improve accuracy, save time, and make finance teams more strategic.