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Platform Modernization with Microsoft Fabric and Xtract Universal
When transitioning from Microsoft SQL Server to Microsoft Fabric, the Arntz Optibelt Group faced the challenge of realigning its existing SAP data integration while simultaneously preparing for the planned migration to SAP S/4HANA. By migrating from Xtract IS to Xtract Universal and the CDC component, the company succeeded in establishing a stable and future-proof solution for SAP data extraction in Microsoft Fabric.
Customer & Challenge
Arntz Optibelt Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance drive belts. Its products are used in areas including the automotive and appliance industries as well as the medical sector.
From its headquarters in Höxter, the corporate group manages nine production sites in seven countries. In total, around 2,400 people work for Optibelt.
For a company of this size to be managed efficiently, a consistent and reliable data foundation is essential. At Optibelt, data from SAP and another ERP system was consolidated in a central data platform based on Microsoft SQL Server and made available there for analytics and reporting purposes with BOARD.
Xtract IS from Theobald Software was used to transfer data from SAP to the Microsoft SQL Server environment. The SAP interface was integrated into the existing SQL environment and transferred SAP data to the database in packages.
However, with increasing requirements in areas such as self-service BI, analytics, and AI, as well as the planned group-wide transition to SAP S/4HANA by 2028, this architecture began to reach its limits. Optibelt decided to strategically align its data platform with Microsoft Fabric. With this strategic move to Microsoft Fabric, not only the target system changed, but also the approach to SAP integration. The previous interface solution, Xtract IS, was optimized for Microsoft SQL Server. For Microsoft Fabric, a new solution for SAP data transfer was required — one that would work reliably with the current SAP system while also supporting S/4HANA.
„With the decision to use Microsoft Fabric, Optibelt initially evaluated the standard approaches for SAP integration available in the Microsoft environment. Microsoft Azure Data Factory provides a powerful foundation for cloud integration scenarios. In complex SAP landscapes, however, it became clear that specialized solutions are required for a performant and stable connection.“
Solution with Xtract Universal
With the decision to use Microsoft Fabric, Optibelt initially evaluated the standard approaches for SAP integration available in the Microsoft environment. Microsoft Azure Data Factory provides a powerful foundation for cloud integration scenarios. In complex SAP landscapes, however, it became clear that specialized solutions are required for a performant and stable connection.
“We took a very close look at the Microsoft SAP connectors,” says Marco Oerder, Head of IT Applications at the Arntz Optibelt Group. “However, our tests showed that significantly more manual configuration and higher ongoing maintenance effort were required than originally expected. Based on our positive experience with Xtract IS from Theobald Software, it made sense to also test Xtract Universal for comparison. We installed the 30-day trial version, set up several extractions, and connected different target systems. That worked very well. What particularly convinced us was the solution’s stability, data quality, and implementation effort.”
After completing the test phase, Optibelt decided to use Xtract Universal in production.
The collaboration with Theobald Software’s support team was also rated positively during the project. Questions were addressed reliably, and responses were generally provided promptly.
Since go-live, the team led by Marco Oerder has continued to systematically develop the data platform. Operations are stable, process control is transparent, and data provisioning is reliable.
Outlook
UiPath plans to extend its use of Xtract Core with incremental extraction and scheduling capabilities to further enhance automation.
“We see Theobald Software not just as a technology provider, but as a strategic partner on our journey toward the next generation of process automation. We would recommend Theobald Software anytime – not only for the technology but also for the collaborative partnership,” says Miller.
Conclusion: A Strong Partner for Strong Results
With Xtract Core, SAP integration has gone from a constraint to a competitive advantage for UiPath. The partnership with Theobald Software has simplified, accelerated, and strengthened UiPath’s SAP connectivity — building the foundation for advanced, data-driven process optimization.