Oliva Cigar Modernizes Global Operations with Cloud Platform
The Oliva Cigar Company, a family-owned enterprise with roots dating back to tobacco farming in Cuba in 1886, has undertaken a comprehensive modernization of its technological infrastructure. Having evolved from a single-entity operation into a global organization with multiple legal entities spanning the United States, Nicaragua, and Honduras, the company faced growing complexities in managing varied currencies, tax jurisdictions, and compliance mandates across its international footprint.
Overcoming Legacy Limitations
For more than a decade, the organization relied on a legacy digital system that ultimately struggled to keep pace with its rapid expansion. According to Eduard Bouten, chief operating officer at Oliva Group, the older software was well-suited for smaller and less intricate operations of the past, but it eventually constrained efficiency and strategic growth. Leadership identified an urgent need to transition from historical record-keeping to leveraging data as an active strategic asset.
Implementing Cloud Infrastructure
To address these multi-company operational challenges, the enterprise selected SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. This cloud-hosted platform provides automated infrastructure management, security updates, and software maintenance directly through the provider, allowing internal teams to concentrate on agricultural and manufacturing craftsmanship rather than server maintenance.
The deployment yielded immediate operational improvements. Financial consolidation processes that previously required weeks of manual effort now deliver near-instantaneous, unified visibility across all international entities. Furthermore, the updated system bridges information silos between executive leadership in Miami and agricultural and production personnel on the ground, establishing end-to-end supply chain visibility from raw tobacco cultivation to finished goods distribution.
Strategic Implementation Partnership
Executing a transition of this scale required close collaboration with an experienced consulting partner. The organization selected LeverX to guide the implementation process, drawn by the consulting firm’s willingness to spend months understanding specific business workflows prior to formalizing agreements. Ken Garcia, senior client partner at LeverX, emphasized that the collaboration aimed to respect the brand heritage while constructing a scalable digital framework.
Preparing for Future Innovations
With a unified data foundation now established, executive leadership plans to evaluate emerging technological capabilities, including enterprise artificial intelligence. However, management intends to maintain a methodical, step-by-step approach to ensure user adoption and system stability precede advanced capability rollouts. By building a robust operational foundation, the enterprise aims to secure its market position and operational efficiency for decades to come.
- Transitioned from legacy software to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
- Reduced multi-entity financial consolidation timelines significantly
- Partnered with LeverX to manage the global digital transformation
