SUGTalks

Recorded live at UKISUG Connect 2025 at the ICC in Birmingham, Craig Dale is joined by Cliff Saran, Technology Editor at Computer Weekly, and Gerren Maine, host of SAPCHAT, to unpack the keynotes and what they mean for SAP users.
 
 They discuss the key points raised, including the need for balance between AI ambition and practical delivery, why “foundations first” keeps coming up, and how looming maintenance timelines are still shaping transformation plans. They also explore cloud adoption blockers, from security and cost to customisation and clean core, plus the role BTP and partners can play in helping customers move forward.
 
 To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

You can read Cliff Saran’s Enterprise blog here: https://www.computerweekly.com/blog/Cliff-Sarans-Enterprise-blog 

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca.

Together, they unpack SAP’s newly announced partnership with Snowflake and what it really means for SAP customers in practice. Russell shares why AstraZeneca was involved early, how the collaboration supports large-scale S/4HANA transformation, and where zero-copy data sharing can remove complexity and accelerate timelines.

The conversation explores semantically rich data, real-time analytics, AI readiness, and the cultural shift required to bring analytics and AI to the data rather than moving data between platforms. Russell also reflects on governance, data trust, and why strong foundations matter before scaling AI across the enterprise.

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig continues the conversation with Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to discuss SAP’s cloud roadmap and what that means for customers. They explore the differences between S/4HANA on-prem and cloud editions, including cloud-only AI, sustainability tools, central finance, and new Business Data Cloud apps. 

The discussion also covers clean core, how tools like Signavio, LeanIX and BTP support modernisation, and the incentives and support SAP is offering to help customers transition to S/4HANA. 

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

You can find the UKISUG blog on SAP ERP, private edition, transition option here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-cloud-subscription-transition-option.html

UKISUG Members can access the SAP S/4HANA and RISE Report 2024 here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-4hana-and-rise-report-2024.html

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to explore the real cost of “doing nothing” when it comes to SAP roadmaps and cloud transformation.

They break down the key maintenance deadlines and look at the evolving SAP landscape, from on-premise and private cloud to public cloud, and how the SUGEN Transformation Charter is helping users navigate timelines, Clean Core, and cloud-only innovation.

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

You can find the UKISUG blog on SAP ERP, private edition, transition option here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-cloud-subscription-transition-option.html

UKISUG Members can access the SAP S/4HANA and RISE Report 2024 here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-4hana-and-rise-report-2024.html

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig Dale is joined by UKISUG Chair Conor Riordan and board members Dipti Jakhodia and Emma Chambers to take a look back at SAP Sapphire in Orlando and Madrid. They unpack SAP’s “apps, data and AI” flywheel, the rise of agentic AI and Joule, and what the new RISE and GROW messaging really means for existing SAP customers.

In addiyition they delve into Sapphire’s innovation narrative and the reality for ECC and S/4HANA users dealing with technical debt, cloud business cases and licensing complexity.

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig sits down with Costa Petrosellini, SAP Technical Services Manager at Dunelm and the new Vice Chair of UKISUG. Costa shares his 15-year journey through the user group – from volunteer to board member and now Vice Chair – reflecting on the confidence, connections, and career growth that came from being part of the community.

They discuss lessons from Costa’s’ different SAP implementations over the years and what makes for a successful project. Costa also talks about his goals as Vice Chair, his excitement for UKISUG Connect, and why anyone thinking of getting involved should “get stuck in”.

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Pip Plah, Head of Sovereign Cloud, SAP UK, and Chris Soden, Head of UK Delivery, SAP Sovereign Cloud Services. Together they explore how SAP Sovereign Cloud is helping organisations in highly regulated industries maintain control over their data while embracing cloud innovation.

They discuss what “sovereign” really means in practice, from data residency and legal frameworks to the security-cleared teams managing UK workloads. In addition, they unpack the difference between commercial and sovereign cloud models. The conversation also covers customer adoption, SAP’s new Sovereign Cloud On-Site model, and how evolving regulations and cyber threats are shaping the cloud landscape.

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Neil Gardner, Head of Cloud ERP, RISE with SAP. Together they unpack SAP ERP, private edition, transition option and discuss what it means for organisations on their journey to S/4HANA.

Neil explains why SAP introduced the Transition Option, who it’s aimed at and how it can help complex organisations manage their move to the cloud. Craig and Neil also discuss common misconceptions, the 2030 maintenance deadline, and why “doing nothing” comes with its own cost.

Learn more about SAP ERP, private edition, transition option here: https://news.sap.com/2025/08/rise-with-sap-journey-sap-erp-private-edition-transition-option-updates/

Read the SAP Note 3591251 mentioned in the podcast here: https://me.sap.com/notes/3591251/E

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to explore “all or nothing thinking” and how it impacts our daily lives.

They discuss cognitive distortions, perfectionism, and why our brains often default to black-and-white thinking. Simon shares practical strategies to regulate thought processes, find balance, and reframe situations in healthier ways. From workplace conversations to personal wellbeing, this episode offers valuable insights for recognising and breaking free from unhelpful thinking traps.
 
To see upcoming UKISUG wellbeing sessions click here: https://www.sapusers.org/event-calendar.html?type=wellbeing-session&sort=date&order=asc

You can learn more about Thrive here: https://itstime2thrive.co.uk/

To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Simon Bacon, SAP Operations Manager at QD Group, to discuss how strong partner relationships can make or break SAP projects.
 
Simon shares how QD Group delivered a six-month brownfield migration from ECC to SAP S/4HANA on RISE with zero business disruption, clear cost control and a roadmap to clean core. They discuss selecting a partner for culture fit, aligning AMS and project teams, alongside practical advice for striking the right balance between internal ownership and external expertise – and much more.
 
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme