The Future of ERP

This episode focuses on the evolving role of finance leaders, featuring insights from Larry Simcox of SAP. Based on an Oxford Economics survey of 600 financial executives, it reveals that CFOs are now strategic partners to CEOs, taking on new responsibilities beyond traditional finance roles.Larry discusses the challenges finance teams face, such as compliance with complex regulations like ESG standards and the need for modern technology to support growth. Many finance executives report their existing systems are inadequate, hindering innovation and responsiveness.The conversation highlights the importance of adopting cloud-based solutions and AI technologies to streamline processes and enhance decision-making. Larry provides actionable advice for CFOs, emphasizing the need for clear goals, strategic technology use, and fostering a culture of innovation. This episode is essential for understanding the evolving landscape of finance and how leaders can effectively navigate it for future success.

Larry Simcox joined SAP in February 2024 and is the Sr. Director, Product Marketing, GROW with SAP. He is a key member of the team working on the go to market strategy and execution for the GROW with SAP offering. Larry came to SAP with over twenty years of diverse sales, marketing strategy, product marketing and business leadership. 

Prior to SAP Larry was the Senior Director, Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP Product Marketing and has over 20 years of marketing strategy and business leadership. He has also worked in marketing and pre-sales support roles with innovative supply chain planning and execution software companies: G-Log (acquired by Oracle), Optum, and Manugistics. He also spent over 5 years in the financial services industry with Moody’s Investor Service. 

Larry has a Masters in Business Administration from Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science from Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina. 

Larry resides in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrysimcox 

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 49: The CFO’s Strategy Playbook: Leveraging Finance to Unlock Business Value and Drive Digital Transformation first appeared on The Future of ERP.

In this podcast episode of the Future of ERP, we had an engaging conversation with SAP’s Torsten Welte about the pressing topic of Sovereign Cloud. We explored why this concept is becoming increasingly vital in today’s ERP landscape, especially as countries tighten regulations around data protection. Torsten shared his insights on how businesses must adapt to these changes, particularly in industries that handle sensitive information. We also discussed the challenges companies face when navigating diverse regulations across borders and how leveraging technologies like AI can complicate matters further.

Torsten Welte joined SAP Americas in 2004 and assumed the role of Global Head of Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Industries in 2015. With over 25 years of experience in consulting, sales, IT and program management, Torsten brings a depth and breadth of experience to the key leadership roles that he has held in the North American Aerospace & Defense segment. Under Torsten’s leadership, the A&D Team’s mission is to deliver industry cloud solutions that help SAP customers sustainably innovate and grow their businesses, operate safely and develop their people.

Prior to joining SAP, Torsten spent 12 years with Deloitte Consulting, managing several large SAP implementations as well as strategy engagements across different manufacturing industries. Torsten graduated from the University of Applied Science in Pforzheim, Germany, focusing his academic studies on the areas International Business, Organizational Design and Information Technology. He resides in Seattle, WA USA.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 48: Understanding Sovereign Cloud with Torsten Welte first appeared on The Future of ERP.

In this episode of The Future of ERP, we dive into the complexities of ERP implementation with Oliver Hafner, COO of SCHEER. With over 20 years of experience in the SAP environment, Oliver shares invaluable insights on navigating the transition to S4HANA and selecting the right deployment model – be it cloud, on-premise, or hybrid. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between these models and how they impact your ERP strategy. Listeners will learn about optimizing business processes, effectively integrating SAP and non-SAP applications using the SAP Business Technology Platform, and establishing a robust security framework to protect sensitive data in the cloud. We also iscussed best practices for a smooth implementation process, highlighting the significance of leveraging existing methodologies and tools like SAP Activate and Cloud Application Lifecycle Manager (CALM). This episode is packed with expert strategies that can help businesses maximize their ERP systems and achieve operational excellence.

With over 20 years of experience in the SAP environment, Oliver has extensive knowledge of the old and the new ERP world. He started his career as a developer then moved to the consulting business related to BI topics. Prior to his current role he worked as a SAP Technical Solution Architect – SAP S/4HANA Transformation, System landscape Design and (Cloud-) Architecture.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 47: Key Strategies for Unlocking the Full Potential of ERP Implementation with SCHEER’s Oliver Hafner first appeared on The Future of ERP.

In this podcast episode, NTT DATA’s Waliuollah Ali explores the multifaceted challenges and expectations surrounding the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in organizations. The discussion highlights the distinct needs of key stakeholders, including top management, departmental employees, and IT teams. Listeners will learn about the importance of real-time data for decision-making, the necessity of user-friendly interfaces for employees, and the critical role of cybersecurity in modern ERP systems. The episode emphasizes effective change management, data quality, and the strategic involvement of leadership to ensure successful ERP adoption and enhanced productivity across the organization.

As Head of the Center of Excellence Consumer Products, Walioullah Ali manages SAP projects across all phases, serves as a member of steering committees, and trusted advisor for customers, especially in the consumer goods industry. He works closely with customers at all levels, from board members to department heads, to deeply understand their requirements and how modern ERP systems can address them. 

In his role in the Innovation and Portfolio division, Ali is responsible for future-oriented research projects in cooperation with industry partners, research institutes, and universities, such as the Leading-Edge Cluster its OWL. He develops innovative solutions leveraging AI and digitalization to optimize processes for clients. Current projects include measuring and reducing CO2 emissions across supply chains with partners GEA, Miele, University of Paderborn and Bielefeld, as well as using AI to optimize production processes and develop intelligent worker assistance systems with CLAAS, Schmitz Cargobull, and Fraunhofer research institutes.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 46: Embracing Change, Technology, and Sustainability from Implementation to Innovation with NTT Data’s Waliuollah Ali first appeared on The Future of ERP.

In this week’s episode, the discussion centers around the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance departments, as highlighted in a recent SAP Insights research paper. SAP’s Paul Saunders, the head of product strategy for cloud ERP and chief evangelist, discusses how AI is changing traditional finance roles and responsibilities, the areas being disrupted most, and the human skills needed to critically evaluate AI-driven recommendations and develop insights to bring those recommendations to life.

With over 25 years of experience as a CTO, CIO and industry analyst Paul has extensive knowledge of ERP. Prior to joining SAP, he was Vice President, Research for Gartner, providing advice to the world’s largest and most influential technology providers. He was also lead author for Gartner’s ERP strategic roadmap and the lead analyst covering SAP. 
He has lived half of his life in the UK and half in the United States.

He is a frustrated, failed musician who spent several years working in NYC and Hollywood, CA in the music industry working with major label recording artists and film studios. He has a double platinum disk for his work with a megastar to prove he used to be cool once.
Paul lives in a very remote location in Scotland. Fortunately, he has good internet.

Paul Saunders: LinkedIn, SAP Community

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 45: How AI is Changing Finance with SAP’s Paul Saunders first appeared on The Future of ERP.

The conversation centers on the evolution of public cloud ERP systems and their advantages for businesses. Key topics include the transition from highly customized on-premise solutions to standardized cloud offerings, which facilitate faster deployment and continuous updates. The discussion also covers the necessity of a cloud mindset, where organizations embrace standard processes to maximize benefits. Success stories illustrate how companies like Neurod and KTM have effectively adapted to public cloud ERP, demonstrating improved operational efficiency and a strategic focus on their unique strengths.

Saskia Fontanive has been working for Innovabee since 2015. She bears an important responsibility for the successful completion of our SAP S/4HANA implementation projects. In addition, she takes care of supporting our existing customers and is significantly involved in personnel development and resource planning. Before her current position as a consulting manager, she worked as a consultant and project manager, where her focus was on SAP S/4HANA public cloud projects.

What is particularly noteworthy is that she accompanied the development and implementation of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud from the very beginning and played a key role in building up Innovabee together with managing directors’ board. In the first few years of her professional career at Innovabee, she worked at the Waiblingen location before moving to Hamburg in 2021.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 44: Embracing the Cloud Mindset: Unlocking the Benefits of Public ERP for Innovation and Efficiency with INNOVABEE’s Saskia Fontanive first appeared on The Future of ERP.

Cloud ERP systems are transforming small and midsize businesses by enabling integration, automation, and AI-driven analytics. Henrik Hausen, CEO of All4Cloud, emphasizes the importance of a cloud mindset that prioritizes standardization over customization for successful implementation. Cloud solutions offer regular updates, enhanced security, and the ability to focus on core business activities rather than IT management. AI integration automates data processing and decision-making, improving scalability and flexibility as companies grow. Hausen advocates for a shift from on-premise systems to cloud-based platforms, which can streamline processes and reduce reliance on manual input, ultimately driving operational efficiency and innovation.

Henrik Hausen is CEO at SAP gold partner all4cloud. He is an expert in SAP Cloud ERP and has been shaping a sustainable and value-based corporate culture with 100% cloud DNA since founding his company. Customers and employees are at the forefront of everything he does.

Henrik Hausen:

LinkedIn Profile

all4cloud Website

YouTube

Facebook

Xing

kununu

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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The post Episode 43: Transforming Small and Midsize Businesses: Cloud ERP, AI Integration, and the Shift from On- Premise Systems first appeared on The Future of ERP.

Digital transformation is reshaping the business landscape. Cloud ERP solutions provide a pathway to enhanced efficiency, scalability, and innovation. By transitioning from legacy systems to cloud-based platforms, companies can streamline processes, improve data accessibility, and adapt quickly to market changes. This shift not only reduces IT overhead but also enables continuous improvement and agility in an ever-evolving business environment.

Simon is Managing Director of the Walldorf Consulting Group and heads the Cloud and Software-as-a-Service Practice. He advises SMEs and large enterprise customers on the strategy and operationalization of their SaaS cloud strategy around SAP S/4HANA Cloud and other solutions from the SAP portfolio. Walldorf Consulting is a global SAP consulting company based in Walldorf with offices in the USA, Singapore and Malaysia. Since 2020, the company has focused exclusively on the transformation of its customers into an SAP Cloud and Software-as-a-Service environment and today consists of more than 170 cloud experts worldwide.

In his 15-year consulting history, Simon has been a trusted advisor for the digitalization of his clients’ business functions and has extensive expertise in transforming business processes into a digital, cloud-based future. His expertise includes strategic transformation programs for major clients as well as numerous successful strategy projects and implementations for medium-sized companies in the automotive, services, hi-tech, medical technology and retail sectors.  

The heart and DNA of Walldorf Consulting is its own process methodology based on SAP Activate – the Walldorf Consulting Fit-2-Standard approach – which has been awarded the Grand Winner seal of the SAP Quality Award by SAP. Through the combination of didactic approaches and consistent alignment with the process standards of SaaS solutions, significantly higher standardization rates can be achieved and thus significant advantages in terms of project duration, risk management and total cost of ownership can be achieved, which get the most out of the cloud solutions in setup and operation. In the last 3 years, more than 30 customers have been successfully transformed into an SAP Cloud using this methodology.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-buchacher-lassnig-22919415b/

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

The post Episode 42: Why Implementing Cloud ERP As-A-Service is Nothing Like Implementing an On-Premise Solution with WCA’s Simon Flick first appeared on The Future of ERP.

Discover how cloud-based ERP solutions are transforming small and medium enterprises. This episode delves into the challenges of growth, the importance of adopting a cloud mindset, and the benefits of standardized processes. Gain valuable insights on scalability, innovation, and cost-effectiveness to guide your company’s digital transformation journey.

Sebastian is Project Lead for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud at ORBIS, based in Austria. In this role, he is responsible for project implementations as well as presales. With more than 6 years of SAP S/4HANA Cloud experience, he is passionate about supporting customers on their digital transformation journey to the cloud.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-buchacher-lassnig-22919415b/

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

The post Episode 41: The Challenges and Opportunities of Moving to a Public Cloud ERP Solution with ORBIS’ Sebastian Buchacher-Lassnig first appeared on The Future of ERP.

This episode delves into the crucial decision between brownfield and greenfield approaches in ERP migration, using a relatable house renovation analogy. The speaker explores the complexities of updating existing systems (brownfield) versus starting fresh (greenfield), highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. While brownfield offers familiarity and less disruption, greenfield provides opportunities for comprehensive modernization and innovation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of considering long-term business needs, emerging technologies, and the rapidly changing market landscape when making this decision. The episode concludes by underscoring the critical role of modern ERP systems in driving business success, positioning them as indispensable tools for both daily operations and strategic management in today’s dynamic business environment.

Michael Perfler has been active in the SAP industry for over 20 years and has extensive project experience with a clear focus on SAP Cloud solutions. As the managing director of Phoron Consulting, he always prioritizes customer benefits and utilizes his profound knowledge and technical expertise to develop innovative and tailored SAP solutions. With his ability to understand customer needs and implement complex projects, he has earned a reputation as a trustworthy and solution-oriented partner.

Phoron Consulting is a dynamic, medium-sized SAP consulting firm with locations in Austria, Germany, and Brazil, positioned internationally. With a dedicated team of over 180 employees, Phoron distinguishes itself through its focus on innovative solutions and technological leadership in the realm of SAP Cloud solutions and ERP implementations.

As specialists in digital transformation, Phoron assists companies in optimizing their business processes through tailored SAP solutions that address the specific needs and challenges of clients. Phoron Consulting combines cross-industry expertise with technical know-how to help companies enhance their efficiency, improve competitiveness, and succeed in the global market.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X (Twitter)

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn

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Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

The post Episode 40: From Home Renovation to Digital Transformation: Embracing S/4HANA Cloud Innovation Through ERP Migration first appeared on The Future of ERP.