{"id":22282,"date":"2024-12-05T11:47:03","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T10:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timoelliott.com\/blog\/?p=22282"},"modified":"2025-01-28T03:13:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T02:13:09","slug":"key-lessons-and-practical-steps-from-the-sap-connect-2024-keynote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timoelliott.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/key-lessons-and-practical-steps-from-the-sap-connect-2024-keynote.html","title":{"rendered":"Key Lessons and Practical Steps from the SAP Connect 2024 Keynote"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SAP Connect 2024, hosted by UKISUG in Birmingham, was a showcase of innovation and strategy, offering invaluable insights for IT and business leaders using SAP applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leila Romane<\/a>, Managing Director of SAP UK & Ireland, alongside Rob Geddes<\/a>, Head of Customer Success Management & Engagement, delivered a keynote packed with actionable takeaways for organizations navigating transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAP\u2019s Three Pillars of Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leila Romane emphasized SAP\u2019s UK & Ireland strategy, structured around three pillars:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Building Resilient Businesses<\/strong>: Supporting clients to thrive in dynamic markets through robust solutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Creating Followership<\/strong>: Engaging customers as partners in a shared journey, acknowledging the long-term nature of transformation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Fielding Great Teams<\/strong>: Enhancing internal skills and addressing talent gaps to meet evolving business needs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These pillars align with SAP\u2019s global vision: becoming the leading enterprise application and business AI company. \u201cWe are here to help, no matter the journey,\u201d Romane affirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Key Initiatives and Innovations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    1. Strategic Partnerships<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    SAP\u2019s commitment to customer success was highlighted by examples like Sainsbury\u2019s and the UK government\u2019s Unity cluster (HMRC, Ministry of Housing, and Department for Transport), showcasing the transformative power of SAP\u2019s cloud solutions. As Romane stated, \u201cWe\u2019re changing how 100,000 civil servants work every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. AI Integration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Romane proudly announced SAP surpassed its 2024 goal of 100 AI use cases, reaching 130. \u201cGlobally, we have about 30,000 clients on the AI journey,\u201d she noted, emphasizing the potential for AI to deliver cost savings, efficiency, and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Customer-Centric Tools<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Rob Geddes introduced the Customer Value Journey<\/strong>, a framework supporting organizations through discovery, selection, adoption, and extension of SAP solutions. Tools like the Partner Finder and dashboards for error logs and training opportunities were highlighted as underutilized resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Geddes also emphasized the power of SAP\u2019s Preferred Success<\/strong> program, which improves solution adoption and delivers measurable benefits like faster implementations (10%) and enhanced productivity (24%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Lessons for IT and Business Leaders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Embrace Change Management<\/strong>: Transformation is as much about people as it is about technology. Geddes cited a customer case where low attrition created opportunities for upskilling but also posed challenges in altering ingrained processes. Tools like SAP\u2019s user adoption game<\/a> can help organizations tackle these issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Leverage Available Resources<\/strong>: Many support challenges can be solved through self-service. \u201cEighty percent of tickets could be addressed with a knowledge-based article,\u201d Geddes highlighted, urging organizations to utilize free SAP training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Focus on Long-Term Success<\/strong>: SAP\u2019s emphasis on a \u201cclean core\u201d and structured innovations ensures businesses can scale their investments while remaining agile. Joint AI hackathons and the London Experience Center offer platforms for ideation and exploration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Some Recommended Next Steps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Engage with SAP\u2019s Ecosystem<\/strong>: Work with SAP and partners to explore the “composable ERP” future, with a core framework and tailored solutions for your needs, built on SAP Business Technology Platform<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Adopt the Customer Value Journey Framework<\/strong>: Evaluate where your organization stands and identify clear steps forward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Capitalize on Training and Support<\/strong>: Leverage free tools, Preferred Success, and SAP\u2019s support accreditation to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Plan for AI Integration<\/strong>: Leverage the resources available to prepare for your AI future. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        SAP Connect 2024 was a reminder that success is a collective journey. As Romane concluded, \u201cWe all need to succeed together.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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