Sapphire Agenda for 2023
The 2023 edition of the SAP Sapphire & ASUG Conference in Orlando attracted around 12,000 SAP customers, partners, analysts, and industry experts. Spread over just two days, there was a lot to fit in, including stimulating talks on future-proofing businesses with SAP, making them more responsive, resilient, and agile to expertly manage and adapt to all kinds of challenges including economic upturns and downturns. Another major theme was the all-important SAP partner ecosystem and the vital role that tech partners, like Data Migration International, play in successful implementations through innovative software solutions that complement and integrate with SAP. As more companies begin the move to S/4HANA, this ecosystem of partners will work even closer together to maximize the benefit of the new system environment for SAP’s customers. Naturally, there was also a huge emphasis on helping companies run more sustainably, which came hand in hand with the announcement of new SAP technologies in this area – SAP Sustainability Data Exchange, SAP Footprint Management, and the Green Ledger. DMI’s Information Management Platform JiVS also plays its part in helping SAP’s customers make their operations more sustainable – through data migration and application retirement, reducing their data footprint as well as energy consumption.
The Rise of Generative AI
Last but not least, the topic of generative AI is also ramping up on a huge scale, with SAP embedding more of this technology in the future across critical business functions. It announced the start of a generative AI partnership with Microsoft, bringing together extensive industry-specific data and deep knowledge of business processes with innovative AI tech. By upping investment in this area, SAP’s aim is to create more game-changing AI capabilities that can be embedded into its applications and deliver even greater performance and value for customers. The rise of generative AI will effectively change how businesses run in the future, enhancing productivity across the board and transforming businesses into intelligent enterprises.
DMI Networking Events in Orlando
Maximizing the opportunities for networking, DMI hosted three exciting events. First, a cocktail reception co-hosted with SAP and Thomas Bamberger, President of SAP SE and the SAP Customer Evolution Program. I was joined by DMI colleagues Jean-Marc Pestoni, Ken Detato, Thomas Iseler, and Bill Scheuermann as we chatted to 30+ SAP customers who are in the process of migrating to SAP S/4HANA or looking to make the move soon, and how JiVS can support them. On the second night, we jointly hosted a reception for over 130 people together with Serrala and FloQast, in the witty presence of Emmy-award-winning actress and comedian Kate Flannery. Finally, on the third night, we organized a pre-concert party with Paul Kurchina, SAP ambassador and community evangelist, with around 30 members of the SAP architect community, before heading to a private concert by Usher at Universal Studios.
Catch-up with SAP C-Suite Alumni
During Sapphire Orlando, Thomas Iseler and I were invited to a biannual gathering of former SAP C-suite executives and board members, to reflect on the good old times and discuss the latest strategies and prominent themes. I had the chance to talk with Christian Klein, SAP CEO, Lars Lamadé, Head of Global Sponsorships at SAP and Member of the Supervisory Board, and Margret Klein-Magar, Chairperson of the Spokespersons’ Committee of Senior Managers of SAP SE and Vice President, Head of SAP Alumni Relations, among many other friends. We all enjoyed some insightful discussions and a much-awaited catch-up.
After a jam-packed event, I’m now heading over to Europe to join the DMI team and colleagues from the SAP world at SAP Sapphire in Barcelona. Maybe I’ll see you there! If not, you can register for SAP Sapphire Virtual.
