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In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Stefan Steinle, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Customer Support at SAP.
Stefan reflects on his 26 years at SAP and how customer support has evolved from a reactive, ticket-based model to a much more proactive, personalised and global approach. He explains the thinking behind SAP's three support pillars: invisible support, the work done quietly in the background to help customers hit critical milestones; empowered support, giving customers instant answers at their fingertips; and accelerated support, the agentic AI framework speeding up issue resolution.
Craig and Stefan also discuss why SAP has chosen not to replace people with AI, and the measurable impact this approach is having on customer satisfaction.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In our latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan and Ian Mallinson to discuss the main announcements and their experiences at this year's Sapphire conferences in Orlando and Madrid.
Conor and Ian reflect on SAP framing itself as a business AI company and its vision for the autonomous enterprise. They also share their honest opinion on SAPâs new suite of AI agents. In addition they share why process and knowledge graphs matter alongside data, and the cost and governance questions organisations need to ask before deploying agents.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan, Chair of UKISUG, and Philip Adams, UKISUG Board Member and SUGEN Core Leadership Team member. Together they address some of the questions from UKISUG Connect that we didn't get to on the keynote stage.
Conor and Philip share an update on the SUGEN licensing charter, including progress being made on consumption-based licensing. They also explain how SUGEN works with SAP at both an executive and country level.
The conversation also covers how organisations can balance agility with strong governance. Conor and Philip discuss the risk of cutting training and adoption budgets in a subscription world, and how UKISUG is supporting public sector members. They then move on to AI, including reskilling, dispelling fears around AI adoption, and whether AI could ever replace SAP ERP as we know it.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In the latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP.
David shares an update on SAPâs involvement with the SUGEN Transformation Charter, what SAP has learned from charter members and how customer feedback is shaping the companyâs Cloud ERP messaging. He explains why SAP has committed to both private and public cloud as long-term strategic products.
David also reflects on some of the themes he hears from user groups globally after taking part in transformation days around the world.
Craig and David also explore the move from AI hype to real working use cases. They discuss the importance of clean core and the risks of waiting too long to move from ECC.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Sonia Nash, Head of Business AI at SAP UK and Ireland.
Sonia shares her unconventional career journey - from accounts payable into automation, solution advisory and now leading SAP's Business AI focus. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, the importance of curiosity, and why you don't need to be a developer to build a rewarding career in tech.
Craig and Sonia also discuss the shift from AI skepticism to genuine enthusiasm among SAP customers, how organisations can get started with Joule and SAP Business AI, and why agentic AI is the most exciting development across the community. They also explore what it will take to attract more women and diverse talent into STEM and SAP careers.
You can access SAP's Discovery Center here: https://discovery-center.cloud.sap/ai-catalog/
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In part two of the conversation, Craig is once again joined by Sandeep Seeripat, Global Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Twinings, to answer questions posed by the audience at his UKISUG Connect keynote.
Together they explore the practical realities of Twiningsâ transformation journey. This includes how to build a one-program mentality across teams and partners, and how to align around a shared vision that keeps transformation focused on business outcomes rather than technology.
Along the way, Sandeep covers clean core, governance, delivery partner selection and scaling transformation across multiple business units and geographies. He also shares honest reflections on the challenges of leading large-scale change, from making difficult decisions to maintaining momentum beyond go-live.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In part one of this two-part SUGTalks conversation, Craig is joined by Sandeep Seeripat, Global Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Twinings.
Together they discuss career growth, leadership and business transformation. Sandeep shares how he moved from engineering into technology, why he sees himself as a business problem solver first, and what senior leaders need to do to make transformation meaningful and sustainable.
Along the way, Sandeep discusses authenticity, curiosity, feedback, collaboration and the importance of taking people with you through change. He also offers a clear-eyed view on AI, the pace of change facing digital leaders, and the need to keep learning - and unlearning. Part two will see Sandeep and Craig answering questions submitted by the audience at his UKISUG Connect keynote.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In our latest SUGTalks episode, Craig is joined by UKISUG Women in SAP Community Leads Emma Chambers and Fiona Warburg. Together they discuss the progress made by the Women in SAP community over the past year and some of the equality challenges that still persist across the tech sector. In addition, they outline how practical initiatives such as mentoring, networking and allyship are helping to support career progression and representation.
They also explore this yearâs International Womenâs Day theme, âGive to Gain,â and how contributing time, experience and support can help individuals, organisations and the wider SAP ecosystem thrive.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Emel Morris, CIO at Central Bedfordshire Council.
Emel shares her journey from corporate communications into IT leadership and the skills that helped her transition into the role. She also outlines why todayâs CIO must focus on stakeholder engagement, change, and aligning technology to real service outcomes.
Craig and Emel also discuss pressures on public sector services, cyber security, AI alongside the importance of inclusion and Women in SAP.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Mark Raben, former SAP EMEA CTO, keynote speaker and leadership coach, to examine the role of trust, culture and leadership in the era of AI.
Recorded at UKISUG Connect following Markâs keynote, the conversation looks beyond technology to focus on human behaviour, trust and culture in transformation programmes. Mark explains how the brain works as a prediction machine, why structure alone isnât enough for successful SAP projects, and how leaders can reduce anxiety by being transparent about intent.Learn more about Mark Raben here: https://www.markraben.com/
đ Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Phil Creek, Intake Demand Lead at the SAP Centre of Expertise at Boots, and Rohan Parikh, SAP Platform Architect at Maersk, to explore the value of building an SAP Customer Centre of Expertise (COE).
The conversation builds on the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper, covering why COEs matter, the importance of senior sponsorship, what effective governance looks like, and the skills a modern COE needs. Phil and Rohan share practical perspectives on balancing internal capability with partners, supporting a clean core, and how COEs need to evolve as SAP customers move further into the cloud.
đ Click Here to download the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper
đŹ Join the UKISUG ALM Community to continue the discussion with fellow SAP users
đ Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme -
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 âfoundations firstâ 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-schemeYou can read Cliff Saranâs Enterprise blog here: https://www.computerweekly.com/blog/Cliff-Sarans-Enterprise-blog
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In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca.
Together, they unpack SAPâs 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
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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 SAPâs 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
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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 âdoing nothingâ 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
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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 SAPâs âapps, data and AIâ 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 Sapphireâs 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
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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 â from volunteer to board member and now Vice Chair â reflecting on the confidence, connections, and career growth that came from being part of the community.
They discuss lessons from Costaâsâ 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 âget stuck inâ.
To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme
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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 âsovereignâ 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, SAPâs 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
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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 itâs 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 âdoing nothingâ 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
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In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to explore âall or nothing thinkingâ 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 - Visa fler
