Episode 54: The Benefits of SaaS ERP with SAP’s Jonathan Rhodes

In this episode of the Future of ERP, Sandeep Chowdhury, Senior Director in SAP’s Telecommunications Industry Business Unit, discusses how the telecom industry is evolving with advanced ERP systems to support Industry 4.0, 5G adoption, and smarter networks. He explains how emerging technologies like 6G and AI are transforming network operations and customer experiences. Sandeep also explores telecom’s influence on other sectors, regulatory challenges, and the increasing importance of AI in automation and fraud prevention. Sustainability is a key theme, as he addresses energy use, e-waste, and circular economy efforts. Overall, Sandeep reveals how telecom is balancing innovation and environmental responsibility to shape the future of connectivity.

What does the future hold for businesses striving for success? This episode explores the convergence of Cloud ERP, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability, and how these elements are reshaping the business landscape. Peter Pluim discusses how businesses can harness data for sustainability insights, AI-driven automation, and process optimization. Discover how a connected enterprise can make informed choices within its supply chain, balancing price, delivery speed, and environmental impact. Learn how AI is transforming the user experience and driving the need for integrated suites that break down traditional application silos. Gain insights on navigating complex trade-offs, making better decisions through enhanced visibility, and empowering stakeholders with informed choices.

In this episode, joined by SAP's Judy Cubiss, we delve into the key manufacturing trends of 2025 and explore the transformative role that AI and digitization play in shaping the industry. Discover how digitization and AI are revolutionizing the industry by streamlining solution integration, facilitating efficient data transfer, and providing essential information to workers across the ecosystem. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization, uncertainty, and resource scarcity, and learn how industrial manufacturers are adapting to these forces.

In this episode, SAP’s Lalit Patil explores the impact of AI on cybersecurity within cloud ERP. It emphasizes the need for agile business transformation, sustainability, and robust security. The discussion includes cybersecurity strategies like zero trust, and AI's role in threat detection/response. The speaker highlights balancing AI benefits with data integrity risks, advocating for proactive, AI-enabled security measures to protect sensitive business data in the cloud.

In this episode, SAP's Gabriele Fiata delves into the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, where technology is becoming a crucial component of defense strategies. While people, processes, and technology remain essential, innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the field. AI enhances cybersecurity by detecting unusual activities, identifying threats, and accelerating security processes, leading to faster incident response times. The discussion highlights how these advancements automate security tasks, enable quicker threat detection, and improve incident response. We also talk about the importance of effectively integrating these technologies and training security teams and how it helps businesses to mitigate critical risks. Come join us as we discuss the future of ERP!

As quantum computing advances, experts warn of an impending "quantum apocalypse" that could jeopardize current encryption methods. With roots tracing back to the 1990s, this threat highlights the urgent need for organizations to adopt quantum-safe cryptography. While significant technological hurdles remain, the potential for quantum attacks on sensitive data looms large. Experts emphasize the urgency of transitioning to quantum-safe cryptography to protect sensitive data from future threats, particularly as attackers may collect encrypted information now for later decryption. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is advocating for organizations to phase out non-quantum-safe cryptography by 2035, underscoring the need for immediate action in the face of evolving quantum capabilities.

In this week’s episode of the Future of ERP podcast, we explore the evolving role of CFOs in driving corporate sustainability with McKinsey's Peter Spiller. Spiller highlights the increasing pressure on CFOs to manage carbon emissions effectively, driven by stricter regulations like CSRD, CBAM, and ETS2. He emphasizes the need for accurate carbon data to inform business decisions across sourcing, R&D, and sales, and advocates for treating carbon as a "currency" within organizations. The conversation covers the advantages of integrating carbon accounting into ERP systems, using a low-carbon aluminum product example. Spiller also touches on capturing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, the importance of supplier data, and the evolving relationship between CFOs and Chief Sustainability Officers in driving holistic sustainability changes within companies. The episode provides insights for finance professionals and sustainability leaders on navigating the intersection of ERP and environmental responsibility.

In this episode of The Future of ERP podcast, Richard Howells interviews Jonathan Rhodes from SAP, focusing on the evolution of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems towards cloud-based solutions. Rhodes emphasizes the shift to Software as a Service (SaaS) ERP, which automates many traditional processes, enhancing efficiency and user experience. He discusses how these systems help small and medium enterprises achieve sustainable growth by providing ready-to-run processes and reducing IT burdens. The conversation also covers the importance of agility in adapting to market changes and the role of intelligent assistance in improving daily operations. Rhodes highlights that cloud ERP solutions are designed to scale with businesses, offering flexibility to meet unique needs while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

In this episode of The Future of ERP, SAP's Chief Sustainability Officer Sophia Mendelsohn discusses how sustainability is becoming a fundamental part of business operations. She highlights that today’s ERP systems are designed to treat environmental factors like carbon emissions with the same importance as financial metrics, enabling organizations to make informed decisions that benefit both the planet and their bottom line. Mendelsohn emphasizes the role of technology in enhancing transparency and accountability, particularly through innovations like the SAP Green Ledger, which allows businesses to track carbon emissions alongside financial transactions. The conversation also touches on the collaborative nature of sustainability efforts, involving various departments such as finance, procurement, and R&D, to ensure that sustainability is embedded into every aspect of business strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Marko Lange and Sergey Nozenko discuss the transformative impact of AI on the chemical industry. They address key challenges such as intense competition, fluctuating raw material prices, and stringent regulations. The conversation highlights how companies are enhancing research and development (R&D) investments and leveraging modern technologies like AI and IoT to improve efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, they cover the importance of skilled labor, with firms focusing on talent development and strategic partnerships to navigate these complexities effectively.