Episode 77: Optimizing How People Work, Achieve and Excel

Explore tackling fast-evolving markets, from supply chain disruptions and sustainability pressures to geopolitical tensions requiring agile sourcing. Key insights cover cloud ERP simplifying operations for buyers facing electric vehicle tech changes, AI accelerating projects by scripting meetings and generating code, boosting efficiency by focusing teams on high-value tasks, and simulating crises for resilience. Standout examples include 50-60% unused custom ERP code inflating costs, drone pilot analogies for job evolution, and tools like the Digital Acceleration Navigator aiding change management for over 100 clients, including a major European beverage firm. Emphasis lies on composable cloud architectures, data cleansing 12 months pre-transformation, embedding sustainability KPIs for dual cost and environmental gains, and fostering cultures that empower people. Business leaders gain actionable steps for continuous innovation, scalable models, and successful digital transformations—listen now to unleash team potential!=====Chapter Marks00:00:38 - Meet Our Guest00:01:46 - Business Challenges in Digitization​00:05:37 - Reasons for Cloud Digital Transformation​00:09:34 - Unleashing Human Ingenuity in Business​00:15:03 - Fostering Empowering Workforce Culture​00:21:17 - Enabling Continuous Innovation Steps​00:26:00 - Building Resilient Sustainable Models​00:31:38 - Leveraging AI Frameworks in Operations​00:34:10 - Data-Driven Change Management Examples​00:40:00 - Advice for Successful Transformations​00:42:36 - What is the Future of ERP?

This episode dives into the evolving landscape of enterprise technology, revealing how AI and cloud ERP are changing the pace and purpose of business operations. Join Richard Howells, Cognizant’s Gary Hayes, and SAP’s Alex Pierroutsakos as they share candid industry perspectives—spanning utilities, chemicals, and manufacturing—about overcoming legacy barriers and harnessing data-driven innovation. Listeners will hear memorable examples: from automated case management resolving millions of utility errors, to Guinness World Record-winning hackathons and accelerated digital transformations. Explore how conversational AI, real-time analytics, and agile change management liberate people from repetitive tasks, empowering them for higher-value work. Tune in for a blend of actionable insights and inspirational advice, and discover why staying curious—and leveraging the latest tech—might be the smartest business decision you can make. Don’t forget to subscribe for more on the future of ERP and business innovation. Guest Speaker: Alex Pierroutsakos, Industry Executive Advisor – Chemicals Alex, currently is an executive industry advisor for the chemical industry at SAP where he guides executives through operational and digital transformations with a deep expertise in supply chain and manufacturing. Over the last 25 years, Alex has held leadership, project management, and supply chain positions in management consulting , software development, and within industry.  Within the chemical  industry, he was a Global CIO and held multiple senior business leadership positions including Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Director of Quality Assurance, and Internal Audit. Alex has a balance of industry, technology and business experience which enables him to provide a comprehensive and value added approach when working with chemical business leaders and CIO’s.  He has earned numerous credentials and awards, along with a Bachelor of Science with honors in Industrial Engineering from the University of MO – Columbia and an Executive Master’s in International Business with BSG honors at St. Louis University. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife and three daughters.  Guest Speaker: Gary Hayes, SAP Solution Enablement Domain at Cognizant Gary brings 35+ years of managing technology strategies, delivery and operations of SAP in the utilities industry, including his role as VP & CIO at CenterPoint Energy.  His background includes extensive experience in: Technology Leadership & Business TransformationProgram LeadershipCustomer SystemsEnterprise Asset ManagementFinancial / Supply Chain Smart Grid / ADMS / AMI At Cognizant, he is responsible for managing a team of SAP Solution Enablement Domain experts within North America.  Responsibilities include solution delivery, transformation advisory, product strategy & delivery, roadmap alignment, product development  and go-to-market strategies for the energy and utility market. Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Useful Links: Download Transcript SAP Cloud ERP Cognizant Technology Solutions Follow Us on Social Media: SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this episode of the Future of ERP podcast, Brian Jensen, Managing Director at KPMG, breaks down the complex world of compliance in Cloud ERP environments and how businesses can navigate shared responsibility models effectively. Brian explains why compliance should be seen not as a mere checkbox but as a powerful enabler for risk management and business agility. The discussion covers critical topics like data security, user access control, and the dynamic role of hyperscalers in cloud compliance. Listeners will gain practical advice on balancing rapid innovation with strict regulatory demands and how emerging technologies like AI and automation will reshape compliance roles in ERP systems. Memorable analogies, such as comparing compliance to a car’s safety features, make complex ideas accessible. Whether you’re a business leader or an IT professional, this episode offers valuable lessons on leveraging Cloud ERP and compliance as a competitive edge. Tune in for actionable insights and a forward-thinking vision of ERP’s future. Guest Speaker: Brian Jensen, Managing Director at KPMG With over 25 years in management consulting, business development, and practice leadership, Brian Jensenhas helped organizations across industries transform how they operate, manage risk, and capture new market opportunities. Recognized for his ability to cut through complexity and focus on what truly drives value, Brian brings deep expertise in business transformation, ERP risk, cybersecurity, process optimization, and enterprise application implementations. Today, Brian is helping lead the next wave of enterprise transformation — the rise of the Agentic Enterprise— where AI evolves from predictive to autonomous. He focuses on embedding agentic AI into enterprise risk, identity, and controls to enable organizations to modernize ERP ecosystems such as SAP S/4HANA without compromising trust, security, or compliance. Through KPMG’s Trusted Applications platforms, Brian is helping clients activate AI-driven governance, autonomous assurance, and adaptive controls — redefining what “trusted” means in the era of intelligent systems. Brian’s LinkedIn Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Host: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn Useful Links: Download Transcript KPMG Related SAP Pages SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: SAP SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn, X (Twitter) Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this episode of The Future of ERP, Richard Howells welcomes back John Froelich, senior VP at Bramasol, to discuss the dynamic growth of the subscription economy and its impact across unexpected industries. From medical devices and concrete monitoring to agricultural machinery, businesses are moving from one-time sales to flexible, usage-based, and outcome-based subscription models. John shares fascinating examples and explains how customer expectations are evolving toward real-time value and flexible payment options. They dive into the critical role of connected ERP systems in managing subscriptions, bundles, billing, and predictive maintenance. John highlights the importance of AI and advanced analytics in unlocking value and shaping the next generation of business models. Whether you’re curious about the intersection of technology, business innovation, or ERP’s future, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways. Guest Speaker: John Froelich, Senior Vice President at Bramasol John Froelich is a Senior Vice President at Bramasol, a leading SAP Partner helping companies make the most out of their Office of CFO Solutions and solutions for the Digital Solutions Economy.  John has over 40 years of experience in sales, marketing and design and implementation of SAP Solutions and has deep technology experience having worked with IBM, Avaya, SAP and AT&T’s Bell Laboratories.  He has delivered over 150 webinars and webcasts and spoken at numerous conferences including SAP Sapphire, SAP Insider, ASUG, Fiber Connect, and many others.  He was also a business coach and is certified in a variety of coaching methodologies including Brian Tracy, EMyth and others.  John lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife.  Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Useful Links: Download Transcript Bramasol SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this episode of The Future of ERP, Richard Howells welcomes back John Froelich, senior VP at Bramasol, to discuss the dynamic growth of the subscription economy and its impact across unexpected industries. From medical devices and concrete monitoring to agricultural machinery, businesses are moving from one-time sales to flexible, usage-based, and outcome-based subscription models. John shares fascinating examples and explains how customer expectations are evolving toward real-time value and flexible payment options. They dive into the critical role of connected ERP systems in managing subscriptions, bundles, billing, and predictive maintenance. John highlights the importance of AI and advanced analytics in unlocking value and shaping the next generation of business models. Whether you’re curious about the intersection of technology, business innovation, or ERP’s future, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways.

In this episode of “The Future of ERP,” host Richard Howells talks with Deloitte partner Geraldine Aubert about choosing the right path for cloud ERP transformation—whether to start fresh with a greenfield implementation or upgrade existing systems with brownfield. Geraldine shares insights from decades of SAP experience, highlighting how automation, AI, and strategic rollout planning enable companies to improve compliance, scale globally, and drive sustainable innovation. Learn about real-world challenges, practical trade-offs, and key success factors like strong people engagement and governance. Geraldine’s perspective offers a blueprint for businesses aiming to future-proof their operations amid rapid digital change. Tune in to discover ideas to fuel your ERP journey and why smart transformation is about balancing speed with lasting value. Guest Speaker: Geraldine Aubert, Partner at Deloitte Geraldine Aubert is a Partner in Deloitte’s Enterprise Performance practice, specializing in SAP consulting with over 25 years of experience. She leads global SAP S/4HANA transformation programs, focusing on delivering business value through strong collaboration between business operations and IT. Geraldine brings deep expertise in manufacturing, industrial products, automotive, chemicals, and medical devices industries. She heads Deloitte’s SAP manufacturing practitioners in Germany, covering areas such as production planning, quality management, plant maintenance, asset management, product lifecycle management, and integrated business planning (IBP). Geraldine is known for her strategic guidance in navigating complex digital transformations, including greenfield and brownfield ERP implementations on cloud platforms. Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Useful Links: Download Transcript The Future of ERP: A study on the challenges and opportunities of ERP systems by 2030 Related SAP Pages SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: SAP SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn, X (Twitter) Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this insightful episode of The Future of ERP, Ryan Throop from IBM joins hosts Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to explore the critical role of cybersecurity in the cloud ERP landscape. As businesses move from traditional on-premise solutions to cloud-centric environments, cybersecurity challenges grow more complex. Ryan shares how AI-driven threat detection and shared security models empower organizations to protect sensitive data while boosting operational efficiency. Listener takeaways include the importance of security awareness training, the evolving role of AI in security operations, and the growing emphasis on integrating ERP systems into broader identity governance frameworks. With compelling insights on managing insider threats, third-party risks, and emerging technologies, this episode is a must-hear for any business leader or IT professional focused on digital transformation success. Stay secure, stay innovative, and join the conversation! Guest Speaker: Ryan Throop, Executive Consultant, Global SAP Cybersecurity Offering Leader Ryan Throop is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with 15 years of experience in SAP Security, GRC, and Cybersecurity. He currently he is the Global SAP Security Offering Leader with IBM Consulting – Cybersecurity Services, specializing in securing SAP environments. At IBM, Ryan plays a pivotal role in shaping the SAP Cybersecurity services strategy and offering. His expertise in SAP security has been instrumental in developing and enhancing IBM’s comprehensive suite of SAP security services, which are trusted by clients across the globe. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ryan is committed to fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and education. With his extensive experience, technical acumen, and passion for cybersecurity, Ryan Throop continues to make significant contributions to the field, helping organizations safeguard their critical systems against ever-evolving threats. Ryan’s LinkedIn Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Host: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn Useful Links: Download Transcript IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 IBM Cybersecurity Services IBM SAP Consulting Services   Related SAP Pages SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: SAP SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn, X (Twitter) Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this episode of The Future of ERP, Abhishek Vesudevan from Westernacher shares the story of a company overcoming growth pains caused by disjointed systems and manual workflows. Listeners will learn how a strategic Cloud ERP implementation integrated sales, procurement, finance, warehousing, and transportation—enabling real-time data visibility and driving impressive benefits like freight cost savings and efficiency gains. Abhishek emphasizes that successful transformation hinges not only on technology but on process standardization and engaging users throughout the journey. He also highlights emerging trends, from AI-powered automation to sustainability innovations embedded in ERP. This episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories for any business pursuing digital transformation. Tune in to hear how ERP is evolving from a backend system to the brain of business. Listen now and rethink what ERP can do for your organization! Guest Speaker: Abhishek Vasudevan, Director, S/4HANA Practice – North America, Westernacher Abhishek Vasudevan leads the S/4HANA Practice for Westernacher in the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on helping organizations adopt SAP S/4HANA in both Public and Private Cloud environments. He brings over 14 years of SAP experience, specializing in greenfield implementations and end-to-end process design across core ERP and supply chain execution. In his current role, Abhishek is responsible for practice growth, go-to-market strategy, and customer success. He works closely with SAP and client leadership teams to shape solution roadmaps, guide presales, and ensure delivery excellence. Earlier in his career at Westernacher, Abhishek served as a solution architect and successfully led over 10 greenfield SAP implementations in the digital supply chain space, including Transportation Management, Event Management, and Global Track and Trace. He also held a leadership role at Amazon, where he managed strategic programs across North American fulfillment operations. Abhishek holds a Master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California. Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Host: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn Useful Links: Download Transcript SAP NEWS Article – TBD by Oyku Ilgar Related SAP Pages SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

This episode delves into the dynamic future of retail, spotlighting the pivotal role of AI in reshaping supply chains and customer interaction. Experts discuss how retailers are harnessing AI to deliver hyper-personalized shopping experiences, leveraging clean data to anticipate consumer needs and optimize inventory. The conversation explores the increasing importance of sustainability, with brands adopting eco-friendly practices and transparent supply chains to meet conscious consumer demands. The rise of social commerce platforms like TikTok is also examined, revealing how retailers are integrating social media into their sales strategies and supply chain management for unprecedented agility. This episode offers valuable insights into how technology, strategic data utilization, and a commitment to sustainability are converging to redefine the retail landscape and create new opportunities for brands and consumers alike. Guest Speaker: Amanda Spencer, Global Industry Marketing Lead for Retail at SAP Amanda Spencer is a global leader who is passionate about driving retail growth and innovation and understanding customer needs. With a diverse background spanning marketing, partnerships, and business development, she has gained experience in both the technology and consumer industries. Currently, Amanda is the Global Industry Marketing Lead for Retail at SAP, where she drives messaging and content creation based on industry trends and customer insights. Amanda focuses on helping retail providers leverage technology to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Host: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community, LinkedIn Useful Links: Download Transcript Blog Post Retail Trends 2025 Lesson from APAC: Social Commerce is Not One-Size-Fits-All Report SAP Industry Market Report for Retail: Grow Without Boundaries Related SAP Pages SAP Industries: Retail Page SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn Like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

In this episode of The Future of ERP, host Richard Howells welcomes Sakis Tabakis from E.ON Digital Technology and Max English of PwC to explore how cutting-edge cloud ERP and Generative AI are reshaping financial excellence. Sakis shares how E.ON’s Digital Lighthouse project is not just about technology upgrades – it’s a strategic foundation for agility in a fast-moving energy sector. The trio dive into how SAP Datasphere, SAP PAPM, and AI-driven insights create a unified, reliable data platform that breaks down silos, ensures compliance, and empowers smarter decisions in real time. Sakis highlights a bold vision: “The future of ERP is invisible. It thinks before you do, it speaks your language, and it acts when it really matters.” Max emphasizes the human side of digital transformation, reminding listeners that embracing AI means gaining efficiency and trusting technology as an enabler – not a threat. Whether you’re curious about AI’s impact on finance or the future of cloud ERP, this episode offers inspiring lessons and practical insights. Tune in and discover what’s next for enterprise systems in a rapidly changing world! Guest Speaker: Sakis Athanasios Tabakis, Team Lead Systems & Digitization, Project Lead Digital Lighthouse at E.ON Digital Technology Sakis Athanasios Tabakis leads the Systems & Digitisation team within the Finance Controlling department of E.ON Digital Technology. In this role, he is responsible for the digital transformation of core steering processes — most notably through the Digital Lighthouse Project, a scalable platform for data-driven management of IT costs, investments, and value contribution. Over the past years, he has held leadership positions in multinational CFO organizations across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, driven by a clear mission: to make digital transformation in Finance a strategic, repeatable process. Because to this day, the success of many initiatives still hinges on chance, individual expertise, or personal courage. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in Finance, he recently developed a structured framework to measure and accelerate the digital maturity of CFO functions — with a rigorous focus on Processes, People, and Systems. As a University Alliance Partner and Corporate Ambassador for E.ON Digital Technology, he is convinced that digital fluency in Finance must not be left to chance — not for emerging talents, nor for seasoned leaders. That is why he shares his insights where true transformation begins: in the mindset of people. Guest Speaker: Max Englisch, manager of Finance Transformation at PwC Germany Max is a Senior Associate in SAP Data & Analytics, concentrating on Data Management and SAP DWC. He has specialized in the field of Data & Analytics, with a particular focus on Data Management and all topics related to SAP. Cloud-based data warehousing solutions and the ecosystem around it are an integral part of his daily work and passion. Host: Richard Howells, SAP 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) Useful Links: Download Transcript Customer Blog: E.ON Digital Technology’s Cloud ERP Journey: Driving Transformation Through Speed, Trust, and Agility by Oyku Ilgar https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/alliances/sap.html Related SAP Pages SAP Cloud ERP Follow Us on Social Media: SAP SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn, X (Twitter) Like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!