The integration of AI technology is a vital tool in helping SAP ’ s solutions keep pace with the accelerating pace of change . Wade looks ahead and feels the range of use cases will continue to grow in terms of how AI can support supply chains operate . When this is combined with the pre-existing package of solutions they provide business , it promises to be a powerful mix of technology .
“ We already connect the business processes end to end in a way that no one else can . When you augment it with AI , I think it puts our customers in a place where they really could empower the supply chain community in their organisation in a way that they couldn ’ t before .”
Internal and external partnerships Even with the scale and experience of a company like SAP , Wade knows the immense value of their partner ecosystem , describing it as at the centre of their strategy . He ’ s mindful that with SAP covering every corner of the globe , with customers from SMEs to global corporations , there is a huge complexity to that network that needs the help of partners to implement their solutions .
“ Anyone that knows SAP knows we have a huge ecosystem , and whenever I meet our partners , I always thank them because we can ’ t do it on our own ,” says Wade , understanding the importance of the relationship . “ The real investment begins post the sale because in the cloud world it ’ s all about adoption and consumption and driving the business value , what we call the Customer Value Journey . SAP is actively invested in our customers ’ success .”
When SAP partners with another organisation , Wade says they have to have absolute trust in their ability to represent the standards SAP demands .
“ The pace and the drumbeat at which we operate with our customers now is much , much faster ”
MIKE WADE HEAD OF DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN IN EMEA SOUTH , SAP
One example he suggests is Camelot ITLab which is a long-standing implementation partner of SAP , with a 25 year record of collaboration . They have worked together on joint co-innovations and have a proud track record of more than 350 large scale SAP transformations .
They were also a strategic co-development partner for SAP IBP to bring DDMRP capabilities into preferred SAP Supply Chain Solutions . “ Camelot is a very good and longstanding partner of SAP and especially in the digital supply chain area ,” says Wade . “ I know the customers that work with them and the customers that potentially will work with them in the future , will get the service and the quality of delivery that they ’ re expecting .”
As businesses try to leverage technology to keep pace with change , Wade has advice on how you can maximise the potential of digital transformation by having solid internal partnerships and executive buy-in . He refers to one recent example where the programme has strong board sponsorship and mandate , to the level the transformation was also celebrated in quarterly results . “ Why has it been so successful ? Why has it happened on time ? And by the way , why
158 February 2024