The Future of ERP

How real-time security transforms ERP systems in a cloud-driven world, spotting threats instantly, leveraging AI for proactive defense, and closing common blind spots before breaches escalate. Curious about staying ahead of cyber risks?=====Mohammed Moidheen, SAP security architect at Infosys, unpacks why real-time monitoring is vital amid 2,200 daily cyber attacks costing trillions annually. He highlights blind spots like unmonitored access vulnerabilities, ignored audit logs, unsecured APIs, privileged accounts, insider threats, and poor event correlation in S/4HANA Cloud setups. AI evolves detection with predictive intelligence, automated responses, natural language queries, and cross-system pattern spotting, shifting from reactive to proactive security. Real-world cases show systems halting unusual data downloads and insider data exfiltration in minutes. Advice includes aligning with governance, prioritizing crown jewels, setting baselines, training teams, and correlating data. Infosys aids via assessments and foundational builds.Listen now and rethink what ERP can do for your organization!⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠Infosys.comFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Mohammed Khan Moidheen, SAP Security Architect at Infosys ConsultingMohammed Khan Moidheen is a Senior SAP Security architect with over 12 years of experience securing and operating large scale SAP landscapes across global enterprises. His expertise spans SAP S/4HANA security, ERP platform services, DevSecOps enablement, and designing audit ready security architectures aligned with frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and GDPR.Mohammed is CISSP and CISA certified and I excel at translating complex security requirements into actionable strategies that are practical , strategically aligned and strengthen organisational resilience.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku 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's ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠SAP Community⁠=====Key Topics: real-time security, ERP monitoring, cloud threats, SAP S/4HANA, access management, audit logs, AI threat detection, insider threats, privileged accounts, predictive intelligence

Imagine ERP systems that spot cyber threats before they strike, using AI to predict outages and banish reactive support forever. How close are we to invisible, proactive defense that keeps businesses unbreakable? Dive into the future where data and smarts outpace chaos.=====In this compelling episode of the Future of ERP podcast, SAP's Jens Bernotat, head of strategy, portfolio, and ecosystem management for SAP Support, shares transformative insights on evolving ERP customer support. He outlines a future where support becomes invisible through prevention, hyper-proactive with deep customer data insights, and accelerated by AI-driven recommendations. Jens emphasizes data's starring role in pattern detection via AI analytics, addresses change management for teams shifting from routine tickets to complex missions and AI curation, and reveals key KPIs like customer effort scores and health metrics. Practical advice includes starting with quick-win AI use cases, fostering team experimentation, and crafting transformation roadmaps. Listen now and rethink what ERP can do for your organization!⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Jens Bernotat, Head of Strategy, Portfolio and Ecosystem Management, SAP Customer Support at SAPJens joined SAP in 2007 as Vice President in the Corporate Strategy Group. Here, he has guided high impact programs with a focus on maintenance and support strategy, portfolio and commercial design. From 2011, Jens was driving strategy for Maintenance Go-To-Market, where he designed commercial transformation programs to the Cloud and new support offerings.Since 2017, Jens is driving SAP's maintenance and support strategy, orchestrating maintenance phases, end dates and the portfolio of support offerings. Jens also leads Ecosystem management, defining the setup of how partners deliver support to our customers.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku 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's ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠SAP Community⁠=====Key Topics: ERP support, proactive support, AI analytics, customer health, data patterns, change management, Black Friday uptime, support automation, ERP transformation, cyber prevention

Discover how identity and access management (IAM) is reshaping cybersecurity in cloud ERP, enabling businesses to be safer, faster, and more compliant with clarity in roles and responsibilities.=====In this insightful episode of the Future of ERP podcast, Aditya Thakurdesai from Infosys dives deep into the vital topic of identity and access management (IAM) in cloud ERP environments. He explains why understanding "who owns what" in IAM is non-negotiable to ensure security, compliance, and operational efficiency amid today's complex hybrid IT infrastructures. Aditya shares compelling customer stories- rom a global pharmaceutical company safeguarding sensitive research data to a large retailer accelerating seasonal workforce onboarding - highlighting how the shared responsibility model brings clarity and confidence in managing cloud security. The discussion further explores how AI is revolutionizing IAM, with intelligent threat detection, adaptive access control, and proactive governance transforming traditional security roles. This episode is a must-listen for any business navigating cloud security risks and looking to leverage AI for smarter, faster, and safer ERP management. Tune in and learn how to stay ahead in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠Useful Links:Learn how the shared responsibility model for SAP Cloud ERP Private defines roles, streamlines operations, and improves security and compliance: Operate your cloud ERP with confidence and control SAP Cloud ERPInfosysFollow Us on Social Media!⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Aditya Thakurdesai, Director – Enterprise Security , InfosysAditya is a seasoned SAP Security and GRC professional, currently serving as Director – Enterprise Security at Infosys. With nearly two decades of experience, he has delivered transformative security solutions that seamlessly integrate deep domain expertise with emerging technologies. In his current role, Aditya heads the Manufacturing and Communications, Media & Technology segments within Infosys' Enterprise Risk Management Services group. He also drives strategic Centre of Excellence initiatives focused on security transformation, intelligent automation, and AI innovation. His current passion lies in Agentic AI, where he has developed pioneering solution that introduce new levels of agility, compliance, and scalability to enterprise security operations.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku 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's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: Identity Management, Access Management, Cloud ERP, Shared Responsibility, Compliance, Security, Artificial Intelligence, AI, Threat Detection, Case Studies

Can your ERP really turn sustainability from a reporting headache into a competitive advantage? Discover how better data, AI, and cloud ERP help companies move from sustainability slogans to embedded, measurable business value across their supply chains.=====This episode of The Future of ERP explores how companies can turn sustainability into a core business capability by using robust data foundations, cloud ERP, and closer collaboration across their value chains. Deloitte partner Brian Jobe, carbon accounting lead and SAP sustainability lead, explains why almost every sustainability challenge ultimately comes down to the quality, granularity, and reliability of enterprise data. He compares global regulatory frameworks and highlights how emerging harmonization will shape what “good” looks like for sustainability reporting across industries and regions.The conversation dives into the pivotal role of cloud ERP and supply chain solutions in providing near real-time insight, especially for scope 3 emissions, traceability, and responsible sourcing beyond the four walls of the enterprise. Brian shares best practices on engaging suppliers, embedding sustainability into procurement, finance, operations, and investor relations, and using AI to turn data into actionable insights - once the data foundation is in place. The episode closes with a clear vision for the future of ERP, where sustainability KPIs sit inside everyday management dashboards rather than in a separate “green” silo, and listeners are invited to follow the podcast for more practical conversations like this.⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠Useful Links:⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠Deloitte⁠Follow Us on Social Media!⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠⁠=====Guest: Brian Jobe, Lead for SAP Sustainability at DeloitteBrian is Deloitte's lead for SAP Sustainability, focused on identifying opportunities to drive business value through sustainability offerings across our global network.  Brian is also the Carbon Accounting leader for the US, focused on supporting clients on their journey to implementing and operationalizing data, processes, and technology to address the regulatory and market-based pressures related to sustainability.  In these dual roles, Brian has a unique perspective on how SAP can be leveraged for sustainability outcomes. Brian has more than 25 years of experience in providing data strategy, reporting process, controls, and governance services, primarily to clients in the  life sciences and health care sectors.  He also works with many of Deloitte's largest audit clients on a technical consultation basis relating to complex accounting matters. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Economics with concentrations in Accounting and Information Systems from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is licensed as a CPA in New York and New Jersey, and is a member of the AICPA.Host: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠=====Key Topics: sustainability, cloud ERP, data, carbon accounting, scope 3, supply chain, AI, regulations, procurement, Deloitte

Relive 2025's ERP breakthroughs: from AI-fueled supply chains to sustainability wins that redefined business resilience. This wrap-up episode recaps game-changing insights from the year's top discussions—perfect for forward-thinking leaders.=====Dive into the "Future of ERP 2025 Wrap-Up," a dynamic recap of the year's pivotal episodes unpacking ERP's shift from rigid software to agile, AI-driven powerhouses. Memorable highlights include forward-looking debates on ERP's role in sustainable growth and real-time adaptability, blending data trends with actionable playbooks for digital leaders. Tailored for ERP pros, marketers, and execs eyeing 2026 horizons, this finale inspires bold upgrades. Come join us as we discuss The Future of ERP!⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠Useful Links:⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠Follow Us on Social Media!⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠=====Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku 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 Studies, 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.=====Key Topics: ERP Evolution, AI Integration, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Predictive Analytics, Digital Twins, SAP Implementations, Net-Zero Goals, Intelligent Automation, Business Agility, ERP, Cloud ERP

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!Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links:SAP Cloud ERPCapgeminiFollow Us on Social Media!SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn=====Guest: Elisabetta Spontoni, Executive Vice President at CapgeminiElisabetta is an Executive Vice President at Capgemini, with 30 years' experience in ICT governance, projects, and operations. As Group Offer Leader for "Digital Core," she drives the end-to-end offer lifecycle and manages the portfolio of packaged solutions, including major ERPs on top of Supply Chain packages, communities, and strategic learning initiatives. She brings strong management experience and a deep delivery operations background, with core competencies in ERP solutions (mainly SAP technologies), leading large international ICT transformation programs, and conducting sales and pre-sales activities at localand international levels, alongside go-to-market strategy and offering development. Her main sectors of expertise are the International Public Sector (United Nations), Oil & Gas, and Aerospace & Defense. Certified as a large international program director, she serves on the Capgemini Group Project Management Certification Board and the “Flying Squad” team—a select group oftop professionals handling recovery missions for critical projects worldwide. She is also certified as a Delivery Partner to support profitable growth of Capgemini's global accounts. Her key strengths include recognized leadership, collaborative work with colleagues, clients, and partners in multicultural teams, sharp ICT expertise focused on SAP technologies, delivery excellence, innovation, and executive-level communication.Host: Richard Howells, SAPRichard 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.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and X

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.

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.

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, 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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

This episode explores the evolution of ERP cybersecurity, emphasizing the shift from on-premise to cloud ERP and the shared responsibility model. Key topics include the rising risk of cyberattacks on supply chains, the benefits of expert collaboration in cloud security, and the importance of integrating security from the design phase. The discussion highlights cultural changes, trust-building, and the role of employee training in strengthening defenses. Emerging technologies like AI are examined for their potential to enhance threat detection, automate responses, and proactively defend against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, shaping the future of secure and resilient ERP systems.

This episode examines how generative AI is fundamentally changing ERP systems and financial decision-making. It explores AI's role in enhancing cash flow management, forecasting, and scenario modeling by integrating diverse data sources and automating complex analyses. The discussion highlights AI-driven hyper-personalized financial strategies, fraud detection, and cross-system communication, showing how AI helps manage uncertainty and volatility. It also addresses the importance of data quality, governance, potential biases, and risks in deploying AI in finance, emphasizing the ongoing value of ERPs as trusted platforms in a complex digital ecosystem.

This episode examines how digital transformation, cloud migration, and AI are shaping the future of banking and ERP. It opens with an overview of the most significant trends for 2025, highlighting the shift to digital-first strategies and the growing reliance on cloud solutions. Falk Rieker discusses the challenges banks face in understanding customer needs, building loyalty, and managing data complexity. The conversation covers practical examples of AI integration in banking, explores strategies for effective data management, and considers how banks can differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape. The episode concludes with advice for leaders on navigating business transformation and enhancing user experience in financial services.

This episode explores how technology and business truly come together to drive meaningful change, focusing on the shift from on-premise to cloud ERP. You'll hear how companies are breaking free from outdated systems, overcoming technical debt, and embracing more agile, modular approaches to stay ahead in a fast-changing world. The conversation unpacks common myths about security and customization, explains why cloud ERP offers greater trust and flexibility, and highlights the priorities today's CIOs are setting to future-proof their organizations. With insights on continuous innovation, compliance, and keeping your business unique, this discussion will leave you rethinking what's possible for the future of work.

SAP's Lauren Husum, Vice President of Product Marketing for SaaS ERP, dives into the evolving landscape of ERP systems. Lauren explains why ERP remains the heart of organizations, serving as a critical foundation for innovation rather than becoming obsolete. She highlights three key trends shaping the future of ERP: the integration of AI, the importance of smart data, and the continued evolution of ERP applications. Lauren explains how AI is revolutionizing business processes by enhancing decision-making, boosting operational efficiency, and increasing employee productivity. SAP's approach to AI emphasizes relevance, reliability, and responsibility, ensuring AI solutions are embedded in enterprise applications, trained on extensive business data, and developed with strong ethical standards. She stresses that AI's success depends on high-quality, harmonized data across systems, which ERP platforms uniquely provide. Ultimately, the episode underscores that ERP is not dead but evolving into a powerful enabler of digital transformation. Organizations that leverage ERP combined with AI and smart data will unlock greater agility, efficiency, and growth in the years ahead.

SAP's Brent Potts discusses five key trends shaping the sector in 2025. Companies are balancing traditional hydrocarbon production with investments in renewables like wind, solar, and hydrogen, recognizing that oil will remain vital for decades. Decarbonization efforts, including carbon capture and biofuels, are accelerating under pressure from stakeholders. The industry is also adopting standardized cloud ERP systems to improve efficiency, focusing AI on automating complex processes. Finally, collaboration and partnerships are crucial as companies navigate this complex transition, driving innovation and resilience in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

In this episode of The Future of ERP, Gaye Bingul, SAP Insurance Industry Lead, and Javier Gil, Head of Global Insurance & Reinsurance at SAP, discuss how the future of insurance relies on AI-powered ERP systems that unify all types of data-structured, unstructured, SAP, and non-SAP-to unlock deeper insights into customers and climate risks. They highlight key challenges insurers face, including complex global data privacy regulations, the growing aging population (“silver segment”), and a widening skills gap due to retiring experts and difficulty attracting new tech talent. Gaye and Javier emphasize how insurers can leverage connected devices, wearables, and AI-driven analytics to offer personalized health and wellness services that help the aging population stay healthy and independent while driving innovation and growth. Listeners gain insight into why digital transformation and advanced ERP solutions are critical for navigating regulatory demands and demographic shifts in the insurance industry.

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.

This week's podcast episode features a discussion on integrating a gamer's mindset into business systems. Key themes include placing human needs at the center of interactions, enhancing digital maturity, and fostering curiosity and agility in software development. The conversation emphasizes designing user-centric systems that prioritize engagement over rigid processes. It also covers the importance of collaboration across supply chains and the evolution of analytics from descriptive to prescriptive insights, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and enhance operational efficiency. This approach encourages continuous learning and adaptation, ultimately driving innovation in today's rapidly changing digital landscape.

In this episode, Markus Nitsch from cbs Corporate Business Solutions discusses the necessity of cloud ERP in manufacturing. He highlights common challenges faced by manufacturers, such as cost efficiency and outdated systems, while emphasizing the advantages of cloud solutions, including faster implementation and scalability. Nitsch stresses the importance of early stakeholder involvement in ERP projects to facilitate change management. He also addresses the complexities of implementing cloud ERP in 24/7 production environments, sharing strategies for minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless transitions during go-live phases. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of cloud technology in enhancing operational efficiency for manufacturers.

This episode focuses on the evolving role of finance leaders, featuring insights from Larry Simcox of SAP. Based on an Oxford Economics survey of 600 financial executives, it reveals that CFOs are now strategic partners to CEOs, taking on new responsibilities beyond traditional finance roles.Larry discusses the challenges finance teams face, such as compliance with complex regulations like ESG standards and the need for modern technology to support growth. Many finance executives report their existing systems are inadequate, hindering innovation and responsiveness.The conversation highlights the importance of adopting cloud-based solutions and AI technologies to streamline processes and enhance decision-making. Larry provides actionable advice for CFOs, emphasizing the need for clear goals, strategic technology use, and fostering a culture of innovation. This episode is essential for understanding the evolving landscape of finance and how leaders can effectively navigate it for future success.

In this podcast episode of the Future of ERP, we had an engaging conversation with SAP's Torsten Welte about the pressing topic of Sovereign Cloud. We explored why this concept is becoming increasingly vital in today's ERP landscape, especially as countries tighten regulations around data protection. Torsten shared his insights on how businesses must adapt to these changes, particularly in industries that handle sensitive information. We also discussed the challenges companies face when navigating diverse regulations across borders and how leveraging technologies like AI can complicate matters further.

In this episode of The Future of ERP, we dive into the complexities of ERP implementation with Oliver Hafner, COO of SCHEER. With over 20 years of experience in the SAP environment, Oliver shares invaluable insights on navigating the transition to S4HANA and selecting the right deployment model - be it cloud, on-premise, or hybrid. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between these models and how they impact your ERP strategy. Listeners will learn about optimizing business processes, effectively integrating SAP and non-SAP applications using the SAP Business Technology Platform, and establishing a robust security framework to protect sensitive data in the cloud. We also iscussed best practices for a smooth implementation process, highlighting the significance of leveraging existing methodologies and tools like SAP Activate and Cloud Application Lifecycle Manager (CALM). This episode is packed with expert strategies that can help businesses maximize their ERP systems and achieve operational excellence.

In this podcast episode, NTT DATA's Waliuollah Ali explores the multifaceted challenges and expectations surrounding the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in organizations. The discussion highlights the distinct needs of key stakeholders, including top management, departmental employees, and IT teams. Listeners will learn about the importance of real-time data for decision-making, the necessity of user-friendly interfaces for employees, and the critical role of cybersecurity in modern ERP systems. The episode emphasizes effective change management, data quality, and the strategic involvement of leadership to ensure successful ERP adoption and enhanced productivity across the organization.

In this week's episode, the discussion centers around the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance departments, as highlighted in a recent SAP Insights research paper. SAP's Paul Saunders, the head of product strategy for cloud ERP and chief evangelist, discusses how AI is changing traditional finance roles and responsibilities, the areas being disrupted most, and the human skills needed to critically evaluate AI-driven recommendations and develop insights to bring those recommendations to life.

The conversation centers on the evolution of public cloud ERP systems and their advantages for businesses. Key topics include the transition from highly customized on-premise solutions to standardized cloud offerings, which facilitate faster deployment and continuous updates. The discussion also covers the necessity of a cloud mindset, where organizations embrace standard processes to maximize benefits. Success stories illustrate how companies like Neurod and KTM have effectively adapted to public cloud ERP, demonstrating improved operational efficiency and a strategic focus on their unique strengths.

Cloud ERP systems are transforming small and midsize businesses by enabling integration, automation, and AI-driven analytics. Henrik Hausen, CEO of All4Cloud, emphasizes the importance of a cloud mindset that prioritizes standardization over customization for successful implementation. Cloud solutions offer regular updates, enhanced security, and the ability to focus on core business activities rather than IT management. AI integration automates data processing and decision-making, improving scalability and flexibility as companies grow. Hausen advocates for a shift from on-premise systems to cloud-based platforms, which can streamline processes and reduce reliance on manual input, ultimately driving operational efficiency and innovation.

Cloud ERP systems are transforming small and midsize businesses by enabling integration, automation, and AI-driven analytics. Henrik Hausen, CEO of All4Cloud, emphasizes the importance of a cloud mindset that prioritizes standardization over customization for successful implementation. Cloud solutions offer regular updates, enhanced security, and the ability to focus on core business activities rather than IT management. AI integration automates data processing and decision-making, improving scalability and flexibility as companies grow. Hausen advocates for a shift from on-premise systems to cloud-based platforms, which can streamline processes and reduce reliance on manual input, ultimately driving operational efficiency and innovation.