The Future of ERP

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.

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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!

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⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠

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Guest: Jens Bernotat, Head of Strategy, Portfolio and Ecosystem Management, SAP Customer Support at SAP
Jens 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, 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.

Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host 2: 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’s ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠SAP Community⁠

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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.

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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.

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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 ERP
Infosys

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⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

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Guest: Aditya Thakurdesai, Director – Enterprise Security , Infosys
Aditya 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, 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.

Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠

Host 2: 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’s LinkedIn and SAP Community

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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.

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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 Transcript⁠⁠

Useful Links:
⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠
⁠Deloitte⁠

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⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠⁠

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Guest: Brian Jobe, Lead for SAP Sustainability at Deloitte
Brian 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, 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.

Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠X⁠⁠

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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.
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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 Transcript⁠

Useful Links:
⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠

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⁠SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn⁠

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Host 1: 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.

Host 2: 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 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.

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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!

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Useful Links:
SAP Cloud ERP
Capgemini

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SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn

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Guest: Elisabetta Spontoni, Executive Vice President at Capgemini
Elisabetta 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, 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.

Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and X