The Choice Is Yours: Say Hello to SAP’s New ERP

I vividly remember SAP’s launch of S/4HANA earlier this year: It was a brisk but sunny morning in New York City. The event took place at the New York Stock Exchange—a storied venue that harkens to a world before ones and zeros. A world that couldn’t have imagined the phrase “digital transformation,” or comprehended the impact that it would have on every facet of both our personal and professional lives.

My day there included a tour of the Exchange floor. A floor that has absolutely been transformed by technology. Sure, there are display screens everywhere. Yes, it’s a flashy juxtaposition against classic architecture.

But at its core, it’s a floor that even the few remaining traders begrudgingly admit doesn’t really need to physically exist. It has been transformed into the ether. It exists everywhere, and nowhere, at the same time. I wondered at the time why SAP chose this venue. Was it to pay homage to a time gone by, or was it a nod to where we are all heading? I leave that conclusion for you to make.

A New Beginning

Several months later, we are back to discuss the latest release S/4HANA 1511. This time it’s not just about Simple Finance. The rest of the SAP ERP platform has been transformed. SAP has accomplished in months what took R1, R2 and R3 decades to achieve. As customers, we now have the opportunity to implement a modern, digital-ready ERP platform end-to-end.

Is this a finished product? Not by a longshot. But we now have something more to work with. SAP has pledged to continue delivering at this pace, and this solution will get stronger and better with each successive release. Something that I am eager to see our ASUG community help shape and influence.

Each of us is in the midst of digital transformation. No business, organization or industry is exempt. If you think you are exempt, I am afraid that you are living in denial. It is happening, and it will continue to happen. The question for you is no longer “if”, it’s “when”—and more importantly, what are your strategies to not only keep pace but hopefully outpace your competition?

SAP and ASUG are here to help you get answers to these critical questions and ensure that you are successful as everything transforms around you.

Sayonara Simple

With this 1511 release comes yet another name change. If you’re scratching your head over the SAP marketing team’s intent here, you’re not alone. The word “simple” is gone but hopefully not the concept. From here on out is S/4HANA Enterprise Management. (ASUG is simplifying this to S4EM and S/4HANA Finance as S4F.)

As your user group, our responsibility is to help you transform to the new world of S4EM. ASUG will be with you every step of the way: from the initial stages of “what is this?”, through the business case, organizational buy-in, implementation and innovation.

Earlier this year we had the foresight to invest in people that can help you along this journey. Our team of Community Advocates are here to guide you along the way. You will see them at ASUG chapter meetings, delivering webcasts, writing blogs, connecting ASUG members to other members, and at your invitation engaging directly with you and your teams.

ASUG’s motto has always been “Real Experience, Real Advantage,” and our Community Advocates are here to help you with just that. (Be sure to read Kevin Reilly’s important blog post on the S/4HANA Enterprise Management launch and check out our S/4HANA Community page.)

We don’t always get the opportunity to choose the world we live in. But we do have the choice to make the most of it and take advantage of every opportunity. The latest release of S4EM is exactly this opportunity. Let’s do something with it. 

Also be sure to check out this helpful explainer—ASUG Briefing: What Is S/4HANA Enterprise Management.