Episodes
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In the fourth episode of Conversation Starters, we welcome Nadine Hoffmann, Global AI Product Manager at SAP. She shares insights on her transition from banking to AI, the evolution of product management, and practical AI applications. The episode covers generative AI, large language models, and announces a collaboration between SAP’s Joule and Microsoft's Copilot. It concludes with updates on the German SAP user group and plans for further AI integration.
0:23 – Introduction to Guest (Nadine Hoffman)
1:10 - Career Background and Evolution of Technology in Payments2:09 - Role at SAP and Business AI
3:14 – Evolution of the role over time
4:07- Delivering Business Value and Real Business Value
5:01 - Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology
5:20 - Hype Cycles and Technology Trends
6:58 – Idea to Improve the Process
8:05 - Multidimensional Aspects of Technology and BusinessValue
9:11 - Data Security and Ethical Aspects
10:37 – Future Tools and Inclusiveness in Tech
14:27 – Networks and Innovation
15:34 – Mindset Shift and Open-mindedness in Technology
17:26 – Agility and Customer/Partner Exchanges
19:37 – Experience Garage teams & Hackathons
20:50 – AI Technology and Large Language Models
23:42 – Chatbots and Digital Assistants
27:10 – Latest Announcements and Key Topics from Sapphire
32:30 – Partner Collaborations and Compliance Topics
34:33 - User Group Exchange and Learning Together
42:27 - Building Code with AI
44:53 - Skills and Learning in Technology
48:22 - Opportunities for Experienced Professionals
49:54 - Conclusion and Future Conversations
Follow Nadine Hoffmann:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/qt0zz0Follow Louise Steenekamp:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewqSponsored By:
AFSUG – https://afsug.com/
ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future -
In the third episode of AFSUG Conversation Starters, we are joined by David Yawalkar, product marketing leader at SAP in Waldorf. He discusses SAP Environments, maintenance timelines, and transitioning to the Cloud.
Show Notes:0:25 - Introduction to David Yawalkar and his role at SAP1:12 – Timelines for ECC Customers4:20 – GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP9:22 – RISE with SAP and Business One Customers11:38 – Ads13:19 – ECC Customer Scenario16:54 – Clean Core Strategy 20:31 – Enterprise Architecture23:15 – SAP's Innovation Roadmap27:03 – Ads27:13 – Upcoming SAP Solutions29:28 – Signavio’s Role31:17 – Upgrade Cycles and New Releases32:29 - BTP: What skills do I need?34:29 – Customer Concerns, Privacy, and Cloud Offerings37:36 – Closing Remarks
RISE with SAP Resource Links:
Announcement: Transform with confidence using RISE with SAP Methodology Blog #1: Jumpstart your cloud ERP journey with guided enablement in RISE with SAP Methodology Blog #2: ‘Clean core’ focused success plan, runbook, and quality checks Web content: Migration from SAP ERP AND Transition from SAP S/4HANA Partner Blog: Expert Insights for Partners: RISE with SAP MethodologyFollow David:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/fbhfpeFollow Louise:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewqSponsored By:
AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future -
Missing episodes?
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David Cohn is a seasoned CIO with over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, currently heading the technology development for Africa's largest food retailer, Shoprite. With a deep understanding of the role of technology and data in transforming organisations, David has driven large-scale projects and ensured stable services as CIO. His passion for innovation has kept Shoprite at the forefront of global technology trends. Under his leadership, the company has won prestigious awards, including the SAP Africa Business Transformation Award (2018) and the 2020 Africa PMO of the Year.
00:00 – Intro
01:20 – David's career journey
03:11 – The field of IT Then vs. Now
04:30 – The rise of the Internet, home computing, and high-speed telecom networks
06:45 – From Sci-Fi to real innovation
08:26 – LLMs built into ERP
10:25 – David's early career
12:30 – Word of advice to Young Professionals
17:05 – Ads
17:16 – Reflecting on behaviour in the workplace
19:06 – Doing what it takes (There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch)
22:05 – David’s speaks on his favourite tech
24:03 – An old story about old tech
25:04 – Serving the communities we operate in
27:21 – Impactful Tech: Checkers Sixty60
32:10 – What you know now and not then
34:30 – David's reflection on approaching retirement
39:10 – Ads
39:20 – Mentorships and humbling experiences
41:48 – AI's impact on us in the near future
43:30 – Article reference: https://www.ghostmail.co.za/what-tiny-pineapples-can-tell-us-about-our-future/
Follow David: LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/hq29cp
Follow Louise:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewq
Sponsored By: AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future -
Rob Coombe, Royal Eswatini Sugar's (RES) Group IT Manager, and host Louise Steenekamp unveil the secrets of RES's successful SAP implementation and flourishing in the Cloud Era.
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In this week's Special Episode: AFSUG CEO, Amanda Gibbs introduces Louise Steenekamp, Conversation Starters host and Vice-Chair of AFSUG.
www.afsug.com
