The award highlights PwC’s outstanding achievements in the fields of RISE with SAP S/4HANA, SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, and Intelligent Spend and Business Network. This recognition underscores the strong partnership between SAP and PwC in helping customers adopt innovation, achieve rapid results, and run their businesses more efficiently with SAP solutions.

SAP and PwC have a long-standing global strategic partnership, collaborating to deliver innovative solutions and services to customers across various industries. As one of SAP’s top Global Strategic Service Partners, PwC has been instrumental in supporting digital transformation projects for customers in the Asia Pacific Japan region, including key markets such as Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. The partnership also leverages PwC’s deep industry expertise and strong technology capabilities to help organizations harness the power of SAP solutions and drive business success.

Pushing Boundaries with SAP Technology

PwC’s success in driving customer adoption of autonomously driven SAP solutions can be attributed to its ability to leverage global connectivity, industry expertise, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Michael Rasch, Partner and Global SAP Alliance Leader at PwC Germany, emphasized that this recognition reflects the team’s capability to push the boundaries of what is possible with SAP technology and deliver the best value to clients. PwC remains committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Furthermore, the SAP Partner Excellence Awards nominations are based on internal SAP sales data, with a committee of regional and global SAP representatives determining the winners in each category. The awards cover various categories, including overall sales, innovation, technology, services, and solution-specific areas. PwC’s achievement in winning the awards for RISE with SAP S/4HANA, SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, and Intelligent Spend and Business Network also demonstrates their expertise and success in these critical areas.

Driving Cloud Transformation and Innovation

Utkarsh Maheshwari, Chief Partner Officer at SAP Asia Pacific Japan, highlighted the increasing integration of SAP partners into their business and the crucial role they play in driving cloud transformation and innovation. With the rapid emergence of new technologies like generative AI, cloud transformation has become essential for organizations of all sizes to seize opportunities and accelerate business success. The SAP Partner Excellence Awards not only celebrate partners’ achievements in traditional areas of sales and performance but also recognize their contributions to the phenomenal growth of SAP’s cloud business across solutions and their unique IP in driving customer innovations.

Moreover, PwC’s focus on being a “business integrator” rather than just a “system integrator” sets them apart in the Thai market, according to Jirapol Tangtatswas, Consulting Partner at PwC Thailand. By providing comprehensive support and leveraging the professionalism of their team, PwC assists clients in maximizing their investments through digital transformation across organizations. The firm’s approach involves assessing clients’ needs, developing ERP systems, and identifying new opportunities for digital transformation. PwC’s global network also allows them to bring insights and best practices with high standards to introduce optimal processes to their Thai clients.

Recognition as an Outstanding SAP Asia Pacific Japan Partner

The SAP APJ Partner Excellence Award 2024 presented to PwC is a testament to their outstanding contributions in driving digital transformation for businesses using SAP solutions. Through their strong partnership with SAP and deep industry expertise, PwC has successfully supported customers in adopting innovation, achieving rapid results, and running their businesses more efficiently. As organizations continue to navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape, partnerships like the one between SAP and PwC will be crucial in helping businesses harness the power of cloud transformation and innovation to achieve long-term success.

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Employment-Focused SAP Training Program

The SAP training program, spearheaded by SAP Korea’s CEO Eunyoung Shin, stands out for its rigorous and relevant curriculum. It focuses on imparting in-depth knowledge of SAP S/4HANA cloud-based financial processes and program development. What sets this program apart is its blend of theory and practice. It employs a field-tailored curriculum taught by active consultants, ensuring that participants gain hands-on experience with servers and environments used in actual business settings.

Another key aspect of the SAP training program is its emphasis on employment. Participants are not only trained to understand complex software systems but also prepared for roles as financial module operators, developers, and IT consultants. This holistic approach is evident in the program’s impressive outcomes: a 100% completion rate and a 100% employment rate among the participants.

Collaboration with Seoul Economic Promotion Agency

The success of the SAP training program can be attributed to the strategic partnership with the Seoul Economic Promotion Agency. Under the guidance of CEO Eunyoung Shin, this collaboration has been pivotal in aligning the program’s objectives with the industry’s needs. The synergy between SAP Korea and the agency has been instrumental in creating a fertile ground for developing software talent, as evidenced by the high recruitment competition rate of 5.4:1. (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.) 

The program is not just for those with a background in ICT, business, or economics. It inclusively opens doors for non-majors, providing them with a unique opportunity to venture into the world of software development. This inclusive approach is a testament to SAP’s commitment to diversifying the talent pool in the software industry.

Eunyoung Shin’s leadership at SAP Korea has been marked by a decade-long commitment to enhancing domestic software competitiveness. The CEO’s vision has been instrumental in shaping various human resources training programs, culminating in the successful completion of this award-winning course. This initiative reflects SAP Korea’s dedication to supporting young talent in the corporate software sector.

Aligning with National Talent Cultivation Efforts

SAP’s involvement in the government’s efforts to cultivate talents in critical technologies is notable. The company has been an integral part of the Innovative Growth Youth Talent Concentration Training Program, led by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIP) and the Institute of Information & communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP). This program focuses on key technologies like Big Data, blockchain, AI, and more, highlighting SAP’s role in creating high-quality jobs in the software industry, especially for the youth.

The youth talent training initiative under SAP’s guidance goes beyond traditional learning. It encompasses sharing insights about the cloud industry and providing practical software development skills aimed at employment in project-based companies. This approach aligns with SAP’s global strategy, as evidenced by the involvement of Rudolf Held, Vice President and Global Head of Partner Innovation Lab at SAP.

SAP Korea’s training program, under the astute leadership of CEO Eunyoung Shin, has established itself as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the software industry. By aligning with the government’s talent cultivation initiatives and leveraging strategic partnerships, SAP Korea is not only enhancing software competitiveness domestically but also shaping a new generation of industry-ready professionals. This program, with its comprehensive curriculum, employment focus, and inclusive approach, is setting new standards in software education and talent development, paving the way for a more robust and diverse software industry in Seoul and beyond.

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Gina McNamara, Regional Chief Financial Officer at SAP Asia Pacific and Japan (SAP APJ), emphasizes the growing recognition among businesses that sustainability and financial performance are closely interconnected. Indonesian businesses, in particular, are becoming acutely aware of this link. A recent study by SAP shows an overwhelming majority of Indonesian companies acknowledging a moderate to strong relationship between their sustainability efforts and organizational profitability (90%) and competitiveness (91%). These figures notably surpass the average across Asia Pacific and Japan, indicating a unique and forward-thinking approach by Indonesian enterprises.

Investing in Sustainability: A Strategic Move for Indonesian Businesses

Reflecting on this paradigm shift, the investment trends in Indonesia are telling. With 66% of businesses planning to increase their sustainability investments in the next three years, it’s evident that Indonesian organizations are not just paying lip service to sustainability; they are actively redirecting resources to foster sustainable practices. This trend is not just a response to environmental concerns but a strategic move to strengthen their market position and financial performance.

The SAP study, encompassing responses from 250 Indonesian professionals well-versed in their organization’s sustainability objectives, sheds light on how sustainability strategies are directly contributing to business growth. An impressive 93% of businesses reported a positive impact on revenue or profit growth due to sustainability strategies, while 92% observed enhanced efficiency in business processes. These figures underscore the tangible benefits that sustainability brings to the table, transcending the traditional view of it being a cost center.

SAP Insights Study Reveals Challenges to Environmental Strategy Implementation

Despite the optimistic outlook, challenges persist. The most significant barrier for Indonesian companies is the development of a comprehensive environmental impact strategy, a hurdle for 42% of businesses. This concern surpasses the global average, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Indonesian organizations. Other issues include the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, doubts about measuring environmental impact, and aligning potential actions with organizational strategy.

The key to overcoming these challenges lies in effectively utilizing sustainability data. Indonesian businesses are increasingly satisfied with the quality of their sustainability data, with satisfaction rates rising to 40%, a 10-point increase from the previous year. This data, however, needs to be accurate, granular, and integrated with financial data to inform sound business decisions.

Indonesian businesses are not just focusing internally but are also demanding sustainability data from their suppliers and partners. This holistic approach is critical in creating a sustainable ecosystem, driving not only individual company growth but also contributing to broader environmental and societal goals.

The Role of Technology Partners in Driving Sustainable Growth

Gina McNamara concludes by highlighting the importance of technology partners like SAP in this journey towards sustainability. By providing tools and insights to accurately measure and act on sustainability data, technology partners are indispensable in helping businesses navigate the complexities of sustainable practices. This collaboration is essential for Indonesian companies to fully realize the potential of sustainability in driving competitiveness, profit, and revenue.

The SAP Insights report illuminates a crucial trend in the Indonesian business sector: sustainability is now a pivotal element in shaping business strategies, driving growth, and enhancing competitiveness. As companies continue to navigate this landscape, the role of accurate data and strategic partnerships becomes increasingly vital in ensuring that sustainability is not just a goal but a fundamental driver of business success.

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Recently, global IT services provider FPT announced its induction into the SAP RSSP initiative, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This partnership is not just a business collaboration but a strategic alignment with the broader vision of both companies. FPT’s inclusion in this initiative also signifies its potential to scale its SAP practice more rapidly across the APJ region and work closely with SAP, driving joint customer success.

SAP RSSP Initiative Fosters Regional Growth

The RSSP initiative stands apart from SAP’s existing Global Strategic Services Partner (GSSP) program. It is uniquely tailored to facilitate collaboration within partner organizations based in the region. Additionally, These partners demonstrate capabilities and capacity requirements specific to the needs of APJ customers, a region characterized by its diverse markets and rapidly growing technology sector.

FPT’s SAP implementation and maintenance services are also grounded in a strong foundation of certified and experienced SAP resources. With over 900 certifications and a dedicated team of SAP consultants, FPT has built a reputation for excellence in this domain. Moreover, Dr. Truong Gia Binh, FPT Chairman, emphasizes the company’s commitment to building a happier future for individuals and fostering success for organizations and nations. This ethos has been a driving force in FPT’s two-decade-long partnership with SAP.

Enhanced Services and Digital Transformation

Under the leadership of Pham Minh Tuan, Chief Executive Officer of FPT Software, the company plans to leverage SAP’s industry expertise and resources. The focus is on enhancing SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration service and managed service, catering to the growing needs of customers in the Asia Pacific Japan region. This strategic move is aligned with the global trend towards digital transformation, where businesses seek to modernize their operations through advanced technological solutions.

Utkarsh Maheshwari, Chief Partner Officer at SAP Asia Pacific Japan, highlights SAP’s vibrant and fast-growing partner ecosystem in the region. This ecosystem also plays a pivotal role in SAP’s strategy, fostering innovation and delivering value to customers. The partnership with FPT is a step towards harnessing the potential of regional partners and driving more innovation in the technology sector.

To be part of the SAP RSSP initiative, candidate partners must meet a defined set of criteria set by SAP. These include geographic presence, vertical industry competencies, and alignment on a common sustainability strategy. In addition, this rigorous selection process ensures that only the most capable and aligned organizations join the initiative, guaranteeing quality and strategic alignment.

A History of Collaboration and Recognition

FPT’s collaboration with SAP dates back to 2003, featuring numerous successful joint digital transformation projects across various sectors. Prior to joining the RSSP initiative, FPT has been recognized with multiple awards from SAP, including SAP Partner of the Year for Vietnam and Best RISE Partner of the Year. Furthermore, these accolades reflect FPT’s commitment to excellence and its alignment with SAP’s vision and standards.

The induction of FPT into the SAP RSSP initiative marks a new chapter in regional collaboration within the tech industry. It also signifies a shared vision of driving growth and innovation in the APJ region. As these two technology giants join forces, they set a precedent for strategic partnerships that go beyond business transactions, aiming to empower organizations and contribute to the broader technological advancement of the region. This partnership is poised to redefine the landscape of IT services and set new benchmarks for success in the industry.

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SAP, a global leader in business software, has a significant presence in Hong Kong. SAP Hong Kong’s journey has been marked by a commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of the unique business landscape in Asia. The company’s strategies have always been aligned with Hong Kong’s dynamic market needs, focusing on providing scalable and robust solutions to businesses of all sizes.

The foundation for this new venture was laid in June during the SAP NOW customer summit held at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel. Under the theme “Partner for The Next Leap,” the event showcased customer success stories, cutting-edge cloud technologies, and the announcement of the new experience center. This center signifies a major step in supporting enterprises, particularly mid-sized ones, in their transition to cloud-based solutions.

SAP Hong Kong Cloud ERP Experience Center: A Hub of Innovation

Located in the heart of the city at SAP’s Hong Kong office in Times Square, the Cloud ERP Experience Center is more than just a facility. It’s an innovation hub where enterprises can discover and learn about SAP’s next-generation cloud ERP solution, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, through expert guidance. This center is designed to be a collaborative space, fostering partnerships and learning among SAP’s ecosystem partners and clients.

A key feature of the center is the introduction of “GROW with SAP,” a comprehensive service solution specifically designed for medium-sized enterprises. It offers a packaged digital ERP solution – SAP S/4HANA Cloud – that manages critical business functions on a single platform equipped with embedded AI and automation. GROW with SAP services extend to include the SAP Business Technology Platform, integrating data, analytics, AI, automation, and application development, enabling users to develop enterprise applications and automate processes without the need for extensive coding.

Tang Leifeng, the General Manager of SAP Hong Kong, emphasizes the importance of speed, predictability, scalability, and continuous innovation for the success of mid-sized enterprises. Under his guidance, SAP has enhanced the AI and automation capabilities of SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The launch of GROW with SAP aims to help customers optimize operations, reduce data silos, and leverage AI-driven insights for smarter decision-making. Since its inception, GROW with SAP has significantly assisted numerous mid-sized companies globally and in Hong Kong, enabling them to transition from traditional ERP systems to SAP S/4HANA Cloud in a matter of weeks.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud: A Recognized Leader in Efficiency

SAP S/4HANA Cloud stands as an award-winning ERP solution, acclaimed for its efficiency and innovation. It has been consistently rated highly by TrustRadius, a renowned B2B technology decision-making platform. The accolades and positive customer feedback reflect the solution’s superiority over other market offerings, highlighting its effectiveness in meeting the diverse needs of businesses.

The SAP Hong Kong Cloud ERP Experience Center marks the beginning of a new era for mid-sized enterprises in the region. By offering a space for learning, collaboration, and innovation, SAP not only solidifies its position as a leader in business solutions but also demonstrates a commitment to the growth and evolution of Hong Kong’s business sector. With the support of SAP’s advanced cloud ERP solutions, local businesses are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital age and emerge as competitive, sustainable, and future-ready enterprises.

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In a groundbreaking step towards digitalization and intelligent transformation, XCMG Machinery has recently established long-term strategic alliances with IBM and SAP. This joint initiative promises to uplift the company’s competitive edge, fostering international business growth, and driving the construction of a globally recognized enterprise.

In a world where technological advancements drive economic progress, the power of intelligent and digital transformation is the cornerstone of the industrial revolution and business innovation. XCMG’s Chairman, Yang Dongsheng, emphasized this concept when expressing his company’s readiness to leverage the renowned digital transformation services of IBM and the operational optimization expertise of SAP. As both IBM and SAP bring their unique skill sets to the table, this collaboration is anticipated to propel XCMG towards achieving its goals of high-quality development.

This partnership will utilize IBM’s exclusive technologies and profound experience in spearheading intelligent digital transformations. The alliance will span across various management and governance scopes, such as R&D, supply chain logistics, marketing and service, financial management, human resources, and corporate governance.

Li Yujing, a senior partner at IBM Consulting Greater China, underlined the prestige of this partnership, stating that XCMG isn’t just a leading figure in China’s construction machinery industry, but also a benchmark for technological innovation and high-quality growth. He expressed the pride IBM feels in supporting XCMG’s strategic endeavors, combining their expertise in digital transformation and their knowledge of the construction machinery industry to accelerate XCMG’s growth.

Elevating XCMG’s Transformation Journey with SAP and IBM

Over the past 15 years, XCMG’s partnership with SAP has yielded significant results in the realm of information construction, thus enabling XCMG’s industrial transformation and high-quality growth. This longstanding collaboration has been epitomized by the signing of the “Industry 4.0” cooperation agreement in 2015, which solidified their shared commitment to technological advancement.

As XCMG and SAP renew their strategic collaboration, it is envisaged to turbocharge XCMG’s intelligent transformation agenda. SAP will deploy its advanced digital technologies and deep-rooted industry experience to optimize various areas of XCMG’s operations. This includes global marketing and services, supply chain management, intelligent manufacturing, finance, human resources, data governance, and sustainable, green development.

Dr. Huang Chenhong, SAP Global Executive Vice President and SAP Greater China President, shared his excitement about deepening this longstanding partnership. He assured that SAP would exhaust all its global resources, offering innovative solutions and mature practices to support XCMG’s transformation into a pilot Chinese enterprise that is data-centric, interconnected, and green.

By aligning with industry leaders IBM and SAP, XCMG Machinery sends a clear signal to the industry about its readiness to embrace the digital age, leverage technological breakthroughs, and retain its global leadership position. As XCMG navigates its way towards a “high-end, intelligent, green, service-oriented, and globalized” business model, these strategic partnerships stand as a testament to the company’s commitment to evolution, adaptation, and growth in the face of technological advancements.

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In the modern-day world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), Klein displays impressive optimism. His keen focus on India’s future prospects is particularly noteworthy. His recent diplomatic visit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to India was a testament to this, underscoring the enormous potential for innovative technology to catalyze transformation across various sectors – from renewable energy and mobility services to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Klein gave credit to India’s ambitious goals towards sustainability and decarbonization, highlighting the critical part that technology could play in this journey. He spoke of SAP’s Green Ledger, a powerful tool for tracking greenhouse gas emissions throughout supply chains, as one such potential solution. In contrast to common worries about potentially shrinking IT budgets, Klein argued that there is a distinct inclination towards increased investment, particularly within the Indian market.

India’s Role in the Next Phase of Globalization

Regarding India’s role in the forthcoming phase of globalization, Klein’s optimism remains strong, even amidst growing geopolitical tensions worldwide. He pointed out how India, with its rich talent pool and welcoming investment climate, is becoming increasingly popular among global CEOs and investors. Klein believes that India’s unique blend of required infrastructure, forward-thinking government vision, and sustainability initiatives make it an appealing investment destination.

“What companies are looking for is a market where you have great talent and an environment to invest. You have to have the infrastructure, and the government needs to have a vision when it comes to sustainability, making it easier for companies to invest. And when you look at all of that, I feel India will be the winner because a lot of companies are choosing to invest in countries where they see all of these, to be successful in the future,” he remarked.

Klein candidly acknowledged the transformation that has taken place within SAP’s own operations, transitioning from being primarily an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company to a cloud-focused organization. Looking ahead, he foresees Generative AI playing a significant role in aiding businesses with intelligent recommendations and informed decision-making, leading to better overall business management.

SAP CEO Christian Klein Discusses Future Strategies

According to Klein, SAP’s future technological direction aligns well with India’s commercial demands. He mentioned the potential of the SAP Business Network to revolutionize operations and cited a growing demand for technology in industries such as automobile manufacturing and retail. He highlighted how SAP’s solutions could support Indian farmers, making agricultural processes more sustainable and efficient.

Klein considers India a vital market for SAP, noting the vast talent pool, the significant number of SMEs, and the broad partner ecosystem. He stressed the need for further investments in education and skill development to propel India’s future growth.

His meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left him particularly impressed with the government’s commitment to digital transformation and using technology as a lever for economic growth. Their discussions touched on a range of topics from digitizing railways to promoting green energy transitions and enabling SMEs to digitize their operations and thrive.

Concluding the interview on an optimistic note, Klein showed confidence in India’s future and its attractiveness as an investment destination. As SAP CEO Christian Klein sees it, he’s betting on India’s growth, development, and increasing global influence. He stands committed to ensuring that SAP continues to be a key player in this promising narrative, thus reaffirming his belief that India is a clear winner in the next phase of globalization.

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Global manufacturer Jabil embarked on a large-scale cloud transformation journey in partnership with long-standing ally German tech giant SAP. Anchored on the conglomerate’s growth strategy and commitment to driving innovation amidst the fast-evolving markets, Jabil migrated to SAP S/4HANA Cloud . (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.) 

Sharing on the company’s move to the cloud,  Cynthia Kendall, Director at Jabil IT Advisory Services, said:

“Because we use the SAP HANA Cloud database, the processing speed is very fast. In addition, moving the ERP application to the cloud has greatly improved the transparency and scalability of our business. What used to take hours or more to review all open sales slips for each facility is now visible in just a few seconds.”

Jabil serves original equipment manufacturers and hundreds of top brands across multiple end-markets and industries. Striving to be the to be the most technologically advanced and trusted manufacturing solutions provider in the world, the multinational manufacturer merges unmatched end-market experience with technical and design capabilities, manufacturing, supply chain and global product management expertise.

Jabil Moving to the Cloud 

As an innovative solutions provider, companies trust the multi-billion dollar company for many aspects of manufacturing, from product design to engineering and mass production, to assembly, quality testing, procurement and logistics. Jabil’s global business employs 250,000 workforce and serves customers across 30 countries, which necessitates digitization to ensure operations are unhampered, supply chains connected and customer service delivered excellently.

“Inventory management has become more efficient, and material inventory data can now be obtained in real time as the product is completed. During production, we can accurately track the parts and materials that can be used for each product. It speeds up the production, shipping and invoicing of products,” explained  Kendall.

During the SAP Sapphire in Orlando and ASUG Annual Conference, Kendall shared about SAP and Jabil’s partnership , with the enterprise software firm supporting the manufacturer’s cloud-first strategy. Among the common business goals of the two companies include commitment to innovation and sustainability. 

Migrating the manufacturing corporation’s ERP application to SAP S/4HANA Cloud is one example of their collaborative efforts to drive innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Explaining about how the cloud ERP transformation allowed for more flexibility across the organization, Kendall stated:

“Since moving to the cloud, we have been resizing our app servers. This used to take days, but now it can be done in hours. , reducing time spent on server administration, so our business can explore ways to transform and innovate in this new SAP S/4HANA landscape in ways never before possible. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the middle of a long time.” 

She also mentioned several remarkable results since the deployment of the SAP cloud ERP such as capability to meet the evolving compliance requirements and customer needs across markets and create a resilient supply chain.  Kendall detailed:

“We are now able to seize many opportunities that were previously inaccessible. Especially in production planning, we are able to make faster, more informed decisions. Even if we face a shortage of parts from the chain, we will be able to decide in advance and agilely what we can produce and when.”

Having experienced working with SAP for Jabil’s digital transformation journey, the IT Director advised:

“Accept the fact that you need to migrate to SAP S/4HANA and start planning today. ” 

The global manufacturer recently launched the SAP S4-as-a-Service offering under Jabil IT Advisory Services to help companies streamline migrations to SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

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In the early days of SAP (R2), users were granted SAP access using SAP profiles. This later transformed into SAP roles through the Profile Generator (PFCG). To enhance the provisioning process and address the issue of SAP authorisation creep (users gradually being assigned additional access), SAP implemented the ability to assign SAP roles to the HR Organisation Structure. Whenever a user was assigned to an HR position within SAP, they would automatically be assigned the SAP roles associated with that HR position.

SAP Composite Roles were introduced to improve provisioning efficiency by grouping multiple single roles within a data container. When an SAP user is assigned an SAP Composite Role, they gain access to all the individual roles included in the Composite Role.

Over time, the significance of access risk management grew exponentially. The practice of granting SAP access without considering its potential risks became increasingly unsustainable. Consequently, this gave rise to the development and implementation of access control solutions, such as Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) systems.

At first, access control solutions primarily assessed the SAP systems to detect access risk violations and conducted ‘What-If’ simulations to evaluate the potential risks of proposed role allocations. As access control solutions advanced, they incorporated additional features such as User Access Reviews and role provisioning. The introduction of the Business Role concept facilitated role provisioning. A Business Role functions similarly to an SAP Composite Role, serving as a data container for a group of roles (from multiple SAP systems). When a user is assigned a Business Role, they automatically inherit all the roles associated with that specific Business Role.

In most cases, a Business Role provides greater flexibility compared to an SAP Composite Role in access control solutions, allowing for partial assignment. For example, if an accounts payable clerk only needs 80% of the functionalities offered by the ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK Business Role, it can be assigned partially. On the other hand, an SAP Composite Role is less flexible because once it is assigned, all the individual roles associated with it become available to the user. Business Roles can also include roles from multiple SAP systems, where Composite Roles are limited to roles from the one SAP system.

Identity and access management (IAM) solutions were implemented to effectively handle identity management throughout the IT environment and streamline the Joiner-Mover-Leaver procedure. By enabling access provisioning for various systems and solutions, it was anticipated that IAM solutions would overcome previous provisioning difficulties and greatly enhance the efficiency of onboarding and user provisioning. Moreover, IAM solutions also catered for the Business Roles, which surpassed the limitations of access control solution Business Roles restricted to SAP s ystems. IAM solution Business Roles encompass roles from diverse systems, including both SAP and non-SAP platforms.

Utopia? Almost, but not quite.

The integration of access control solutions and IAM solutions has posed significant challenges in practice, hindering organisations from reaping the benefits of a mutually beneficial relationship between risk management and provisioning. Consequently, organisations must decide which solution will handle the overlapping tasks and functions.

Outlined below are some of the functions that can be performed by both access control and IAM solutions:

Selection of the appropriate solution for each function is critical in attaining an organisation’s desired business objectives. Each solution presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages, influenced by factors such as business goals, system and application types, and the number of solutions involved.

For organisations with extensive SAP footprint, effectively managing access risk and maintaining a balance between provisioning efficiencies and access control are paramount. If an IAM solution is chosen to handle overlapping activities, the desired level of access risk management may not be attained. In such cases, utilising the access control solution for provisioning SAP access could yield the desired outcome.

Conversely, if an organisation has a limited SAP footprint and does not require comprehensive SAP access risk analysis, an IAM solution might be sufficient.

The choice of solution depends on the specific needs of the organisation.

Is opting for a hybrid model the right choice?

To achieve a balance between provisioning efficiencies and effective access risk management, one possible approach is to adopt a hybrid model.

For organisations with a significant SAP footprint and a strong focus on access risk management, an access control solution can be implemented to handle all overlapping activities within SAP systems. Simultaneously, an IAM solution can be utilised for all non-SAP systems.

An alternative approach involves utilising the access control solution for designing Business Roles and then replicating them in the IAM solution for provisioning purposes. By defining Business Roles in the access control solution, it becomes possible to leverage historical usage data and access risk information to create suitable Business Roles for specific user groups.

While implementing a hybrid model has certain drawbacks, such as requiring some business users to operate in two separate systems, it can effectively address the organisation’s need for managing SAP access risks while simultaneously improving the efficiency of SAP user provisioning to an acceptable extent.

Conclusion

Every method has its advantages and disadvantages, and there isn’t a single solution that fits every situation perfectly. When deciding, it’s important to take into account your organisation’s requirements, business goals, SAP footprint, and priorities for managing risks.

For optimal decision-making, collaboration between the SAP security and cyber teams is essential. They should engage in discussions and debates for each specific scenario to determine the most suitable solution for the organisation.

A hybrid approach might be the most favourable option, striking a balance between efficient provisioning and effective management of access risks.

Soterion hosts a podcast called ‘SAP Security & GRC’, dedicated to helping organisations on their journey to effective access risk management in SAP.

Soterion’s CEO, Dudley Cartwright covers topics related to SAP security and GRC, providing insights and tips from industry experts as well as his experience over the decades. Episodes are available in audio and video formats and are between 15-40 minutes long. The podcast is available on all major platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.

Where to find the podcast:

• Visit Soterion’s website and subscribe to receive notifications of new episodes https://soterion.com/podcast/
• Find all the episodes on Soterion’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaFYqhaX0nWTOVgVO8trEUA
• Search “SAP Security & GRC” in your podcast app.

This article is sponsored by Soterion

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Demonstrating its commitment to fostering local digital talent alongside boosting the SAP ecosystem and community engagement with deep tech innovations, SAP Labs Singapore announced that it will be investing in 200 AI engineers to become the tech giant’s AI Hub and center of excellence. 

This latest news was shared at the German company’s first-ever developer community conference in the country, the SAP d-com Singapore. Present in the event was Clas Neumann, Senior Vice President, Head of Global SAP Labs Network, and Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity, who delivered a keynote centered around developing and harnessing the next-generation digital talents of Singapore to future-proof the growth of the nation.

The SAP AI Hub development follows a year after the launch of SAP Labs Singapore, a digital innovation hub established in partnership with the Economic Development Board (EDB) to accelerate research and development for SAP key solutions in the region. Under the SAP Labs investment, the tech multinational will be doubling its existing product engineering with the addition of over 500 highly skilled digital professionals locally by 2025. Aside from driving innovation on deep technologies such as AI and machine learning, SAP Labs Singapore is also anticipated to accelerate digital supply chain transformation, strengthen intelligent business networks and develop sustainability solutions.

AI Hub to Help Future-proof Singapore

Manik Saha, managing director for SAP Labs Singapore and recently named one of the 2023 SG Digital Leaders by IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority), stressed that one of the objectives of the institution is to house over 400 highly-skilled digital professionals in the country by 2025. He detailed:

“The expansion of AI capabilities is a major step towards that goal and furthers our mission to develop high-quality Singapore-based engineers with future-proof skills to build software and solutions for the world. We look forward to forging deeper partnerships with both the public and private sectors to sharpen Singapore’s AI ambition and capabilities.”

Employing competent development teams for the SAP AI hub positions Singapore to be a core AI development location of the enterprise software firm. The 200 highly-skilled engineers– including the 50 hired within the past three months– will be integral to the development of SAP solutions built around AI, which will be offered to the global customers of the tech company. The newly created AI roles for the Hub are also intended to boost the budding careers of Singapore’s young talents from local universities and higher learning institutions.

Supporting the National AI Strategy

Furthermore, SAP Labs Singapore’s AI hub aligns with the country’s National AI Strategy, which supports the country’s 2030 ambition of becoming “a leader in developing and deploying scalable, impactful AI solutions, in key sectors of high value and relevance to our citizens and businesses.” Leveraging AI in transforming the economy, the strategy plans to :

• Identify areas to focus attention and resources on at a national level

• Set out how the Government, companies, and researchers can work together to realize the positive impact of AI

• Address areas where attention is needed to manage change and/or manage new forms of risks that emerge when AI becomes more pervasive

“Singapore has a strong National AI Strategy to drive innovation and adoption across our digital economy,” commented Eileen Chua, managing director of SAP Singapore. “With generative AI revolutionizing many of our industries, changing how we work and how our customers are interacting with our software, Singapore organizations are looking to an experienced partner like SAP to help innovate and expand at scale with intelligence embedded responsibly into our business applications and processes.”

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the new roles in the SAP AI Hub at the SAP Careers site.

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