Hosted at SAP Labs India’s Whitefield campus, the event brought together over 1,500 participants, including technologists, developers, and business leaders from leading organizations such as Capgemini, Bosch, AWS, and Deloitte. With 100+ speakers delivering over 100 hours of content, SIT Bengaluru 2024 provided a platform for SAP’s community to collaborate, learn, and explore cutting-edge technologies. Participants from prestigious institutions, including Bangalore University, Christ University, and FAU University from Germany, reinforced the event’s global reach and appeal.

SIT Bengaluru emphasized collaboration and innovation, aiming to strengthen connections within the SAP ecosystem of partners and customers. The event featured diverse activities, such as thought leadership sessions, hands-on workshops, and interactive demos, enabling attendees to exchange ideas and refine their technical expertise. Key themes included cloud transformation, customer-centric strategies, and AI integration, with SAP experts leading discussions on how these advancements are redefining business operations.

The SAP Expert Zone, a cornerstone of the event, offered a dynamic environment where participants engaged directly with specialists, explored live demonstrations, and gained practical insights into tools and technologies addressing modern business challenges. These engagements highlighted SAP’s commitment to equipping its ecosystem with actionable knowledge and innovative solutions.

SAP Inside Track as a Collaborative Platform

The event’s AI-focused sessions highlighted SAP’s strategic direction, particularly through the SAP Business AI track. This initiative introduced advancements in generative AI, including Joule, SAP’s AI assistant, and showcased how AI is being democratized across the SAP landscape. Experts presented use cases demonstrating AI’s ability to streamline processes, enhance extensibility, and deliver measurable outcomes across industries.

SAP Build also featured prominently, spotlighting its role in simplifying business operations through application development, automation, and extension tools. By enabling organizations to reduce customizations and align with Clean Core principles, SAP Build supports companies in modernizing their systems while achieving operational efficiency. This suite empowers users to innovate within HR, finance, procurement, and IT functions, driving better business performance.

Industry Leaders Share AI Insights

Key voices at SIT Bengaluru underscored the event’s emphasis on AI-driven transformation. Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India and Chairperson of nasscom, highlighted SIT as a community-driven initiative fostering collaboration and learning. She noted the platform’s ability to deliver insights on leveraging AI for business success, while also creating opportunities for professionals to connect, understand SAP’s AI roadmap, and contribute to the ecosystem’s growth.

Customer and partner perspectives enriched the discussions, with industry leaders like Vishesh Kaul of Prestige Constructions and Saraswathi Kasturirangan of Deloitte South Asia sharing their experiences. They emphasized how SAP’s solutions have supported their digital transformation journeys and helped address complex business challenges through innovative tools and strategies.

SIT Bengaluru 2024 succeeded in bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders to explore the evolving role of technology in driving business success. By spotlighting advancements in AI, automation, and cloud technologies, the event reinforced SAP’s vision of empowering its ecosystem with tools to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.

Through initiatives like SAP Inside Track, the company intends to continue fostering a collaborative environment where professionals can build expertise, exchange knowledge, and drive innovation that shapes the future of business technology.

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The new research hub, located in Kaohsiung’s Yawan area, represents a collaborative effort between SAP and the Kaohsiung City Government to develop solutions that drive sustainability, including Taiwan’s first SGS-certified greenhouse gas inventory system. This innovative tool aims to simplify the inventory process for Taiwanese businesses, helping them meet environmental compliance requirements. The opening event was attended by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, Vice Mayor Luo Dasheng, Kaohsiung City Economic Development Director Liao Taixiang, and various stakeholders, underscoring SAP’s commitment to making Kaohsiung a leading example of a smart port city on the global stage.

The Strategic Role of SAP Taiwan in the Local Market

With more than 100,000 small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Taiwan, many companies face growing pressure to adhere to global sustainability standards. As international and domestic supply chains increasingly demand greenhouse gas inventories, the need for robust solutions has intensified. SAP Global Vice President and Taiwan General Manager, Chen Zhiwei, emphasized Taiwan’s critical role in the global supply chain. He highlighted the establishment of the SAP Kaohsiung ESG and AI Research and Innovation Center as part of SAP’s broader strategy to introduce advanced technologies to the Taiwanese market.

The center aims to deliver practical applications for businesses, focusing on supply chain sustainability, data collection, and reporting requirements. One of its key offerings is a greenhouse gas inventory solution designed specifically for Taiwanese companies. This tool enables businesses to manage local environmental compliance and tackle net-zero challenges with ease. By collaborating with ecosystem partners, the center will work closely with Kaohsiung’s industrial sector, starting with the city’s ports and expanding globally, to transform enterprises into sustainable, smart businesses.

Collaboration with Local Entities for a Sustainable Future

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai noted that achieving net-zero carbon emissions is not just a local concern but a global challenge. He highlighted the city’s initiatives, such as the establishment of net-zero regulations, the creation of a carbon rights exchange, and the founding of the Net Zero Academy, as key measures supporting local businesses in their transformation efforts. The Yawan Smart Technology Innovation Park, which has already attracted 175 domestic and international companies, is a prime example of how Kaohsiung is positioning itself as a hub for innovation and green technology.

SAP Taiwan will leverage the new research center to offer more convenient services to local businesses while fostering cooperation with smart technology companies across the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration is expected to drive the net-zero transformation of industries and enhance Kaohsiung’s competitiveness in the global green economy. The SAP Kaohsiung ESG and AI Research and Innovation Center will be a base for this transformation, linking local and international efforts to promote sustainable practices.

Addressing Market Needs with Advanced Solutions

To meet the demands of the Taiwan market, SAP has developed the “Taiwan Enterprise Greenhouse Gas Inventory” solution, verified by SGS Taiwan, which complies with the Ministry of Environment’s guidelines. This tool simplifies the collection of greenhouse gas emission data and automates the calculation and reporting processes. It also integrates seamlessly with SAP’s broader sustainability solutions, such as the SAP sustainable development control tower, allowing businesses to manage electricity usage, carbon emissions, and other key sustainability metrics on a single platform.

SAP’s solutions are not limited to inventory management; the company is also introducing AI-powered tools for generating ESG reports that meet European standards. These tools enable businesses to gain real-time insights into their carbon reduction efforts through scenario simulations, automating the generation of both internal and external reports. By utilizing generative AI, SAP helps companies estimate carbon emissions even when actual data is lacking, offering businesses a significant reduction in manual effort and associated costs.

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SAP Korea hosted its SAP Innovation Day Roadshow on September 4th and 5th, bringing together approximately 400 manufacturing executives from the Yeongnam region. The event, aimed at driving digital transformation, showcased innovative solutions tailored to the needs of manufacturing companies in Daegu and Busan. SAP Korea’s focus was on introducing technologies that can help local businesses enhance their operational efficiency while competing on a global stage. This year’s event built on the success of the previous year, expanding its scale and attendance to meet growing demand. (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.)

At the heart of the event was SAP’s emphasis on AI-based supply chain innovations, which offer businesses a powerful tool for modernizing operations and staying competitive in today’s fast-evolving markets. SAP introduced various solutions, such as the SAP S/4HANA Cloud platform, designed to help companies streamline their financial and operational processes. By leveraging this technology, manufacturing firms can integrate their supply chain and production activities, ultimately improving their ability to respond to market changes and regulatory demands.

Showcasing Digital Transformation and Strategic Partnerships

During the SAP Innovation Day Roadshow, SAP Korea also collaborated with key partners like Microsoft, Dongkuk Systems, Metanet Global, and GS ITM to highlight a range of innovative solutions. The event featured multiple sessions, including live demonstrations, customer case studies, and presentations on compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations. These sessions provided attendees with practical insights into how SAP solutions could address specific challenges within their industries.

One of the standout aspects of the event was the involvement of industry leaders, who helped facilitate discussions on AI advancements and their impact on supply chains. SAP’s digital manufacturing solutions were a key focus, offering manufacturing companies tools to modernize their operations. The event also aimed to support these businesses in achieving successful digital transformation, enabling them to keep pace with the technological demands of a rapidly changing global market.

SAP Korea’s Commitment to Innovation

Shin Young-young, CEO of SAP Korea, further emphasized the importance of these innovations for the manufacturing sector. She also noted that AI technologies, such as those integrated into supply chain solutions, are enabling businesses to boost productivity and make more informed decisions. According to Shin, SAP’s commitment to fostering innovation in the Yeongnam region, where many manufacturing firms are based, reflects the company’s broader strategy of supporting businesses in improving their operational efficiency and achieving better results.

Additionally, Shin highlighted that the event provided an important opportunity for direct interaction between participants, allowing them to engage in meaningful discussions and explore how SAP’s solutions could benefit their specific business needs. By attending the sessions and interacting with experts, executives were also able to gain practical insights and knowledge that could be applied to their respective industries.

The roadshow’s success underscores the growing interest in SAP’s digital solutions, as more companies in the manufacturing sector recognize the potential of AI-driven technologies to drive business improvements. SAP Korea’s efforts to support these transformations demonstrate its ongoing role as a key partner for businesses aiming to achieve sustainable growth through innovation.

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Under the insightful leadership of Sindhu Gangadharan, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of SAP Labs India, the organization has charted a clear direction. Gangadharan, who also wears the hat of Head of SAP User Enablement, believes in the transformative power of generative AI. In her perspective, the imminent shift will change the business dynamics, offering organizations new mechanisms to drive efficiency and value.

While several tech giants globally are diving into the AI realm, Gangadharan feels that SAP holds a distinct edge. With its expansive ecosystem, SAP has the breadth and depth to facilitate businesses in harnessing AI effectively. Moreover, SAP Labs India, as one of the largest locations powering the SAP AI unit, remains poised to be the frontrunner. The commitment to doubling the AI talent in India by the following year is a testament to this belief. For businesses, this translates into AI solutions that aren’t just cutting-edge but are also tailored to the unique challenges of diverse industries.

SAP AI: The Bedrock of Modern Business Operations

Artificial Intelligence at SAP goes beyond being a trendy tech term. It signifies a strategic imperative. By embedding AI into its system, SAP provides its users with a tool that works in tandem with them, unveiling deep insights and streamlining operations. These aren’t mere incremental changes but transformative shifts that can redefine the trajectory of businesses.

The secret sauce of SAP AI’s efficiency is its foundational principles. Drawing from rich industry data, SAP AI is fine-tuned with exhaustive business process acumen. This means businesses, whether they operate in finance, procurement, or supply chain, have the power of AI-driven insights at their fingertips.

Crafting Tomorrow: SAP R&D Center’s Holistic AI Ecosystem

Innovation at SAP isn’t limited to its confines. The broader vision encompasses a cohesive ecosystem where in-house developments synergize with external innovations. Central to this is the SAP Business Technology Platform, which acts as a conduit for these collaborations.

A case in point is SAP’s recent alliance with tech behemoth Microsoft. The partnership aims to leverage generative AI to devise tools, a step forward in addressing the talent gaps that businesses often grapple with. On the investment front, Sapphire Ventures, enjoying SAP’s backing, made headlines in July 2023 by allocating a staggering $1 billion USD to AI-centric enterprise technology startups. This initiative is bolstered by SAP’s strategic financial forays into emerging AI giants such as Aleph Alpha, Anthropic, and Cohere.

The roadmap ahead for SAP is rife with promise. The industry awaits, with bated breath, further announcements, spotlighting breakthrough solutions and capabilities. These would be calibrated to tap into AI’s immense potential, reshaping the contours of business operations globally.

The SAP R&D hub in India is not merely prepping for an AI-driven future but is instrumental in molding it. Through internal advancements, strategic partnerships, and visionary leadership, SAP Labs India is ensuring that in the unfolding AI narrative, its clientele remains at the vanguard.

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Before the inception of ChatGPT, SAP had already commenced its exploration of generative AI. The focus was primarily on the auditing sector where it used this AI type to validate contracts and legal notices within its applications. Utilizing Google’s existing LLMs, SAP developed and implemented innovative models internally.

However, the leap towards a broader application occurred in 2023 when SAP Labs India in Bengaluru launched the ‘Generative AI interest group’. The formation of this group, part of the Leader Together Data Science forum, sought to inspire a spirit of curiosity and exploration among AI enthusiasts in the company, urging them to discover the potential of generative AI and foundational models.

This endeavor was successful in attracting an astounding 2,500 participants, encompassing developers, product owners, and UX/UA designers. The highlight of the group’s initiative was the ‘Idea2Impact’ generative AI hackathon, which happened in March 2023 across SAP Labs India. The primary goal of this hackathon was to uncover generative AI applications in product innovation, developer efficacy, and social impact, among others. A total of 179 ideas were submitted by more than 550 participants, leading to 40 ideas reaching the Proof of Concept stage, and 11 showcased at the Development to Community event. Impressively, one idea even spurred a patent application.

Generative AI’s Integration Across Core Domains and the SAP AI Vision

In a strategic move to drive innovation and efficiency, SAP has been incorporating generative AI across its suite of applications, from SAP Transportation Management to SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Signavio Process Manager, and the SAP Digital Assistant. One such example is its application in SAP’s document processing solution for the automotive and manufacturing industries. Generative AI automates manual checks of goods receipts and delivery notes, leading to significant time and cost savings.

Partnerships are also on the horizon, as seen with SAP’s collaboration with Microsoft on SAP SuccessFactors. The partnership aims to streamline recruiting and employee development processes, including auto-generating job descriptions and interview questions via GPT models provided through the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.

The SAP AI strategy is not confined to in-house development and deployment. The company also aims to create a diverse ecosystem of partner technologies, factoring in variables such as cost, enterprise readiness, economies of scale, market reach, and data privacy. The objective is to select and integrate technologies that align best with SAP’s offerings and provide the most value to their customers.

SAP’s endgame with its AI strategy is to deeply embed AI into business applications and processes. Leveraging its own AI technology and strategic partnerships, SAP envisions a future where its solutions will generate insights and optimizations by connecting relevant business knowledge and process data. This transformative vision sees AI making businesses more productive, efficient, and resilient.

However, the German tech giant firmly believes in a human-centric approach, and therefore, they design their AI solutions to keep humans in the loop, approving AI-generated information. This way, SAP is not just harnessing AI’s potential but also shaping the future of AI-human collaboration.

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