The SAP Run Bangalore is a community-focused initiative that reflects SAP Labs India’s commitment to fostering health and unity among people of all ages. As the inaugural event of this nature in Bangalore, the SAP Run symbolizes more than just a marathon; it represents a shared passion for fitness and a dedication to building a healthier community. The event took place at the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO) in Whitefield, a fitting venue for such a large-scale gathering. The race featured various categories, including 3k, 5k, and 10k, catering to different fitness levels and encouraging participation from all demographics across the city.

SAP Run Bangalore: A Milestone Event

The event kicked off with notable personalities, including Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India and Vice Chairperson of nasscom, alongside South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes. Their presence not only highlighted the importance of the event but also added a sense of excitement and energy that resonated throughout the day. RJ Prithvi, known for his engaging style, kept the participants motivated, ensuring a lively and spirited atmosphere from start to finish.

Sindhu Gangadharan emphasized the significance of the event, noting how it exemplifies SAP Labs India’s commitment to promoting community well-being. She expressed her enthusiasm for the overwhelming participation and the positive impact such an event can have on fostering a culture of health and fitness in Bangalore. Her vision for the SAP Run is to establish it as an annual event that continues to bring people together, reinforcing the city’s collective commitment to well-being and collaboration.

Community and Sustainability Initiatives

One of the standout elements of the SAP Run Bangalore 2024 was its focus on sustainability. In line with SAP’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility, each participant was given a sapling to plant, symbolizing a collective effort to enhance Bangalore’s greenery. This initiative reflects SAP Labs India’s dedication to not only promoting physical health but also contributing to the city’s ecological well-being.

The event was further supported by a diverse group of partners, each playing a crucial role in its success. Manipal Hospital served as the Health Partner, ensuring medical support and health awareness among participants. Lithium, the Sustainable Mobility Partner, underscored the event’s focus on eco-friendly practices, while Decathlon, the Sports Partner, contributed to the athletic spirit of the event. Red FM, as the Radio Partner, amplified the event’s reach, and Elevate Performance provided physiotherapy support, highlighting the event’s holistic approach to health and wellness.

The success of the inaugural “SAP Run Bangalore” has set the stage for future editions, with plans to make it an annual tradition. SAP Labs India aims to build on this foundation, continuously promoting a culture of fitness, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. The event’s emphasis on community engagement and sustainability positions it as more than just a race; it is a movement that encourages active participation in the well-being of both individuals and the broader community.

As SAP Run Bangalore grows, it is expected to become a cornerstone event in Bangalore’s calendar, inspiring thousands more to take part in this collective journey toward better health and a greener city. SAP Labs India’s leadership in this initiative highlights its broader mission of driving positive social impact through innovative and community-centric programs.

The post SAP Run Bangalore Kicks Off with Over 6000 Participants appeared first on InsideSAP Asia.

From its humble beginnings two decades ago, the SAP Inside Track Bengaluru edition is now an epoch-making event in the SAP community’s calendar. This year, it outdid itself, pulling in a whopping 1,400 attendees. This figure wasn’t just a number but signified the confluence of SAP community members, customers, partners, and freelancers. The participation saw a diverse representation spanning sectors, from Automobile and Manufacturing to Retail and IT.

Sindhu Gangadharan, the dynamic MD and SVP of SAP Labs India, kickstarted the event with a message that resonated deeply with the audience. She artfully wove the narrative that SAP Inside Track isn’t merely an event. Instead, it’s a monumental gathering, driven by its community members, tailored for enthusiasts and professionals, acting as a melting pot of ideas and innovations.

Furthermore, she emphasized the event’s significance, representing the thriving SAP community in India. Through her perspective, one could discern the community’s metamorphosis over the years, with it now being instrumental in nurturing the subsequent generation of SAP prodigies.

A Dive into SAP Inside Track’s Technological Marvels

With a packed and diverse agenda, attendees had a buffet of over 70 tracks to choose from. Each session was designed meticulously and steered by industry leaders and subject matter experts from SAP’s vast ecosystem. The discussions spanned a spectrum of innovations and developments within SAP’s product arsenal.

Sessions offered detailed insights on trailblazing topics like SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), SAP S/4HANA, SAP Success Factors, and SAP Build. The discourses ventured into areas of User Experience, with a focus on SAP Design Topics and the efficient world of SAP Concur.

Moreover, practical and hands-on sessions were intricately woven into the event’s fabric. These sessions, designed to offer pragmatic and actionable insights, covered areas like SAP BTP, Data-to-value strategy, Sustainability, SAP Concur, RISE with SAP, Gen AI Strategy, SAP Business AI, and various other cross-topics.

Adding gravitas to the event’s stature were renowned speakers from global giants: Razor Pay, Capgemini, Walmart Global Tech, Deloitte, Mercedes Benz, Ikea, Bosch, AWS, TCS, and EY, to name a few. Their narratives, filled with success stories and candid revelations about their integration journey with SAP, were both educational and inspiring for the attendees.

Creating Bridges Across the Nation

SAP Inside Track’s appeal wasn’t limited to Bengaluru’s boundaries. Reflecting its pan-Indian allure, the event saw attendees from different corners of the country, including metropolitan hubs like Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Chennai.

One of the event’s standout features was an interactive segment dedicated to hands-on experiences. This wasn’t just a token gesture but an immersive foray into real-world application. Over 200 passionate attendees rolled up their sleeves, resulting in the creation of an astounding 235 apps on SAP, all within the event’s timeframe.

The SAP Inside Track Bengaluru edition was more than just a conference or gathering. It was a testament to the synergies of collaboration, the fruits of innovation, and the power of a community bound by shared goals and vision. The monumental success of this event isn’t just in its record-breaking attendance but in its ability to inspire, motivate, and act as a beacon for the entire SAP community.

The post SAP Inside Track Fosters Collaboration and Innovation in India appeared first on InsideSAP Asia.

The German enterprise software giant has been at the forefront of offering sustainable, intelligent solutions to businesses and governments of all sizes across the globe. According to SAP, a notable increase has been seen in the number of SAP customers in Vietnam in the past few years. This is because the Vietnamese government has issued the National Digital Transformation Programme with the goal of becoming a digital nation by 2025, as well as having 100,000 digital technology enterprises.

In response to the growing number of customers seeking a network to assist them in fostering co-innovation, the Vietnam SAP User Group (VSUG) has been founded in the country as an avenue for exchanging relevant experiences that will help optimise their investments in SAP technologies and other IT solutions. Today, SAP has 47 user groups in various locations throughout the world, with VSUG being the newest to be formed. These user groups are backed by the Global User Groups organisation, which works as an independent, non-profit group focused on educating members while also facilitating engagement and shaping SAP’s strategy.

Nguyen Hong Viet, who has been appointed as the Managing Director of SAP Vietnam back in 2020, stated that SAP is firmly committed to helping its customers become a “best-run business.” Aside from supporting clients in their journey towards becoming an intelligent enterprise, the tech giant also delivers customer success as its highest purpose by capitalising on collaborations with the partner ecosystem. Moreover, Nguyen believes that Vietnam has now gotten to a point where all SAP customers could take advantage of an established community in the country.

“This is the opportune time to have the user group in Vietnam as users will be able to exchange information and ideas of mutual interest and value as well as share their best practices with industry peers, technology experts from SAP and our partners to fuel the full benefits of SAP software,” he explained.

Establishing the Vietnam SAP User Group (VSUG)

VSUG’s inaugural ceremony was held last month to build the SAP community in the country. The event also strengthens SAP’s commitment to supporting Vietnamese customers in understanding the real impact and linking the individuals that keep the business momentum forging ahead. Additionally, the conference was graced by founding members of VSUG who devoted their time to serving on the management board —- which governs the organisation and leads the user community.

According to Nguyen, SAP user groups play a crucial role in SAP software development by providing SAP with relevant user feedback in all functional and technical fields of interest, which may then be used to shape SAP’s product direction in the future. The SAP MD further shared:

“SAP Solution and Strategy Update session at Vietnam SAP User Group kickoff ceremony has been organised to set the cornerstone for customers’ success to Vietnam SAP user groups. We are renowned for our vast product, solution, and services portfolio across all industries and lines of businesses. These knowledge transfers for SAP User Groups offerings provide a big picture overview of SAP’s portfolio, diving into details as we go along and the latest information on roadmaps, technical and business updates.”

With skills-building, networking, and advancing business innovation and productivity in mind, the goal of VSUG is to equip members with the following benefits:

• Obtaining relevant information and education about SAP services, technologies, solutions, and products.
• Gaining access to a network with members across a wide range of industries within Vietnam and globally.
• Get support in creating a transformation roadmap that will help drive business growth.
• Shaping SAP’s future product development by delivering user feedback in all functional and technical fields of interest.

Users can sign up to become members of the Vietnam SAP User Group by visiting their website.

The post New SAP User Group to Foster Co-Innovation in Vietnam appeared first on InsideSAP Asia.

Together we will persevere.

Moments of extraordinary challenge test our collective will, but also bring out the best of our collective humanity. With the unpredictable and fluid situation around COVID-19, the world is navigating through an uncertain period with few precedents.

At SAP, we have colleagues and customers in every corner of the world. Our thoughts are with all those affected and the many communities that continue to face extreme measures as we work to slow down and contain the spread of the virus. We also want to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to all the healthcare workers, first responders, police officers, emergency workers, and all others in essential functions and on the front lines caring for the sick and keeping us safe.

Naturally, the health, safety, and livelihood of the extended SAP family and the communities in which we serve is top of mind for us. Our focus first and foremost has been and will continue to be our workforce and colleagues. We’ve restricted travel, reimagined in-person events as digital experiences, and our 100,000 colleagues are almost entirely working remotely. Our customers are also a part of the SAP family, and we’re focused on standing by them as they navigate an incredibly challenging period.

Since our founding nearly 50 years ago, SAP has been synonymous with mission-critical business operations. We firmly believe that securing our business allows us to better secure those of our customers. In recent years, SAP has invested a great deal in crisis preparedness: SAP business, support, and cloud delivery teams have developed and documented business continuity plans to respond to disruptive incidents such as COVID-19, while ensuring reliability of our cloud solutions and the delivery of services to you. You can read more about some of the specific actions we are taking to ensure business continuity for SAP and for our customers here.

As we have seen, every day brings more information, but at times, more uncertainty. The more change we confront, the more important it is to understand how our people are feeling and adjusting to what may seem like a new normal on a daily basis. While we are all adapting to different work and collaboration models, the newness and the experiences are all unique to each of us depending on our job or industry. Understanding, acknowledging, and acting on the challenges and questions our employees have will help us equip them to navigate this new normal. All of us want employees who feel safe and productive, but it starts with understanding how they feel and what they need. To that end, Qualtrics has helped us get to the heart of every employee and we have opened up the same listening platform for any who need it. We hope this is helpful.

As a company we have always believed in our responsibility to support the next generation of professionals and users with our best-in-class digital learning. Now students and subject-matter experts need safe and healthy learning environments to continue their education virtually. Therefore, we are broadening access to some of our offerings to facilitate the continuity of innovation and enablement. This includes free access to select learning journeys for students at one of the 3,800 member universities of the SAP University Alliances program, online courses allowing young learners to explore technology, as well as the massive open online courses (MOOCs) available on the openSAP platform. All offerings are free – please find more information here.

We also recognize the massive disruptions impacting global supply chains, and we’ve opened up access to SAP Ariba Discovery so any buyer can post their immediate sourcing needs and any supplier can respond to show they can deliver. Our TripIt from Concur and SAP Litmos teams have offered up free services to help with travel issues and remote training capability. Check back here for updates as our teams continue to come up with new ways to help.

For all of us at SAP, our vision to help the world run better and improve people’s lives has never been more important than in this current moment. We remain focused on our people, our customers, and our communities. Together, we will persevere.

All our best,

Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein

The post Co-CEOs Write to SAP Community Amidst COVID-19 appeared first on InsideSAP Asia.

SAP Community was originally established as a social network for SAP developers and users, providing a forum for knowledge between customers, partners, SAP consultants, and the vendor itself. But in recent times, users had complained of being inundated with marketing messages and a poor user experience.

In the post, McDermott identified the issues that had led to the criticisms, including that a series of changes had been made the platform that “frustrated our community and eroded some of the participation”, and that the company had “let the impression linger that SAP was using our community simply as another channel to promote our corporate messages”.

“We drifted from what made SAP Community such a critical success in its early days – a place for users of SAP to come together, post content and share experiences,” McDermott wrote.

Citing these changes as “honest mistakes made with good intentions”, McDermott said a major gesture was required to indicate the company’s seriousness about returning the network to its community roots.

SAP’s chief technology officer, Bjorn Goerke, will be charged with leading the team behind SAP Community, supported by head of developer relations Thomas Grassl.

McDermott also highlighted that the SAP Mentors will be supported under the new mode.

“SAP was, is and will always be a community-driven company. Bjorn is the right leader to carry this mantle forward. He has my full support,” said McDermott.

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