
Interview with
Oscar Del Castillo
SR ERP TECHNO-FUNCTIONAL ANALYST

Oscar Del Castillo is Senior ERP Techno-Functional Analyst. In this role, he expertly bridges the technical intricacies of SAP with its practical business applications. His primary responsibility revolves around serving as a functional analyst, specializing in plan maintenance and materials management. While he has been with his current company for approximately a year, Oscar boasts a commendable 8-year experience in the SAP space, a leading global ERP system.
The looming SAP migration deadline is stirring quite a buzz. Can you delve deeper into how your organization is navigating this tightrope, especially in light of the internal debates and potential surcharges that companies may face post-deadline?
Well, the situation is quite akin to being between a rock and a hard place. The discourse within our organization is polarized between two camps—one advocates for a swift technical transition, the other for a full-fledged, holistic transformation of our processes. No camp has gained a definitive edge, and this stalemate puts a damper on further investments in our current ECC system. The bottom line is, if SAP doesn't opt for an extension—which, in my estimation, they might—companies could make rash decisions. This frenzied approach is likely to lead to operational chaos. And let's not forget, maintaining the legacy system after the deadline won't be cheap. Companies will have to tighten their belts and prepare for surcharges.

If SAP doesn't opt for an extension—which, in my estimation, they might—companies could make rash decisions.

There’s a notion that your focus on infrastructure and security has sidetracked innovation. How does this lens impact cloud migration and forestall long-term strategic initiatives?
You've hit the nail on the head. Infrastructure and security are foundational, yes, but not at the expense of sidelining innovation. The reality of our cloud migration has been far more convoluted than we initially imagined. We’ve been caught in an almost perpetual cycle of patching, vulnerability tests, and fire drills. These immediate challenges, while important, have diverted resources and focus from long-term strategy and innovation. This has given rise to a somewhat myopic approach where we're missing the forest for the trees.

Companies should resist the urge to implement a rushed, purely technical migration without adequately contemplating the repercussions.

As we count down to the SAP migration deadline, what key insights can you offer companies to ensure they transition to S/4HANA without hiccups?
To put it bluntly, haste makes waste. Companies should resist the urge to implement a rushed, purely technical migration without adequately contemplating the repercussions. A strategically set up "center of excellence" can serve as an effective bedrock. This team would serve as the focal point for understanding the intricacies of S/4HANA and then integrating that into existing processes. Old methods won't necessarily apply to this new platform, so a deep-dive understanding of the system is imperative. Plan for where you want to be five years down the line and engineer your steps back from that point.


Your emphasis on early adoption of processes seems like a pragmatic approach. Can you talk about how this method serves as stepping stones, especially considering the challenges that smaller businesses face?
Absolutely, smaller businesses often lack the bandwidth to overhaul processes wholesale. Our tactic of early adoption and parallel development of bridge applications essentially works as a stepping stone approach. This makes the move less daunting and eases change management. These incremental steps soften the impact and offer a structured pathway, giving businesses—especially smaller ones—the confidence that this is a manageable endeavor.

Plan for where you want to be five years down the line and engineer your steps back from that point.


Taking into account team motivation and retention is non-negotiable for achieving sustainable innovation.

Managing work-life balance in a high-stakes industry like tech is undoubtedly challenging. With your experience of overcoming burnout, what safeguards are you incorporating?
That's a loaded question, but it’s extremely relevant. I’ve walked the tightrope of burnout and it’s a hellish ordeal to climb back from. Open and honest communication is vital. Discuss the nitty-gritty with your teams and upper management; ensure everyone’s on the same page regarding achievable outcomes within realistic timelines. We shouldn't forget that innovations don’t happen in a vacuum; they’re fueled by human energy and creativity. As such, taking into account team motivation and retention is non-negotiable for achieving sustainable innovation.
Rise with SAP is being hailed as revolutionary, but you've also raised some red flags concerning licensing. Could you elaborate on this delicate balance?
While Rise with SAP is heralded as transformative, it does have its shortcomings. I have reservations about the licensing model, primarily because it could create a monopolistic dynamic, granting SAP undue leverage. If you're a small to medium enterprise and you go all in, you’re basically putting all your eggs in SAP’s basket. Should they decide to hike costs, this could strain, if not cripple, smaller businesses. So, while the innovation is enticing, one has to weigh the pros and cons meticulously, understanding the far-reaching consequences.

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