SAP Operational Excellence and

the Journey to ERP Modernization

Produced by:

Interview with

Sourabh Kulkarni

SENIOR SOLUTION ARCHITECT

Sourabh is a Senior Solution Architect at Venturesoft Global with nearly 8 years at the company and over 12 years in SAP. He specializes in implementing SAP S/4HANA, S2P solutions, and Ariba integrations. With experience in multiple industries, particularly pharmaceuticals, he has been involved in about eight client implementations. His role also includes project management for both SAP and non-SAP ERP solutions.

With today's business landscape being so dynamic, can you elaborate on the key benchmarks crucial to assess the success of SAP implementations?

Evaluating the success of SAP implementations is a multifaceted endeavor. Beyond the obvious metrics like system uptime and error rates, benchmarks play a pivotal role. Inventory costs stand out as one key performance indicator (KPI). But it's not just about tracking figures; it's about understanding them in context. For this reason, we employ sophisticated analytics tools to dissect these metrics. By doing so, we can capture a holistic view of our SAP system's performance, from sales and finance to inventory management. This gives us a granular understanding, revealing areas ripe for improvement and departments that are outperforming expectations.

In the digital age, the volume of data that companies need to manage can be overwhelming. How do you ensure that your teams navigate this deluge proficiently without facing burnout?

The digitization era is both a boon and a challenge. The influx of data is exponential, demanding an agile and strategic approach. We've found that the secret lies in leveraging the right blend of human expertise and technology. Task delegation plays a pivotal role. By meticulously distributing responsibilities, we ensure that no one member faces the brunt of the data avalanche. Continuous training sessions keep our teams updated, allowing them to wield contemporary tools and techniques adeptly.

A cornerstone of our philosophy is fostering a supportive work environment. Open communication channels ensure team members can voice concerns, share challenges, and collaborate effectively. Moreover, we utilize state-of-the-art data management tools. These systems automate repetitive tasks, freeing our team to focus on high-impact activities, thus promoting efficiency and guarding against burnout.

The digitization era is both a boon and a challenge.

The ECC to S/4HANA transition isn't merely a tech upgrade; it represents a paradigm shift.

The transition from ECC to S/4HANA has been a hot topic lately. Can you shed light on its implications, particularly for your clientele?

The ECC to S/4HANA transition isn't merely a tech upgrade; it represents a paradigm shift. ECC, being platform-centric, mandated direct system access for transactions, often becoming cumbersome. The intricate web of integration required additional middleware, hiking complexity and costs. S/4HANA, with its cloud orientation, sidesteps these challenges, offering seamless data access to various stakeholders. This metamorphosis is palpable among our clients, who are eager to tap into the newfound benefits while adeptly navigating the intricacies of this transformative journey.

SAP operations encompass a multitude of demands, from system uptime to cloud migration and security. How do your clients strike a balance?

Striking a balance is akin to walking a tightrope. Our prescribed methodology revolves around phased deployments. Transitioning directly from ECC to S/4HANA is a herculean task. Hence, we introduce the system progressively. After each phase's completion, it becomes important to stabilize the system for a few months before moving on to the next phase. This segmented approach offers superior uptime control, streamlines cloud migration, and allocates ample time for security fortifications. Essentially, we build a robust SAP foundation, brick by brick, safeguarding against risks while ensuring consistent performance.

We build a robust SAP foundation, brick by brick, safeguarding against risks while ensuring consistent performance.

These innovations can avoid creating any bottlenecks, better operational efficiency, propel workflows and slashing error margins.

Hyper-automation and AI Ops are garnering significant attention in SAP operations. Can you provide insights into their potential?

These emerging trends, though not prevalent in my immediate client base, have transformative potential. Hyper-automation and AI Ops could potentially cut manual intervention requirements significantly. These innovations can avoid creating any bottlenecks, better operational efficiency, propel workflows and slashing error margins. The actual challenge isn't technological but making users embrace this new reality. However, I anticipate a significant uptick in the adoption of these technologies, possibly over the next decade.

With initiatives like "Rise with SAP" shaping the narrative, how do you see these influencing your clientele?

"Rise with SAP" exemplifies the holistic approach to digital transformation. Consolidating functionalities onto a unified platform stands to drastically influence IT operations. While the definitive impact on my clients is still crystallizing, any initiative promoting streamlined SAP operations, bolstering operational efficiency, and paving the way for innovative tools like AI is undoubtedly a game-changer. As we navigate the ever-evolving SAP landscape, it's paramount to strategically traverse these shifts, aligning both with immediate necessities and long-term visions.

Venturesoft Global is a leading technology solutions provider founded in 2002, specializing in software development, IT consulting, and enterprise solutions. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with global offices, the company offers custom solutions in areas like cloud migration and ERP implementations. With a team of highly-skilled professionals, Venturesoft serves a diverse clientele ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, focusing on innovation and client satisfaction.