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SUGTalks

UK & Ireland SAP User Group

131 episodes

3 weeks ago

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca. Together, they unpack SAP’s newly announced partnership with Snowflake and what it really means for SAP customers in practice. Russell shares why AstraZeneca was involved early, how the collaboration supports large-scale S/4HANA transformation, and where zero-copy data sharing can remove complexity and accelerate timelines. The conversation explores semantically rich ...

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In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca. Together, they unpack SAP’s newly announced partnership with Snowflake and what it really means for SAP customers in practice. Russell shares why AstraZeneca was involved early, how the collaboration supports large-scale S/4HANA transformation, and where zero-copy data sharing can remove complexity and accelerate timelines. The conversation explores semantically rich ...

Show more...

Episodes (20/131)

SUGTalks

Unpacking SAP's Snowflake Partnership

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca. Together, they unpack SAP’s newly announced partnership with Snowflake and what it really means for SAP customers in practice. Russell shares why AstraZeneca was involved early, how the collaboration supports large-scale S/4HANA transformation, and where zero-copy data sharing can remove complexity and accelerate timelines. The conversation explores semantically rich ...

3 weeks ago

28 minutes

SUGTalks

The Cost of Doing Nothing - Part 2

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig continues the conversation with Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to discuss SAP’s cloud roadmap and what that means for customers. They explore the differences between S/4HANA on-prem and cloud editions, including cloud-only AI, sustainability tools, central finance, and new Business Data Cloud apps. The discussion also covers clean core, how tools like Signavio, LeanIX and BTP support ...

1 month ago

43 minutes

SUGTalks

The Cost of Doing Nothing - Part 1

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to explore the real cost of “doing nothing” when it comes to SAP roadmaps and cloud transformation. They break down the key maintenance deadlines and look at the evolving SAP landscape, from on-premise and private cloud to public cloud, and how the SUGEN Transformation Charter is helping users navigate timelines, Clean Core, and cloud-only innovat...

1 month ago

32 minutes

SUGTalks

A look back at SAP Sapphire 2025

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig Dale is joined by UKISUG Chair Conor Riordan and board members Dipti Jakhodia and Emma Chambers to take a look back at SAP Sapphire in Orlando and Madrid. They unpack SAP’s “apps, data and AI” flywheel, the rise of agentic AI and Joule, and what the new RISE and GROW messaging really means for existing SAP customers. In addiyition they delve into Sapphire’s innovation narrative and the reality for ECC and S/4HANA users dealing with technical debt, cloud busi...

1 month ago

42 minutes

SUGTalks

Inside the SAP Community: Introducing UKISUG’s New Vice Chair

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig sits down with Costa Petrosellini, SAP Technical Services Manager at Dunelm and the new Vice Chair of UKISUG. Costa shares his 15-year journey through the user group – from volunteer to board member and now Vice Chair – reflecting on the confidence, connections, and career growth that came from being part of the community. They discuss lessons from Costa’s’ different SAP implementations over the years and what makes for a successful project. Costa also talks...

2 months ago

39 minutes

SUGTalks

SAP Sovereign Cloud Explained

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Pip Plah, Head of Sovereign Cloud, SAP UK, and Chris Soden, Head of UK Delivery, SAP Sovereign Cloud Services. Together they explore how SAP Sovereign Cloud is helping organisations in highly regulated industries maintain control over their data while embracing cloud innovation. They discuss what “sovereign” really means in practice, from data residency and legal frameworks to the security-cleared teams managing UK workloads. In addition, they u...

2 months ago

34 minutes

SUGTalks

Understanding SAP ERP, private edition, transition option

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Neil Gardner, Head of Cloud ERP, RISE with SAP. Together they unpack SAP ERP, private edition, transition option and discuss what it means for organisations on their journey to S/4HANA. Neil explains why SAP introduced the Transition Option, who it’s aimed at and how it can help complex organisations manage their move to the cloud. Craig and Neil also discuss common misconceptions, the 2030 maintenance deadline, and why “doing nothing” comes wit...

2 months ago

40 minutes

SUGTalks

Exploring All or Nothing Thinking

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to explore “all or nothing thinking” and how it impacts our daily lives. They discuss cognitive distortions, perfectionism, and why our brains often default to black-and-white thinking. Simon shares practical strategies to regulate thought processes, find balance, and reframe situations in healthier ways. From workplace conversations to personal wellbeing, this episode offers valuable insights for recog...

3 months ago

35 minutes

SUGTalks

How to build great SAP partner relationships

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Simon Bacon, SAP Operations Manager at QD Group, to discuss how strong partner relationships can make or break SAP projects. Simon shares how QD Group delivered a six-month brownfield migration from ECC to SAP S/4HANA on RISE with zero business disruption, clear cost control and a roadmap to clean core. They discuss selecting a partner for culture fit, aligning AMS and project teams, alongside practical advice for striking the right balan...

3 months ago

39 minutes

SUGTalks

UKISUG Connect 2025 Preview

In this episode of SUGTalks, guest host Gerren Mayne (regular host of the SAPCHAT podcast) takes the chair with Craig Dale moving to the role of guest. Joining them is Simon Bacon, SAP Operations Manager at QD Group.Together, they provide a preview of UKISUG Connect 2025, exploring what attendees can expect. Simon also shares how Connect delivers value to QD Group year after year, including hands-on learning, networking, and how they use the event to stay on top of SAP’s product roadmap...

4 months ago

30 minutes

SUGTalks

From Negativity Bias to Positive Mindset

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to discuss negativity bias and the importance of taking a positive mindset to overcome it. They explore why our brains are wired to focus on the negative, how this shows up in our daily experiences, and what practical strategies we can use to reframe our thoughts in a more positive light. From mindfulness and memory recall to workplace communication and psychological safety, Simon shares actionab...

4 months ago

35 minutes

SUGTalks

Understanding SAP BTP: Insights from the UKISUG BTP Research Paper (Part 2)

In this second episode of a two-part series, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad (Head of Outbound Product Management, SAP BTP), Richard Henry (Commercial Director, Bluestonex), and Glenn van der Meijden (Senior Director, SAP Platform, AstraZeneca) to explore the key findings of UKISUG’s latest SAP BTP Research Paper. In this episode, they delve into the evolving BTP skills landscape, the importance of internal capability, and how customers are balancing innovation with governance. They explore...

5 months ago

44 minutes

SUGTalks

Understanding SAP BTP: Insights from the UKISUG BTP Research Paper (Part 1)

In this first of a two-part series, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad (Head of Outbound Product Management, SAP BTP), Richard Henry (Commercial Director, Bluestonex), and Glenn van der Meijden (Senior Director, SAP Platform, AstraZeneca) to explore the key findings of UKISUG’s latest SAP BTP Research Paper. In this episode they discuss the road to SAP's Clean Core, evolving customer skillsets, and why reframing BTP around business value, not just technology, is essential. They also discuss SA...

6 months ago

52 minutes

SUGTalks

Data-Driven Innovation: Inside SAP Business Data Cloud

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Hagen Jander, Vice President, Product Management & Strategy – SAP Business Data Cloud & Insights. Together, they take a deep dive on SAP Business Data Cloud, exploring, what it is, how it builds on DataSphere, and why harmonised, contextualised data is key to powering AI, overcoming data silos, and unlocking real business value. Hagen also shares how customers can get started and what’s coming next on the Business Data Cloud roadma...

6 months ago

42 minutes

SUGTalks

Inside SAP BTP: AI, Joule Studio and Data-Driven Success

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad, Head of Outbound Product Management for SAP BTP. Together, they discuss the latest innovations in SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) – from AI-powered automation and integration advances to the new Joule Studio and Business Data Cloud. Steffen explains how BTP is evolving to support organisations of all sizes, and why AI, data and security are more important than ever. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme...

6 months ago

38 minutes

SUGTalks

Aligning AI with Business Value: People, Data and Governance

In this episode, Craig is joined by Jose Carvalho, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at the Value AI Institute and Global Head of Centre of Excellence at The Digital Economist. Together they cut through the AI buzz and Jose shares a practical roadmap for turning AI into sustainable business value. Jose also stresses why true success starts with people and data, how boards can lead responsibly, and where industries like healthcare, agriculture and finance are already reaping rewards. ...

7 months ago

32 minutes

SUGTalks

Shaping BTP: SAP’s BTP Voice of the Customer Programme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig Dale is joined by Stefan Kneis, Chief Customer Officer and Head of BTP Product Success at SAP. They explore the launch of SAP’s new Voice of the Customer programme for BTP, designed to gather meaningful user input at scale and shape future product direction. Stefan shares how feedback has already influenced BTP’s evolution and what the future might hold. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-ref...

7 months ago

36 minutes

SUGTalks

How to survive and thrive in times of change

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, for a timely conversation on how to survive and thrive in times of change. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, they explore why unpredictability affects us so deeply, how different people respond to it, and what role control, mindset, and even denialism play in our mental wellbeing. To see upcoming UKISUG wellbeing sessions click here: https://www.sapusers.org/event-calendar.html?type=...

8 months ago

34 minutes

SUGTalks

An interview with Russell Smith from AstraZeneca

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca. Russell shares his career journey from starting in the Royal Navy through to leading AstraZeneca’s ambitious SAP-driven Axial programme. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

8 months ago

30 minutes

SUGTalks

The Future of Supply Chains with SAP

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Andy Hancock, Global Vice President - Domain Advisory for Supply Chain Management at SAP. Andy shares insights into how SAP is helping organisations build more resilient and sustainable supply chains in an increasingly volatile world. We discuss the importance of breaking down data silos and embracing agility, to practical applications of AI and the future of supply chain management. To learn more about the UKISUG referral s...

9 months ago

39 minutes