The ASUG Michigan Chapter members came together on June 22 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to learn, network and share updates.
The biggest takeaways:
The power of CAPEX and OPEX: The biggest components of SAP Financial Planning & Analysis — CAPEX and OPEX — drive decision making. Leveraging SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Planning with SAP ECC for Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) means the ability to have highly configurable FP&A planning dashboards and models. It’s a game changer for enterprises. It means:
- Real-time access to data
- Scalable design
- Decreased forecasting times
Having one unified planning environment and centralized data sources makes it easier for all involved.
Customer experience, process improvements are vital: In the DTE breakout session, Srini Sastry and Kumar Siva of DTE Energy shared how SAP Cloud solutions allowed them to create a robust platform to create and track service tickets for customers, assisted and self-service channels, and integrated business process across multiple business units to improve cycle time.
Also at the session, the keynote was delivered by Jim Hamilton, the General Motors global finance IT director; Pierce Rabon, SAP analyst from GM; and Steven Uebelacker, software developer and SAP analyst from GM. The three presented on the Order to Delivery transformation at GM, and then conducted a Q&A.
The day's sessions
The sessions and presentations for the daylong networking and learning session were:
DTE Energy: Srini Sastry and Kumar Siva of the Information Technology Group presented about how DTE has leveraged SAP cloud platforms to improve customer service and drive process efficiencies. Of particular concerns for the country’s eighth largest electric utility was the processing of property damage claims. Implementing an efficient ticket management system was imperative for improving customer service, tracking of claims and automated escalations and workflows.
The presenters showed how SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP Service Cloud were integrated, resulting in a robust platform to create and track service tickets for DTE customers through assisted and self service channels.
SAP customer survey results: SAP’s Kristen Scheffler presented the findings of a global survey of more than 1,100 members of ASUG (and DASUG and JSUG, global affiliates of ASUG) on a number of key topics, including their approaches to changes and challenges in the workplace. In addition, there was a presentation on SAP’s answers to those challenges, including increased opportunities for training and education.
CAPEX and OPEX Planning with SAC: Hank Marotski and Zack Suarez of Avvale also presented on CAPEX and OPEX, and how his company’s work with a golf company client indicates the “boundless” ways SAP Business Technology Platform can can integrate with other platforms.
About ASUG
ASUG is the world’s largest SAP user group, serving thousands of businesses and connecting more than 130,000 professionals with networking and educational resources. Its mission is to help people and organizations get the most value from their investment in SAP technology.
The group holds in-person and virtual events and makes on-demand digital resources available to its members.
The next ASUG Midwest meetings are planned for the end of July and beginning of August in Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin. The summer chapter event is Aug. 17 in Chicago. You can find out more at the ASUG website.
