SAP NOW AI Tour: Applications: Transforming with Confidence to Cloud ERP

In this session, Chris Willcocks, Ram Kalyanasundaram (Lion), and Cameron Borley (Coles Group) shared their experiences transitioning to SAP Cloud ERP, highlighting how successful transformation goes far beyond technical upgrades. The discussion explored strategies for building compelling, value-driven business cases, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the critical role of effective change management. Speakers emphasised that adoption is often driven by both technical needs—such as legacy system replacement—and commercial opportunities like expiring agreements, which can create significant advantages for early adopters.A key message was the importance of framing Cloud ERP projects around business value rather than technology alone, with examples such as improved working capital and inventory optimisation used to secure board-level buy-in. The panel also stressed that strategic alignment with SAP’s long-term roadmap and a first-mover advantage can help organisations turn technology into a genuine competitive edge. The conversation underscored that change management is the foundation of transformation, requiring clear communication of the “why,” continuous training, and ongoing engagement to drive adoption. Looking ahead, the move to a clean core—reducing customisations while leveraging SAP BTP for extensibility—was seen as key to future-proofing.