Date: 31 July 2025
Author: Tracey Keene | AFSUG Editorial Team
Category: Thought Leadership | SAP Transformation
Innovation & Transformation: Turning Potholes into Highways on the SAP Journey
From Potholes to Progress: Real Talk on SAP Innovation
On 31st July, the AFSUG Community came together for an inspiring virtual session led by Wolfgang Möller, Global Director of Innovation and Technology at NTT DATA.
While co-presenter Deon du Preez was unfortunately unable to present. Wolfgang took delegates on a compelling and practical journey through the ever-evolving SAP Transformation Landscape.
His message was clear: Innovation is not just about upgrading systems—it is about rethinking business from the ground up.
Crossing the SAP Roadmap: Mind the Potholes
Wolfgang likened today’s SAP landscape to a road riddled with potholes—technical debt, legacy custom code, outdated processes and business uncertainty.
Whether you are navigating economic instability, supply chain disruptions, or shifting regulatory frameworks, the path to S/4HANA must be carefully considered.
“Before you cross the road,” Wolfgang advised, “pause and ask: is our business today the same business we will be running in two years?”
Brownfield, Greenfield, or Something New Entirely?
Key decisions like cloud vs on-premise, public vs private, or brownfield vs greenfield migrations are not purely technical—they are strategic.
Companies must ask:
- Do we still need our custom code?
- Are our legacy processes serving future goals?
- Should we start from scratch to embrace true innovation?
Wolfgang emphasized the importance of business context, change readiness and talent availability as critical elements in transformation planning.
Custom Code: Friend or Foe?
91% of SAP customers still depend on custom code—but is it enabling growth or anchoring you to the past?
Wolfgang urged organisations to evaluate which customisations truly add value and which may now be redundant or even harmful.
Moving to standard processes supported by Fiori apps and generative AI tools may offer more agility and maintainability.
Digital Innovation in Action
The 60 Minute Session was packed with real-world examples showing how innovation can bridge business and technology:
- Warehouse workers using Apple Vision Pro to identify stock via digital twins.
- Quality inspectors relying on AI to detect anomalies in farm machinery assembly.
- Environmental agencies tracking whale migration with drones and data platforms to reduce maritime collisions.
- Cities and retailers leveraging IoT, sensors, and beacons for smart logistics, safety and supply chain visibility.
The future is not only digital—it is visual, automated and intelligent.
Agentic AI & Digital Humans: A New Frontier
A highlight of the session was Wolfgang’s demonstration of Digital Humans—AI-powered assistants capable of handling reception, training and customer service roles across industries from tourism to manufacturing.
These “humans” bridge the interaction gap where physical staff may not be present, offering tailored, voice-driven support backed by large language models.
AI, Jobs and the South African Context
The session ended with a passionate conversation around the impact of AI on employment, particularly in South Africa.
Attendees expressed concern about job displacement, to which Wolfgang responded with empathy and realism:
“Yes, AI will change the workforce. But there are also opportunities. Universities, companies and communities must rethink education and reskilling. We must guide this transformation thoughtfully.”
The Big Takeaway
Digital transformation is not just an IT project—it is a business imperative grounded in people, processes and vision.
SAP BTP, AI, and modern architecture can only succeed if they align with real business value and societal impact.
AFSUG thanks Wolfgang Möller and NTT DATA for sparking critical conversation and offering practical insights.
The journey to SAP S/4HANA and beyond may be complex—but with the right strategy, the road ahead can be smooth, fast and future-proof.
Resources
️ Session Recording and Slides – YouTube : https://youtu.be/HrSV6qmFCPw Have Questions? Contact AFSUG at [email protected]
