As organisations move from ECC to S/4HANA, expectations are high — improved visibility, better planning, and more reliable execution across asset management, supply chain, and procurement. In practice, while some capabilities do improve, many of the same challenges persist at the point of execution. 

In this session, we will explore what actually changes when transitioning to S/4HANA, and what continues to require attention. Rather than focusing on the technical migration, the discussion centres on operational outcomes — how planning, scheduling, maintenance, service execution, and procurement processes are experienced in real environments. 

We will use this time to share perspectives, compare approaches, and reflect on where S/4HANA has delivered value, and where gaps remain. 

We’ll explore: 

• What improves at the execution layer in S/4HANA environments  
• Challenges that persist post-migration across operations and procurement  
• The impact of standardisation and clean core principles on planning, sourcing, and execution  
• Lessons learned from organisations at different stages of transition 

Most organisations have more data than ever — across assets, materials, suppliers, and operations — yet confidence in that data is often inconsistent. Reports don’t always reflect reality, teams rely on workarounds, and critical decisions are still made with a degree of uncertainty. 

In this session, we will focus on what it takes to trust data at the point where decisions are made. We will explore how data is used in practice across asset management, supply chain, and procurement — particularly in planning, sourcing, and execution — and where gaps between system data and operational reality continue to create friction. 

We will share how data challenges are being managed within our organisations, and where confidence in data is strong — or still developing. 

We’ll explore: 

• Where data is trusted — and where it is questioned — in day-to-day decisions  
• How asset, materials, and supplier data impact planning, sourcing, and execution  
• The role of ownership and accountability in maintaining data quality across functions  
• How teams are balancing system data with operational judgement and workarounds 

As organisations invest in AI, automation, and connected technologies, the conversation is shifting from potential to practical impact. While innovation continues to evolve rapidly, many of us are focused on understanding where these capabilities are genuinely making a difference in day-to-day operations.

In this session, we will explore how AI and related innovations are being applied across asset management, supply chain, and procurement. Rather than focusing on future vision or emerging concepts, the discussion centres on current use cases, lessons learned, and the conditions required to see meaningful outcomes — particularly the role of data, process design, and integration across functions.

We will share experiences, compare approaches, and consider where innovation is supporting execution, improving decision-making, and delivering measurable improvements — and where it is yet to translate into tangible results.

We’ll explore:

• Where AI is making a practical difference in planning, maintenance, sourcing, and supply chain operations
• How organisations are applying automation and advanced analytics in real environments
• The role of data, process maturity, and integration in enabling meaningful outcomes
• Common challenges and considerations when scaling AI and innovation across functions

Explore how procure‑to‑pay is evolving into a fully automated, intelligent operation—where bots and agents remove manual work, processes are orchestrated end‑to‑end, and suppliers are seamlessly connected. Learn how a flexible, AI‑ready backbone enables faster adoption, continuous optimization, and easy expansion as business needs grow.

This session looks at how organisations are bringing contract management and procurement together to close the gap between what’s agreed and what’s actually delivered. By connecting contract lifecycle management with source-to-pay processes—using platforms like Icertis and SAP Ariba—teams can improve visibility, strengthen compliance, and reduce value leakage.

The discussion focuses on practical approaches to streamlining contract creation, automating workflows, and ensuring that negotiated terms flow through into day-to-day procurement. Real-world examples will highlight what this looks like in practice, including integration touchpoints and the outcomes organisations are seeing from a more connected procurement ecosystem.

Procurement faces growing pressure to ensure supply continuity, swiftly mitigate risks, and seize opportunities while transforming. Learn how the Spend Intelligence package can help you meet these goals, using AI to classify, enrich, and unify SAP and third-party spend data with benchmarks and market intelligence and turn insights into outcomes.

Discover how next‑gen SAP Ariba helps procurement leaders navigate disruption by delivering AI‑driven insights, an elevated user experience, and seamless integration across SAP’s broader suite. You’ll understand what’s new, how it modernises day‑to‑day execution, and how it empowers you to shift procurement from operational support to a strategic growth engine.

Procurement leaders are being asked to do more than ever: protect supply in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, manage inflation and cost pressure, address talent constraints, while consistently delivering productivity and savings. This session will explore how leading organisations are responding in practical ways, using agentic AI to accelerate execution, resilience capabilities to anticipate and absorb disruption, and a rewired operating model to help Procurement move faster, make better decisions, and deliver greater impact.

Throughout the conference we’ve explored how AI, automation, and digital technologies are transforming the way organisations operate. But the future of work won’t be defined by technology alone. It will be shaped by how people respond, adapt, and lead as the pace of change accelerates.

In this closing conversation, Jonathan Fogarty sits down with futurist and future-of-work researcher Dr Ben Hamer to explore the human capabilities organisations will need most in the decade ahead. Drawing on ThinkerTank’s global research, the discussion introduces the concept of Adaptive Intelligence — the ability to continually learn, unlearn, and relearn as the world evolves. The session closes the conference with a forward-looking perspective on how leaders can help their people stay curious, adaptable, and ready to thrive in the future of work.

Globally recognised futurist and future-of-work researcher Dr Ben Hamer takes the stage to explore one of the most significant shifts reshaping organisations today: the rise of a truly multi-generational workforce. For the first time in history, Millennials and Gen Z are beginning to outnumber older generations in many workplaces, while Gen Alpha is just starting to enter the workforce — bringing entirely new expectations around technology, leadership, and the way work gets done.

For organisations across operations, supply chains, procurement, and asset-heavy industries, the stakes are particularly high. As experienced workers begin to retire and new talent enters the workforce, leaders must find ways to retain critical knowledge while building teams ready for the future. Drawing on global research, real-world insights, and live audience interaction, Ben unpacks what these generational shifts mean for leadership, culture, and high-performing teams — and how organisations can bridge the gap between experience and the workforce of tomorrow.

Learn how SAP Signavio solutions can support procurement transformation leaders in mastering the value management process. We explore how you can leverage AI, benchmarks, leading practice content, and process guidance across complex procurement process landscapes, from value identification to realization.