Roll forward

Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, IoT - how are these trends changing the role of SAP consultants?

Jens Basan: In the future, it will be even more important for SAP consultants to combine their knowledge of the processes in the various industries with a sense of which steps can be digitized and in what form.

To do this, the consultants will need not only an understanding of the process, but also the most extensive possible knowledge of applicable technologies. Only in the combination of both aspects will it be possible to develop and implement meaningful ideas.

How does this differ from classic customizing?

Basan: Customizing in a given framework is a discontinued model. Today, it's all about the overall design of processes: Which processes can I support, change, add or improve?

A lot of things can be completely redesigned today because we have new technologies - for example, networked sensors, Internet-enabled machines, mobile devices, or the real-time capabilities of Hana.

For this, there are the various implementations: on-premise, in the cloud or hybrid scenarios. It is no longer enough to look at just one sub-area. Horizontal integration counts. Everything must fit together.

A new role model would mean that SAP consultants also work in a new personal environment.

Is that so?

Basan: Absolutely. Customers' contacts are no longer primarily technically oriented. They often belong to management or specialist departments. You have to be able to understand and support them. In addition, completely new job profiles are emerging.

For example, as a consultant, you may talk to a data scientist or a service designer in the future, or you may have to understand and help shape their requirements. But even in the consulting environment, expanded roles such as that of a UI/UX designer will emerge more strongly as a result.

Focusing on one SAP module is no longer the only decisive factor, because these contacts don't care which technologies are used. The contacts have high expectations. They want to introduce processes in a very short time and see business benefits.

Does this also change the way consultants work?

Basan: These expectations also require more agility in approach. As a consultant, you will no longer just work on one giant target over many quarters, waterfall style.

The challenge will be to break down the overall goal into individual delivery units. Consultants will have to set interim targets, achieve them and get them into production quickly. And then take a very short breath - and move on, to the next topic.

What do SAP consultants need to bring to the table today?

Basan: Curiosity. Openness. Enjoyment of innovation and collaboration.

Are there other skills that distinguish a modern consultant?

Basan: We always look for a balance between technological demands and fine antennae for interpersonal issues in new employees. The human integrative part, which our consultants take on in the customer project, is - from our point of view - essential for the project success and therefore takes an increasingly important part in the personnel search and selection.

Can you explain in more detail when and how the soft skills mentioned are used in the customer project?

Basan: Another challenge is the topic of communication, especially networking within the company as well as in the project. Here, it is necessary to identify the communication times correctly and to act in a way that is appropriate for the addressees, whether in a technical exchange with the user or in direct dialog with the managing director.

In the future, it will become increasingly important not only to understand the framework conditions of digitization in technical terms, but also to recognize the extent to which we as people are involved in this overall field of tension of digitization.

Because only those who know how to strike the right note in critical situations have the right tools to successfully master challenging project situations.

Are you looking for a special type of person to fill this role?

Basan: On the one hand, we are looking for experienced consultants who are fully committed to the digital revolution. In this regard, we also see it as our duty as a company to make appropriate offers to promote our consultants in this sense and to ensure that they are always up to date with the latest knowledge.

On the other hand, we are looking for graduates who have already grown up in this increasingly digitalized world and who enjoy the permanent development of this world.

Are consumer apps driving digital transformation?

Basan: Many apps on smartphones and tablets map micro-processes for the private sphere and make it a little easier for people to, for example, stay fit, have direct access to information, communicate quickly with each other, or even accept personalized service offers.

Digital transformation in companies is heading in a similar direction: processes should appear simple, be mapped intuitively, and be supported in the best possible way.

There are new technologies and approaches to this every day. SAP technology remains a core area, but the ability to dock additions to it is becoming increasingly important.

If you like using apps, should you become an SAP consultant?

Basan: As a consultant, you simply have to want to quickly absorb information about such new technical possibilities. And then you have to enjoy collaborating with colleagues to verify whether these technologies are actually suitable for improving the processes you are currently working on.

There is no sacrifice in the fundamental industry, process and consulting skills required. But the consultant has to lift, check and put together more pieces of the puzzle than before.

And what can a consulting firm do beyond good recruiting to ensure consultants meet these new, high expectations?

Basan: Three things are at the forefront of each consultant's mind to help them reach their full potential:

1. First, we provide up-to-date information about new technologies in digestible morsels, for example in short videos that can then be consumed at any time.We became involved with digital transformation very early on and actively contributed to research projects. As a result, we have experts in these areas who share their knowledge internally.
2. Secondly, we rely on the advantages of direct and quickly updatable social media platforms, such as our Itelli TV, online forums or webinars. This makes information sharing and the necessary networking of our employees easy.
3. Thirdly, as a consulting company, we have the task of putting together the right mix of people for each task: Young consultants and graduates often bring new ideas, tools and perspectives to the table, while the experienced ones bring industry know-how, process expertise and the necessary awareness of other topics, such as security aspects.

And both sides learn from each other?

Basan: Exactly. So we do a lot to ensure that our employees fill the new role and enjoy tackling the big challenges every day.

We are always looking for personalities who welcome, understand and want to help shape the digital transformation.

Doubly successful

Two SAP Pinnacle Awards went to Itelligence this year.

The Bielefeld-based midmarket specialist received the honors in the categories "Global Value-Added Reseller" and "SAP S/4 Hana Adoption Partner of the Year".

SAP thus pays tribute to Itelligence as a partner that excels in the development and growth of its partnership with SAP, thus driving customer success.

SAP selects the top representatives of its partners based on recommendations from the SAP world, customer feedback, and performance indicators.

Kevin Ichhpurani, Executive Vice President at SAP for Strategic Business Development & Global Ecosystem, congratulated Itelligence on the two "well-deserved" awards:

"SAP Pinnacle Award winners represent the outstanding partners in our community."

And Rodolpho Cardenuto, President, SAP Global Channels & General Business, added:

"Winning two SAP Pinnacle Awards is a tremendous achievement and something Itelligence can be proud of. Only 16 companies in our partner ecosystem of more than 13,000 partners receive this recognition."

The SAP Pinnacle Awards are designed to shine a spotlight on remarkable achievements by SAP partners. Among other things, they recognize their commitment to teamwork, innovative approaches, and ability to take on any challenge to help customers achieve their goals.