Big Data in a new dimension

Logistics was long regarded as a dusty minor subject - today logistics is almost sexy. How do you see this development at G.I.B?

Michael Schuster: We have been on the road with G.I.B Dispo-Cockpit since 2005. During this time, we have visited hundreds of SAP user companies. In a few of them, logistics has long been given the importance it deserves.

In many others, it is merely the buffer between purchasing, sales and production. For years, universities in our country have been preaching that logistics is an essential link in the value chain of all companies. We are also trying to raise this awareness.

At a Gartner conference this year, analysts emphasized the future importance of algorithms. Two years ago, the then SAP Chief Technology Officer Vishal Sikka said that algorithms and mathematics would bring added value to future Hana systems. Does the SAP community need new algorithms for Industry 4.0?

Cobbler: Absolutely! With Industry 4.0, the topic of big data is taking on an unprecedented dimension and speed. Today's algorithms are not designed for this.

In addition, the SAP system is currently based on the old database technology. Figuratively speaking, the new database technology provides a spaceship for the
available, but on the bridge
still worked with a steering wheel and rigging.