Data Integration: „The better the data foundation, the more autonomous the system“

E3 Magazine: Mr. Ammon, you’re joining Implico from a senior engineering role at SAP. What do you hope to build here that wouldn’t have been possible at SAP?

Torsten Ammon, Implico: As a smaller company with very deep industry expertise, Implico has the advantage of moving much more quickly from identifying a customer’s problem to finding a solution. It was precisely this proximity to the market and these short decision-making paths that convinced me. I want to consistently align our product development with this pace: staying close to our customers’ needs, with a clear technological direction and a willingness to break new ground. Implico is exceptionally well-positioned to tackle the challenges that lie ahead, and helping to shape this path is a very exciting task for me.

E3: You helped shape SAP’s data strategy—BDC, Datasphere. What specific aspects of that experience are you bringing to product development at Implico, and where are you placing a different emphasis?

Ammon: SAP’s vision of the autonomous enterprise is the foundation for me. Context and data are essential for any AI solution, because without a reliable data foundation, any automation will remain flawed. I bring this way of thinking directly into our product development. At Implico, our focus is on developing a modern, agent-based solution that helps our customers operate their supply chains with noticeably greater efficiency. The difference lies in our perspective: We don’t start with the platform; instead, we start with the specific logistics processes involved in handling bulk or loose goods. In doing so, we never lose sight of where our customers stand today. They should be able to take advantage of new functionality while ensuring that their existing investments in our SDM and RFNO products remain protected.

E3: The "data fabric" approach was central to your work at SAP. How does that factor into Implico's product roadmap? What role will data integration play in the future?

Ammon: Data and context are at the heart of every future solution. Every agent needs the right foundation to make autonomous and reliable decisions, and that foundation can only be built on clean, well-integrated data. Data integration is therefore not a technical detail, but rather the prerequisite for everything we plan in the areas of automation and artificial intelligence. In concrete terms, our roadmap means helping our customers significantly reduce coordination efforts, improve their forecasts, and optimize inventory planning. These are not abstract goals. They are tasks that pose a real challenge every day in the day-to-day operations of secondary distribution. The better the data foundation, the more autonomously the solution can operate. The result is that people are freed up to tackle tasks where their judgment and experience are superior to those of a machine.

„Data integration is not a technical detail,
but rather the prerequisite for everything,
what we offer in terms of automation and
”plan for artificial intelligence."

Torsten Ammon,
Member of the Executive Board and
Head of SAP,
Implico

E3: Clean Core is often discussed as a limitation. You’ve built on both sides of it. What is Implico’s position on this, and what product decisions are you making for upcoming releases based on this?

Ammon: As part of S/4, Clean Core principles are a requirement for us, not an option. I don’t see this as a limitation, but rather as a discipline that pays off. Those who build cleanly in accordance with these principles ensure that their products are prepared for future versions and are future-proof in the long term. That is exactly our goal. For upcoming releases, this means two things: First, we consistently align everything we develop from scratch with the Clean Core principles. Second, we adapt existing solutions step by step so that our entire portfolio meets this standard. For our customers, this means reliability: upgrades become more predictable, and the solution stays closely aligned with SAP’s ongoing development. What might seem like a limitation thus becomes a real advantage.

E3: Implico is currently expanding beyond its established position in the oil, gas, and energy sectors. What is your vision for Implico's products in the coming years?

Ammon: My vision is clear: Our customers should recognize Implico’s products as a solution that supports them day in and day out—one that reduces effort, creates transparency, and helps them remain compliant at all times, whether in secondary distribution or in the operation of retail fuel networks. The common thread here is process expertise. The ability to reliably automate the logistics of bulk or loose goods is not limited to a single industry. This is precisely what gives us the opportunity to grow beyond our established position and bring the same operational strength to other areas. Ultimately, the rule should be: Anyone who wants to manage their distribution efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with regulations should think of Implico.

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