Miami Energy at LeverEdge 2024
The company has European roots, with Victor Lozinski—Co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board—being of Latvian descent, and with LeverX’s largest office located in Wrocław, Poland. However, the company itself was founded in Silicon Valley and relocated its headquarters to Miami, Florida, two years ago. LeverX considers itself a “local global community”, meaning the company operates internationally but is deeply connected to its headquarters' local environment, collaborating with local communities wherever it operates.
One of the ways LeverX engages with the local community is through LeverEdge. Hosting an ERP-focused summit in Miami is key to further establishing the region as a growing tech hub. Miami has a reputation for being an ideal location to host business conferences, while also retaining an element of fun. During his keynote speech, Victor Lozinski shared an anecdote about Miami. He recalled that many of his acquaintances described Miami as special but noted that their bosses were hesitant to send them there, fearing they would have too much fun. And Victor agreed; they most likely would!
The Miami community seems receptive to LeverX’s business efforts, with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava even participating as a speaker at the event. The first evening reflected Miami's vibrant energy, featuring cocktails, Cuban cigars, a live band, and a relaxed environment.
LeverEdge
The name LeverEdge stems from a desire not to limit the event solely to LeverX, but to create an open platform for those interested in ERP software developments and emerging trends. The "edge" in LeverEdge reflects the event's focus on cutting-edge innovation. Consistent with this, the event was free of charge for attendees. LeverX's hands-off approach was evident, as most presentations were given by partners and customers, among others, rather than by LeverX employees. Networking opportunities were also a strong focus throughout the event.
Clean core
As an SAP partner, SAP's presence at LeverEdge was prominent. SAP representatives emphasized the importance of organizing data before beginning any transformation and highlighted the company's focus on creating a seamless experience for its users and engineers alike. The concept of a clean core—a system open to extensions but closed to modifications—was a key theme, as explained by Premal Bathia, Senior Director of the North American Center of Excellence at SAP. This ensures a smooth operation.
AI and BTP
Given the event's future-oriented focus, AI and BTP were key topics. BTP, which comprises over 90 software solutions on a unified platform, is becoming more integrated with AI, offering enhanced flexibility for users and developers. Unlike more general-purpose AI models like ChatGPT, SAP’s AI is tailored to business needs. SAP is committed to building trust in its AI solutions, ensuring that corporate users can rely on accurate answers to business-related questions.
The upcoming addition of AI agents in BTP, powered by generative AI, can streamline AI usage. This feature will be part of SAP’s AI copilot, Joule, with more information expected at SAP TechEd. By highlighting topics such as clean core, AI, and BTP at LeverEdge 2024, LeverX has aligned itself with SAP’s strategic direction.
Sustainability
It was commendable that speakers emphasized the implementation of more sustainability measures. This is particularly relevant from a European perspective, as there is a stark contrast between the sustainability measures implemented in Europe versus those not yet applied in America. One of the measures mentioned was increasing taxes on unsustainable products to motivate companies to opt for more environmentally friendly options.
Opinions
LeverEdge 2024 provided a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into current SAP trends on a more intimate scale compared to larger SAP events. It also offered a closer look at the North and South American SAP markets and technology sectors. The event fostered numerous networking opportunities in a more casual setting, encapsulating the blend of business and leisure that Miami energy represents.
Conclusion
LeverEdge 2024 provided a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into current SAP trends in a more intimate setting than larger SAP events. It also provided a closer look at the North and South American SAP markets and technology sectors. The event provided numerous networking opportunities in a casual setting that reflected the mix of business and leisure that Miami Energy stands for.