SUGTalks

Hosted by UK & Ireland SAP User Group

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Episodes

147

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

SUGTalks is the official UKISUG Podcast, aimed at driving success and making your job easier, providing an independent channel for all of your SAP needs. Hosted by Craig Dale, alongside our special guests, SUGTalks takes a look at the opportunities and challenges facing SAP users today. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 1640 min

An Update on SAP's Service and Support Portfolio, Plus a Guide to Success Plans

In our latest episode, Craig is joined once again by Uwe Grigoleit, Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Evolution and Portfolio at SAP, to discuss the recent changes to SAP's customer service and delivery portfolio. Uwe explains why the new Customer Value Group brings sales, support and services together, and what that means for customers. He covers the simplification of professional services, how sovereign cloud offerings are expanding, and how to choose between the Foundational, Advanced and Max Success Plans. He also explains the support now available for systems in transit, and why proactivity is built into the new plans rather than left to chance. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

July 29, 2026Episode 1543 min

Inside SAP Cloud ERP Private with Uma Rani

In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Uma Rani, President and Chief Product Officer for Cloud ERP Private at SAP. Uma sets out how SAP Cloud ERP Private has evolved since 2020 and the strategy shaping it today. She explains where Sovereign Cloud fits, and the differences between private and public cloud. Craig and Uma then turn to the autonomous enterprise. They discuss AI agents available across SAP’s environments, and how a clean core approach can help minimise customisations. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

July 15, 2026Episode 1437 min

AI In the Workplace and its Impact on Mental Health

In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Uma Rani, President and Chief Product Officer for Cloud ERP Private at SAP. Uma sets out how Cloud ERP Private has evolved since 2020 and the strategy shaping it today. She explains where Sovereign Cloud fits, and why private and public cloud will not reach feature parity. Craig and Uma then turn to the autonomous enterprise. They discuss the AI agents now live across SAP's domains, and how a clean core approach keeps customisations upgrade safe. Uma closes on why this is as much a people transformation as a technology one. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

July 1, 2026Episode 1350 min

Inside SUGEN: How Global User Groups Shape SAP's Roadmap

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Yasmin Awad, Senior Vice President and Head of SAP's Global User Group Organisation, and Philip Adams, UKISUG board member and member of the SUGEN Core Leadership Team. Together they discuss SUGEN, (SAP User Group Executive Network), exploring how the global network of more than 40 user groups helps to shape SAP's roadmap on behalf of customers. Yasmin shares why SAP invests so heavily in its user group community, while Philip offers the UKISUG perspective on how themes raised by UK and Ireland members feed into the global conversation. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

June 17, 2026Episode 1248 min

A Deep Dive on SAP Global Customer Support with Stefan Steinle

In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Stefan Steinle, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Customer Support at SAP. Stefan reflects on his 26 years at SAP and how customer support has evolved from a reactive, ticket-based model to a much more proactive, personalised and global approach. He explains the thinking behind SAP's three support pillars: invisible support, the work done quietly in the background to help customers hit critical milestones; empowered support, giving customers instant answers at their fingertips; and accelerated support, the agentic AI framework speeding up issue resolution. Craig and Stefan also discuss why SAP has chosen not to replace people with AI, and the measurable impact this approach is having on customer satisfaction. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

June 3, 2026Episode 1144 min

Inside Sapphire 2026: The Autonomous Enterprise Unpacked

In our latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan and Ian Mallinson to discuss the main announcements and their experiences at this year's Sapphire conferences in Orlando and Madrid. Conor and Ian reflect on SAP framing itself as a business AI company and its vision for the autonomous enterprise. They also share their honest opinion on SAP’s new suite of AI agents. In addition they share why process and knowledge graphs matter alongside data, and the cost and governance questions organisations need to ask before deploying agents. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

May 20, 2026Episode 1045 min

Licensing, AI and SUGEN: Your UKISUG Connect Questions Answered

In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan, Chair of UKISUG, and Philip Adams, UKISUG Board Member and SUGEN Core Leadership Team member. Together they address some of the questions from UKISUG Connect that we didn't get to on the keynote stage. Conor and Philip share an update on the SUGEN licensing charter, including progress being made on consumption-based licensing. They also explain how SUGEN works with SAP at both an executive and country level. The conversation also covers how organisations can balance agility with strong governance. Conor and Philip discuss the risk of cutting training and adoption budgets in a subscription world, and how UKISUG is supporting public sector members. They then move on to AI, including reskilling, dispelling fears around AI adoption, and whether AI could ever replace SAP ERP as we know it. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

May 6, 2026Episode 933 min

SAP's David Yawalkar on the SUGEN Transformation Charter, S/4HANA and AI

In the latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP. David shares an update on SAP’s involvement with the SUGEN Transformation Charter, what SAP has learned from charter members and how customer feedback is shaping the company’s Cloud ERP messaging. He explains why SAP has committed to both private and public cloud as long-term strategic products. David also reflects on some of the themes he hears from user groups globally after taking part in transformation days around the world. Craig and David also explore the move from AI hype to real working use cases. They discuss the importance of clean core and the risks of waiting too long to move from ECC. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

April 22, 2026Episode 835 min

An Interview with Sonia Nash, Head of Business AI, SAP UK&I: AI Adoption and an Unconventional Route into Tech

In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Sonia Nash, Head of Business AI at SAP UK and Ireland. Sonia shares her unconventional career journey - from accounts payable into automation, solution advisory and now leading SAP's Business AI focus. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, the importance of curiosity, and why you don't need to be a developer to build a rewarding career in tech. Craig and Sonia also discuss the shift from AI skepticism to genuine enthusiasm among SAP customers, how organisations can get started with Joule and SAP Business AI, and why agentic AI is the most exciting development across the community. They also explore what it will take to attract more women and diverse talent into STEM and SAP careers. You can access SAP's Discovery Center here: https://discovery-center.cloud.sap/ai-catalog/ To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

April 8, 2026Episode 733 min

Lessons from Twinings’ Transformation: Questions from UKISUG Connect keynote answered

In part two of the conversation, Craig is once again joined by Sandeep Seeripat, Global Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Twinings, to answer questions posed by the audience at his UKISUG Connect keynote. Together they explore the practical realities of Twinings’ transformation journey. This includes how to build a one-program mentality across teams and partners, and how to align around a shared vision that keeps transformation focused on business outcomes rather than technology. Along the way, Sandeep covers clean core, governance, delivery partner selection and scaling transformation across multiple business units and geographies. He also shares honest reflections on the challenges of leading large-scale change, from making difficult decisions to maintaining momentum beyond go-live. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme