The Future of ERP explores the trends, innovations, and ideas shaping the future of enterprise systems. Through conversations with industry experts, practitioners, and business leaders, the podcast tackles some of today's most important questions: How will AI reshape ERP? What does modernization rea
How will AI change ERP? SAP's Eric Annino and Matt Emmert join Darwin Deano from Stealth AI Startup and Joe Boden from McKinsey & Company to explore headless ERP, faster transformations, data readiness, the build-versus-buy decision, and why the ERP of the future may become invisible to users while remaining indispensable to the enterprise. ===== What happens to ERP when AI can reason across data, automate workflows, and act on behalf of users? Not the end of ERP, but a leaner, smarter core that provides the trusted data, rules, and context AI needs to scale. In this episode, SAP hosts Eric…
AI is not replacing ERP. It’s making it more intelligent. SAP’s Effie Calandra and Eric Annino join Ramesh J. Chougule of Infosys to explore how AI will change cloud ERP, what businesses should prioritize now, near term, and into the future, and why data, governance, and trusted business processes are critical to realizing AI’s value. ===== Will artificial intelligence replace traditional ERP systems, or make them more important than ever? In this episode of The Future of ERP, SAP hosts Effie Calandra and Eric Annino speak with Ramesh J. Chougule, Vice President and Head of SAP Practice for…
Your ERP system never sleeps. Neither does the AI that is trying to break into it. Jan Stoelting and Florian Kohler from KPMG get real about what that means, and why the old security playbook is no longer enough. ===== The episode tackles one of the most urgent questions in enterprise technology: what happens to ERP security when AI empowers both attackers and defenders at the same time? Jan Stoelting and Florian Kohler from KPMG Germany bring over 15 years of cybersecurity experience each to a conversation that goes well beyond standard advice. The core tension is stark: AI has not just…
Everyone is talking about AI adoption. But there is one question that boardrooms are quietly avoiding: where is the profit? This episode goes straight at it, and the answer will make you rethink every AI pilot you have ever run. ===== The episode opens with a question that should make any CFO uncomfortable: if AI is this powerful, where exactly is the profit? Roman Krohman, SAP Go-To-Market practice leader at HCLTech, brings over 25 years of enterprise transformation experience and a refreshingly honest take on where the industry is getting it wrong. The numbers are sobering: 88% of…
AI is changing everything; so why does ERP keep coming up as the thing that makes it all work? This episode gets real about what actually happens when you put AI on top of your core business systems. ===== ERP is not dying and if anything, AI is making it more important than ever. Benjamin Krischer from cbs answers that question without hesitation and builds a compelling case from there. The episode unpacks why ERP remains the foundational data layer that every AI decision ultimately depends on. A new architectural reality is emerging where data, front-end, and AI are separating into…
Thinking about moving from a single, tightly coupled ERP to a modular, composable setupwithout slowing the business? Explore how a shift to a “system of intelligence,” with AI orchestrating processes across applications, unlocks agility and resilience. ===== This episode explores how enterprises can evolve from monolithic ERP to a composable, modular landscape without disrupting operations. It explains the shift from a system of record to a system of intelligence, with AI as the connective tissue across processes and applications. It also highlights governance must haves, central guardrails…
Is AI eliminating jobs or creating better ones? Join us as we unpack how ERP roles, leadership, and skills are being redefined, and what it truly takes to thrive in the era of the autonomous enterprise. ===== AI and automation are fundamentally changing what ERP expertise looks like, from entry-level roles to senior leadership. Trijoy Saikia from HCLTech shares how organizations are rethinking talent models, upskilling strategies, and management structures to keep pace. The conversation covers real-world human-AI collaboration, the barriers slowing AI adoption from pilot to production, and…
Your cloud ERP holds the keys to your entire business: finance, HR, supply chain. But who actually controls the locks? This episode exposes the identity access gaps most organizations never see coming, and why AI is making them more dangerous than ever. ===== Identity and access management (IAM) is often misunderstood. But getting it wrong can cost millions. EY's Joe Surmeier breaks down IAM in cloud ERP: from the most common mistakes organizations make during migration, to navigating the shared responsibility model between vendors, SIs, and customers. The conversation also explores how AI…
Cloud ERP is reshaping how organizations manage risk. In this episode with EY, we explore why security, governance, and AI must be built into ERP transformation from day one, not added later. ===== As organizations accelerate their move to cloud ERP, managing risk is becoming less about reacting to issues and more about designing secure, resilient processes from the start. In this episode, EY's Natalie Freedline and Dan Crawley discuss how cloud transformations are reshaping risk management, from understanding the shared responsibility model to embedding security, governance, and automated…
Moving ERP to the cloud doesn’t mean security becomes someone else’s problem. Discover how leading organizations balance shared responsibilities, AI-powered monitoring, and cyber resilience to protect the business around the clock. ===== As ERP systems become the digital core of modern enterprises, security can no longer be treated as an afterthought. In this episode, EY’s Michelle DeLiberty joins Richard Howells and Öykü Ilgar to explore 24/7 security monitoring, the realities of the shared responsibility model, and the growing impact of AI on cybersecurity. Learn where organizations often…
What if your ERP is secure… but still costing you millions? As AI and automation reshape enterprise systems, hidden gaps in security models can quietly undermine control, integrity, and trust. ===== As ERP systems become the backbone of highly connected, AI-driven ecosystems, traditional security models are no longer enough. In this episode, PwC’s Stuart Light explores why organizations must rethink security as a proactive, holistic discipline, focused on data integrity, ecosystem-wide access, and closing hidden gaps that can silently erode business value. Download Episode…
Will AI replace auditors? This episode explores how AI is transforming auditing, why human judgment remains critical, and what the future of ERP and audit looks like in an AI-driven world. ===== This episode explores the impact of AI on auditing, from automation of routine tasks to its role in shaping controls and decision-making. It examines trust, regulation, and current adoption challenges, while emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment. The discussion also looks ahead to how AI will influence audit efficiency, workforce evolution, and the future of ERP within an integrated,…
Why generic AI fails in ERP and how industry-specific intelligence unlocks real value. PwC’s Frank Ruland shares use cases, integration challenges, and what’s next for AI-powered, future-ready ERP systems. ===== In this episode, Richard Howell speaks with PwC’s Frank Ruland about the shift from generic AI to industry-specific intelligence in ERP. They unpack why context is critical, explore real-world use cases in manufacturing and retail, and discuss integration, adoption, and data challenges. The episode closes with a forward look at agentic AI, robotics, and how ERP remains the foundation…
Join the conversation with Under Armour's cybersecurity expert Gaurav Singh to dive deeper into cyber endurance. Learn zero-trust strategies to secure your cloud ERP and stay agile in API-driven systems. ===== This Future of ERP podcast episode explores cybersecurity resilience in ERP systems, emphasizing endurance and agility to protect brands and supply chains. It highlights the shift from on-premises as a "black box" to cloud-first, API-driven environments that demand new security approaches. Zero trust architecture emerges as essential for securing modern ERP, given its openness to…
Can your ERP really be compliant if you only look at one system at a time? In this episode with Infosys, we explore how cross-system risks, dynamic access decisions, and integrated governance are reshaping segregation of duties in hybrid ERP landscapes. ===== The future of ERP is no longer just about moving systems to the cloud, it’s about how businesses manage risk in an increasingly connected, automated, and hybrid world. In our latest episode, we sit down with Nishad Showkath from Infosys to unpack why segregation of duties needs a rethink when business processes stretch across on-premise…
Explore how tax management is evolving through technology and strategic innovation to become a key driver of business efficiency and insight. ===== Join Michael Bernard from Vertex as he unpacks the latest SAP Insider Benchmark Research on global tax management, revealing how tax departments navigate a rapidly changing landscape. From complex regulatory environments, such as fragmented e-invoicing standards in Europe, to critical pain points like automating tax control frameworks, this episode offers a rich exploration of what’s top of mind for CFOs and CIOs. Learn how granular tax data is…
Cloud ERP and AI are transforming professional services by tackling lean teams, complex billing, and forecasting pressures. Could these tools be your business's next competitive edge? ===== Professional services firms face intense pressures like razor-thin benches, skyrocketing forecasting demands, and shifts from time-and-materials to outcome-based pricing with AI agents and software assets. IBM's Mark Hammack debunks cloud ERP myths around customization loss or security risks, explaining how SaaS slashes hardware costs, enables real-time insights through integrated project systems, and…
In a world of silent cyber wars, ERPs sit at the center of risk and resilience. Discover how CIOs can design ERP as a crown jewel: assume breach, use AI wisely, and balance sovereignty, trust, and business continuity. ===== This episode dives into the “silent global war” on ERP, where cyber threats are constant, interconnected systems are fragile, and resilience is the new gold standard. Our guests, Bayer’s Asha Vartak and SAP’s Gabriela “Gabs” Fiata, unpack how to treat ERP as a mission critical crown jewel instead of a back office system, and why assuming breach changes everything about…
How real-time security transforms ERP systems in a cloud-driven world, spotting threats instantly, leveraging AI for proactive defense, and closing common blind spots before breaches escalate. Curious about staying ahead of cyber risks? ===== Mohammed Moidheen, SAP security architect at Infosys, unpacks why real-time monitoring is vital amid 2,200 daily cyber attacks costing trillions annually. He highlights blind spots like unmonitored access vulnerabilities, ignored audit logs, unsecured APIs, privileged accounts, insider threats, and poor event correlation in S/4HANA Cloud setups. AI…
Imagine ERP systems that spot cyber threats before they strike, using AI to predict outages and banish reactive support forever. How close are we to invisible, proactive defense that keeps businesses unbreakable? Dive into the future where data and smarts outpace chaos. ===== In this compelling episode of the Future of ERP podcast, SAP's Jens Bernotat, head of strategy, portfolio, and ecosystem management for SAP Support, shares transformative insights on evolving ERP customer support. He outlines a future where support becomes invisible through prevention, hyper-proactive with deep customer…
Discover how identity and access management (IAM) is reshaping cybersecurity in cloud ERP, enabling businesses to be safer, faster, and more compliant with clarity in roles and responsibilities. ===== In this insightful episode of the Future of ERP podcast, Aditya Thakurdesai from Infosys dives deep into the vital topic of identity and access management (IAM) in cloud ERP environments. He explains why understanding "who owns what" in IAM is non-negotiable to ensure security, compliance, and operational efficiency amid today’s complex hybrid IT infrastructures. Aditya shares compelling…
Can your ERP really turn sustainability from a reporting headache into a competitive advantage? Discover how better data, AI, and cloud ERP help companies move from sustainability slogans to embedded, measurable business value across their supply chains. ===== This episode of The Future of ERP explores how companies can turn sustainability into a core business capability by using robust data foundations, cloud ERP, and closer collaboration across their value chains. Deloitte partner Brian Jobe, carbon accounting lead and SAP sustainability lead, explains why almost every sustainability…
Relive 2025's ERP breakthroughs: from AI-fueled supply chains to sustainability wins that redefined business resilience. This wrap-up episode recaps game-changing insights from the year's top discussions —perfect for forward-thinking leaders. ===== Dive into the "Future of ERP 2025 Wrap-Up," a dynamic recap of the year's pivotal episodes unpacking ERP's shift from rigid software to agile, AI-driven powerhouses. Memorable highlights include forward-looking debates on ERP's role in sustainable growth and real-time adaptability, blending data trends with actionable playbooks for digital…
Explore tackling fast-evolving markets, from supply chain disruptions and sustainability pressures to geopolitical tensions requiring agile sourcing. Key insights cover cloud ERP simplifying operations for buyers facing electric vehicle tech changes, AI accelerating projects by scripting meetings and generating code, boosting efficiency by focusing teams on high-value tasks, and simulating crises for resilience. Standout examples include 50-60% unused custom ERP code inflating costs, drone pilot analogies for job evolution, and tools like the Digital Acceleration Navigator aiding change…
This episode dives into the evolving landscape of enterprise technology, revealing how AI and cloud ERP are changing the pace and purpose of business operations. Join Richard Howells, Cognizant’s Gary Hayes, and SAP’s Alex Pierroutsakos as they share candid industry perspectives—spanning utilities, chemicals, and manufacturing—about overcoming legacy barriers and harnessing data-driven innovation. Listeners will hear memorable examples: from automated case management resolving millions of utility errors, to Guinness World Record-winning hackathons and accelerated digital transformations.…
In this episode of the Future of ERP podcast, Brian Jensen, Managing Director at KPMG, breaks down the complex world of compliance in Cloud ERP environments and how businesses can navigate shared responsibility models effectively. Brian explains why compliance should be seen not as a mere checkbox but as a powerful enabler for risk management and business agility. The discussion covers critical topics like data security, user access control, and the dynamic role of hyperscalers in cloud compliance. Listeners will gain practical advice on balancing rapid innovation with strict regulatory…
In this episode of The Future of ERP, Richard Howells welcomes back John Froelich, senior VP at Bramasol, to discuss the dynamic growth of the subscription economy and its impact across unexpected industries. From medical devices and concrete monitoring to agricultural machinery, businesses are moving from one-time sales to flexible, usage-based, and outcome-based subscription models. John shares fascinating examples and explains how customer expectations are evolving toward real-time value and flexible payment options. They dive into the critical role of connected ERP systems in managing…
In this episode of “The Future of ERP,” host Richard Howells talks with Deloitte partner Geraldine Aubert about choosing the right path for cloud ERP transformation—whether to start fresh with a greenfield implementation or upgrade existing systems with brownfield. Geraldine shares insights from decades of SAP experience, highlighting how automation, AI, and strategic rollout planning enable companies to improve compliance, scale globally, and drive sustainable innovation. Learn about real-world challenges, practical trade-offs, and key success factors like strong people engagement and…
In this insightful episode of The Future of ERP, Ryan Throop from IBM joins hosts Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to explore the critical role of cybersecurity in the cloud ERP landscape. As businesses move from traditional on-premise solutions to cloud-centric environments, cybersecurity challenges grow more complex. Ryan shares how AI-driven threat detection and shared security models empower organizations to protect sensitive data while boosting operational efficiency. Listener takeaways include the importance of security awareness training, the evolving role of AI in security operations,…
In this episode of The Future of ERP, Abhishek Vesudevan from Westernacher shares the story of a company overcoming growth pains caused by disjointed systems and manual workflows. Listeners will learn how a strategic Cloud ERP implementation integrated sales, procurement, finance, warehousing, and transportation—enabling real-time data visibility and driving impressive benefits like freight cost savings and efficiency gains. Abhishek emphasizes that successful transformation hinges not only on technology but on process standardization and engaging users throughout the journey. He also…
About The Future of ERP
The Future of ERP explores the trends, innovations, and ideas shaping the future of enterprise systems. Through conversations with industry experts, practitioners, and business leaders, the podcast tackles some of today's most important questions: How will AI reshape ERP? What does modernization rea
The Future of ERP is a English tech & science podcast from SAP SE. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
