ASUG

SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference 2026 delivered the headlines. The ASUG community is where the real conversations begin. AI agents. The Autonomous Enterprise. ERP strategy shifts. Member questions and conversations. We captured it all across ASUG Talks, from early signals to live reactions to post-event analysis and follow-up answers to the questions still top of mind. If you want the full picture, start here. 🎧 Catch up on the series: Key trends: bit.ly/4dwEG0Y Inside the news and announcements with Jim Lichtenwalter and Isaac Feldberg: bit.ly/42DkrbO Live from the event with Geoff Scott, Jon Reed, and Joshua Greenbaum: bit.ly/4vjy1xu The path forward with David Robinson: bit.ly/43Sxk2c Your questions answered: bit.ly/4vr3QoA

ASUG hits Heidelberg for SNP’s Transformation World 2026 🌍 Thank you, SNP Group, for inviting ASUG to represent the global SAP User Groups at your joint User Group Lounge with UKISUG and DSAG. It was a packed few days full of meaningful engagements with our global community of SAP, partners, and customers. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! One of the highlights was seeing ASUG CEO & Chief Community Champion Geoff Scott share the stage with Craig Dale (UKISUG), Jens Hungershausen (DSAG), and Maya Price (SNP) for a robust and wide-reaching panel discussion on how global SAP User Groups are shaping the road ahead. #TW26 #Heidelberg

"You can't make good decisions until you have good data." That's how Sun Chemical describes the foundational value of integrating SAP Signavio and LeanIX ahead of its SAP S/4HANA migration. Before the transformation started, the organization was working with disparate toolsets and limited visibility into its full landscape. By bringing the two solutions together, it built a common framework for understanding what it had, how it was being used, and where to focus. This episode of ASUG Talks takes a practical look at what it means to de-risk a transformation from the architecture level up. Thanks to Hennie Pieters and David Brenner for sharing Sun Chemical's RISE with SAP journey with us. 🎧 Listen now: bit.ly/44nwM4W

How can utilities move beyond generic AI solutions and unlock industry-specific value? ASUG spoke with Deepak Garg, Founder and Group CEO of @SmartEnergyW, about how the company is extending SAP capabilities with Vertical AI designed specifically for energy and water utilities. Drawing on deep expertise in power grid operations, watershed management, and utility service delivery, SEW's platform helps organizations automate processes, improve decision-making, and better serve customers. In the interview, Garg discusses: - The value of the SEW and SAP partnership - What deep integration with utility systems looks like - Key considerations when evaluating AI partners - Why Vertical AI matters for the utilities industry - And more! Read the full interview to learn how utility organizations are leveraging AI-driven innovation to modernize operations and enhance customer service: bit.ly/4eolymi

Enterprises want to move fast on AI, but speed without control can create new risks. Every enterprise process that AI agents touch was designed long before agents existed, built for deterministic logic, human oversight, and predictable inputs. In this ASUG Partner Insight, developed in collaboration with Redwood, explore how Model Context Protocol (MCP) addresses a fundamental challenge in the agentic era: connecting AI systems with enterprise tools and applications. Learn: - What MCP is—and what it isn't - Why connectivity and orchestration matter for enterprise AI - How Redwood helps organizations maintain control while scaling agentic AI Read the full insight: bit.ly/4gA0V88

SAP transformation priorities are clear. Execution is where things get harder. That shows up clearly in the 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research. SAP S/4HANA remains a top focus for many organizations. At the same time, it remains one of the most complex challenges teams are working through. Across the ASUG Community, progress looks different depending on where you sit. Some teams are already live and optimizing. Many are mid-transformation, navigating timelines and complexity. Others are still working through readiness and alignment across the business. Alongside this, there is ongoing work that does not move as quickly: 🔄 Standardizing business processes 📊 Strengthening data and governance 🔧 Managing change across the organization These are not new priorities. They are foundational and ongoing. The reality many teams are facing today is that progress is happening. But not at the same pace, and not without friction. Where is progress moving forward in your organization, and where is it harder to accelerate? Share your experience in the comments. 📄 Read the full 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research → bit.ly/47mRDXX 🎧 Listen to a breakdown of the three key themes from the research → bit.ly/4bEqhhm

🏆 The SAP for Utilities Excellence Awards are back for year 19, and nominations are open! Know a utility leader, partner, or colleague doing exceptional work? This is your chance to put them in the spotlight. Pick from six award categories, fill out a nomination form, and let their work speak for itself. Finalists will be announced ahead of the event. Submissions close August 7, don't wait to give credit where it's due! 👉 Submit your nomination: bit.ly/4uLNwNH

Fort Worth, we're coming for you. 🤠 Got a sneak peek at the ASUG Tech Connect venue, and hung out with Kara Hughes to talk what's new, what's coming, and why this year's conference is one you don't want to miss. Will we see you there? Register now at

One month after SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference, what has changed? Before the event, ASUG surveyed our members for the 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research. It offered a clear baseline: 📊 SAP S/4HANA adoption varies widely across organizations 💸 Cost pressure remains top of mind 🔐 Cybersecurity continues to grow in importance Across that data, one pattern stands out: You cannot outsource SAP leadership. When SAP is treated as an IT initiative rather than a business responsibility, SAP S/4HANA timelines, cybersecurity risks, and rising costs converge. That is where things begin to break down. Even before the Autonomous Enterprise announcements, many teams were already feeling strained. Now, one month later, we are asking: Where does your organization stand today, and what has changed since May? 📄 Read the full 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research → bit.ly/47mRDXX 🎧 Listen to a breakdown of the three key themes from the research → bit.ly/4bEqhhm

Many organizations are still working through their ECC migration strategy while simultaneously evaluating new SAP innovations and managing growing data demands. That balancing act is putting pressure on already stretched IT teams. In the latest ASUG eBook produced with @insightsoftware, readers will explore how organizations are addressing challenges across: Cross-system integration BI tool integration Self-service analytics AI-enhanced intelligence Process automation The eBook also highlights flexible ways to get started, from targeted assessments to focused pilot programs designed around high-impact business use cases. Download your copy at: asug.com/insights/compl…

Real operational value rarely comes from deploying an app alone. It comes from designing mobile processes that are deeply connected to the systems and business functions surrounding them: payroll, billing, GIS, materials, safety, and finance. Evora excels by helping utilities think through the full impact of mobile actions across the enterprise. What might seem like a small design decision can carry far-reaching implications. Evora brings those downstream effects into focus early in the process, ensuring that mobile workflows support, rather than disrupt, the broader SAP landscape. Dive into this ASUG Partner Inisght, authored by Bill Padula, Executive Vice President of Strategic Consulting at Evora IT Solutions, to learn more about how Evora helps clients set up mobile workflows that support flexible, real-time material tracking to support not only operational needs, but also to ensure that finance, supply chain, and compliance teams all get the data they depend on. 👉 bit.ly/4mG0U2R

In today’s utilities sector, handling large volumes of sensitive data, particularly in non-production environments, is a complex challenge. For OG&E, this became especially clear during its recent digital transformation initiative. As part of its strategic modernization, OG&E migrated to RISE with SAP, implementing SAP S/4HANA alongside IS-U, Employee Central Payroll, and connected SuccessFactors systems. While the move positioned OG&E for operational efficiency and innovation, it also introduced new demands around data security and test data management in complex utility landscapes. Managing large volumes of sensitive technical master data in non-production environments was costly and risky. They also needed to quickly resolve IS-U Production issues without disrupting live operations. Monica Rojas, Marketing Manager – Americas at EPI-Use Labs, authored this ASUG Partner Insight to share how OG&E leveraged Object Sync and Data Secure to navigate critical data security and test data management challenges in its RISE with SAP journey. Learn how the combination of these tools enabled OG&E to ensure a secure, agile, and efficient transformation—setting the stage for continued innovation in the energy sector. 📖 : bit.ly/4vr3ZYF

Most SAP transformations don't fail because of the 80% that's planned. They struggle because of the 20% that isn't. Unexpected process gaps, edge-case scenarios, knowledge transfer challenges, and post-go-live adoption issues often emerge long after a systems integrator has delivered on the original scope. Yet these factors can have an outsized impact on long-term transformation success. In this ASUG Partner Insight, Russ Pitzner, Vice President of Sales – Northwest at RED Global, explores why the true measure of an SAP transformation isn't whether the system works on day one, it's whether the organization can effectively operate, adapt, and evolve it over time. The article discusses: - The critical 20% of transformation work that often gets overlooked - Why institutional knowledge is essential to long-term success - How consultant continuity can help reduce project risk - RED Global's approach to maintaining consultant focus and low turnover - What organizations should consider beyond implementation and go-live For SAP leaders planning a transformation, this perspective offers valuable insight into what happens after the project plan ends. Read the full ASUG Partner Insight to learn more: bit.ly/4xam12Y

The conversation around SAP transformation is no longer just about migration. It’s about making enterprise data more connected, accessible, and actionable. As organizations adopt solutions like RISE with SAP, Business Data Cloud, and Joule, many teams are discovering that added capabilities can also introduce added complexity. This ASUG eBook produced with @insightsoftware explores: Why the gap between SAP data and business expectations is widening The top areas where organizations are struggling most How teams can start addressing challenges without a full system overhaul From gap assessments to pilot programs delivering measurable results in weeks, the eBook focuses on practical next steps organizations can take today. Download your copy of Complementing SAP: From System of Record to System of Intelligence to learn more: asug.com/insights/compl…

One month after SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference, what has changed? Before the event, ASUG surveyed our members for the 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research. It offered a clear baseline: 📊 SAP S/4HANA adoption varies widely across organizations 💸 Cost pressure remains top of mind 🔐 Cybersecurity continues to grow in importance Across that data, one pattern stands out: You cannot outsource SAP leadership. When SAP is treated as an IT initiative rather than a business responsibility, SAP S/4HANA timelines, cybersecurity risks, and rising costs converge. That is where things begin to break down. Even before the Autonomous Enterprise announcements, many teams were already feeling strained. Now, one month later, we are asking: Where does your organization stand today, and what has changed since May? 📄 Read the full 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research → bit.ly/47mRDXX 🎧 Listen to a breakdown of the three key themes from the research → bit.ly/4bEqhhm

Fort Worth, we're coming for you. 🤠 Got a sneak peek at the ASUG Tech Connect venue, and hung out with Kara Hughes to talk what's new, what's coming, and why this year's conference is one you don't want to miss. Will we see you there? Register now at bit.ly/4a6R0Dq #ASUGTechConnect #SAPCommunity #SAPEvents

New on ASUG Talks 🎙️ How do you modernize critical infrastructure while supporting environmental restoration at scale? This week, we spotlight the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), an organization responsible for water supply, flood control, and Everglades protection for nearly 9 million people. 🎧 Hear how SFWMD used SAP S/4HANA and cloud to improve financials, strengthen compliance, and drive fast ROI: bit.ly/43TLOz4

🇨🇦 Today, we’re celebrating our Canadian ASUG Members! From local chapters to global events like SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference, your voices, insights, and leadership help make our community stronger. We’re proud to have such an engaged network across Canada, and we’re grateful for the perspective, energy, and expertise you bring every day. Thank you for all that you do and for the impact you continue to have across ASUG. 📸 Pictured: Canadian Chapter members connecting with peers at SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference. Wishing everyone a wonderful Canada Day!

How can utilities move beyond generic AI solutions and unlock industry-specific value? ASUG spoke with Deepak Garg, Founder and Group CEO of @SmartEnergyW, about how the company is extending SAP capabilities with Vertical AI designed specifically for energy and water utilities. Drawing on deep expertise in power grid operations, watershed management, and utility service delivery, SEW's platform helps organizations automate processes, improve decision-making, and better serve customers. In the interview, Garg discusses: - The value of the SEW and SAP partnership - What deep integration with utility systems looks like - Key considerations when evaluating AI partners - Why Vertical AI matters for the utilities industry - And more! Read the full interview to learn how utility organizations are leveraging AI-driven innovation to modernize operations and enhance customer service: bit.ly/4eolymi

ASUG’s 2026 Pulse of the SAP Customer research finds S/4HANA still dominating strategic focus and investment, cost optimization tightening its grip as the top organizational challenge, and AI/ML rising fast in perceived importance while actual adoption remains measured and cautious. The full findings are now available for ASUG members looking to benchmark where their priorities and challenges stand against their peers. Explore the full benchmark findings 📊: bit.ly/47mRDXX