Welcome to your April News
Chairman's Note
Welcome to April’s Newsletter and let me say, there is definitely positivity in the air as I am writing this! The sun is shining, lockdown is easing, vaccines are rolling out and we can start welcoming a bit of normality back into our lives. As you’re getting back out into the world, how about capturing a snap or two for our Photo Competition? This year’s competition is now open for entries, with a chance to win a place in the 2022 desk calendar and a complimentary spot at UKISUG Connect 2021!
Our online events calendar has filled up thick and fast, with yesterday’s Analytics Symposium a huge success. Craig highlighted the results of our recent Analytics and Data survey in his keynote, which you can read up on here. Details on how you can access the content from the day post-event will be released soon. Our recent mental health session around Post Lockdown Anxieties was also incredibly popular, and you can catch Part 2 next week. The Analytics and Data research presented some interesting results, with only a third of SAP user organisations in the UK & Ireland stating they have the necessary skills to make effective use of all their data. If you’re thinking of upskilling, why not get involved in our Espresso Tutorials campaign? UKISUG members can register free of charge to the SAP eBook Library, giving you access to hours of content anytime, anywhere.
Stay safe and remember to keep washing your hands!
Paul Cooper Chairman
What the Ever Given taught us about Business Intelligence
The recent 6-day blockage of the Suez Canal by the container ship Ever Given, one of the largest container ships in the world, threw much of the world’s supply chain into a panic – just as manufacturers and distributors had begun to more successfully navigate the “new normal” caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The vessel was carrying 18,300 containers of cargo, including raw materials, finished products and even foods with a potential expiration date, worth millions of dollars. BBC quoted data from Lloyd’s List that estimated the blockage was “holding up $9.6bn of trade along the waterway each day.”
To make more effective business decisions, most enterprises rely on analytical tools like BI platforms to monitor performance and predict supply and demand. However, traditional business intelligence reporting requires custom development by teams of data analysts, skilled in translating the complex data schema of SAP, to build reports consumable by business users. That takes time. And, in the middle of global supply chain crisis, time is of the essence.
If the blockage has taught us anything it’s that to be agile and remain competitive, these BI tools need a “business brain” that speeds report creation and effectiveness. Providing your business users with self-service reporting and analytics that relies on a context-rich business data model to simplify SAP and allow users to query in normal language and build reports and dashboards from pre-configured templates is key.
SAP Customer Experience Strategy Overview, Portfolio and Customer Examples
Creating outstanding customer experiences and exceeding customer expectations ensures satisfaction and long-term customer loyalty.
To achieve that, it’s no longer a matter of luck. Having optimised digital processes and all relevant data in sales, service, commerce and with marketing always available - intelligently linked are two of the success factors. In this webcast hosted by Adrian Nash (Head of Strategy at SAP CX) you can find out the latest about the SAP CX portfolio, the priorities for 2021 and the years to come and practical customer examples.
UKISUG can support you in developing a sustainable SAP skillset.
Espresso Tutorials offers you learning media that focuses on the essentials for your journey from taking initial steps as a beginner to being an SAP professional.
UKISUG members can gain free access to The SAP eBook Library! This includes 400+ eBooks and video tutorials, constantly updated with new content.
The central reference point for all SAP learning media, giving you practical knowledge in a nutshell - from beginner to advanced learners.
“Learn SAP anytime, anywhere and on any device.”
*Please note only 3 registrations available per company.
Time to show off your skills!
The UKISUG 2021 Photography Competition is open to all UKISUG Members to submit any photograph of your choosing, so long as it has been taken by you and you are based in the UK or Ireland.
It may be from your trip to the beach, or your garden in all its glory - the only limit is your imagination. All we ask is that your photo is supported by a title, where it was taken and brief explanation to provide context for your image.
Twelve winning photos will be selected to feature in our 2022 desk calendar, with the 3 top photos receiving gift vouchers and a complimentary all inclusive Connect 2021 pass!
We hope you have had chance to listen to our first series of SUGTalks - the official podcast of the UK & Ireland SAP User Group. The whole of Series 2 is now live and we have a brand new episode ready for you to discover!
Series 2 Episode 7: The Three Ms of Positivity (Part 2)
The fragility of our mental health and positivity has been brought to the fore through the pandemic over the past year and we have all faced challenging circumstances, which affects each of us in different ways. How can you maintain a stable mental wellbeing when it seems the weight of the world is on your shoulders?
Find your answers in this fascinating discussion with our three expert guests as they share strategies to help you deal with pressure and reduce the impact that stress has on your life.
Listen now and you'll be sure to hear some familiar voices talk about themes that matter to you!
Search SUGTalks on your preferred app and subscribe, or follow the link below and listen online.
Your Mental Health Matters We are dedicating more time and sessions to your mental health and wellbeing in 2021.
Our brand new partnership with thrive, a mental wellbeing association, allows us to host more sessions committed to building our members' mental strength, from discussing the struggles and positives of working from home, to stress management and the effects of your environment.
Upcoming Session:
Post Lockdown Anxiety Part 2: Them
In Part 1 we looked at ourselves, how and why we need to support ourselves first and to examine why we were thinking the way we were. But if I am feeling it, what are other people feeling like?
Please join us for this webinar to look at how you can support others, how we can use our communication skills to help others, how to employ non-judgemental listening to our advantage, the right type of language to use and to assess whether we are saying the right thing.
Do you have a story to share?
It is really important to us that we include customer experiences in our events, both online and in person. Please get involved and let us know if you are interested. You will be invited to attend a speaker training workshop as a thank you and you will also receive a complimentary pass to our annual conference, UKISUG Connect 2021.
'Events enable sharing of experiences and builds relationships with people in similar positions, often sharing the same challenges. Together our voices can be heard.' - Daren Addison, Sanctuary Housing
Email kirsten.boucher@sapusers.org to get started.
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