Category Archives: SAP Market

Ask the Execs

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The differences between the attendance fees for SAP TechEd has been a bee in my bonnet ever since I went to my first TechEd in Vienna 3 years ago. This year, according to my calculations, attendees for Berlin have to pay a whopping 1274 USD more than their Las Vegas counterparts (2595 USD vs 3869 USD).

Let’s not make any mistakes here: SAP TechEd is a well-run, worthwhile and great event for everyone in the SAP arena. There is no doubt about it.

When I saw the opening of the “Ask the SAP Execs” competition, in which carefully selected video questions are played to SAP Executives during their keynote, I just couldn’t resist.

Have a look at my entry for yourselves…

Some years ago I asked Shai Agassi the same question and he told me that this would be something SAP “has to look into”.

IBM and SAP collaboration

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IBM and SAP seem to plan new collaborations…

Reading this was a bit of a trip down memory lane, as I remember working on a PO approval solution back in 1999 which used Lotus Notes as its messaging platform. A SAP/Notes connector enabled you to see SAP tables within Notes. I am not saying Atlantic is old wine in new bottles, but these press annoucements make it sound like as if there has never been any SAP/Notes integration before.

After last week’s rumoured Lotus Notes client for the iPhone, is IBM going for it now?

Starship Enterprisey – I love ABAP

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Craig and Thomas have really hit bullseye with their “I love ABAP” podcast on the strangely-named “Starship Enterprisey Radio”. Interviewing Thomas Jung of SAP Labs, the three of them once and for all do away with some of the prejudices and (flawed) opinions that seem to have manifested themselves over the last few years.

I have always liked Thomas’ blog contributions on SDN – and I have to admit that his posts have helped me along quite a few times in my daily work. Thomas is a true Guru and totally passionate about everything ABAP.

The podcast also does a tremendously good job in outlining where ABAP is heading to for the future.

Fasten your seat belts – Warp 9, Mr. Sulu !

Business Apps on Microsoft Surface?

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I just had a quick google for “microsoft surface business application” and surprisingly enough the SAP Blogsphere has not jumped onto this one yet (well, Craig has – sort of).

So let me join him…

  1. surface desks with (any) SAP UI on it – not a good idea from an ergonomical perspective. Might work if the desk is slightly tilted upwards, like those used by architects (probably way back!). Privacy could be an issue here, as your desk could be easily overlooked.
  2. surface apps that work with RFID products – place the product on it or near it and all relevant SAP transactional and master data can be displayed for you – areas of application for this are endless (POS, warehouse GI/GR, manufacturing, etc)
  3. graphics-based development modeling tools (valid for SAP or non-SAP)
  4. SD/ CRM / SRM doc flow (any doc flow app really): integration of document flow and archived docs – due to the increase of screen real estate, it would be possible for a customer service clerks to immediately have all order-relevant documents on display as the customer is getting in touch.

In general (and if you leave financial issues aside for a moment), I’d say that MS’s surface UI technology brings advantages due to a) more screen real estate and/or b) through a new and sophisticated way of connecting devices and products by simply placing them on the table. Privacy and ergonomics could be a concern in any area (business or consumer). And what about portability? Most people work on laptops these days. It would mean you still have your laptop (or similar) device in order to work whilst on the move.

I personally want to see Pong on it first.