Dan Smith

“The best ERP architects aren’t the ones who know every module. They’re the ones who can explain why Finance, Tax, and Operations see the same data differently.” At a large infrastructure program, Finance saw project costs — Operations saw construction milestones — Tax saw asset capitalization. The architecture had to make them all speak the same language. #ERPArchitecture

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ERP and AI, not ERP or AI……many are ringing the bells of doom but I’m not listening! In my recent SUGTALK with Craig Dale I discuss how the recent announcement between SAP and Snowflake around Zero-Copy Data Replication will benefit us all to leverage AI with ERP data (my thoughts are equally applicable to Databricks customers). This episode was recorded just after the announcement in Nov and I’m happy to say 1 of my predictions back then is now reality, we (AZ) are live with our first S/4HANA deployment, and I’m confident my second prediction will land in the New Year! I hope you enjoy. UKISUG - UK & Ireland SAP User Group SAP Snowflake Jason Glanville Leila Romane Michael Gannon

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Data is the heartbeat of Integrated Business Planning (IBP)—but mastering it is no small feat.   In our latest piece, we unpack the real-world complexity of IBP data and share a 5-step blueprint for driving meaningful transformation through smart data design, governance, and lineage. From navigating messy legacy systems to unlocking the potential of real-time insights, this post explores what it really takes to make data a strategic advantage.   Want to know how global organizations are turning fragmented data into unified planning power? https://lnkd.in/eQPpfdwz   #DataTransformation #IBP #BCGX #EnterprisePlanning #DigitalTransformation #DataStrategy

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A decade of innovation: As I shared yesterday, Salesforce Health Cloud turns 10 and last week, Salesforce marked this milestone by introducing 6 new AI agents tailored for the healthcare industry. These tools aim to reduce administrative burnout and allow providers to focus on what matters most: the patient. It’s been an incredible 10-year journey for Health Cloud, and the shift toward autonomous agents marks a new chapter in personalized care.

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What does real manufacturing transformation look like in practice? In this customer conversation, CH Guenther shares how they’re driving manufacturing success by leveraging SAP and AI to improve visibility, decision-making, and operational performance - with Argano as a strategic partner along the way. 🎥: https://hubs.ly/Q041PC3s0 – #MfgUS26 #GenerisAMS #Manufacturing #Argano #SAP #AI

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Vertically integrated companies benefit from end-to-end control of their supply chain through SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP). Cameron Schwartz, Director of Digital Supply Chain in the SupplyChainPaths practice at CloudPaths, gives insights on how SAP IBP addresses planning misalignments and internal silos by creating a unified source of truth that facilitates dynamic decision-making and scenario analysis. #SAP #CloudPaths #SupplyChain #manufacturing https://lnkd.in/dhcMaaU9

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SAP Supply Chain Management, a core module within SAP Business Suite, equips organizations with the ability to monitor inventory, forecast demand, and improve planning processes to drive greater efficiency. We've outlined a key features and considerations for SAP SCM: https://lnkd.in/ebvjCPxK #SAPSCM #SAPBusinessSuite #SAP #SupplyChain #SupplyChainManagement

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What does true ERP transformation look like beyond a successful go-live? It’s a question I’ve been reflecting on during recent leadership forums and transformation panels. And the answer consistently comes back to a few core principles: - Data governance as the backbone of decision-making - Cutover strategy as a well-rehearsed journey—not a single event - The constant balance between speed and enterprise-wide readiness I’ve applied these principles firsthand—migrating 3,000+ critical supply chain interfaces to S/4HANA across global operations, and integrating complex systems like MES, Warehouse Robotics, and serialization platforms with full traceability. Whether it’s connecting Kinaxis/RapidResponse or building Splunk-powered dashboards for multi-tier visibility, my goal remains the same: to architect transformations that are scalable, auditable, and built to last. I’m energized by organizations driving bold ERP programs—those that demand clarity, modularity, and quality-focused execution. #SAPBTP #S4HANA #ERPTransformation #LeadershipInMotion #DataGovernance #CutoverStrategy #IntegrationLeadership #NextGenERP

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Your ERP is clean. But is your data? 🤔 Many organizations invest heavily in a "clean core" strategy for their ERP systems, focusing on minimizing custom code. But they often overlook the most critical element: the data itself. Without a clean data strategy, your clean core is built on a shaky foundation, implying the risk of: 👉 Inaccurate reporting and analytics 👉 Inefficient business processes 👉 Costly and delayed migration projects 👉 Roadblocks for AI and automation initiatives Ready to unlock the true value of your digital transformation? Download the Clean Core Data White Paper to learn how to assess, cleanse, and govern your data for a clean ERP core. #SAP #S4HANA #RISEwithSAP #ERP #DigitalTransformation #CleanCore #DataStrategy #DataManagement #DataGovernance #Analytics #DigitalLeadership #FutureProof #BusinessAgility

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I once inherited a WMS project where the previous consultant had been let go 3 weeks before UAT. When I opened the configuration, I found 47 custom modifications. Forty-seven. Some of them contradicted each other. One was a workaround for another workaround. Three of them nobody on the team could explain — the person who requested them had left the company. The client had spent 8 months and $1.1M getting to that point. Here's what I told them: "We need to strip this back to standard and rebuild only what your operation actually needs." They didn't want to hear it. That meant admitting the last 8 months were partially wasted. But we did it. Reduced 47 customizations to 11. Saved 6 weeks of testing. Cut ongoing maintenance costs by half. The lesson: every customization you add is a decision you'll have to defend, maintain, and pay for — forever. Before you customize, ask one question: can we change the process instead of the system? 9 times out of 10, the answer is yes.

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Well-stated. - Results are paramount--when a GoLive is successful after a short delay, nobody will remember the delay. If a GoLive "on time" struggles, nobody will ever forget. - Business process standardization *before* automation is essential for success and scalability. - DATA--a modest system implementation with accurate data will always outperform a "precise and pristine" system with bad data.

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Is your SAP operating model built for 2020... or 2026? If you're seeing growing backlogs, escalating support costs, or slow change cycles, your operating model might be the problem—not your team. We help modern enterprises move faster without the traditional SI overhead. #SAP #SAPCommerce #Hybris #SAPSupport #SAPBacklog

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Legacy ERP vs. AI-Native ERP The shift isn’t just about features, it’s about the People who make it happen. AI ERP Architects and Consultants will define the next generation of enterprise systems. From agentic workflows to orchestration with MCP, this is where ERP gets intelligent. I’ll be sharing more insights tomorrow during the Microsoft Dynamics ERP Mentorship & AMA hosted by Saurabh B.. Let’s build the future - together. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Community Microsoft @Rbuildai #AIERP #Copilot #Dynamics365 #AINative #ERPArchitects #Microsoft #FutureOfERP https://lnkd.in/eAaqaHwC

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