![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/africa\/files\/2022\/07\/28\/Pablo-Signorelli-300x202.jpg\")
Pablo Signorelli, SVP of Mid-Market, SAP EMEA South<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSAP recently held a networking event in Johannesburg where it addressed its partners and prospective customers about the benefits of its cloud solutions for mid-sized businesses.<\/p>\n
The event was incredibly well-attended and provided great value to all who were present.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are humbled by our customers’ and partners’ overwhelming interest in learning more about our SAP cloud solutions designed specifically for the Mid-Market,\u201d said Head of Mid-Market for SAP Southern Africa, Tim Toussaint.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur customers and partners took advantage of the event to reconnect with our local experts as well as many of our international experts and executives who came down to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marketing Director of SAP Africa, Dumisani Moyo, said it was great to be back to doing in-person events.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis hybrid event gave us the opportunity to connect with our customers and partners in Johannesburg, as well as those who joined us online from across the African continent,\u201d said Moyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a particularly significant event for us because we celebrated our 50th anniversary as SAP this past weekend, having started as a start-up in 1972.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moyo highlighted that this is one of the key reasons SAP is so passionate about the SME sector.<\/p>\n
\u201c80% of our customers are Small and Medium Enterprises. In the African context, SMEs are the future of our continent\u2019s development,\u201d said Moyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe World Bank estimates that SMEs employ more than 50% of the workforce and contribute up to 40% of GDP in emerging economies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that technology can play a critical role in enabling our African SMEs to become tomorrow\u2019s global conglomerates,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
SAP helps businesses overcome key challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe event\u2019s keynote speaker was SAP Senior VP of Mid-Market for EMEA South, Pablo Signorelli.<\/p>\n
Signorelli said that in his experience, the main priorities of SAP\u2019s customers include revenue growth, increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, improved customer experience, and attracting and retaining targets.<\/p>\n
He stressed that SAP\u2019s customers consider it crucial that all of these priorities are achieved in a manner that is sustainable.<\/p>\n
However, organizations that want to achieve these goals are met with challenges such as competition, new market spaces, changes to the working environment, cybersecurity, inflation, and devaluation.<\/p>\n
Signorelli explained that by adopting SAP\u2019s industry-leading cloud technologies, South African businesses have a massive opportunity to address these challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital transformation through technology is a necessity for mid-sized businesses,\u201d said Signorelli.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt SAP, we have the solutions to help companies to adapt their business processes to the new reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll these solutions are available in Cloud and it is this that gives businesses the flexibility and agility to build a competitive and sustainable business in this new world.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.sap.com\/africa\/files\/2022\/07\/28\/Dumisani-Moyo-and-Pablo-Sigorelli-300x202.jpg\")
Dumisani Moyo, SAP Africa Marketing Director & Pablo Signorelli, SVP of Mid-Market, SAP EMEA South<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSAP\u2019s solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\nSAP experts followed Signorelli\u2019s opening remarks with a breakdown of the SAP solutions that help mid-sized businesses address industry challenges and prepare for future growth.<\/p>\n
Andrew Quixley, Head of Business Development and Business Process Intelligence at SAP Africa, expanded upon the benefits of SAP Signavio \u2013 SAP\u2019s all-in-one business process software.<\/p>\n
\u201cSignavio enables process excellence by enabling you to run best-practice business processes and executing them correctly and consistently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe solution covers the BPM lifecycle from end-to-end and it is really easy to get started \u2013 just pick a process for investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
SAP VP of Mid-Market Solution Sales for EMEA South, Evert-Jan Tromp, also expanded on the SAP RISE business suite.<\/p>\n
This comprehensive business suite offers resource planning, outcome-driven services, analytics, and internal management tools.<\/p>\n
Tromp then touched on the embedded artificial intelligence available through SAP S\/4HANA, and highlighted that the resilience and data protection capabilities of both RISE and S\/4HANA are key building blocks that work well together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make sure that the necessary backup and recovery are in place so customers can run their businesses in the cloud,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs customer trust is one of the most precious assets a business has, we need to make sure their data is managed most securely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo that, we have put the necessary controls and processes in place to make sure that we adhere to all the local legislation in the countries where we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Driving sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\nTromp also highlighted that SAP is committed to promoting sustainable business processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our S4 Cloud offerings, we let our customers manage sustainability by delivering company-wide transparency and controls,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis enables businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and waste with embedded sustainability insight into their industry-specific processes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that SAP\u2019s new Sustainability Control Tower solution is another great way to provide holistic enterprise-wide sustainability performance management.<\/p>\n
SAP is also committed to being a sustainable business in the regions it operates \u2013 including Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with the Young Professionals Programme and the Skills for Africa programs to make sure the necessary skills and resources are available within the African countries,\u201d Tromp explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese initiatives focus on negating the need to bring skills and resources from abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Willem Fourie of the University of Pretoria\u2019s Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute presented on how technology can be a key driver of sustainability in the African context.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that while poverty levels have been decreasing globally over the past 20 years, this has resulted in humans having a larger impact on the environment.<\/p>\n
Fourie also noted that while our environmental impact continues to increase, the decrease to poverty levels has recently stalled.<\/p>\n
He then explained that true transformation that simultaneously reduces poverty levels and our environmental impact can be achieved through technology.<\/p>\n
Key technologies like the cloud can help to raise productivity levels, lower productivity costs, and reduce carbon emissions \u2013 all at the same time.<\/p>\n
He also spoke about the potential for technology to disrupt the world in positive ways in areas like agriculture, medicine, and education.<\/p>\n
Businesses must adapt<\/strong><\/h2>\nTromp mentioned another reason why disruptive innovation is so important in business \u2013 history has proven that it is necessary for survival.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that since 2000, 52% of companies in the Fortune 500 have gone out of business, and a key reason for this was a lack of agility.<\/p>\n
In contrast, smaller businesses have been able to achieve huge success thanks to the rise of agile mid-market solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 1955 to 2011, it took Fortune 500 companies an average of 20 years to reach a billion-dollar valuation \u2014 whereas today\u2019s startups that have embraced digital transformation are getting there in four years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tromp added that if you don’t advance, you don’t compete \u2014 and SAP\u2019s cloud offerings provide the ultimate platform for growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is crucial that you embrace change, because change allows you to disrupt your industry and outperform your competitors,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
SAP gives your business the competitive edge\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nSAP Head of Midmarket Africa, Amin Meqdadi, said SAP stands out from its competitors thanks to its experience \u2013 which spans over 50 years.<\/p>\n
This means that SAP doesn\u2019t just sell services, it can actively help your business find the best solutions for its needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is SAP\u2019s offerings that make the difference, and with 80% of our customers considered small and midsize enterprises, we have the experience and solutions to help you meet your goals,\u201d said Meqdadi.<\/p>\n
Signorelli echoed this statement, and highlighted that it is crucial for businesses to embrace transformation through the cloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital transformation is the way to leverage technology to digitalize key business processes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to start this digital transformation journey is through SAP Cloud Solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dumisani Moyo, SAP Africa Marketing Director & Pablo Signorelli, SVP of Mid-Market, SAP EMEA South<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSAP\u2019s solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\nSAP experts followed Signorelli\u2019s opening remarks with a breakdown of the SAP solutions that help mid-sized businesses address industry challenges and prepare for future growth.<\/p>\n
Andrew Quixley, Head of Business Development and Business Process Intelligence at SAP Africa, expanded upon the benefits of SAP Signavio \u2013 SAP\u2019s all-in-one business process software.<\/p>\n
\u201cSignavio enables process excellence by enabling you to run best-practice business processes and executing them correctly and consistently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe solution covers the BPM lifecycle from end-to-end and it is really easy to get started \u2013 just pick a process for investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
SAP VP of Mid-Market Solution Sales for EMEA South, Evert-Jan Tromp, also expanded on the SAP RISE business suite.<\/p>\n
This comprehensive business suite offers resource planning, outcome-driven services, analytics, and internal management tools.<\/p>\n
Tromp then touched on the embedded artificial intelligence available through SAP S\/4HANA, and highlighted that the resilience and data protection capabilities of both RISE and S\/4HANA are key building blocks that work well together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make sure that the necessary backup and recovery are in place so customers can run their businesses in the cloud,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs customer trust is one of the most precious assets a business has, we need to make sure their data is managed most securely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo that, we have put the necessary controls and processes in place to make sure that we adhere to all the local legislation in the countries where we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Driving sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\nTromp also highlighted that SAP is committed to promoting sustainable business processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our S4 Cloud offerings, we let our customers manage sustainability by delivering company-wide transparency and controls,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis enables businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and waste with embedded sustainability insight into their industry-specific processes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that SAP\u2019s new Sustainability Control Tower solution is another great way to provide holistic enterprise-wide sustainability performance management.<\/p>\n
SAP is also committed to being a sustainable business in the regions it operates \u2013 including Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with the Young Professionals Programme and the Skills for Africa programs to make sure the necessary skills and resources are available within the African countries,\u201d Tromp explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese initiatives focus on negating the need to bring skills and resources from abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Willem Fourie of the University of Pretoria\u2019s Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute presented on how technology can be a key driver of sustainability in the African context.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that while poverty levels have been decreasing globally over the past 20 years, this has resulted in humans having a larger impact on the environment.<\/p>\n
Fourie also noted that while our environmental impact continues to increase, the decrease to poverty levels has recently stalled.<\/p>\n
He then explained that true transformation that simultaneously reduces poverty levels and our environmental impact can be achieved through technology.<\/p>\n
Key technologies like the cloud can help to raise productivity levels, lower productivity costs, and reduce carbon emissions \u2013 all at the same time.<\/p>\n
He also spoke about the potential for technology to disrupt the world in positive ways in areas like agriculture, medicine, and education.<\/p>\n
Businesses must adapt<\/strong><\/h2>\nTromp mentioned another reason why disruptive innovation is so important in business \u2013 history has proven that it is necessary for survival.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that since 2000, 52% of companies in the Fortune 500 have gone out of business, and a key reason for this was a lack of agility.<\/p>\n
In contrast, smaller businesses have been able to achieve huge success thanks to the rise of agile mid-market solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 1955 to 2011, it took Fortune 500 companies an average of 20 years to reach a billion-dollar valuation \u2014 whereas today\u2019s startups that have embraced digital transformation are getting there in four years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tromp added that if you don’t advance, you don’t compete \u2014 and SAP\u2019s cloud offerings provide the ultimate platform for growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is crucial that you embrace change, because change allows you to disrupt your industry and outperform your competitors,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
SAP gives your business the competitive edge\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nSAP Head of Midmarket Africa, Amin Meqdadi, said SAP stands out from its competitors thanks to its experience \u2013 which spans over 50 years.<\/p>\n
This means that SAP doesn\u2019t just sell services, it can actively help your business find the best solutions for its needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is SAP\u2019s offerings that make the difference, and with 80% of our customers considered small and midsize enterprises, we have the experience and solutions to help you meet your goals,\u201d said Meqdadi.<\/p>\n
Signorelli echoed this statement, and highlighted that it is crucial for businesses to embrace transformation through the cloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital transformation is the way to leverage technology to digitalize key business processes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to start this digital transformation journey is through SAP Cloud Solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tromp also highlighted that SAP is committed to promoting sustainable business processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our S4 Cloud offerings, we let our customers manage sustainability by delivering company-wide transparency and controls,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis enables businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and waste with embedded sustainability insight into their industry-specific processes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that SAP\u2019s new Sustainability Control Tower solution is another great way to provide holistic enterprise-wide sustainability performance management.<\/p>\n
SAP is also committed to being a sustainable business in the regions it operates \u2013 including Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with the Young Professionals Programme and the Skills for Africa programs to make sure the necessary skills and resources are available within the African countries,\u201d Tromp explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese initiatives focus on negating the need to bring skills and resources from abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Willem Fourie of the University of Pretoria\u2019s Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute presented on how technology can be a key driver of sustainability in the African context.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that while poverty levels have been decreasing globally over the past 20 years, this has resulted in humans having a larger impact on the environment.<\/p>\n
Fourie also noted that while our environmental impact continues to increase, the decrease to poverty levels has recently stalled.<\/p>\n
He then explained that true transformation that simultaneously reduces poverty levels and our environmental impact can be achieved through technology.<\/p>\n
Key technologies like the cloud can help to raise productivity levels, lower productivity costs, and reduce carbon emissions \u2013 all at the same time.<\/p>\n
He also spoke about the potential for technology to disrupt the world in positive ways in areas like agriculture, medicine, and education.<\/p>\n
Businesses must adapt<\/strong><\/h2>\nTromp mentioned another reason why disruptive innovation is so important in business \u2013 history has proven that it is necessary for survival.<\/p>\n
He highlighted that since 2000, 52% of companies in the Fortune 500 have gone out of business, and a key reason for this was a lack of agility.<\/p>\n
In contrast, smaller businesses have been able to achieve huge success thanks to the rise of agile mid-market solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 1955 to 2011, it took Fortune 500 companies an average of 20 years to reach a billion-dollar valuation \u2014 whereas today\u2019s startups that have embraced digital transformation are getting there in four years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tromp added that if you don’t advance, you don’t compete \u2014 and SAP\u2019s cloud offerings provide the ultimate platform for growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is crucial that you embrace change, because change allows you to disrupt your industry and outperform your competitors,\u201d said Tromp.<\/p>\n
SAP gives your business the competitive edge\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nSAP Head of Midmarket Africa, Amin Meqdadi, said SAP stands out from its competitors thanks to its experience \u2013 which spans over 50 years.<\/p>\n
This means that SAP doesn\u2019t just sell services, it can actively help your business find the best solutions for its needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is SAP\u2019s offerings that make the difference, and with 80% of our customers considered small and midsize enterprises, we have the experience and solutions to help you meet your goals,\u201d said Meqdadi.<\/p>\n
Signorelli echoed this statement, and highlighted that it is crucial for businesses to embrace transformation through the cloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital transformation is the way to leverage technology to digitalize key business processes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to start this digital transformation journey is through SAP Cloud Solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
SAP Head of Midmarket Africa, Amin Meqdadi, said SAP stands out from its competitors thanks to its experience \u2013 which spans over 50 years.<\/p>\n
This means that SAP doesn\u2019t just sell services, it can actively help your business find the best solutions for its needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is SAP\u2019s offerings that make the difference, and with 80% of our customers considered small and midsize enterprises, we have the experience and solutions to help you meet your goals,\u201d said Meqdadi.<\/p>\n
Signorelli echoed this statement, and highlighted that it is crucial for businesses to embrace transformation through the cloud.<\/p>\n
\u201cDigital transformation is the way to leverage technology to digitalize key business processes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to start this digital transformation journey is through SAP Cloud Solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n