The Future of Supply Chain

Afleveringen

• Episode 170: Unpacking the Power Triangle: Cloud, Data, and AI in Supply Chain Transformation with CIONET’s Tamara Tomasevic 01.07.2026 24min

  In this episode with Tamara Tomasevic, Head of Program Development at CIONET Germany, we discuss how cloud, data, and AI are driving digital transformation in supply chains. Tamara shares insights on fostering enterprise intelligence, encouraging cross-functional teamwork, and scaling AI through mindset and skill development. The episode explores leadership strategies and the future of supply chain connectivity and sovereignty.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode Richard and Sin talk with Tamara Tomasevic, Head of Program Development at CIONET Germany, about what really drives digital transformation. From digital sovereignty and exit strategies to re‑architecting processes around enterprise intelligence, Tamara cuts through the hype and gets real about what works. Learn why data quality makes or breaks AI, why mindset matters more than budget, and how leaders can scale AI with confidence in an increasingly complex supply chain world. ===== Guest: Tamara Tomasevic, Head of Program Development at CIONETTamara is Head of Program Development at CIONET Germany, connecting CIOs, CDOs, and CTOs across the country. She is passionate about building strong communities in the digital era. Previously, she helped establish the Bavarian State’s AI Network and, as a communication scientist, believes communication is at the heart of digital disruption.Host: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin To brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scmCIONET Germany: https://www.cionet.com/cionet-germanyFollow Us on Social Media : Tamara TomasevicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-tomasevic-community/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells⁠⁠ Sin To: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208⁠⁠ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/⁠⁠ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Sovereignty And Resilience00:00:31 Welcome And Power Triangle00:01:07 Meet Tamara And CIONET00:01:59 Digital Leaders Hot Topics00:05:10 Cloud Strategy In Supply Chain00:08:03 Data Quality And Ownership00:09:52 Turning Data Into Assets00:11:20 AI Misconceptions And Use Cases00:14:21 Scaling AI Beyond Pilots00:16:21 Why Networks Matter00:18:42 People Skills And Culture Shift00:20:46 90 Day Action Plan00:22:00 Future Outlook And Wrap Up
• Episode 169: Practical GenAI Use Cases in Supply Chain Planning with IBM's Ryan Misquita 29.06.2026 23min

  This week, Ryan Misquita of IBM shares practical Gen AI use cases in supply chain planning, from exception management and forecasting to clean data foundations, KPI measurement, and avoiding pilot purgatory.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, IBM's Ryan Misquita joins us to discuss practical Gen AI in supply chain planning, real-world use cases, data governance, integration, KPI measurement, and rollout challenges. The episode also explores how AI can elevate planners and what autonomous, agentic supply chains may look like next. ===== Guest 1: Ryan Misquita, Associate Partner, IBM Consulting, IBMRyan Misquita is an Associate Partner and the IBM SCM North America Practice Leader. He has over 20 years of experience in business strategy and technology solution design across the Manufacturing, Distribution, Life Science, and Retail industries. A specialist in SAP S/4HANA, Digital Supply Chain and SAP IBP - Integrated Business Planning , Ryan has a proven track record of leading large-scale consulting engagements that transform integrated planning and manufacturing supply chain operations.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:IBM LinkIBM IBV Report : Unified ERP for the agentic enterprise          https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/unified-erp IBM IBV - The SAP advantage for generative AI https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/sap-generative-aiSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:00:59: Guest’s Introductions00:02:13: Top Gen AI pain points in supply chain planning00:03:37: Practical use cases moving from pilot to production00:06:03: Building the foundation: clean data, governance, and process rigor00:07:54: AI as augmentation: elevating planners, not replacing them00:10:54: KPIs and how to measure Gen AI success00:12:40: Avoiding pilot purgatory and rollout mistakes00:17:10: How IBM supports supply chain transformation with AI00:21:50: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:22:49: Outro
• Episode 168: Making AI Work in Demand Sensing: The Six Dogmas for Trustworthy Forecasting with Implement's Mike Weisbjerg 24.06.2026 20min

  This week, Mike Weisberg of Implement explains how AI is improving sales forecasting through trust, purpose, and accuracy, while reshaping the planner’s role, reducing inventory bias, and separating prediction from human judgment.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, Mike Weisberg shares practical guidance on using AI in sales forecasting, including the right data foundation, six implementation dogmas, and explainable models. He also outlines how planners evolve into business partners and why judgment still matters most. ===== Guest: Mike Weisbjerg, Partner, Implement Consulting GroupMike is a Partner at Implement Consulting Group, where he has spent the last decade working at the intersection of supply chain planning and technology. He specialises in demand planning and AI-driven forecasting and decision making. With a focus on implementing demand planning solutions, Mike helps organisations move AI from proof of concept to production - with forecasts that planners actually trust.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Implement Consulting Group. LinkArticle: Beyond accuracy: Six dogmas for turning AI forecasting into real business valueSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, Oyku Ilgar: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠      SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:06: Guest’s Introductions00:02:05: Why traditional forecasting struggles in volatile markets00:03:25: The three fundamentals: trust, purpose, accuracy00:07:03: Which data matters most for AI forecasting00:10:12: Why bad data should not delay AI adoption00:13:26: The six dogmas for AI forecasting implementation00:14:38: The evolving role of the demand planner00:16:54: Measuring success beyond forecast accuracy00:18:35: How can Implement help companies in this latest AI-infused planning era?00:19:36: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:17: Outro
• Episode 167: Leadership Under Pressure: Preventing supply chain failures through grip and accountability with Leroy Roberts 22.06.2026 27min

  In this episode, we speak with Leroy Roberts about preventing supply chain failures through accountability, leadership under pressure, and the role of AI, clarity, and collaboration in resilient decision-making.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, we talked with Leroy Roberts about leadership under pressure, supply chain disruption, and preventing failure through clear accountability. We discussed psychological safety, the balance between firm control and burnout, the value of AI in risk management, and why future supply chains depend on collaboration, partnership, and better decision-making.  ===== Guest 1: : Leroy Roberts, British Army veteran, Non-Executive Director, and Executive Adviser,  Team-Worth SolutionsLeroy Roberts is a British Army veteran, Non-Executive Director, and Executive Adviser specialising in culture and conduct risk in high-pressure, regulated environments. He works with executive risk owners, including CEOs, CROs, COOs, CPOs, and CHROs, to strengthen decision-making, accountability, and truth-telling under pressure. Leroy helps organisations reduce culture and conduct risk signals within 90 days through practical, diagnostic-led interventions that restore operational grip and produce measurable, auditable improvement. Drawing on leadership experience from the British Army and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, alongside board-level governance experience, he brings a grounded perspective on how leadership behaviour under pressure either amplifies or contains organisational risk. He is the author of The Risk Owner’s Reset and a contributing author to the international best-selling series Stand on the Shoulders of Giants.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Link to the book: amazon.com/dp/B0GMS2G361 The Culture and conduct scorecard: https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=e9a16245-4ab1-4c63-81e7-ce225d9e5372Supply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:00: Guest’s Introductions00:01:59: Staying in control during disruption without micromanaging00:04:07: Accountability gaps and early warning signs00:07:40: Building a safe environment for constructive challenge00:11:08: Using AI for risk management with human judgment00:13:26: Accountability without burnout in volatile conditions00:19:20: Leadership under pressure during COVID logistics00:22:56: ''The Risk Owners Reset'' book00:25:55: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:12: Outro
• Episode 166: Practical GenAI Use Cases in Supply Chain Planning and Execution with PwC's Moritz Kramer 17.06.2026 28min

  In this episode, PwC’s Moritz Kramer shares practical GenAI use cases in supply chain planning, from decision support and scenario analysis to data harmonization, productivity gains, and guided decision-making with humans still in control.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, Moritz Kramer of PwC explains how GenAI is moving supply chain planning from static analysis to real-time, decision-centric support. He covers data readiness, black-box transparency, productivity uplift, and why AI will augment planners rather than replace them. ===== Guest 1: Moritz Kramer, Director Integrated Business & Financial Planning, PwC GmbH WPGMoritz is a Director with over 10 years of experience shaping and delivering business‑led supply chain transformations for international organizations. He works across the full transformation journey—from defining strategic direction to translating vision into execution—covering SCM strategy, operating model innovation, organizational and process design, and the implementation of advanced planning solutions, like SAP. His work is driven by the ambition to build resilient, intelligent, and future‑ready supply chains, leveraging digital and AI technologies where they create clear business impact, while keeping a strong focus on value, scalability, and sustainable change.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:PwCSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:30: Guest’s Introductions00:03:04: Real value of GenAI in supply chain planning00:04:24: Scenario exploration and natural-language responsiveness00:05:12: Productivity uplift and automation of manual work00:05:53: Bridging business and IT with GenAI00:07:45: GenAI as the “black box” explainer00:09:42: Data readiness for GenAI rollout00:11:24: AI for data harmonization00:13:36: AI replacing or augmenting people00:20:20: Biggest implementation obstacles00:23:46: Future trends for AI and GenAI 00:27:09: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:28:31: Outro
• Episode 165: Why A Business Network Is The Invisible Backbone of Supply Chains With BrainBox’s Adi Sharoff 15.06.2026 30min

  In this episode, we speak with Adi Sharoff of BrainBox Consulting Digital about why business networks are the invisible backbone of supply chains. We discuss B2B friction, supplier onboarding, touchless automation, AI, and how procurement teams can move from manual execution to forward-looking value creation.Guest: Adi Sharoff, Managing Partner, Brainbox ConsultingAdi Sharoff is a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, and investor with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, procurement, and enterprise technology. As Managing Partner of Brainbox Consulting, he leads global initiatives across SAP Ariba, SAP Business Network, Concur, and BTP-driven automation programs. With a strong track record of delivering large-scale transformation projects across APAC, Europe, and North America, Adi is passionate about helping organizations modernize procurement, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable business growth. He is also actively involved in strategic advisory, practice development, and building high-performing global teams.Host: Richard Howells, SAP   Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.  ===== Show Links:Brainbox ConsultingSupply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain         Follow Us on Social Media   Adi Sharoff - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adi-sharoff-a14870187/ Richard Howells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/ SAP Digital Supply Chain - LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
• Episode 164: AI, Innovation, and Humanitarian Logistics: Inside the World Food Programme’s Supply Chain with Bernhard Kowatsch 10.06.2026 26min

  In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Bernhard explains that acute hunger has risen from 85 million pre-COVID to over 318 million due to conflicts, extreme weather, and economic shocks, increasing supply chain complexity across 120 countries using thousands of trucks, ships, and aircraft. The WFP uses AI for real-time and forecasted food security, and its Scout optimization tool to balance cost and speed across procurement, warehousing, and routing, saving $6M in 18 months and targeting $25M annually. He describes responsible AI, human oversight, prioritization by vulnerability, last-mile constraints, and WFP’s Munich Innovation Accelerator model and partnership needs. ===== Guest: Bernhard Kowatsch Bernhard Kowatsch is the Director Global Accelerator and Ventures at the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP). Since he created the Global Accelerator in 2015, it has become one of the Worlds biggest impact startup accelerators, offering 18 annual programmes.Prior to starting the Accelerator, Bernhard co-founded the award-winning ShareTheMeal app that crowdsources funding for WFP and has delivered over 300 million meals for hungry children worldwide. His previous experience includes creating WFP’s Business Innovation Unit and working as a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).Host: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠ World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator:  https://innovation.wfp.org/World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator 2025 Year in Review: https://innovation.wfp.org/year-review-2025World Food Programme Hunger Map: https://hungermap.wfp.org/food?w=ipc-phase-3Follow Us on Social Media : Bernhard KowatschLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhardkowatsch/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells⁠ Sin To: LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208⁠ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/⁠ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Future Supply Chains and AI Vision for WFP00:38 Humanitarian Logistics Intro01:42 Meet Bernhard Kowatsch02:35 Crisis Drivers and Hunger Surge04:46 Scale and Speed in Emergencies06:16 Planning Under Uncertainty09:18 Digital Supply Chain and Responsible AI12:01 Making AI Work Scout Savings14:34 Prioritization Access and Last Mile Tech18:43 Innovation Accelerator in Munich22:30 Partnering with WFP24:17 Future Supply Chain Wrap Up
• Episode 163: Supply Chain Logistics with Westernacher's Rafael Avila 08.06.2026 26min

  Today, we speak with Rafael Avila, who discusses how AI-powered logistics improves visibility, reduces emissions, and helps companies balance cost, service, and sustainability in transportation planning.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, Rafael Avila of Westernacher joins us to discuss the future of logistics. He explains how AI can make emissions visible earlier, improve mode and carrier decisions, reduce waste, and support better service. The conversation also explores workforce shifts and the importance of end-to-end supply chain visibility. ===== Guest: Rafael Avila, Supply Chain and Logistics leader, Westernacher ConsultingRafael Avila is a Supply Chain and Logistics leader specializing in SAP Transportation Management and end-to-end supply chain transformation at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience, he has worked across global organizations to design and deliver solutions that improve transportation planning, execution, and visibility across complex networks. A former IBM consulting leader, Rafael spent years supporting large-scale S/4HANA programs and shaping supply chain strategies across industries including consumer products, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and mining. His work has focused on helping organizations connect transportation with warehousing, trade, and order management to unlock more integrated and resilient supply chains. Today, Rafael continues to work closely with clients on modern logistics challenges, with a strong focus on simplifying complex topics, driving practical outcomes, and exploring how technologies like AI are reshaping transportation and supply chain decision-making.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:WesternacherArticle: Smarter Transportation Management cuts your carbon footprintSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Oyku Ilgar: ⁠LinkedIn⁠      SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:04:48: Making transportation emissions visible with AI00:07:39: Why reporting alone does not reduce emissions00:09:50: Mode selection and carrier choice matter00:12:33: AI can cut cost, emissions, and service waste together00:14:27: Biggest sustainability wins in transportation planning 00:18:28: How AI changes the logistics workforce 00:22:33: Common pitfalls in digitizing supply chain00:25:14: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:26:28: Outro
• Episode 162: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger 03.06.2026 21min

  This week, we talk with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how network intelligence and AI can assist logistics teams in managing disruptions, enhancing collaboration, and building a more resilient supply chain.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, we speak with SAP’s Ralf Hierzegger about how constant disruption, digital dependencies, and climate and regulatory shifts are reshaping logistics. They explore why supply chains must move beyond company borders, how AI can support real-time decisions, and why trusted network collaboration is essential for better execution, efficiency, and resilience. ===== Guest 1: Ralf Hierzegger, Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, SAPRalf has built his career at the intersection of logistics, consulting, and digital innovation. After starting out as a forwarding agent from 1990 to 1992, he studied economics from 1993 to 1996 before joining SAP in 1996 as a consultant. In 2013, he stepped into the role of Solution Architect at SAP SE Custom Development, focusing on Foreign Trade and Transportation Logistics. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, helping shape the future of business networks in logistics. He is married and the father of two grown-up children.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Read: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty blog SAP Business AI Platform Supply chain logistics SAP Logistics AssistantSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:02:23: Why logistics disruption is harder now00:06:26: Structural challenges in supply chain and logistics00:08:02: Using AI to respond to delays and blockages00:10:51: Why AI alone cannot solve logistics 00:12:36: The value of AI for a business network 00:14:24: How data sharing improves network performance00:16:27: First steps for adopting network intelligence and AI00:19:06: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:31: Outro
• Episode 161: How AI is the Next Paradigm Shift with Arkestro's CEO Rob DeSantis 27.05.2026 23min

  Arkestro’s CEO, Rob DeSantis, joins us this week for an insightful conversation about why AI is the next major paradigm shift in the supply chain and how it can unlock faster value, better decisions, and happier teams.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== Join us as we explore AI as the next paradigm shift in supply chain. This week, Arkestro CEO Rob DeSantis shares lessons from the internet and cloud, the importance of trust and data quality, how AI is reshaping human work, and why fast time to value matters. ===== Guest 1: Rob DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, ArkestroRob DeSantis is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Arkestro. As a former co-founder of Ariba running sales, Rob has deep expertise in the procurement space, having helped propel Ariba from zero to $250 million in revenue in four years and IPO of the year in 1999 before its acquisition by SAP a decade later. In addition to co-founding Ariba, Rob was also an early angel investor and board member of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional online network.More recently, Rob served as an investor and advisor to a small portfolio of companies, including Bloom Energy, HiQ Labs, Agiloft, USEND and more. He is also a co-founder of TrueParity. Rob started his career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry and holds a BSME from the University of Rhode Island.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Arkestro: https://arkestro.comSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:00: Guest Introductions00:02:51: The biggest paradigm shifts00:04:53: Lessons from the internet and cloud for AI adoption00:07:23: Overcoming laggards and proving value in production00:08:55: Trusting AI in black-box supply chain planning00:11:54: How AI changes human roles and skills00:15:20: The main business benefits of AI00:19:02: KPIs for measuring AI success00:20:44: How Arkestro supports the paradigm shift00:22:38: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:23:19: Outro
• Episode 160: Beyond Go Live: Driving Continuous Improvement in SAP SCM with LeverX 20.05.2026 26min

  SAP SCM value doesn’t end at go-live. Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich share how continuous improvement, clean core, KPI governance, and agentic AI help organizations keep supply chain solutions delivering value.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, LeverX’s Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich join us to discuss what happens after go-live in SAP supply chain implementations. They cover operational drift, user adoption, clean core strategy, KPI governance, continuous improvement, and how agentic AI may reshape warehouse operations. Join us as we discuss the future of the supply chain! ===== Guest 1: Jacob Ladson, EWM Practice Lead, LeverXJacob Ladson is the EWM Practice Lead at LeverX, based in Houston, Texas, where he helps organizations modernize and optimize warehouse operations using SAP Extended Warehouse Management. He brings extensive experience leading warehouse transformation initiatives across implementations, enhancements, and optimization programs for complex distribution and manufacturing environments.Jacob partners with operations and IT leaders to translate business objectives into practical SAP solutions that improve throughput, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, and operational visibility. He is known for delivering scalable, sustainable warehouse solutions that drive measurable results beyond go-live.Guest 2: Dmitry Antanovich, Solutions Director, SAP Supply Chain Management, LeverXTechnology and business leader with a strong focus on growth, strategy, and execution in SAP-driven transformation initiatives. As a Solutions Director, I lead solution strategy and customer engagement across complex SAP programs, helping organizations translate business priorities into clear technology roadmaps. I work closely with executive stakeholders, SAP teams, and partners to guide modernization efforts, moving from legacy landscapes to scalable, cloud-enabled architectures built on SAP S/4HANA and SAP BTP.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:LeverX: https://leverx.com/SAP EWM Value Realization Program: https://leverx.com/services/sap-ewm-value-realization-programWarehouse Efficiency Check Up: https://leverx.com/services/warehouse-assessment Blogs: SAP EWM Optimization After Go-Live: Unlocking Hidden Warehouse Performance: https://leverx.com/newsroom/sap-ewm-optimization-after-go-live Common Post Go-Live Traps in SAP EWM: How to Move From Stable to High-Performing Warehousing: https://leverx.com/newsroom/common-post-go-live-traps-in-sap-ewmSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Jacob Ladson: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest’s Introductions00:02:55: Why value stalls after go-live00:05:15: Common causes of post-implementation failure00:06:03: Why trust and knowledge transfer matter00:07:48: Keeping the system flexible as the business changes00:09:01: Why clean core and technical debt matter 00:10:40: Using new SAP tools to stay agile00:12:10: Revisit unused capabilities after go-live00:15:26: KPI governance after implementation00:17:00: Breaking down silos across supply chain teams00:18:49: Continuous improvement examples after go-live00:22:30: How can LeverX help in logistics implementations 00:23:42: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:25:53: Outro
• Episode 159: Will AI Replace or Redefine the Supply Chain Workforce with SAP’s David Vallejo 13.05.2026 31min

  In this episode, SAP’s David Vallejo discusses whether AI will replace or redefine supply chain jobs, and explains how assistants, agents, trust, and reskilling will shape a more strategic future for the workforce.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP’s David Vallejo joins us to explore one of supply chain’s biggest questions: will AI replace jobs or redefine them? The conversation covers practical AI use cases, the role of assistants and agents, how to build trust, why reskilling matters, and which KPIs prove business value. ===== Guest: David Vallejo, Vice President, Head of SCM Innovations Product Marketing, SAPHis global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP’s SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The suite of AI-first solutions enable customers to orchestrate their supply chain with confidence to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations.David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David’s tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP’s Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP).Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain       Follow Us on Social Media : David Vallejo: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:18: Guest introduction00:01:54: Will AI replace supply chain jobs?00:06:05: Where AI will have the first impact00:10:01: Building trust and adoption in teams00:13:58: Assistants, copilots, and job design00:19:02: Best early use cases for agents00:22:52: Reskilling supply chain organizations00:26:28: KPIs that prove AI value00:29:00 What's the future of the supply chain?00:31:10: Outro
• Episode 158: Logistics in the 21st Century: The Journey to the Cloud 06.05.2026 24min

  Logistics used to be about keeping costs down; today, it’s about surviving the next disruption. We’re unpacking how to break free from aging legacy systems, when to play it safe versus leapfrog to the cloud, and what the future of logistics looks like.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP’s Till Dengel joins Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to discuss the shift from legacy logistics systems to cloud-based solutions. He outlines SAP’s logistics modernization paths, explains how companies can assess complexity and risk, and shares his view on the future of supply chain as cloud-first, AI-enabled, and network-driven. ===== Guest: Till Dengel, VP Product Marketing Logistics, Assets and Service Management at SAP SETill Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial strategy, positioning, messaging, and communications for SAP's Digital Logistics and Asset/Service Management portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, he offers a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Curious about your migration options? Check this out: 3 Journeys That Redefine Your Logistics in a Disruptive World  Supply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
• Episode 157: Self-Healing Supply Chain with Westernacher’s Sachin Vijayan 29.04.2026 27min

  This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====  In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions. ===== Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting   Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain       Follow Us on Social Media : Sachin Vijayan: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:07: Guest Introductions00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:20: Outro
• Episode 156: In Control at 30,000 Feet: How Lufthansa Technik Manages Global Supply Chain Risk 22.04.2026 29min

  In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Lufthansa Technik with Lena Kaehler. We discuss how they deliver aviation spare parts fast, adapt to trade changes, and aim for smarter AI and CO2 neutrality.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠===== On this episode, Lena Kaehler, Senior Director of Component Logistics, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lufthansa Technik’s global aviation spare-parts network. We break down how their team delivers speed and reliability to avoid AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations, while juggling strict safety regulations, airport access challenges, and an incredible variety of parts, including hazardous and high-value items.Discover how Lufthansa Technik supports around 800 airlines and manages a million shipments every year. Hear about their $2.3B pooled inventory, powered by a blend of proprietary systems, AI, and expert oversight.Lena also shares how they’re adapting to shifting tariffs and trade rules, tackling crisis management, and optimizing transport networks. Plus: their vision for the future: smarter AI, ongoing trade volatility, and a push for CO2 neutrality.This is a must-hear episode if you want to get more insights from Lufthansa Technik. ===== Guest: Lena Kaehler, Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS).Lena Kaehler is Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS). With more than 20 years of experience in aviation, she has held roles across spare parts supply, base maintenance, airline flight operations, and logistics. In her current position, Lena is responsible for Lufthansa Technik’s global transportation network, holistic logistics solutions for the component business, and sales activities for LTLS customers worldwide. She studied industrial engineering and is passionate about the international, connecting nature of aviation.Host 1: Sin To, SAPSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scmFollow Us on Social Media : Lena Kaehler:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kähler-944659146/ Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oykuilgar/ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:22 Podcast Welcome00:01:20 Meet Lena Kaehler00:02:34 Aviation Logistics Challenges00:06:22 Scale of Global Network00:09:37 Pooling and Stock Planning00:12:46 Tariffs and Customs Volatility00:17:11 AI and Digitization Reality00:19:29 Repair Cycle and AOG Urgency00:22:26 Transport Network Operations00:26:55 Future of Supply Chain00:29:12 Wrap Up and Thanks
• Episode 155: Transforming Manufacturing: Industrial AI at Hannover Messe 2026 with SAP's Matthias Deindl 15.04.2026 20min

  Discover industrial AI at Hannover Messe with SAP’s Matthias Deindl, covering embodied AI, productivity-boosting agents, and demos like ginger-shot packaging, digital twins, warehouse robots and partner integrations. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This episode explores industrial AI at Hannover Messe (20–24 April) with SAP’s Matthias Deindl. Key topics include embodied AI (robots in production, logistics, asset management) and AI agents that enhance productivity and reduce errors. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations. Matthias emphasises the importance of accurate, timely data, using SAP Business Data Cloud to enable autonomous tasks like AI-assisted tendering and robot-led inspections. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations. The episode envisions seamless disturbance response, improved productivity for an ageing workforce, and stronger human–AI collaboration.  ===== Guest: Matthias DeindlMatthias Deindl is a digital transformation leader focused on discrete industries and supply chains, with more than 17 years of leadership in dynamic, cross-functional environments. At SAP, he currently leads end-to-end product management for Discrete Industries. Previously, he headed supply chain management initiatives across the global SAP Experience Centers network and oversaw the SAP S.Factory Walldorf, helping customers in process and discrete industries accelerate their digital transformation. Before joining SAP, Matthias served as a Group Leader and Product Owner in a corporate IoT startup at Bosch and worked as an Innovation Manager in Corporate Logistics. Earlier in his career, he was a Project Lead and Head of Department in R&D at RWTH Aachen. He has collaborated with customers across automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and logistics. Matthias holds a Diplom in industrial engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm Visit us at Hannover Messe (HMI): Hall 15, Booth F08Follow Us on Social Media : Matthias Deindl:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdeindl/   Richard Howells:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208 SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Vision for AI Supply Chains00:01:51 Meet Matthias and Industrial AI Today00:02:14 Two AI Tracks Robots and Assistants00:03:30 Data Foundations and Business Data Cloud00:05:04 Deployment Challenges and Quick Win Use Cases00:06:46 Embodied AI Inspection Robots00:09:51 Resilience Roadmap Transparency to Agents00:12:25 Human Machine Collaboration at the SAP Booth00:15:41 Ecosystems and Partner Integration00:19:17 Closing and How to Find SAP at Hannover Messe
• Episode 154: Beyond Compliance: Digital Product Passports as Strategic Advantage with SAP's Oleksandra Ostapenko 08.04.2026 30min

  Digital battery passports are set to transform supply chains by driving transparency, interoperability, and circular business models beyond compliance. In this episode, we explore how companies can prepare for 2027 and use compliance as a strategic advantage.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠===== In this episode, we unpack the EU digital battery passport mandate and what it means for global supply chains. We discuss key requirements, data ownership, interoperability, security, AI, and the business value of digital product passports. The conversation also covers how companies can prepare for 2027 and use compliance as a strategic advantage.===== Guest: Oleksandra Ostapenko, SAP15+ years of international experience in overseeing complex, large-scale programs and products, driving strategic initiatives, and delivering impactful results across cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.• Expertise in product and portfolio management, strategic customer engagements, corporate operations, and mergers and acquisitions.• As Head of Product Management, Industry Standards at SAP, I define the product vision, strategy, and roadmap to embed industry standards such as AAS and regulatory requirements such as ESPR and Digital Product Passport across our portfolio and lead initiatives to drive adoption of both our products and the standards.Host 1: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.Host 2: Zoriana ZahorodniaZoriana is a Product Marketer specializing in Supply Chain Management. As an engaging content creator, blogger, and podcaster, she explores how supply chain innovations and sustainability shape the future of global business.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Battery Passport Join us at Hannover Messe  SAP Digital Supply ChainFollow Us on Social Media : Oleksandra Ostapenko Sin To Zoriana Zahorodnia SAP Digital Supply Chain Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Beyond Compliance Promise00:00:47 Podcast Intro and Guests00:02:19 What Is Battery Passport00:03:47 2027 Requirements and Scope00:05:50 Who Owns the Data00:08:14 SAP Solution Overview00:11:33 Data Challenges and Standards00:15:18 Global Regulations and Security00:19:13 Value Creation Use Cases00:21:57 Roadmap to 202700:23:51 Blueprint for Other Products00:26:24 Demo Invitation Hannover Messe00:27:10 AI in Battery Passports00:28:14 2030 Outlook and Wrap Up
• Episode 153: How Communication Shapes Transformation – From the Shopfloor to the Boardroom with Markus Kirchschlager 01.04.2026 18min

  In this episode, we are joined by Markus Kirchschlager, who explains how mindset, organization, skills, and AI-enabled platforms build trust, fight change fatigue, and connect shopfloor and boardroom.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, we talk about communication as the operating system of supply chain transformation. Together with our guest Markus Kirchschlager, we explore his three pillar framework, how to build trust across ecosystems, prevent change fatigue, integrate AI and digital platforms, and empower leaders as communicators from the shopfloor to the boardroom. ===== Guest: Markus Kirchschlager, Managing Partner PANTARHEI AdvisorsMarkus Kirchschlager is an entrepreneur and managing partner of PANTARHEI Advisors, deeply invested in communications and technology. As an experienced communicator and strategy consultant – and as a trained computer scientist – his focus is on international transformation projects at the intersection of communication, technology, leadership, and organisational change. At PANTARHEI, his clients include DAX-listed companies such as Bayer, the BMW Group and Lufthansa, Rolls-Royce (FTSE-100) as well as globally operating mid-sized businesses and international tech scale-ups. Markus’ background includes the frontlines of Public Affairs on EU level. He has worked at PANTARHEI’s Brussels office, was part of the European Commission’s information service in Vienna and a spokesperson for the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. He is a trained computer scientist, studied communications management and holds an MBA in General Management and Finance from the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Markus’ voluntary work includes being one of the contributors to the World Economic Forum’s “Future 50” programme on intergenerational foresight as well as being a team member the European Commission’s Team Europe.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠World Economic Forum (WEF): https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/07/accelerating-transformation-in-manufacturing-from-the-factory-floor-to-the-boardroom/  Follow Us on Social Media : Markus KirchschlagerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kirchschlager/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208 SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:28: Guest introduction00:02:23: Three‑pillar communication framework00:03:31: Communication as ecosystem “campfire”00:04:54: Transparency, risk and trust00:06:16: Preventing change and transformation fatigue00:07:40: Global message, local realities00:09:02: AI, platforms and new intermediaries00:09:47: Communication skills for modern leaders00:13:57: Digital platforms, analytics and targeting00:15:39 What's the future of the supply chain?00:17:51: Outro
• Episode 152: Supply Chain Planning with SAP’s Lori Harner 25.03.2026 22min

  This week, we explore how AI, trusted data, and planning agents are redefining supply chain planning, helping planners shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, autonomous, decision-centric planning.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠===== In this episode, SAP’s Lori Harner explains why now is the moment to reimagine supply chain planning with AI, as volatility, sustainability, and talent pressures rise. Together, we discuss the “planner of the future,” real-life customer use cases with agents, how SAP helps organizations move beyond spreadsheets, and how governance, data quality, and six core planning pillars enable the journey from efficiency to resilient, autonomous planning. ===== Guest: Lori Harner, Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for Supply Chain Planning, SAPLori Harner is the Vice President and Global Head of Product Marketing for supply chain planning at SAP. With a long track record of building and leading high-performing teams, Lori brings a customer-first mindset to her role, driving innovative solutions that meet the complex needs of today's supply chains. Prior to joining SAP, Lori built the product marketing function and team for WEX, a leading financial services firm. Her extensive experience also includes leadership positions at Microsoft, Blue Yonder, E2open, and others. When not driving supply chain innovation, Lori enjoys an active lifestyle in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves hiking, walking, and biking.  Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:SAP POV:  Reinventing Planning for a New Era of Supply ChainAI-Infused Supply Chain Planning: IDC Info Brief & InfographicWebinar: Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: Register,or view a previous webinar video & transcript Supply Chain Management: ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠  Follow Us on Social Media : Lori Harner: LinkedInRichard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:00:56: Guest’s Introductions00:01:36: Why transform planning now? 00:03:36: How AI addresses industry‑specific challenges across different industries 00:05:12: Day in the life of the planner of the future00:08:40: Real‑world early adopters00:11:09: How SAP helps bridge the adoption gap and help with a true business planning culture00:14:28: Data, trust, and governance00:17:02: Common pitfalls in planning transformations 00:19:20: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:21:44: Outro
• Episode 151: The importance of data with Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro 18.03.2026 28min

  In this episode, we are joined by Maria Clara Sayeg from the World Economic Forum to discuss the transformative impact of AI and data on modern supply chains and how its role creates a responsive and transparent supply chain. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠===== In this episode, we are joined by Maria Clara Sayeg from the World Economic Forum to discuss the transformative impact of AI and data on modern supply chains and how its role creates a responsive and transparent supply chain. We will discuss the importance of real-time data and the need for cross-industry collaboration. The episode also addresses future trends in manufacturing, focusing on autonomous systems, circular resource flows, and augmented workforce capabilities. ===== Guest: Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro is an industrial AI strategist and product builder who's spent the last decade at the intersection of management consulting and technology, first at DuPont Sustainable Solutions, where she led engagements across industrial clients and built a global SaaS portfolio, and now at the World Economic Forum, where she leads AI and Data Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains. With a background spanning four languages, an Executive MBA from EPFL, and deployments across 190+ industrial sites globally, Maria brings a rare mix of strategic perspective and hands-on product instinct to every conversation. She's passionate about making industrial AI real, not just a slide deck, but a working system that drives measurable outcomes in sustainability, resilience, and operational performance.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scmWorld Economic Forum (WEF):https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/factories-that-think/https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-advanced-manufacturing-and-supply-chains/luminahttps://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Value_Chains_Outlook_2026.pdfhttps://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Lighthouse_Network_2026.pdfFollow Us on Social Media : Maria Clara Sayeg Ribeiro: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaclarasayeg/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208 SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Future Supply Chains00:00:43 Meet the Guest Maria Clara Sayeg00:02:18 AI and Data in Modern Supply Chains00:04:08 Real-World AI Implementations00:10:03 Transparency and Sustainability00:12:41 Data Integration Challenges00:16:04 Cross-Industry Collaboration00:20:20 Future Trends in Manufacturing00:24:12 Conclusion and Key Takeaways