SAP S/4HANA Cloud: A Journey Through the SAP World

Marcel Deichmann takes us on his personal technology journey through the SAP world towards the SAP S/4HANA Cloud and tells us what cloud enthusiasts can expect at valantic.

Hello, Marcel, please tell us a bit about yourself!

I have been part of valantic since 2017. I started in the classic manner: in process consulting. As a consultant and subproject manager, I got to know and implemented both SAP R/3 and SAP S/4HANA projects. My main focus was initially on SAP Warehouse Management, Logistics Execution System, and SAP Extended Warehouse Management. When the topic of S/4HANA Cloud started cropping up more often, I realized that there was huge potential for valantic and also for potential customers. That’s when I shifted my attention to the cloud sector. My current focus is on project acquisition and on recruiting to actively participate in the development of valantic’s own S/4HANA cloud team.

What motivated you to shift to the cloud?

I wanted to try something new. SAP S/4HANA is already almost “standard.” The S/4HANA Public Cloud, on the other hand, is not so common on the market. This gives us the opportunity to build and expand the SAP market for cloud computing, and our customers benefit from positive effects such as faster and more cost-effective implementation.

At valantic, we see the subject of the cloud as an “enabler” for future growth. Everyone is currently moving toward the cloud, whether it’s SAP or Microsoft. So we are talking about the future market as a whole.

How do S/4HANA cloud projects differ from the classic on-premise projects in S/4HANA?

Cloud projects are implemented differently than on-premise projects. The cloud is already pre-configured as part of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and you can start working right away. In addition, the duration of cloud projects is much shorter than for on-premise projects. As we move more in the SAP standard, go-lives are possible after three to four months. This is possible thanks to accelerators such as SAP Activate and by the restriction in customizing. By the way – since we’re talking about customizing: Unfortunately, there is a widespread misconception that you cannot do much customizing and you cannot develop anything in the cloud. There’s a lot more there than you think.

How do we exemplify the topic of S/4HANA Cloud at valantic?

valantic wants to become the number one cloud provider on the market – even beyond S/4HANA. We are currently expanding other cloud areas, such as IBP, SuccessFactors, and a Digital Manufacturing Cloud, so valantic has its finger on the pulse of the era, and I’m happy to be part of this.

In order to be able to support our customers as an optimal service partner for all topics relating to the cloud, we are currently working intensively on building up teams and expertise in addition to expanding further cloud areas and acquiring projects. Here we are looking for new colleagues who have already gained some initial experience in the cloud environment and would like to move onto the process level. Of course, anyone who has already worked in the S/4HANA environment and now wants to move with us toward the cloud is also welcome. What’s important is that you are enthusiastic about new technologies and like to think end-to-end across a wide range of solutions.

What can cloud enthusiasts look forward to at valantic?

In any case, they can look forward to growing with valantic and making a difference in the team. 😊 We look forward to building and expanding the cloud with many new colleagues. Everyone has the opportunity to take on active responsibility, to contribute their own ideas and expertise. As valantic, we would also like to support this by offering appropriate training courses such as S/4HANA Cloud certification and people skills and thus share our knowledge.