The SAP Best Run Awards continue to spotlight the companies excelling in leveraging technology to drive innovation. At the 2024 event, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) leaders were honored for their efforts to implement SAP solutions, transforming their operations and setting industry benchmarks.
The SAP Best Run Awards have become a key annual event, honoring organizations that have adopted SAP’s cutting-edge technologies. The awards recognize customers and partners in the ANZ region that stand out in areas like innovation, business transformation, and sustainability. Categories range from Intelligent ERP to Next-Gen Innovators, with this year’s event also introducing a new category focused on Business AI. These awards showcase the growing role of technology in reshaping how businesses operate, from managing supply chains to improving employee experiences.
Winners this year demonstrated the tangible benefits of integrating SAP solutions into their workflows. Telstra, Powerlink Queensland, and BHP were among the recognized companies, showcasing how SAP solutions help them optimize processes and drive measurable business outcomes. SAP’s solutions, such as S/4HANA, SuccessFactors, and Signavio, were at the core of many of these success stories, providing tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance overall productivity. These innovations have not only improved business outcomes but also contributed to higher employee satisfaction and more sustainable practices.
The SAP Chris O’Brien Award was presented to Powerlink Queensland for its integration of SAP Datasphere and the Sustainability Control Tower, reinforcing SAP’s commitment to driving sustainable business practices. This initiative empowers businesses to monitor and report on climate-related data, supporting long-term sustainability goals.
Highlights from the SAP Best Run Awards 2024
- SAP Next-Gen Innovator: Zespri, in collaboration with Clarifruit, was recognized for using the Clarifruit mobile application integrated with SAP S/4HANA to streamline quality control in the global supply chain. This innovation allowed inspectors to record defects in real-time, improving quality and inventory management.
- SAP Human Capital Management: The GPT Group, along with EPI-USE, implemented SAP SuccessFactors to revolutionize their HR processes. This transformation allowed the People team to focus on employee well-being and workforce design, leading to a more engaged workforce and better talent management. According to Lucy Nowland, Head of People Business Partnering and Talent at GPT Group, SAP SuccessFactors enabled the team to save time on administrative tasks and concentrate on fostering meaningful conversations with management.
- SAP Intelligent Spend & Business Network: Transport for NSW (TfNSW) worked with Accenture to implement SAP Ariba, improving procurement processes and ensuring greater compliance. The project, spearheaded by Mark Chiu, Director of Program Delivery at TfNSW, integrated SAP S/4HANA with Ariba to enhance the user experience and streamline procurement operations.
- SAP Data & Analytics: Powerco, working alongside Bluetree Solutions, successfully executed a digital transformation with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). This implementation improved financial planning processes, increasing agility and resilience across the business. Rudy Gesterkamp, Manager of Process, Systems, and Continuous Improvement for Finance at Powerco, emphasized how this transformation streamlined operations and allowed for more efficient planning.
Impact of SAP Solutions on Business Transformation
The SAP Best Run Awards underscore the importance of innovative solutions in driving business transformation. SAP’s suite of enterprise solutions, including Business Technology Platform (BTP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP), played a significant role in helping businesses achieve their goals.
- SAP Business Transformation: BHP’s collaboration with PwC and SAP Signavio enabled the company to gain visibility into its value chain processes, improving efficiency and identifying opportunities for automation. This approach contributed to a significant reduction in operational costs while boosting overall business performance.
- SAP Intelligent ERP: Viridian Glass implemented SAP S/4HANA to simplify operations and reduce maintenance burdens. Steve Gilvarry, Head of IT at Viridian Glass, praised the cloud-based system for managing backend infrastructure, allowing the company to focus on its core business without worrying about technical upkeep.
- SAP Business AI: CITIC Pacific Mining utilized SAP solutions to enhance training and compliance monitoring. By digitizing its operations, CITIC Pacific Mining streamlined its record-keeping processes, improving decision-making and ensuring safety and compliance. Lauren Walsh, Superintendent of Training at CITIC, highlighted how these improvements have made operations more efficient while reducing risks associated with manual record-keeping.
From sustainability efforts to enhanced procurement and financial processes, the winners demonstrated the potential of SAP technology to revolutionize industries. These businesses have set a new benchmark for leveraging innovation to achieve operational excellence, and their success stories inspire others to explore the possibilities of SAP’s extensive range of solutions.
