The African SAP User Group (AFSUG), a non-profit organisation providing a forum for local SAP customers to share information and experiences, as well as to influence SAP Africa and SAP AG’s local and global directions, has embraced the many challenges experienced by businesses worldwide over 2020, taking more positive steps towards forging stronger member relationships.
Reg Barry, Chairman, AFSUG, said that as a non-profit organisation, AFSUG, while affiliated with SAP Africa, operates completely independently.
“AFSUG essentially represents the link between SAP Africa, its partners and the end-user community. Not only do we enjoy a healthy working relationship with the global B2B software provider, we also work very closely with the global network of SAP user groups, SAP user group executive network (SUGEN), with regular support and interaction, at least two face-to-face meetings per year under normal circumstances, and a SUGEN representative in Germany allocated to the AFSUG board,” he said.
Barry explained that the global collaboration experienced via SUGEN is invaluable, as AFSUG can gain knowledge from the 22 defined user groups worldwide, and benchmark itself against them.
“As one of the most active user groups globally, with an impressive number of local customers, we are incredibly proud of where Africa is from a user group perspective. Over the past two years, AFSUG has put an immense amount of effort into driving up value adds for our members. This has come to the fore during the first half of 2020 in particular, where our general manager, Amanda Gibbs – who was appointed in January 2020 – has worked closely with AFSUG’s board members and its chairman to define and deliver on our strategic drivers moving forward,” he added.
And while the South African lockdown period could have complicated this procedure, AFSUG has used it as an opportunity to bolster on-going interactions with its member community.
“AFSUG’s core focus is networking, connecting, creating opportunities and collaborating. The organisation has taken the knowledge-sharing events, which make up a large part of this process, known as Special Interest Groups (SIGs), 100% digital,” explained Gibbs.
“AFSUG member companies are then provided with full access to the relevant content, downloads and related information post webinar. In addition, we are holding virtual monthly steering committee meetings to engage with our longstanding volunteers and experts on what we need to showcase, share and prepare for our members.”
The AFSUG SIGs focus on topics including: Customer Experience; Digital Finance and Risk; Digital Supply Chain Management; Enterprise Information Management and Analytics; SAP’s HANA platform; Human Experience Management; Real Estate Management; Retail and CFG; S/4HANA and Solution Manager and LifeCycle Management.
Barry pointed out that moving forward post the COVID-19 pandemic, AFSUG plans to continue to take a hybrid approach to its events, encompassing both physical and virtual opportunities.
“This will include Saphila, AFSUG’s flagship biennial event, traditionally held at Sun City in the North-West Province.
“The 2019 iteration of the conference and exhibition was incredibly successful, pulling in its biggest audience to date with approximately 1,000 delegates. We’re planning to build on this success for the 2021 Saphila, set to take place in July next year, which should comprise both a face-to-face element and the additional opportunity for attendees to attend streamed talks,” he said.
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