Agenda 2022

Mr. Bayer, what motivates you to volunteer so intensively in the SAP community?

Frank Bayer: I am firmly convinced that it will not be possible to tackle issues such as IoT, Industry 4.0 or digital transformation, both in business in general and in the IT sector in particular, without new collaboration models.

Medium-sized and small companies in particular are unable to provide the necessary breadth and depth of specialist expertise. They therefore rely on cooperation with other companies.

As an association for companies that focus their business primarily on the SAP environment, IA4SP aims to provide a platform that offers companies a very effective way of finding and expanding such collaborations in the community.

At the end of the day, the voluntary commitment of IA4SP members is also geared towards the business success of their own employer. If this is not in harmony, volunteering has a significant problem.

Against what background was the association founded ten years ago?

Bayer: The main motivation for founding the company in 2007 was the fact that several partner companies were each facing challenges that supposedly only existed in the bilateral relationship with SAP.

However, in exchange with others, it was recognized that these challenges were very similar. The attempt to establish a working group within DSAG was followed by a clear recommendation from DSAG to set up a separate international association: This was the initial spark for the founding of the International Association for SAP Partners.

How is the IA4SP positioned today?

Bayer: The IA4SP currently has 140 members, mainly in the DACH region, with individual members outside of this region as well. All partner types are represented according to the current SAP nomenclature, i.e. SELL - SERVICE - BUILD - RUN. Basically, all industry and technology focuses are covered

Who can become a member?

Bayer: We have deliberately defined in the Articles of Association that any company that has based its business model on the SAP ecosystem can become a member, regardless of whether it has official partner status or not.

What are the main objectives of the association?

Bayer: The aim is to improve and secure the business opportunities of our members in the SAP ecosystem. Among other things, this means improving planning security by coordinating with SAP in areas such as sales, marketing, development, consulting, support and training, as well as participating in the further development of the SAP Partner Ecosystem.

We also promote new business opportunities for partners and support start-ups.

The association has been in existence for ten years this year. How will you celebrate this anniversary?

Bayer: An event is planned for our members in the Rhine-Neckar region. Interested partner companies, sponsors and press representatives will also attend.

E-3 Magazine is the main media partner. SAP is also invited.

What exactly can visitors expect?

Bayer: The presentations, discussions and workshops will focus on the topics of digital transformation and disruptive business models in the SAP environment.

Together with experts, we will explore the possibilities of value creation for the future and would like to develop new perspectives and strategies. Networking will not be neglected either.

The presentation of an award will be completely new. This will be presented in the categories "Best Partner Project" and "Most Innovative Project". The first category contains KPIs such as best process optimization, greatest cost and time savings or acceleration of business processes.

The second award will include submissions on the topic of innovative business models and/or innovative use of SAP technologies. Any member can apply.

Where do you see the association in 2022?

Bayer: In the interests of further professionalization, we need to support the enormous voluntary commitment with a full-time managing director who can devote 100% of their working time to specific projects and, above all, the expansion of the association.

I see the IA4SP as THE institution in the SAP ecosystem, which is a key lobby, platform and ultimately a home for small and medium-sized companies in the SAP ecosystem.