This was an ASUG webcast from last week.
Figure 1: Source: ASUG
The great Marc Rosson was a co-speaker along with ASUG Research.
69 responses were received for this survey
Figure 2: Source: ASUG
It's a challenging time for utilities
Incorporating automation, AI, smart metering
Customers falling behind on payments, no recourse
Remote work
Marc feels the trends are here to stay
Many of utilities have turned off dunning; then turning it back on in the future will be a challenge
Figure 3: Source: ASUG
Critical factors that impact daily work
Require quality data and the right tools
Data management and analytics rose to top as critical to jobs
Other factors:
Cybersecurity - 91% important
Optimizing field operations - 76% identified this as important
Enterprise GIS: - 76% importance
Predictive maintenance - 72% important
Figure 4: Source: ASUG
More detailed - impact of business challenges
Data analytics and dashboards are top impact for utilities
Marc: why - information based decision making
The cloud continues be the way to handle dynamic amounts of data
IoT - about getting information from our customers
AI - will come with more data and embedded with SAP solutions
Figure 5: Source: ASUG
Lower budgets, limited resources, more options in technology
Threats of data breaches are a concern
How upskills utilities? Marc uses MS DevOps to manage projects
Figure 6: Source: ASUG
Where SAP utility customers run their SAP instances - only 25% on premise - lower across the board
Marc: RISE with SAP - sees value in combining services in one agreement; sees as a way to manage costs over time
Figure 7: Source: ASUG
Progressing this year compared to last year
62% plan to move in next 2 years
Marc: has a group of 68 utilities in North America - 18 of are live on S/4HANA, of those 18, 10 are ISU shops, an additional 8 are in the process of moving to S/4HANA
Predicts 25 utilities are live on S/4HANA
Utilities "rush to second"
Figure 8: Source: ASUG
73% respondents have a cloud strategy in place; up 3% from last year
Now need to consider cloud integration architecture
Figure 9: Source: ASUG
Where customers need the most help
14% need help training in SAP products
Marc: need people skills; can train skill sets, but it's about people; get involved in the mission of the utility
Figure 10: Source: ASUG
Electricity, gas and water were the highest participants
Figure 11: Source: ASUG
COVID has required SAP utilities to adjust to remote workforce with limited resources
Looking to newer technologies to help
Need data more accessible and secure
Marc: don't go alone, reach out, talk to a peer, build relationships. As people retire, start to lose contacts; easy to collaborate (we're not in competition with each other); we're "better together"
If you work at a utility, does the survey resonate with you?