NA/LA: SAP Academic Conference Americas (March 22 – 24, 2012)

[Former Member]

San Antonio, Texas

Innovation Starts Now

The theme for the 15th annual SAP Academic Conference Americas was “Innovation Starts Now.” The event shared SAP’s strategic direction and showcased opportunities for faculty to leverage SAP University Alliances offerings to enhance student academic and career outcomes.

Nearly 300 attendees enhanced and expanded their teaching with SAP by attending the Academic Conference, and gained valuable insight to help students compete more effectively in a changing job market. Attendees heard keynotes from SAP executives and the business community. They attended breakout sessions to get the most from SAP University Alliances curriculum and resources. Professors gained hands-on experience with SAP software and explored curriculum through workshops. And the University Competence Centers and partners in the SAP ecosystem supported attendees.

The University Alliances team would like to thank the many people whose contributions made the Conference a success. All plenary and keynote presentations, breakout sessions and workshop materials are linked below and available for download.

View the Onsite guide for full agenda and details.

EVENT DETAILS

Conference Location

Westin Riverwalk Hotel
420 West Market St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-224-6500

KEYNOTES, PLENARY PRESENTATIONS AND UNIVERSITY ALLIANCES ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Welcome
  Heather Czech Matthews, Regional Director, SAP University Alliances – Americas
  
• SAP and Academia: Creating Educational Opportunities and Supporting Innovative Thinking
  Elena María Ordóñez del Campo, Senior Vice President, Global University Alliances
  
• Analytics
  Pam Ireland, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, SAP Analytics
  
• Mobile (Demonstration - no slides)
  Sunil Patel, Chief of Staff
  
• SAP HANA: In-Memory Data Management for Enterprise Applications
  Dr. Alexander Zeier, Visiting Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  
• SAP University Alliances Updates and Majdi Najm Outstanding Service Award
  University Alliances Team
  

WORKSHOPS

These workshops introduce available SAP University Alliances curriculum and include hands-on exercises.

Workshop Name	Workshop Description	Session Leader	Prerequisites	Material Links
Analytics -registration now closed	This workshop focuses on business analytics curriculum, featuring the new SAP BusinessObjects Analysis tool (successor to SAP Business Explorer) and data mining of large datasets with SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse. Includes hands-on exercises using Global Bike, Inc. and University of Arkansas large-scale datasets.	Lorraine Gardiner, California State University, Chico Nitin Kalé, University of Southern California	None	Discussion thread
Introduction to SAP ERP Using the ERP Simulation Game - registration now closed	This workshop introduces SAP ERP using the ERP Simulation Game, a business game run on a real SAP ERP system. Students form teams and run companies in a simulated competitive market. Participants work hands-on in SAP ERP to input operational decisions and monitor business performance.	Pierre-Majorique Leger, HEC Montreal Jean-Francois Michon, HEC Montreal	None	Discussion thread
Introduction to SAP® Business ByDesignTM - registration now closed	This workshop introduces SAP Business ByDesign, a fully integrated business management software solution designed for midsize companies or small businesses. Participants learn how SAP Business ByDesign can be used in introductory business and MIS courses to help students understand end-to-end processes and ERP fundamentals. Hands-on exercises are included.	Nancy Jones, California State University, Chico Ron Pike, California State University, Chico	None	Discussion thread
SAP ERP Configuration - registration now closed	This workshop introduces curriculum for teaching SAP ERP configuration using Global Bike, Inc. (GBI). Hands-on exercises are included.	Simha Magal, Grand Valley State University Tom Wilder, California State University, Chico	Prior completion of an SAP University Alliances "Introduction to SAP ERP" workshop	Discussion thread

These workshops introduce topics new to SAP University Alliances and preview course materials under development.

Workshop Name	Workshop Description	Session Leader	Prerequisites	Material Links
SAP Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM) - registration now closed	This workshop introduces new curriculum using SAP CRM 7.0 and the Global Bike Inc. (GBI) company case. The curriculum covers marketing, sales and service, as well as integration to SAP ERP. Includes hands-on exercises.	André Siegling, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg Stefan Weidner, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg	Prior completion of an SAP University Alliances "Introduction to SAP ERP" workshop	Discussion thread
SAP HANA® - registration now closed	This workshop introduces the SAP HANA database platform. Based on breakthrough in-memory computing technology, SAP HANA is a modern database platform for real-time analytics and real-time applications. Gain insight to enhance students' understanding of how large organizations make smarter decisions faster with in-memory data processing. Includes hands-on exercises.	Jeff Word, Vice President of Product Strategy, SAP	None	Discussion thread
Sybase® Unwired Platform (mobile) - registration now closed	This workshop introduces Sybase Unwired Platform that enables organizations to mobilize sales, field service, human resources, finance, procurement, and more. Gain insight on the technical aspects of this platform to enhance teaching in web and application development classes. Includes hands-on exercises.	Dave Haseman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Ross Hightower, Texas A&M University	Technically oriented faculty with some programmming background	Discussion thread

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

Breakout Sessions I: Innovate with SAP Products - Sessions Led by SAP Experts

Session Topic	Description	Session Leader
SAP HANA	SAP HANA is the next generation of SAP's in-memory computing technology. Organizations can instantly explore and analyze all of their transactional and analytical data in real time from virtually any data source. SAP HANA will form the future technology foundation for new innovative applications based on in-memory technology. Gain insights about SAP's strategy for in memory computing to complement lectures and help students prepare for a changing job market.	Jeff Word, Vice President of Product Strategy, SAP
Mobility	Sybase Unwired Platform is a mobile enterprise application platform that enables enterprise developers to simply and quickly build applications that connect business data to mobile workers on any device, at any time. Learn how organizations improve performance with mobile applications, and gain insights on a topic that many students are interested in.	Nate Henderson, Vice President of Mobility Center of Excellence, SAP
Cloud	The cloud is a core of SAP’s growth strategy and includes Sales on Demand, Travel on Demand, and SAP Business ByDesign which is being piloted by SAP University Alliances member schools. Find out the latest direction for SAP's cloud product strategy. Gain insight to help students stay current with this leading trend in business and IT.	Laura Houston, SAP Business ByDesign Specialist, SAP
Analytics	With the rapid changes in today's business and technology landscape, organizations need analytics that provide real-time performance on big data, insight with trust across business and social data, and instantly available mobile business intelligence. Learn about the latest developments in Analytics from SAP.	Susan Guess, Sr. Director, SAP Business Objects Solution Management, SAP
ERP Core	SAP continues to innovate core applications: SAP ERP, SAP Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM), SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM), SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SAP SRM), and SAP ERP Human Capital Management (SAP ERP HCM).  This session explains recent innovations in these solutions. Sharing these innovations with students will enhance  their understanding of how organizations optimize their end-to-end business processes using SAP core applications.	Armando Urias, ERP Solution Advisor, SAP
Enterprise Performance Management	SAP BusinessObjects enterprise performance management (EPM) solutions enable organizational alignment, agility, visibility and confidence for optimal control and improved effectiveness. Learn about SAP's solutions from strategy, to planning and consolidations, to operational analysis and optimizing profitability. Prepare to share with students how organizations empower every stakeholder to communicate, collaborate and execute in context and in real-time with these solutions.	Kirk Anderson, Director of EPM Solution Management, SAP

Breakout Sessions II: Innovate your Program with Best Practices - Sessions Led by University Alliances Experts

Session Topic	Description	Session Leader
Leverage Students as Program Resources	Students are not only the consumers of the education provided by University Alliances members but can also be a valued resource. Learn the best practices and steps to take to engage students at your university.	Joe Ragan, St. Joseph's University Tom Wilder, California State University, Chico
Getting All Faculty On-Board	Most SAP initiatives are driven by a group of faculty from 1-2 disciplines. Learn the best practices for engaging more faculty so core required courses can have SAP content.	Frank Andera, Central Michigan University David Douglas, University of Arkansas
Build Technical Curriculum with Business Appeal	Building a largely technical program can still add value to business majors. Find out how schools that house technical programs build courses valued by non-technical majors.	Dave Haseman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Nitin Kale, University of Southern California Richard Vawter, University of Southern California
Find a Niche	While every University Alliances school is different, some programs have built competitive advantage or a special niche program that distinguishes it from its peers. Learn the steps that some universities have taken to build niche programs or created competitive advantage in the education market place.	Yvonne Antonucci, Widener University Tom Case, Georgia Southern University
Engaging Learning Approaches	This session discusses active learning approaches to engage students in learning ERP related skills and provides examples of how to create engaging pedagogical context in the classroom.	Patrick Charland, Universite du Quebec a Montreal Paul Cronan, University of Arkansas Pierre-Majorique Leger, HEC Montreal Bret Wagner, Western Michigan University
Build Texts Around Curriculum	Many faculty members want to contribute to the university community by writing text books, case studies, and/or curriculum materials. Learn from those who have done it the steps it takes to go from idea to published text.	Simha Magal, Grand Valley State University Ellen Monk, University of Delaware

Breakout Sessions III: Innovate your Courses - Sessions Led by University Alliances Curriculum Experts

Session Topic	Description	Session Leader
SAP HANA	SAP University Alliances is in the early stages of developing curriculum for the SAP HANA™ platform, a breakthrough technology for real-time analytics and applications. Learn what can be done in an in-memory database, and plans for curriculum.  Topics include technical as well as user oriented courses.	Jeff Word, Vice President of Product Strategy,SAP
Mobile	SAP and Sybase, an SAP company, offer a wide range of mobile applications and underlying infrastructure, with unmatched integration to SAP systems, for secure access to business processes anytime, anywhere, and on any device. This session explains the curriculum being developed for the SAP University Alliance utilizing these innovative products.	Dave Haseman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Ross Hightower, Texas A&M University Camille Rogers, Georgia Southern University
Cloud	SAP Business ByDesign offers an innovative platform to teach a wide range of topics relevant to today’s business environment in a media-rich and mobility-enabled environment.  Learn how curriculum for SAP Business ByDesign enhances students' understanding of business process and ERP fundamentals as well as key trends including mobility and in-memory analytics.	Nancy Jones, California State University Chico Ron Pike, California State University Chico
Analytics	Curriculum in the Business Analytics area continues to evolve and grow.  Come and see the new curriculum for SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence (BI) as well as the mature curriculum for SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse.	Lorraine Gardiner, California State University Nitin Kale, University of Southern California
ERP Core	The Global Bike, Inc. (GBI) case and curriculum for teaching business process and ERP fundamentals is used in over 30 countries and in over 200 institutions. This session summarizes the curriculum that is currently available and delves into new materials being developed, specifically curriculum involving a multi-company code environment and configuration in SAP ERP.	Simha Magal, Grand Valley State University Tom Wilder, California State University Chico
Enterprise Performance Management	Join this roundtable discussion to share your ideas and interest in contributing to the development of curriculum in the timely topic of Enterprise Performance Management.	Bipin Prabhakar, Indiana University Bloomington

POSTER SESSIONS

Theme "Innovate Starts Now - Latest and Greatest Meets Run Better"

Session Topic	SAP University Alliances Partners
Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG)	Danny Pancratz, ASUG
SAP Business ByDesign	Laura Houston, SAP
SAP Enterprise Performance Management	Kirk Anderson, SAP
Analytics Solutions from SAP	Susan Guess, SAP
SAP HANA	Jeff Word, SAP
Sybase Unwired Platform	Nate Henderson, SAP
SAP Mentors	Karin Tillotson, Valero Corporation
UCC: California State University, Chico	Jim Sager, UCC Director Ron Pike, UCC Director Jim Connolly, UCC Technical Team Gino Edinger, UCC Technical Team Jon Strait, UCC Technical Team
UCC: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee	Dave Haseman, UCC Director Jerad Lumina, UCC Technical Team Atis Purins, UCC Technical Team Greg Starke, UCC Technical Team
University Alliances Community Update	Diem Lam, SAP University Alliances
Using SAP Crystal Dashboard Design in ERPsim Games	Pierre-Majorique Léger, HEC Montreal
John Wiley & Sons Publishing	Beth Golub, Executive Editor

PRE-CONFERENCE MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES

Prospective Members Meeting

Prospective members of SAP University Alliances in North America are invited to join a pre-conference session to orient you to the program and resources, and help you gain the most from the conference.

Date: Thursday, March 22
Times: Arrival and badge-pickup: 10:00 am; meeting 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Agenda:

• Arrival and badge pick-up
• Welcome and program orientation
     • Introduction to SAP and the SAP University Alliances program
     • Resources: software, hosting, curriculum, training, & more
     • Value for faculty, students, and schools
     • Membership process
• Introduction to the University Competence Centers (UCCs)

   • Directors’ welcome: Dave Haseman, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and James Sager, California State University, Chico
   • Demonstration of the UCC self service system

• Break and networking with "Faculty Coordinators" from member universities
• Introduction to SAP ERP and the University Alliances Community (UAC) Overview
     • Hands on navigation exercises
     • Exploration of UAC
• Conference agenda preview and suggested sessions

Faculty Coordinator's Meeting

The SAP University Alliances Faculty Coordinators from member schools in North America are invited to attend a pre-conference session aimed at informing and updating, and helping you gain the most from the conference.

Date: Thursday, March 22
Times: Arrival and badge-pickup: 10:00 am; meeting 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Faculty Coordinator Meeting Agenda: Thursday March 22, 2012

• 1:00 Welcome
  • Thank You - Alex McLeod
  • SAP Scholarship 2012 Winners - Alex McLeod
  • Dashboard/Mobility Competitions - Alex McLeod
• 1:30 Overview of New Curriculum
  • Global Bike Update - Simha Magal
  • SAP® Business ByDesign® - Niraj Singh
  • SAP HANA® - Michael Nuernberg
  • Sybase Unwired Platform - Alex McLeod
• 2:00 University Alliances Community
  • UAC Jive Update - Diem Lam
  • Policy on using SAP name, Internet Search Terms - Alex McLeod
• 2:30-3:00 Break
• 3:00 Student Certifications
  • SAP® Business ByDesign® - Niraj Singh
  • TERP10 - Ross Hightower
  • SAP Student Recognition Award - Alex McLeod
  • Resources Available - Alex McLeod
• 3:30 Webinars, Online & Summer Workshops
  • Issues related Webinars & Online Workshops - Alex McLeod
  • What is planned for CSUC, HEC and UWM - Alex McLeod
• 4:00 Update from the UCCs
  • UCCSS, Registering Correctly, Client Updates - Dave Haseman and Jim Sager
  • IS4UA - Alex McLeod
  • Self-hosted reporting - Alex McLeod
• 4:30 Membership
  • Updates from SAP University Alliances - Heather Czech Mathews
• 5:00 Thanks and Wrap Up