SAP4U 2023, held for the first time in Chicago, surpassed all expectations with record attendance and a lineup of informative and inspiring sessions. The event was a testament to the incredible work of the SAP for Utilities community.

The decision to host SAP4U in Chicago for the first time proved to be a good one. The event drew a diverse and extensive crowd, breaking previous attendance records. The lively city of Chicago served as the perfect backdrop for this gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts. Partner participation was also at an all-time high, demonstrating the growing importance and collaboration within the SAP for Utilities community.

Keynote Highlights

The keynotes were designed to ignite inspiration, with our first customer keynote we ventured into the dynamic world of evolving energy landscapes. Renowned experts from SAP, Eversource Energy, AES, PSE&G, and X Energy were our guides as they dived into the ever-changing energy scenario. Their discussions revolved around cleaner energy initiatives and the revolutionary technologies that are molding a more sustainable and robust future. In the afternoon keynote panel, utility executives from NiSource, EWEB and Vistra Corp discussed the transformative journey of migrating critical infrastructure to the cloud. They shared insights on how embracing the cloud empowers utility companies to shape a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Day 2 commenced with a special guest, Mel Robbins, who delivered an enlightening session titled “The High 5 Habit: Empowering Yourself and Others for Peak Performance.” Mel shared profound insights on how to inspire personal and collective excellence, along with the science behind recognizing opportunities and training one’s mind to find a way forward, even in challenging situations. Immediately following, we had the privilege of engaging in a candid conversation between Lloyd Adams, President of SAP North America, and our NA utilities leader, Michael Sullivan. It was also the perfect time to pay tribute to Michael O’Donnell for his extraordinary two decades of leadership within the SAP Utilities team. Concluding our keynote lineup, we hosted a Women Connect Networking Luncheon, featuring influential female leaders from PwC, SAP, and ASUG.

Michael Sullivan, SAP and Mel Robbins, Author, Content Producer, Speaker

Michael Sullivan and Lloyd Adams

Women Connect Networking Luncheon – Amy Spruill, SAP , Carolyn Dolezal ASUG and Sadi Fieldsend with PwC

Matus Marusak, Jermayne Adamson, Lisa Dalesandro Di Christofer, Michael Sullivan, Michael ODonnell, Jim McArdle, Lloyd Adams

Customer-Led Breakout Sessions: A Wealth of Knowledge

What truly makes SAP4U 2023 extraordinary is the wealth of knowledge, experiences, and insights generously shared by our remarkable community of customers. With a wide array of over 60 sessions, these customer-led discussions left a lasting impact. Let’s spotlight some of the standout sessions:

Generative AI: Revolutionizing Business Operations– In this session, customers explored the transformative potential of Generative AI in redefining the way businesses operate.

Energy Harbor’s SAP S/4 HANA Transformation- A Journey with RISE– Energy Harbor’s journey from ECC to SAP S/4 HANA through RISE was a key highlight, providing valuable insights into their process.

AMI Digital Transformation at Eversource Energy – Eversource Energy’s digital transformation journey, especially focusing on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), was a noteworthy subject of discussion.

Implementing Utility Work Management with SAP Field Service Management– A panel discussion featuring experts from TECO Energy, Liberty, Loudoun Water, and SAP, sharing their experiences and insights into work management tasks using SAP Field Service Management.

Central Hudson’s Real-Time Reporting Journey with SAP S/4HANA and SAP Analytics Cloud– Central Hudson’s path to achieving real-time reporting using SAP S/4HANA and SAP Analytics Cloud was an enlightening topic, demonstrating the power of data-driven decision-making.

Enabling Next-Generation Customer Service with New Jersey Resources– New Jersey Resources revealed their strategies for enhancing the customer service experience, emphasizing forward-thinking approaches and improvements.

Success Unveiled: Sempra’s Excellence in ISBN Implementation for Utilities– The success story of Sempra’s outstanding ISBN implementation within the utilities sector was shared, offering insights into overcoming challenges and achieving excellence.

Celebrating Excellence: The SAP Innovation Awards

At the heart of SAP4U lies a tradition of recognizing excellence and celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of customers. The SAP Innovation Awards, a cherished component of the conference, was held on Day 1. The 2023 winners were:

• Excellence in Customer Service: Dominion Energy
• Excellence in Operations: Southern California Edison
• Excellence in Collaboration: Nebraska Public Power District, Metropolitan Utilities District, and Lincoln Electric System
• Innovation & Vision Award: Eugene Water and Electric Board
• Purpose-Driven Utility: Energy Harbor
• Utility of the Year – Mid-Sized: Summit Utilities
• Utility of the Year – Large Enterprise: NextEra Energy

Exploring Cutting Edge Demos

The SAP show floor space at SAP4U was a hub of innovation, showcasing a diverse range of captivating demos. Attendees had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge software solutions designed to elevate customer service to new heights. From our powerful business technology platform to real-time analytics, these demos illuminated the path to data-driven decision-making. The event also featured a fun and engaging activity that included robot dogs, adding an element of excitement to the exploration of innovation solutions. The demos also delved into the intricacies of managing work with advanced asset management, optimizing scheduling, seamlessly executing field tasks, and harnessing predictive maintenance for efficiency. Collaboration, procurement, and commerce automation were also at the forefront, offering a comprehensive view of the future of utility operations.

Attendees enjoying the robot dog at the SAP booth

The incredible SAP show floor demo team

SAP4U 2023 celebrated excellence, collaboration, and innovation within the utilities sector. The event left attendees inspired, informed and eager for the future.  To our attendees, partners, speakers, and the entire SAP for Utilities community, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your commitment and enthusiasm made SAP4U 2023 an exceptional experience.

Mark your calendars and save the date for SAP4U 2024, which will be held from September 9th to 11th in beautiful Miami, Florida. We look forward to another year of innovation, collaboration, and growth within the SAP for Utilities community. See you there!