Why Microsoft and Google Are Right to Take ChatGPT Seriously | Anschuetz on Leadership

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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<div class="span index">1</div> <span><a class="" data-remote="true" data-type="html" href="/series/mind-the-business-small-business-success-stories">Mind The Business: Small Business Success Stories</a></span>

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Mind The Business: Small Business Success Stories

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Owning a small business can be one of the most rewarding and challenging things a person does. Amid an uncertain economy and ever-evolving consumer trends, there is a lot to figure out and navigate to ensure your business thrives. Join hosts Jannese Torres (Yo Quiero Dinero) and Austin Hankwitz (Rate of Return) as they connect with small business owners and hear their stories about managing the ups and downs of starting and growing a small business. Listen to "Mind the Business: Small Business Success Stories" and learn valuable lessons from their experiences that will guide you along the way through your own small business journey.

2 jaar geleden 30:10

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Don't ignore the threat of ChatGPT: Even as a company with incredibly advanced AI capabilities, Google is doing the right thing by treating this kind of new interactive AI chatbot as a challenger to its massive search business.
Be open to the possibilities of ChatGPT: On the other hand, Microsoft is very wisely looking to bring ChatGPT into the fold and enhance its existing products and services using artificial intelligence.
The importance of transparency and trust: Christian brings up the potentially sinister side of interactive AI, specifically deep-fake videos that could be used to spread disinformation and sow discord. Business leaders must focus on building trust into the application of technologies like ChatGPT.

The Big Quote: "Gotta free the mind, if you will.... If you had an organization that had free thinkers, you could find very, very easily what ChatGPT or a similar capability could mean to financial services. The implications are significant."

Want more leadership inspiration from Christian? Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

Why Microsoft and Google Are Right to Take ChatGPT Seriously | Anschuetz on Leadership

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

23 subscribers

published 2 jaar geleden

MP3•Thuis aflevering

The Big Themes:

Don't ignore the threat of ChatGPT: Even as a company with incredibly advanced AI capabilities, Google is doing the right thing by treating this kind of new interactive AI chatbot as a challenger to its massive search business.
Be open to the possibilities of ChatGPT: On the other hand, Microsoft is very wisely looking to bring ChatGPT into the fold and enhance its existing products and services using artificial intelligence.
The importance of transparency and trust: Christian brings up the potentially sinister side of interactive AI, specifically deep-fake videos that could be used to spread disinformation and sow discord. Business leaders must focus on building trust into the application of technologies like ChatGPT.

Want more leadership inspiration from Christian? Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SAP's Tony Harris Explores the Impact of Agentic AI on Supply Chain Efficiency | Cloud Wars Live 23:12

6 dagen geleden23:12

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Inside SAP Business Network The Big Themes: New Organizational Structure : SAP reorganized its internal teams by combining Business Network and Digital Supply Chain into a new unit: Supply Chain Management. While this may sound like internal restructuring, Tony Harris explained that for customers, it signals a major innovation push. A major focus in 2025 will be on supply chain orchestration and supply chain risk — two areas that demand real-time responsiveness and cross-functional collaboration. SAP Business Network as a Response to Tariffs and Disruption : With the rise of geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and tariffs, companies need to rapidly adjust their supplier bases. SAP Business Network helps companies respond to such disruptions. If tariffs threaten certain international suppliers, businesses can use SAP Business Network to quickly identify alternative suppliers in unaffected regions or within domestic markets. Introducing SAP Business Network Promote Subscription : On the very day of the interview, SAP launched a new subscription service called SAP Business Network Promote, designed specifically for suppliers. This offering helps vendors raise their visibility and connect with global buyers on SAP Business Network. Features include enhanced and verified company profiles, uploading of full product catalogs, and access to AI-powered tools for responding to requests for information (RFIs), improving content, and correcting invoice errors. Suppliers also receive robust data insights.…

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How AI Agents Are Reshaping Enterprise Tech – Insights from Oracle, SAP, and More | Tinder on Customers 23:41

7 dagen geleden23:41

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Episode 50 | AI Agents in Action The Big Themes: The Rise of 'Agent Ratios' : As companies roll out more AI agents, the "agent-to-human ratio" could become a useful AI maturity indicator. Currently, we’re seeing early adoption — with Oracle reporting that only 5–10% of its customers have put agents into production. These early use cases focus on low-risk, easily- automated tasks. It’s a cautious start, but the trajectory is upward. Bonnie points out that once the groundwork is laid, the pace of adoption will likely accelerate, yielding increased productivity . Four Smart Questions for Evaluating Enterprise AI Initiatives : To help customers decide whether to adopt AI capabilities, Bonnie offers four key questions: (1) Is it available to me? Not all customers have access to AI features; infrastructure matters. (2) Do I need or want it? Weigh the risk-reward tradeoff, especially in terms of time and internal resources. (3) Is my data protected? Ensure your vendor offers strong governance and compliance support. (4) What is the time to value? Knowing When to Leap and When to Wait on AI Adoption : Should companies wait or dive into AI now? Her advice: it depends. If your organization is in a fast-moving, innovation-driven sector, early adoption is essential to stay competitive. Waiting could mean falling behind. But for highly regulated industries or companies unused to rapid tech change, a cautious approach makes sense.…

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How SAP's Manoj Swaminathan Is Driving Digital Transformation in Intelligent Spend Management 15:58

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Intelligent Spend's Power The Big Themes: Enhancing Supply Chain Collaboration and Visibility : Traditional ERP systems, while efficient in automating internal procurement and supply chain processes, are typically confined within the organization's boundaries, leading to disconnects when interacting with suppliers, manufacturers, or carriers. SAP Business Network addresses these challenges by extending end-to-end automation beyond organizational walls. As a result, organizations can build resilient, agile supply chains. Driving Tangible Business Outcomes and ROI : Organizations utilizing SAP Business Network experience improvements in operational metrics. Companies have accelerated order delivery by 27% and increased go-to-market speed by 30%. A pharmaceutical company reduced safety stock by nearly 50% due to improved supply chain visibility, while Richmond International, a luxury goods producer, achieved an 82% digitization of purchase orders and cut warehouse receiving efforts by half. Leveraging AI and Innovation for Supply Chain Resilience : SAP Business Network empowers organizations to build resilient, adaptive supply chains through innovative technologies and AI -driven insights. By providing visibility not only into direct (tier one) suppliers but also into deeper supply chain tiers (tier two and beyond), the network enables proactive risk management and operational agility. Additionally, SAP’s strategic focus on becoming an AI-first company ensures continuous innovation. The Big Quote: “SAP Business Network was designed to modernize how companies connect with their trading partners, leveraging AI and configurable business rules to enable seamless transaction exchanges by integrating directly with the back-end systems. SAP Business Network digitizes interactions that previously relied on manual emails, one-off portals and hence we're able to streamline processes and reduce inefficiencies."…

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How Salesforce Is Driving the AI Revolution | Cloud Wars Live 21:41

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The Big Themes: AI and Humans Working Togethe r: Salesforce envisions a future where AI and humans collaborate rather than compete. Rather than replacing human jobs entirely, AI is seen as a tool that enhances human productivity by handling repetitive tasks, improving decision-making, and streamlining workflows. Salesforce’s AI-driven offerings, like Agentforce , are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems to empower employees. Rapid Adoption of AI Agents : At Dreamforce, Salesforce onboarded over 10,000 companies onto Agentforce in just three days, demonstrating the speed at which AI adoption is occurring. This large-scale deployment suggests that businesses are eager to implement AI-powered solutions that can immediately improve efficiency. Unlike traditional software rollouts, which can take months or even years, Salesforce’s AI systems can be integrated within minutes, allowing companies to see immediate benefits. AI’s Future Includes Robotic s: Salesforce anticipates that AI will soon extend beyond digital applications and into robotics, enabling automation in physical environments. AI-powered robots could be deployed in manufacturing, logistics, field service, and even household tasks. For instance, AI agents could be embedded in robotic systems that perform maintenance, deliver goods, or assist with healthcare services. The Big Quote: "Our CEO, Mark Benioff, kind of kidded around in Davos to a room full of CEOs saying, 'Congratulations, you're the last CEOs who ever managed an entirely human workforce . . . the punch line is, going forward, there's going to be AI and humans working together to help customers on every company around the world."…

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AI-Powered Enterprise Software and Market Shifts 24:25

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The Big Themes: Rapid Evolution in Enterprise AI & Cloud Technologie s: The pace of AI-driven change in enterprise software is accelerating, making it essential for companies to keep up with frequent updates and enhancements. Major vendors like SAP , Workday, and Oracle are rapidly evolving their AI capabilities, offering new tools and features to meet growing business demands. Companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind as competitors leverage AI for efficiency and innovation. The Databricks Breakup Prediction Example : A compelling illustration of AI’s potential came from Databricks’ origin story: an attempt to predict relationship breakups based on digital footprints. There's a fundamental AI challenge — single-source data (e.g. judging only by a single social media page in the breakup predication example) is insufficient for accurate predictions. Instead, AI requires comprehensive, multi-source data aggregation to generate meaningful insights. This principle is now applied in enterprise software. The Growing Importance of AI-Powered Business Suites : A key takeaway from recent developments is the increasing importance of AI-first, suite-first strategies. SAP, Workday, and Oracle are all prioritizing integrated AI across their application ecosystems, making AI a core component rather than a peripheral feature. This shift reflects growing customer demand for intelligent automation , predictive analytics, and enhanced decision-making across business functions.…

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Infosys and SAP: A Winning Formula for RISE with SAP | Cloud Wars Live 17:23

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Validated Partner Status Enhances Client Confidence and Outcomes: Infosys' achievement of becoming an SAP-validated partner for RISE with SAP ensures that Infosys provides a predictable, standardized, and scalable approach to cloud ERP transformations. Clients gain clarity on transition strategies, enabling them to adopt clean core principles and maintain differentiation in their business processes. This rigorous partnership offers assurance about time, cost, and risk in transformation projects. AI-Driven Solutions and Industry-Specific Playbooks Add Value : Infosys leverages AI -first approaches and solutions, such as Infosys Cobalt and Topaz, to drive client transformations. By focusing on industry-specific playbooks and workflows, Infosys reimagines business processes, such as order-to-cash, with AI-driven efficiency. The use of 40+ AI-infused accelerators enables rapid adoption and delivers measurable benefits, like enhanced customer satisfaction and reduced errors. The Critical Role of SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) : SAP’s BTP plays a vital role in helping clients maintain clean core principles while allowing unique business workflows to operate independently. Infosys supports this transition by building customer-specific solutions on SAP BTP. For example, an electric utility company reduced billing errors by 30% and enhanced customer satisfaction through predictive insights enabled by Infosys’ intelligent customer insights solution built on BTP. The Big Quote: “We are leveraging AI for the cloud ERP implementation by embedding AI in the various services we deliver to clients, whether it is code generation , whether it is knowledge acquisition, whether it is using more nuanced industry solutions . . . so that it is leading to improved quality, higher productivity and accelerated timeline for execution."…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with Salesforce's Marc Benioff 26:45

9 weeks geleden26:45

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Salesforce's Excitement for 2025 and the Role of Agents (01:04) Benioff shares his enthusiasm for the current technological moment. He explains that agents will help businesses operate at lower costs and improve key performance indicators (KPIs). Agents are being rapidly adopted, with Salesforce deploying its agent platform at scale and significantly reducing the workload on human support agents. "We are in an opportunity, I think, for all of our customers, to connect with their customers in this incredible new way that we call agentics or agents . . . we're witnessing something I think, that we've only seen in the movies." Salesforce's Market Position and Digital Labor (02:35) Salesforce is the second largest software company in the world, with a $38 billion market cap and $12.9 billion in cash flow. "I think we're one of the first enterprise software companies to deliver an agentic platform at scale with the level of performance and capability that everybody wants." Its platform, Customer 360 , integrates various products, creating a comprehensive solution. It's well-positioned to address the issue of digital labor, which has the potential to transform businesses. Benioff says there's a multi-trillion-dollar total addressable market (TAM) for digital labor . The Importance of Data and AI in Salesforce's Strategy (10:30) Benioff outlines three core initiatives at Salesforce over the past 24 months: integrating acquired apps into the core platform, developing a high-performing data cloud, and enhancing the agentic layer. He discusses the importance of a unified data model and the integration of the data cloud with Salesforce's apps. AI and machine learning have made many advancements in recent years and while AI is not yet perfect, it has significantly improved over the past decade. Salesforce’s Core Values and Commitment to Partnership (15:29) Salesforce’s core values — trust, customer success, innovation, equality, and sustainability — have remained unchanged for 25 years. As Salesforce moves into new technological frontiers, including AI, Benioff stresses the importance of transparency, communication, and collaboration. "We are moving into a new world together, and we're going to be better together." He reaffirms Salesforce’s dedication to working closely with customers and welcomes them into the future of innovation and technology. The Role of Agents in Enhancing Human Potential (17:11) Benioff discusses the potential of agents to enhance human capabilities, citing examples from Disney and Gucci where AI has improved employee performance and customer satisfaction. "We also saw that in Gucci, for one of the call centers where we deployed this technology, revenue [rose] 35% because the agents were just making those employees just better." He touches upon the need for rebalancing roles within the company as AI takes over certain tasks, ensuring that employees are continuously skill-building and evolving. The Future of Agents and Applications (20:50) He addresses the misconception that traditional databases and applications will be entirely replaced by voice-driven AI interfaces, like those depicted in the movie Her . He explains that AI models are not data storage systems but intelligence engines that augment and extend existing capabilities. While AI is evolving rapidly, Benioff says that current enterprise systems still rely on databases, applications, and workflows. He clarifies that AI will complement these systems rather than replace them entirely.…

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The Impact of AI on Workday, Oracle, SAP and Enterprise Strategy I Tinder on Customers 28:14

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Episode 48 | Enterprise Innovation Meets AI Power The Big Themes: Workday's Strengths : Workday is carving a strong niche in HR and financial data management, two areas ripe for innovation through AI. The company has identified talent management, recruiting , and onboarding as key areas where AI can drive efficiency and improve decision-making. This emphasis on HR tech makes Workday attractive to organizations looking to modernize their HR processes. Adoption Challenges : One of the biggest challenges in 2025 for AI in the enterprise software space will be customer adoption. Whether it's overcoming resistance to change, integrating new systems with legacy platforms, or ensuring employees have the necessary skills to use AI effectively, the road to widespread AI adoption can be bumpy. Vendors must provide practical, easy-to-understand use cases that demonstrate AI's value. Oracle's Complex Implementations : Oracle’s enterprise solutions are often criticized for their complexity, particularly when it comes to implementation. The flexibility that Oracle provides means customers can tailor solutions to fit their specific needs, but this level of customization often requires substantial technical expertise and time. Oracle’s challenge will be to find a balance between maintaining this flexibility and simplifying the implementation process. The Big Quote: “AI has to be able to cross multiple parts in multiple applications to synthesize all that information together. AI makes it easier for these systems to have integration, so to speak, as long as the provisioning is all within the same suite of products . . . For customers, having everything under the SAP umbrella or the Oracle umbrella or the Workday umbrella across multiple lines of business is, in the age of AI, going to be really helpful, because then your agents are able to be that much more effective."…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with ServiceNow's Bill McDermott 20:39

9 weeks geleden20:39

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AI's Role in Business Transformation (00:59) Bill McDermott notes a shift in CEOs from mere fascination with AI to AI-led business strategies. He sees ServiceNow's role in AI transformation as being that of a "control tower." AI has impacted several business areas including customer service, supply chains, employee onboarding, and risk mitigation. It's also a great tool for labor arbitrage. That's not to mention that AI agents can operate 24/7 without breaks, complementing human efforts. Agentic AI, A Holistic Solution (04:01) Agentic AI is on the rise and will serve customers, employees, and operations, taking over tasks computers handle more efficiently than humans. While current AI agents are often siloed within departments, ServiceNow's platform integrates these agents across the enterprise, offering a holistic solution. "So now you have the agents working together to accomplish something," McDermott says, "as opposed to just doing something for one function." The foundation for this integration lies in a unified data model and architecture. Customer Trust and Innovation (06:53) Trust is the ultimate human currency. Without it, McDermott says, there's no progress. Customers know they can trust ServiceNow and its technology. He mentions its investments in customer success programs, innovation accelerators, and strategic partnerships to drive business impact. Net new innovation must be delivered to customers, employees, and shareholders through both traditional and new consumption models. Partnerships and Integration (10:29) McDermott discusses ServiceNow's partnerships and the potential for a multi-cloud approach similar to the infrastructure side. He's confident in the market's ability to accommodate multiple players and points to expanded collaborations with Cognizant, NVIDIA, and others. He talks about ServiceNow's integration with hyper-scalers including Microsoft, AWS, and Google Cloud, showcasing the benefits of a comprehensive platform for business processes. "We're open, and we integrate with everybody." Balancing Trust and Innovation (14:29) Balancing trust and innovation in the AI era is a challenge as ServiceNow becomes increasingly embedded in customers' operations. McDermott emphasizes the value of trusted partnerships and selective collaboration to sustain customer trust. He highlights ServiceNow's partnership with NVIDIA and its recognition in the American Opportunity Index , which measures employee prosperity post-employment. The Future of Work and AI (16:34) In the future, AI will revolutionize work by reducing monotonous tasks and freeing up time for innovation. ServiceNow is part of creating that future, already using AI to simplify complex workflows, saving employees significant time and allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks. "This is a renaissance moment for the workers. They get to get rid of the soul-crushing work that they've never wanted to do anyway." Reskilling the workforce will be necessary for this revolution and is being done through initiatives like ServiceNow University and the AI Institute.…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with IBM's Arvind Krishna 29:30

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Top 10 CEO Outlook 2025 series. Krishna shared with Cloud Wars Founder Bob Evans the company's optimistic outlook for 2025 amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties. They also discuss IBM's shift towards software, its AWS and Palo Alto Network partnerships, and how Red Hat has flourished since joining IBM. Highlights IBM's Optimistic Outlook (01:18) Despite current geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Krishna remains optimistic about technology's role, especially in terms of automation and AI, in driving business transformations. He notes there's an increased appetite for technology globally, including in Europe, as a response to these uncertainties. Technology is a way to deliver better services at lower costs, which makes it an exciting time for the technology business. Focus on Delighting Clients (03:41) IBM exists to serve clients, focusing on delighting them through technology deployment and support. Krishna discusses the importance of taking risks to innovate and the need to cut bureaucracy and unnecessary processes. He emphasizes that partnerships should be win-win scenarios. "Can we expand the pie in which case we both win because the client is happier?" IBM's Shift to Software and Impact on Clients (06:36) There's been a significant shift in IBM's revenue mix, with software now accounting for almost half of IBM's revenue. Krishna explains that software's flexibility allows for incremental improvements, unlike hardware, which often require more disruptive changes. IBM focuses on software and providing unique value to clients in automation, hybrid cloud, data, and AI. Enterprise Adoption of Large Language Models (10:05) Krishna talks about the current state of enterprise understanding of large language models , or LLMs: "If I look at the enterprise understanding of large language models and what we can do for them, it's like we're in the first innings of a baseball game." Krishna advises enterprises to move forward in three steps: First, start with low-risk applications like customer experience functions such as answering service calls, as well as internal enterprise functions. Second, move to a little more risky but not totally risky use cases, like accounts receivable, procurement, and supply chain . Then, step three is applying LLMs to things like oncology and diagnosis in healthcare -- vertical-industry-specific functions. The excitement is more on step three, but customers should initially focus on the first two, where there's a lot of value. Leveraging Automation to Drive Innovation (15:04) All enterprises understand the importance of running lean and using productivity gains to focus resources on high-value activities. Krishna shares that IBM has freed up resources by automating tasks, allowing for more R&D to develop innovative products. He notes that overall employment has increased, but more focus is on high-value activities that enhance growth rates. Red Hat's Growth and Role in Hybrid Cloud (16:59) Red Hat has had impressive growth since joining IBM. Krishna says it has more than doubled its revenue since joining IBM in 2019, now exceeding $6 billion. He explains that Red Hat is the leading hybrid cloud platform, allowing for flexibility in deploying workloads across data centers and cloud environments. R&D as a Growth Engine (21:40) R&D should focus on innovation and quickly bringing those innovations to clients. R&D is about identifying unmet needs. "Henry Ford was asked like, how did you think of the Model T? And his answer was 'Look, if I had surveyed my customers, they would have said they wanted a stronger horse or a longer whip, but the automobile was the right answer.' Krishna mentions that quantum computing is a key area of focus for IBM in terms of research and development. The Benefits of Strategic Partnerships (24:56) IBM's strategic partnerships impact client value and IBM's growth. Krishna notes that half of IBM's consulting team's revenue now comes from these partnerships. He provides the example of IBM helping Delta Airlines move to AWS, while integrating Red Hat and other tools to enhance the client's experience. Krishna talks about a new partnership with security software provider Palo Alto Networks that's expected to generate significant pipeline for IBM's consulting team. Final Thoughts and Future Outlook (27:56) Krishna encourages clients to assign technology the same importance as other critical functions like finance and marketing. "Do you give tech the same importance that you give your CFO?" He reiterates the importance of technology and the need for businesses to adapt to its rapid pace of change. Evans closes by observing that in 2025, there's potential for the Cloud Wars Top 10 companies to exceed $10 trillion in combined market cap.…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with SAP's Christian Klein 23:23

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Generative AI and Business Transformation (00:57) Klein discusses the increasing adoption of GenAI among SAP's customers. They see it as a way to improve productivity and business processes. Additionally, SAP software now integrates human language capabilities, enhancing user experience and efficiency. Customers' focus for 2025 and beyond is using GenAI and SAP Business AI to solve complex business challenges and orchestrate end-to-end business processes. Technology Investments and Business Outcomes (02:37) Among customers, there's been a shift from reconciling past actions to optimizing future planning and growth opportunities. "Now we are talking about business model transformation but also, how can agentic AI and Joule . . . help me to orchestrate my new business model." He explains how SAP's offerings help customers bring all business elements to the table for comprehensive transformation. AI's Tangible Benefits (04:10) Proving the outcomes of AI investments is critical in times of financial pressure. SAP's Business AI offerings are designed to demonstrate tangible business benefits, such as improving the quote-to-cash process. "We make sure that you can quote more intelligent, that you can sell more, that you can price more effectively, and that you can run all the fulfillment processes in the back end way more productive. Then the customers [says], 'Absolutely, I'm all in for buying more AI units from SAP'." End-to-End Processes and Customer-Centric Approach (06:39) Klein discusses the cultural shift towards end-to-end processes that meet customer needs and explains how SAP's AI Foundation and tools are agnostic to various large language models. SAP's suite of offerings provides a unified approach, avoiding the silos created by working with multiple tech companies. The Rise of Agents (08:24) Agents are ascendant and playing a significant role in driving better business outcomes. Klein provides a concrete example of how agents will collaborate in demand, supply chain, and procurement processes. He explains how agents collaborate, to "[make] sure the customer gets an extremely valuable output end to end." Orchestration and Collaboration of Agents (10:59) Klein describes how SAP's generative AI assistant, Joule, can help orchestrate agents across different end-to-end processes. "Joule can help you to predict demand with our sales agent and Joule orchestrates to work with the supply chain agents on the inventory side, and then Joule helps, you know, to orchestrate the work, you know, with the procurement agent." SAP's Growth and Future Vision (12:44) SAP has had significant growth in applications, outpacing competitors. Klein attributes this to SAP's suite approach, which provides a comprehensive solution for core business processes. He talks about the importance of integration and extensibility, allowing customers to choose the best solutions for their needs. Under Klein's leadership, SAP has transformed into a cloud and AI-focused company. Klein discusses SAP's vision as an end-to-end solution provider, delivering continuous innovation and enabling holistic business transformation. He explains, "The perception is yes, SAP is really delivering end-to-end solutions to me, but they [are] also helping me because they have a ton of industry knowledge, they have a ton of business process knowledge, and they are by far more than only a technology partner, they are also helping me with RISE and GROW , a kind of a methodology on how to transform my business." SAP Management Team and Final Thoughts (19:56) SAP has a strong management team, including new executives from Microsoft and other top companies. Klein expresses confidence in SAP's ability to continue delivering value to customers and partners. The conversation concludes with his encouraging everyone to embrace the new year with enthusiasm in particular for the opportunities of agentic AI and Joule to drive business outcomes.…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook with Google Cloud’s Thomas Kurian 19:24

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Customer Mindset and Priorities in 2025 (01:47) The current climate of geopolitical and economic uncertainty is driving the need for speed and agility when delivering value to customers. Google Cloud customer projects that do just that include improving logistics at UPS, enhancing search functionality, and boosting customer service at Hanesbrands and Macy's. "Uncertainty means the great CEOs want action," Kurian says. "You control the controllable, and you do that by improving speed in your organization." Kurian also discusses significant AI integrations, such as Google Cloud's collaboration with Samsung on its phones and Snap’s in-app coach, which are shaping the future of customer interaction. Cloud and AI as a Continuum (04:08) Kurian explains that cloud services actually simplify the deployment and management of AI because they provide models and accelerators as services, reducing the complexity of managing AI systems. In turn, AI helps to streamline cloud services by enabling faster and more efficient application development. Customer examples of how cloud and AI work together to deliver innovative offerings can be found in AI-driven risk calculations at Hiscox, tailored advertising for Puma and Radisson, and content discovery for Warner Brothers Discovery. AI's Impact on Business and Productivity (07:48) AI is no longer confined to IT departments but is now influencing a wide range of business functions. It's improving productivity by streamlining operations, such as facilitating live patient handoffs at hospitals. "Allowing the nurses to do live handoff to another nurse means more time at the bedside. It means more productivity." AI is also enhancing product development by enabling customers to articulate complex needs, which AI can then translate into tailored recommendations. Furthermore, AI’s role in call center automation is improving efficiency by handling high volumes of customer inquiries and providing superior service. Customer Service and AI Integration (13:01) Google Cloud's approach to integrating AI with customer service helps businesses create more cohesive and efficient customer experiences by improving reach, understanding, and interactions across multiple channels. Kurian discusses innovations such as the self-service retail search at InterContinental Hotels and digital concierge services for Orange . AI agents manage customer queries, upsell products, and improve service efficiency in call centers. Cost Optimization and Efficiency in AI (15:52) There are several ways in which Google Cloud is addressing the challenges of AI tool affordability. Kurian outlines initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of AI, such as new software capabilities and optimizations to AI models. In the last six months, Google Cloud has significantly reduced costs, with model costs dropping by more than 10 times. Additionally, improvements in latency and the reduction of AI response iterations are also helping to make AI more efficient and cost-effective. Customer Acknowledgment (18:46) In closing, Kurian expresses his gratitude to Google Cloud’s customers, partners, and all those who have supported the company’s journey. "To every customer, every partner, everyone who gave us a shot, you were the reason that all of our people worked so hard. Thank you."…

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with Workday's Carl Eschenbach 25:38

10 weeks geleden25:38

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AI Adoption and Business Value Eschenbach explains that there's been a shift from experimental AI phases to practical implementation. The shift means that "customers are going to look to go to trusted partners, partners they have an existing relationship with, partners that they know have a highly curated set of data." Workday has such a curated data set. Further, as part of the shift, there's now a need for ROI and total cost of ownership analysis in AI investments. CEO Priorities for 2025 AI, enterprise consolidation, and talent are Eschenbach's key priorities for 2025. When it comes to talent, he says CEOs and other leaders need to think about how "that talent is going to ultimately peacefully coexist with AI and things like agents in the future." He also discusses Workday's AI mindset — it's not just about delivering it to customers but also successfully integrating AI internally — along with AI's role in driving productivity. Customers are looking to do "more with less." They want to consolidate point solutions onto more comprehensive platforms like Workday. AI Deployment and Talent Integration CEOs should foster an AI-first culture. Eschenbach provides examples of AI use cases, such as job description automation and recruiter agents, showcasing the tangible ROI and productivity gains in HR and finance. Integrating AI with existing talent helps drive business benefits. Competitive Advantages and Market Position Workday's success stems from its technology, large client base, and on-time delivery. "Our customers have greater than a 95% on-time delivery of the Workday platform and on budget," Eschenbach points out "We know how to deploy this at scale across the biggest companies in the world, which gives us a leg up versus our competition, who, at times, have very complex data sets and environments and can't implement at the speed and pace and at the dollar value that a Workday can." Other Workday attributes include its platform's open architecture, as well as its strong company culture and high levels of employee engagement. Partner Growth and International Expansion Eschenbach reports significant growth in the partner community and its impact on business . "Historically, we've had really good partners . . . 10% of our new business in New ACV [annual contract value] last quarter came from our partners. Our partners are having a meaningful impact on our business. We have grown our partner community by five times in 18 months." He speaks about the focus on selling through hyperscalers and forming strategic partnerships, as well as the potential in international markets and continued investments in new sectors, such as the U.S. federal market. Data Set and AI Partnerships "We're opening up the aperture," Escenbach says, explaining how Workday is tackling AI. "We're thinking about AI in multiple ways." Curated data is essential for AI tools. Eschenbach discusses the Workday platform's integration with Slack and Microsoft to enable agent-to-agent communication, underscoring that data is important in powering AI tools and delivering customer benefits. Innovation and External Concerns In the face of the potential impact of global macro situations, there's a need to stay focused on innovation."We focus on innovation, and we focus on each other here inside the building and our workmates, and we continue to support our partner ecosystem on a global basis. So while there are some concerns out there, if you focus too much on them, it's a distraction."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 With Oracle’s Safra Catz 28:42

10 weeks geleden28:42

28:42

Highlights Customer Boldness (00:21) In previous keynotes, Catz has encouraged customers to be more bold – and customers are responding to that. Oracle’s cloud business is growing at a rate of 50% a year. “More and more of our customers are willing to not only jump in with one foot but their entire bodies because they’re getting more comfortable and they’re also seeing that competition is moving,” Catz says. “Transformation and transforming yourself and modernizing yourself, that is not a destination; it’s a constant journey.” Businesses are recognizing that they become more adaptable to meet customer expectations when they embrace these new technologies. Multi-Cloud Agreements (04:25) Multi-cloud agreements with Microsoft, Google Cloud, and AWS kicked off in 2024. “We have always believed that the customer should get to choose what they want to use and what environment they want to run in and how to really advance their agenda,” Catz expresses. Oracle doesn’t believe in building walls or trapping customers; being open to this idea is central to Oracle's success. Because Oracle Cloud has different capabilities, the company has been able to collaborate with other providers to make their offerings work together to best meet customer needs. Healthcare Industry Offerings (08:55) Oracle has put extra energy into its industry suites, particularly for the healthcare industry. It aims to be able to handle everything from clinical trials to inventory to nursing schedules and more. At a recent health summit, Oracle launched new AI-powered capabilities for healthcare. While the company competes in several industries, Oracle acquired Cerner because “we knew that we needed to bring healthcare into the 21st century .” Larry Ellison previously shared that “we can’t do it alone.” This means partnering with customers and being open to partner with other companies to apply their capabilities to ensure a quality customer experience is being delivered for patients, doctors, administrators, and others in the healthcare industry. “Do more, spend less doing it – that’s our job, to give them that ability,” Catz summarizes. Revenue Goals (17:06) At its financial analyst meeting last fall, Oracle released its vision for $100 billion in revenue a few years out. Catz describes what that will look like within Oracle and how customers will contribute to the company achieving those figures. “We’re telling you now, every year is going to be bigger and accelerating more,” Catz says. “The way that that curve works – it’s almost unstoppable once it starts.” Cloud Data Centers (22:30) Oracle has been developing cloud data centers that are “small enough to go on a ship” as well as what Ellison has called the world’s largest data centers, Evans notes. This will be important to Oracle customers in the coming years and beyond because “it gives them flexibility,” Catz explains. “We can start at any size and expand as they need it.” Ellison and New Products (24:59) 2024 was a busy year for Ellison and 2025 will continue in the same manner. “This fellow does not rest,” Catz says. The Oracle team loves the new capabilities and new product lines that they’ve been rolling out to customers that there are no signs of slowing down.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Cloud Wars CEO Outlook 2025 with Snowflake's Sridhar Ramaswamy 27:56

11 weeks geleden27:56

27:56

The Future of AI and Data in 2025: There's a lot of excitement and prototyping around AI. "People are excited that they can ask questions and get real answers instead of getting the proverbial 10 blue links. I think people see the promise of things like that. How do you make that work at scale? How do you make that work in a reliable way, and how do you make it work in a way that's not expensive?" Ramaswamy shares a recent experience in India, describing the cost-consciousness of customers and the focus on making data accessible and valuable. Shifting Priorities for Snowflake Customers: What do customers want? Ramaswamy identifies goals including empowering business users with data faster and unlocking the value of unstructured information. In response, Snowflake is helping customers access and utilize historical information and build hybrid systems. He notes that SQL enables easier data transformations and extractions. Cultural Change and AI Adoption: Cultural change is required for companies to handle AI. Even within Snowflake, adopting AI has been a challenging process. Snowflake's engineering and sales teams are beginning to use AI tools like Copilot and Cortex, but there's a need for ongoing practice to fully integrate AI into daily operations. The Promise of AI and Data Platforms: AI has the potential to free up significant time for employees, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks. Snowflake aspires to make data platforms simple and accessible, allowing users to perform complex tasks with ease. Its consumption model has several benefits and aligns it with business goals of making more money or spending less. Companies like Siemens are using chatbots to improve efficiency and access to information. Competition and Innovation in the Data Market: Competition, Ramaswamy says, drives innovation and improves products. It only strengthens Snowflake, which stands apart due to its unified platform, tight integration, and ease of use. "If you create a chatbot with Snowflake, it will automatically obey all of the access control rules that you have set up. It will automatically obey all of the data masking that your administrator has set up." Ramaswamy discusses the challenges of balancing innovation with maintaining simplicity and efficiency in Snowflake's product offerings. Mega Trends and Challenges for Snowflake: Ramaswamy sees two mega trends for 2025: the rise of interoperable data formats and the acceleration of AI. Snowflake is well-positioned to take advantage of these trends through its end-to-end offerings and data engineering capabilities. However, there are challenges to maintaining data quality and speed while innovating rapidly. AI tools like agents must drive real utility and value for customers. Data Literacy Initiative: One Million Minds Plus One: Snowflake has a new initiative aimed at improving data literacy. Data can be difficult to interpret, and the right skills are necessary to do so. Snowflake is spearheading an ambitious program to educate over a million people in data literacy, free of charge. The initiative includes teaching concepts like data engineering, data analytics, and using BI tools and notebooks for interactive analysis. Excitement for 2025: Sridhar expresses excitement about the potential for AI and data to drive real business transformations in 2025. Snowflake will continue to play a vital role in helping customers become truly data-driven organizations. Navigating growth, competition, and innovation while maintaining simplicity and value for customers is key.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Mastering End-to-End Business Operations in a Complex Global Supply Chain | Sadin on Digital 29:16

11 weeks geleden29:16

29:16

The Big Themes: End-to-End Integration Is a Necessity : In today's fast-paced business environment, success requires a holistic, end-to-end understanding of operations. Organizations must break out of traditional silos. A great CIO and IT team must focus on connecting these silos, ensuring seamless workflows across the organization. This perspective enables businesses to optimize processes, meet customer expectations, and avoid inefficiencies. Logistics as a Strategic Advantage : Companies that excel in managing their supply chain —from sourcing to delivering products to customers — gain a competitive edge. In contrast, companies that neglect logistics risk disappointing customers with out-of-stock items or poor service. Sadin also underscores the complexities of modern global supply chains . Businesses need visibility into every link of the chain to anticipate risks and adapt proactively. This logistical foresight allows organizations to maintain customer loyalty and operational efficiency, even amid uncertainty. Strategic Iteration and Integration Is Key to Progress : Sadin stresses the importance of iterative improvement rather than overhauling systems entirely. His "patch, polish, then perfect" strategy encourages retailers to enhance existing systems incrementally, using tools like robotic process automation (RPA) to connect and optimize processes in the short term. Additionally, Sadin warns against delaying action, likening hesitation to "sitting on a sharp fence," which risks falling behind competitors.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SAP's Tony Harris on Transforming Business Networks and Supply Chain Efficiency | Cloud Wars Live 21:12

11 weeks geleden21:12

21:12

The Big Themes: Network Benefits for Buyers and Suppliers : The SAP Business Network brings together buyers and suppliers. Buyers use the network to strengthen supply chains, meet sustainability goals, and access new markets. Suppliers use it for business growth, streamlined processes, and greater visibility. The network is free for suppliers to join, allowing them to build profiles, respond to RFIs, and engage in sourcing events. With millions of global suppliers, the network serves businesses of all sizes. Transformation of Traditional Business Models : SAP Business Network is helping to eliminate the old divide between back-office and front-office operations. It integrates various business functions — procurement, supply chain , logistics, and order collaboration — making them work together to improve the customer experience. This transformation is vital in an era where customer experience is a key differentiator in competitive markets. Inclusivity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) : SAP Business Network is designed to serve businesses of all sizes, from large enterprises to smaller boutique firms. With the introduction of the Promote subscription in 2025, small suppliers can showcase their products and services alongside larger companies. Additionally, the network’s Discovery feature provides smaller suppliers with the chance to participate in large procurement opportunities. The Big Quote: “We have the biggest companies in the world as suppliers on the network, but we also have millions of SME-sized organizations. Smaller suppliers don't always have a way to showcase their catalogs of products or services in the same way that maybe a large company or a large supply would have, but this new set of capabilities we're providing to suppliers under…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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The Power of Picking the Right Partner | Tinder on Customers 28:48

14 weeks geleden28:48

28:48

Episode 47 | 2024 Tech Insights & 2025 Strategies The Big Themes: Trends in Technology Implementation Success Rates: Bonnie shares insights from 742 enterprise software implementation customer reviews. Average satisfaction for implementation processes scored 3.8 out of 5, while partners involved in these projects received a higher rating of 4.7. Projects were completed on time 72% of the time, though 25% faced delays. Budget compliance was slightly better, with 76% staying on budget. Delays often result from incomplete scoping or unforeseen change orders during the discovery phase. Lessons Learned for 2025 Enterprise Projects : Reflecting on 2024, Bonnie offers three lessons for future enterprise projects. First, businesses should prioritize selecting the right partner and involve them early. Second, companies should account for unforeseen delays and cost overruns by padding budgets and timelines by at least 25%. Finally, projects are increasingly complex; ensuring collaboration between vendors, partners, and internal teams is vital. Change Management Tailored to the Audience Drives Adoption : Modern change management extends beyond traditional training and rollout strategies. Effective change management involves clear communication, peer influence, and user-friendly training materials. In 2025, organizations must consider their workforce demographics and preferences — offering bite-sized, engaging content (e.g., TikTok-style videos) and gamified elements to ensure adoption. The Big Quote: “The most successful projects were ones that had the blueprint of success that was clear and . . . a clear set of business requirements, policies, and processes that were in place prior to starting the project itself."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Innovations That Will Redefine Business in 2025 | Sadin on Digital 32:57

15 weeks geleden32:57

32:57

Episode 55 | Tech Disruptions Ahead The Big Themes: Optimism for 2025 as a Transformative Year : Wayne and Bob express optimism about 2025, particularly for the U.S. economy and its impact on CIOs and digital transformation initiatives. Sadin talks about deregulation and efficiency measures, such as those championed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), could boost confidence and growth. AI and Automation Rise : AI and automation are pivotal for driving efficiency and reclaiming productivity. Examples include ServiceNow’s claim of saving users 1.5 days of productivity weekly by automating low-value tasks. Wayne and Bob cite leaders like Larry Ellison and Elon Musk as potential drivers of this transformation, particularly if given the freedom to innovate without excessive regulation. Advances in Chip Technology Drive Performance and Cost Efficiency: Technological advances in chip design, such as the development of two-nanometer chips, promise dramatic gains in performance and efficiency. Wayne points out that smaller feature sizes on chips enable exponentially more transistors per unit, which reduces costs, improves thermal efficiency, and unlocks new capabilities for AI and data processing. This progress aligns with Moore’s Law and could revive productivity leaps in hardware development. The Big Quote: "Microsoft's going to be a winner because they've got the legs of the stool, AI in it. Well, maybe four legs, AI, integration, platform, and application. And you don't see that with most of the other players, their application focus, their platform plus application, but Microsoft plays at all layers of the stack, so I can mix and match."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SAP's Val Blatt Talks Modernizing Supply Chains to Prioritize Customers 25:23

15 weeks geleden25:23

25:23

Supply Chain Insights The Big Themes: Customer-Centric Supply Chains : Customer-centric supply chains are about aligning every aspect of the supply chain to serve the ultimate consumer. Val describes this as keeping the "why" — the customer — at the forefront, rather than focusing solely on operational efficiencies. Companies that succeed here often find themselves leaders in their industries, regardless of size. Cultural and Technological Shifts in Supply Chain : Val underscores the need for cultural change within organizations to adopt customer-focused practices and leverage innovative technology. Businesses must move beyond outdated methods (e.g., fax orders) and embrace digital solutions. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering this transformation, promoting a culture of adaptability, and aligning employee incentives with customer-driven goals. The Role of Regulatory Compliance : Compliance with regulations, such as those preventing the use of goods linked to unethical practices like child labor, is becoming a non-negotiable aspect of supply chains. Val points out that meeting these requirements not only avoids legal penalties but also ensures long-term viability and trust in global markets. Compliance is a driving force for adopting modern supply chain technologies. The Big Quote: “[SAP Business Network] really does modernize how companies connect and collaborate across the supply chain. More specifically, the platform integrates into a company's back-end system. It can be to their ERP system, it can be through their procurement system. It can integrate to their logistics system, their planning system, and it allows us to actually send transaction documents back and forth . . . and gives you visibility across that entire supply chain."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software Expands Product Suite to Modernize the Office of the COO 17:42

16 weeks geleden17:42

17:42

Highlights Expansions Through Acquisitions (01:32) SignUp Software has been expanding its product portfolio, moving from a focus on the office of the CFO more broadly into the operations world. Through acquisitions, its product suite has evolved. In December 2023, SignUp Software acquired Axtension, a Netherlands-based company. It has been working with Axtension on emphasizing the “I” in ISV (independent software vendor). One of the six products involved an overlap with ExFlow AP. This led the team to taking the best of IP (invoice processing) and moving it into ExFlow to build out an offering for AP automation. The other five products are targeted toward manufacturing and project-based businesses. “They fill great gaps with the Microsoft platform toward other ERP systems as well, so we’re really thrilled to present this,” Hedin says. Easy Integration for Microsoft Users (06:20) With these offerings, it becomes easier for customers to manage this integration within their ERP environments, especially for Microsoft users. Bigger, more complex Microsoft users often use three to five different ISVs, Hedin notes. Now, the company’s offering enables customers to use one solution to integrate Axtension and SignUp Software. Autonomous Finance (10:05) SignUp has been working on low-touch, autonomous finance for a while. It’s been set up with strict parameters. The system helps automate financial processes, such as processing invoices from suppliers. Gradually, the level of automation will increase as the system is used, reducing the need for hands-on processing. Community Summit North America (13:13) SignUp Software will be at Community Summit North America, which takes place on October 13-17 in San Antonio, Texas. “I think it’s the greatest event when we get the combination of Microsoft and customers, partners and product suppliers,” Hedin says. He encourages attendees to “mix and mingle across those borders…and have fun.” Attendees can find Hedin and the SignUp Software team at Booth #1133. They are looking forward to chatting about the latest innovations from SignUp Software — including AI, e-invoicing, and more — and getting input from the customers.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software Insights on the Trend Toward E-Invoicing and Continuous Transaction Controls 19:56

16 weeks geleden19:56

19:56

Highlights The Significance of E-Invoicing for Modern Business (00:50) Hedin describes e-invoicing as an evolution toward an easier, more standardized way to exchange information. It can include all the documents needed during the procure-to-pay process. Electronic invoicing differs from traditional digital invoicing. E-invoicing started with a point-to-point connection. With e-invoicing, everything comes pre-validated because the invoice has to comply with certain formats, standards, and machines, such as ERP systems. Continuous Transaction Controls (03:50) Hedin provides a breakdown of the shift toward continuous transaction controls (CTC) and its benefits. CTC involves invoice data being transmitted to tax authorities in real time. He notes that governments getting more tax money is the biggest benefit; this is a main driving force behind the trend toward CTC. “It’s a fantastic driving force that will not stop this steam train that started rolling,” Hedin says. This also introduces the business-to-government flow. Different countries can also have different country conditions. For instance, in some countries, before sending invoices, it has to be approved. Navarro acknowledges that this is an ongoing, evolving process. E-Invoicing Compliance Mandates (07:57) Hedin and Navarro share a few pieces of advice for how businesses can ensure they comply with e-invoicing mandates: Where is your business based and running? Organizations must have a very clear map this. Larger companies may have different subsidiaries with different legal backgrounds; business leaders must be aware of all of them. Where are you sending the invoice? There may be additional requirements to comply with depending on where the invoice is being sent. Find a partner that knows the legal frameworks of all the countries you work with. It’s vital to stay up-to-date with the mandates in the countries of your customers and partners. While there may be challenges and growing pains with this, it will be helpful in the long run. Looking Ahead (15:36) Currently, there are a little over 50 countries that have government mandates. The expectation is that it will be well over 100 countries in five years from now. This is going fast and all the governments will want to jump on this bandwagon, Hedin notes. Navarro suggests that one day, “the tax office will be just another business party.” While businesses will have to invoice customers and inform their tax authority, in the end, it will save time with tax return processes. “Take the tax authority as a business party, and the CTC is going to help in that direction.”…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Cloud Wars CEO of the Year Is Google Cloud's Thomas Kurian | Cloud Wars Live 39:26

16 weeks geleden39:26

39:26

Google Cloud's Innovation and Growth The Big Themes: Google Cloud's record growth and market positioning: In 2024, Google Cloud experienced five consecutive quarters of accelerating growth, including a remarkable 35% growth in Q3, up from 29% in Q2. Kurian attributes this success to the company’s ability to listen to customers, innovate with products that meet their evolving needs, and strategically invest in a strong go-to-market organization. AI cost reduction and efficiency: Kurian comments on Google Cloud's efforts to significantly reduce the cost of AI models. Through improved software stack capabilities and optimizations, Google has decreased the cost of AI by more than 10x in just six months. Reducing latency, improving response accuracy, and utilizing distillation (e.g., making models run on smaller devices like phones) have contributed to lowering operational costs while increasing model efficiency. This approach has resulted in a 15-17x growth in model usage in just five months. The evolving role of cloud in business transformation : Kurian notes a fundamental shift in how businesses view cloud computing. Initially seen as a way to reduce costs, cloud is now seen as a tool for driving business transformation. AI, analytics, and security capabilities are helping organizations speed up decision-making, optimize logistics, and gain competitive advantages. Kurian believes that the next wave of cloud adoption will focus more on enabling new business models, products, and markets rather than just reducing IT costs. The Big Quote: “We tend to look ahead by listening to customers and understanding their needs, and create in a disciplined way, new product offerings. If you look a the last five years, we've introduced enough steady cadence. First, we started with infrastructure, then we added databases to it. We used our strength with BigQuery to build out an analytics portfolio. We were one of the earliest to say . . . we should not only provide [customers] a secure cloud, but we should also build a security product portfolio. Every one of those has driven diversification of our revenue stream."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software CEO’s Insights on Applying Copilots to Financial Processes 10:43

17 weeks geleden10:43

10:43

Highlights Creating Opportunities for the CFO (01:50) The foundation for the CFO role is to keep customer costs under control and be compliant. With the emergence of copilot technology, it has created new opportunities for business; not only impacting tech roles but finance roles as well. It has become a great tool for making financial processes autonomous and reaching the first three Cs faster and more efficiently. For instance, it can make suggestions to improve workflows. Copilots can also perform actions based on data to create purchase orders or help with elements of ERP systems. Strategic Decision Making (04:45) CFOs and financial leaders can use copilots to make more informed, strategic decisions. With processes generating a variety of traces with transactions, CFOs can use copilots to consolidate that data. SignUp Software provides a dashboard for financial processes. Copilot can be applied to gain greater financial analytics; it can identify a problem efficiently, enabling users to find the root problem and resolve it faster. AI-Driven Financial Management (06:25) Financial processes can be time-consuming, such as the invoice approvals process. “We can help the approver with the most common ways that would be coded and just showing them with a little light bulb,” Hedin describes. “It’s an advanced algorithm…but it’s giving you advice on how you could do that and what has worked in the history, and also giving you the probability that the AI algorithm is actually right.” While there may be parts of AI that bundle inside the processes and work behind the scenes, copilot can be applied to specific processes to assist users. Investing to Innovate (08:30) SignUp Software has a full team focusing specifically on investing in AI to further innovations. This team has built a bot for support flows to help their customers. Users can ask the bot questions as well as use it for action-based scenarios, such as assistance with coding invoices and automating processes.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software CEO’s Insights on Overcoming CFO Challenges, Applying AI 17:12

17 weeks geleden17:12

17:12

Highlights Current Challenges (00:48) Manny names capital allocation as a major challenge for the office of the CFO. They spend much time thinking about which technologies and industry solutions are best to invest in. They have to determine which investments take priority, such as investing in tech that benefits the company’s back office versus their customers. Value creation is also a key consideration. “Our analysis on where do we invest those dollars has gotten a lot more granular and a lot more scrutiny around those decisions,” he says. “Many of the CFOs face the challenge of doing more with less when money has gotten a bit more expensive,” Hedin raises. Another challenge he notes is regulatory aspects. The three C’s — cost, control, and compliance — need to be as efficient as possible. Determining how to leverage AI can be a challenge on the technology side. AI Impact (07:17) When building out large language models (LLMs) and algorithms, you have to ensure you have the right governance and controls internally on the data to get the desired outcome. This is vital when starting out leveraging new technologies to drive business decisions and efficiencies. While this can be daunting, “there’s a lot of value to it,” Manny notes. Once it’s tested and secure internally, the next phase of an AI journey is to look at it from a customer-facing perspective. Hedin shares customer examples of applying machine learning and AI. “In the financial process automation space, AI is definitely saving a lot of time already today for a lot of CFOs,” Hedin says. CFO AI Concerns and Second Half Mindset (11:30) Korakis says the biggest risk is that AI outputs don’t necessarily align with the question an employee is seeking to answer. If a person thinks they’re feeding the algorithm or LLM all the right data points but they’re actually not, that’s a big issue. His company is ensuring good data governance. Microsoft has made Copilot actionable for ISVs like Signup; since it’s embedded in Finance and Operations as well as Business Central, there are actions that weren’t available before, Hedin says. It’s one thing to get intelligent responses, but when you can also start doing things such as generating a PO if one’s missing, then you have an assistant that can do a lot more things for you. It’s really exciting in terms of customer problems that can be solved. Korakis says in the first half of the year there’s been a lot of disruption in the macro environment that followed supply chain challenges: rising interest rates that created caution and the need to be very thoughtful in using investment dollars has slowed things down a bit. “I see that starting to phase off” and CFOs are more willing to spend as the second half approaches. D365 Trends (15:09) Hedin says AI is one big, obvious trend with Dynamics 365. The other is new regulatory demands. If you send an invoice to a customer in Italy you need to go through their tax authorities now so they can track it. A US customer asked to start invoicing in Germany and needed guidance. It varies by country. That’s a big challenge for the international companies as well – how to handle that in an efficient way.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software Insights on the Office of the CFO in 2025 20:41

17 weeks geleden20:41

20:41

Highlights 2025 Expectations (02:07) Ashe has had the opportunity to meet with and hear from customers about the challenges they're facing so SignUp can determine the kind of support customers need. A common theme that he has noticed is around "measuring what matters and trying to see how they can move to a predictive model because there's a lot of uncertainty." When business leaders are looking at solutions like ExFlow by SignUp, Ashe explains that it's "something that when we get through our implementation, we feel like we've got a path for them to be able to help meet those goals and, hopefully, improve their relationships with their vendors and reduce some of those risks." ExFlow as an Enabler (05:30) ExFlow focuses on AP automation within Dynamics 365 on both F&O and BC. The office of the CFO is changing to be more strategic with investments, mitigating risks, and predicting potential opportunities. ExFlow takes the amount of time that an organization spends on invoicing, for instance, and compresses it to reduce potential errors and give time back to the business. It also helps organizations measure key elements so they can re-architect their business to be more efficient and plan more effectively. "I think that's where a lot of the real value comes from," Ashe says. Future of AI (08:10) AI will continue to have a huge impact, Ashe considers. For most organizations, AI will have a wider impact of a big-bang approach. "I think some organizations are prepared for that...People are going to slowly but surely get more used to just having an autonomous agent there to help them do their jobs." Previously, Hedin has discussed the premise of three horizons of AI that can be aligned with strategic decision-making and financial control. He elaborates on these horizons: The first horizon is having an immediate impact now, as it includes using copilots to optimize processes and models to become more efficient. The second horizon involves using AI to drive the setup of systems. The third horizon is more autonomous, allowing agents to manage reoccurring tasks, for example. Driving an AI-Strategic View into 2025 (14:46) "We're actually doing what we've always been doing," Hedin confirms. "We've been 100% a Microsoft-dedication ISV." He describes how SignUp Software builds on Microsoft's platform for industry-specific, horizontal solutions. "We need to be smart and use what they are doing and then build the last touch on top of that." This enables the company to build AI models that become better and better with each new generation. Although AI and its evolution is becoming faster and faster, as people are increasingly absorbing the technology, the learning curve still takes time. While AI technology is being adoption, it still requires knowledge to work through prompts, asking the right questions, and fine-tuning models. We need to be maybe one to two years patient before achieving the real autonomous level, Hedin explains, but there are a lot of efficient processes on the way.…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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SignUp Software CEO Defines Market Trends Impacting the Office of the CFO 15:35

17 weeks geleden15:35

15:35

Highlights Driving Adoption (02:40) At its recent financial earnings call, Microsoft reported dramatic results from its last quarter regarding Dynamics 365 (D365), Business Central (BC), and Finance and Operations (F&O), with 27% growth quarter over quarter. Some core factors are driving this pace of customer adoption in the mid-market and the enterprise. Hedin names three: The number of old platforms that need to be migrated : To access the newest and best features, organizations must be in the cloud — otherwise, they’ll be missing out on copilot, for instance. Companies need to save money and be more efficient . Automation enables companies to do more with less. Security is vital in finance, especially for fraud detection and prevention. Hedin reports that SignUp Software had similar growth rates to Microsoft, so it has been able to maintain the same pace. Industry Innovation (05:03) Some vertical industries are quicker with their approach to modernization and digital transformations, especially in managing regulatory compliance and implementing other cybersecurity initiatives. Hedin describes the pace of innovation and modernization among various industries. All industries have invoices. However, the industries accelerating their pace of modernization and implementing advanced solutions are the ones that have the most to gain and with high volumes, notes Hedin. He lists retail and government as two of the top industries here. Partners contribute greatly to this pace. “It’s the solution architects and the business process designers that advise the customer on what they can do,” he says. When partners see the capabilities that come with modern offerings, they begin to suggest those offerings. Investing in Modernization and Automation (08:43) The office of the CFO should be keeping an eye out for key aspects and outcomes from their investments to modernize and automate. Efficiency and flexibility are two beneficial elements. “It comes back to process efficiency to have that low cost; you have to control compliance on those processes,” Hedin says. Modern technologies, such as automation and AI, come with a lot of fear and uncertainty as well as assumptions that they will take the jobs of humans. For those involved with the day-to-day operations of a business, that’s not necessarily true. Investing in modernization can enhance business processes and enable humans to be redeployed to do other tasks. The 4 Cs (11:25) Hedin describes four Cs that can come with modern technologies and are essential when working with customers and partners, which SignUp Software puts into practice with its ExFlow offering: Cost Compliance Control Copilots SignUp Software is “heavily entrenched” in its research and development (R&D) department, Hedin says. Customers can improve their return on investment (ROI) by embracing modern technologies, deploying their employees to higher-level tasks, and benefitting from the four Cs. Another factor that Hedin mentions is the standard for CO2 emissions for companies with more than 250 people. SignUp Software offers a product for CO2 management to help companies manage data and have greater control in working toward becoming…

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Building Strong Connections to Drive Growth | Tinder on Customers 22:48

18 weeks geleden22:48

22:48

Episode 46 | Driving Impact Through Partnership The Big Themes: Partner-centric growth: Software vendors are increasingly focusing on building strong partnerships with resellers and service providers. This shift recognizes that partners are not just intermediaries but key drivers of innovation and customer success. By investing in training, support, and co-marketing, vendors are ensuring their partners can effectively sell, implement, and expand offerings, creating a more collaborative and mutually beneficial ecosystem. AI as a key enabler: AI is transforming the software industry by enhancing product capabilities and enabling smarter, data-driven offerings. Both vendors and partners are leveraging AI to improve customer experiences, automate tasks, and offer more personalized, efficient solutions. This technology is rapidly becoming a competitive differentiator, and vendors are embedding AI into their platforms to stay relevant in an increasingly AI-driven market. Platform ecosystems and digital marketplaces: Vendors are evolving from offering standalone products to creating expansive platforms that integrate third-party applications. This ecosystem approach drives innovation, creates new revenue streams, and provides customers with more comprehensive offerings. By fostering digital marketplaces, vendors and partners can offer tailored, scalable solutions that meet a variety of customer needs while expanding their reach and impact. The Big Quote: “AI is the new UI, and you can't have an AI just exist within a singular system. You need the AI to be able to work throughout the business in an omnichannel sort of way."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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How Google Cloud's AlloyDB Empowers Bayer Crop Science to Overcome Data Challenges | Cloud Wars Live 19:49

19 weeks geleden19:49

19:49

Bayer’s Data Evolution with AlloyDB The Big Themes: Data complexity and intelligent agriculture: Bayer Crop Science is addressing agriculture's complex data challenges. The company integrates data such as satellite imagery, weather conditions, soil data, and IoT device inputs, to drive innovation in seed development and farming practices. By leveraging cloud technologies like AlloyDB, Bayer's teams can support the future of farming, despite challenges posed by climate change and rising global food demand. Integrating BigQuery for comprehensive analytics: To further enhance its data-driven insights, Bayer integrates Google BigQuery alongside AlloyDB for extensive data analysis. BigQuery serves as the central analytics warehouse, receiving billions of phenotypic data points for in-depth modeling and decision-making. During harvest season, Bayer can quickly access and analyze comprehensive datasets, enabling better decisions across production and supply chains. Harvest season demands and system resilience: During harvest season, Bayer Crop Science faces intense pressure as high volumes of data flow in, requiring real-time analysis and decision-making. The peak demand period sees a sharp increase in read and write operations, making it essential for Bayer's data system to function seamlessly. AlloyDB played a crucial role in handling these spikes by providing low-latency data processing and high availability. The Big Quote: “Climate change is a new challenge. You see some of these forecasts coming out of academia that yields will go down by 30% — that will arrest this great trend that we've seen continually increasing over the last 100 years. We need to solve for that, and that's going to take new types of data and new approaches and these types of things."…

Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

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Maximizing AI Value While Minimizing Risk for CIOs | Sadin on Digital 27:51

20 weeks geleden27:51

27:51

Episode 54 | AI, CIO Challenges The Big Themes: Community Summit NA: Wayne talks about attending Community Summit and how the event stands out by offering user-driven insights that focus on real-world experiences with Microsoft ecosystems, rather than vendor-led marketing. The Summit provides a platform where users share practical, firsthand knowledge, allowing attendees to gain a deeper understanding of how Microsoft technologies work in real business settings. By fostering a community of real-world users, the Summit helps businesses navigate the complexities of implementing new technologies. The CIO’s evolving role amid AI demands: There's growing pressure on CIOs to adopt AI-driven strategies, reflecting a shift where AI, in particular, generative AI, is no longer just an optional tool but an expectation from executives and boards. This trend is reshaping industries differently. While sectors like finance can afford significant R&D investments in AI, others, such as retail, face tighter budgets and must be more strategic. Balancing innovation with cost control in AI Investments: They discuss the growing complexity and cost of AI investments, with Wayne urging CIOs to carefully evaluate the financial implications of adopting AI technologies. He points out that as AI tools become more integrated into business operations, their costs, including ongoing subscription fees, are likely to rise. CIOs must be strategic about which AI tools and platforms they adopt, ensuring that they do not overcommit financially. The Big Quote: “We're drowning in information, we've got to move faster, and some of the GenAI and traditional AI stuff is taking a lot . . . away from us so we can move to operate at a higher level of reasoning, of thinking, of overseeing."…

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Why Microsoft and Google Are Right to Take ChatGPT Seriously | Anschuetz on Leadership