If there is one word that describes the Silicon Valley, it would be innovation. The Silicon Valley continues to grow as a global innovation leader, but is SAP being recognized as a vital player in that innovation growth?
I recently asked three people, from various professional backgrounds, if they knew what SAP was, and which product or solution SAP is known for. Common responses I received were, a “largetechnologycompanythatprovidesenterprisesoftware”, “…theyanalyzebigdata”, and my personal favorite, “doesn’tSAPputonconcertsattheSAPCenter?”
While SAP is known for helping the world run simple, not too many understand how we are helping improve lives through disruptive innovation. On August 15, 2016, SAP’sChiefDesignOfficer Sam Yen held a Town Hall meeting at SAP Palo Alto, emphasizing the “needtohaveafocusoninnovation” andmakingSAPnotonlyknownforadjectiveslike scalable and robust, but also for adjectives like inspiring and impactful. In a region where innovation never sleeps, SAP must remain a relevant leader, pioneering new innovations in a variety of industries. With that said, Sam introduced a packed room to Juergen Mueller, SAP’sfirstChiefInnovationOfficer (CINO). Juergen’smissionis to create future growth for SAP, through the Innovation Center Network (ICN), by pioneering new markets and disruptive technologies such as machine learning and blockchain. In recent years, the ICN team showed great success in identifying, nurturing and growing new markets for SAP, in fields like Personalized Medicine.
The board saw the ICN’scontinueddedicationtopushboundariesandbuildnewbusinessesforSAP, andwiththat,emergedapositionforJuergentoexcel. Inthisnewrole, Juergen can build bridges not only within the SAP ecosystem, but externally with partners and new businesses. The ICN’s plan is to focus on the new growth areas where SAP can become a leader, to innovateinnewtopicslikeBlockchain, and continueto excel in theMachineLearning industry. SAP Silicon Valley recently spoke with Juergen about his new position and some of the projects he is spearheading in the Silicon Valley; you can watch that video below.
All eyes are on the ICN as they drive to bring new, exciting, and relevant innovations to the world, and we can’twaittoseewhat’sinstore. WiththedirectionofnewlyappointedCINO, wecanbesureSAPismovingintherightdirection. Congratulations,Juergen, on your new role at SAP–we look forward to championing the SAP innovation story with you.
To learn more about Juergen Mueller and the Innovation Center Network, check out their website.