SAP’s Cloud Strategy: The many layers of the onion

[richard_hirsch]

The diificultyof SAP to succinctly express its cloud strategy has been depicted by influencers, customers and now recently SAP itself.   I’ve also emphasized that SAP's cloud-related messaging must be improved.

After reading and hearing enough complaints on the subject, I decided I wanted to take a different approach.

I wanted to figure how why it is so hard to effectively communicate this cloud strategy. 

I whipped a few slides together and then created a video of me talking about the slides. It was a one-take wonder – so I’m sorry about all the pauses and “umms” as I’m collecting my thoughts.

A quick summary:

• Quick chronology of SAP’s cloud efforts
• The variety of solutions and its impact of cloud marketing
• The impact of the reduction of complexity
• The need to cover all layers
• Satisfying all constituents
• Organizational factors: The three gangs

Note: My intention here isn’t to criticize SAP’s cloud marketing but rather - by exchanging chairs at the proverbial table -  to better understand how their environment (historical, organizational, etc) influences their efforts.