Cloud ERP and AI are transforming professional services by tackling lean teams, complex billing, and forecasting pressures. Could these tools be your business's next competitive edge? ===== Professional services firms face intense pressures like razor-thin benches, skyrocketing forecasting demands, and shifts from time-and-materials to outcome-based pricing with AI agents and software assets. IBM's Mark Hammack debunks cloud ERP myths around customization loss or security risks, explaining how SaaS slashes hardware costs, enables real-time insights through integrated project systems, and frees cash for growth. AI delivers in use cases like automating billing and RFP responses, accelerating month-end closes, and enhancing customer support, often driven bottom-up by creative teams. Ethical AI orchestration powers tools like "Ask HR" for faster resolutions, paving the way for agile, modular cloud ERP with natural language tools like Joule and Copilot for predictive analysis. Want to learn more? Come join us and explore how these innovations can propel your operations forward. Download Episode Transcript Useful Links: SAP Cloud ERP www.ibm.com Follow Us on Social Media! SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn ===== Guest: Mark J. Hammack, Delivery Partner at IBM Consulting Mark J. Hammack is a Financial & Supply Chain Transformation Partner at IBM, specializing in driving business transformation and optimizing supply chain performance. They bring extensive experience in enhancing financial operations and delivering strategic business solutions.Within IBM's consulting environment, Mark progressed from Senior Managing Consultant to Associate Partner, demonstrating leadership competencies and a focus on delivering value to clients. Their tenure at IBM reflects a commitment to providing advisory services and implementing effective business strategies.Prior to IBM, Mark led order management initiatives and drove eCommerce strategies as the Order Management and eCommerce Track Lead at International Paper. Their work history also includes a role as Senior Manager at Grant Thornton, where they applied knowledge of accounting principles and financial management practices. Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and X ===== Key Topics: cloud ERP, professional services, AI use cases, billing automation, resource planning, revenue recognition, ERP myths, ethical AI, Watson orchestration, predictive analysis
