Unlocking the Benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things is a network of physical objects – vehicles, machines, home appliances, and more – that use sensors and APIs to connect and exchange data over the Internet.

IoT platforms and architecture

• Cloud-based IoT platforms and architecture connect the real and virtual worlds. They help companies manage IoT device connectivity and security – as well as collect device data, link devices to backend systems, ensure IoT interoperability, and build and run IoT applications. 
• Harnessing the IoT data explosion - Smart devices generate a massive amount of IoT data that needs to be analyzed and leveraged in real time. This is where predictive and Big Data analytics come into play. Machine learning is also used to add context to data – and trigger actions without human intervention.
• The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) & M2M - In manufacturing, the IoT becomes the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – also known as the Industrial Internet or Industry 4.0. The IIoT uses machine to machine (M2M) technology to support everything from remote monitoring and telemetry to predictive maintenance.

Major Benefits of deploying an IoT Strategy

• New business models and revenue - Automatic product replenishment? Subscription services? Apps? The IoT is disrupting traditional business models and creating massive opportunities for companies to create new services based on real-time sensor data and information.
• Operational efficiency - One of the biggest benefits of the IoT is the efficiency it can offer. Many companies are using it to automate business and manufacturing processes, remotely monitor and control operations, optimize supply chains, and conserve resources.
• Workforce productivity - Wearables and other IoT-enabled devices are boosting workforce productivity and job satisfaction in many verticals. The technology is helping employees improve decision making, automate routine tasks, fast-track communication, and more.
• Enhanced customer experiences - From integrating customer care with actual product performance and usage to delivering highly personalized products and services, the IoT offers many ways to create more compelling customer experiences across digital and physical worlds.

Read the full blog post on www.approyo.com 

Top benefits of implementing Machine Learning right now

Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computer programs to adjust when exposed to new data, in effect, “learning” without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning is similar to data mining in which databases are examined by humans to produce new information and insight. However, machine learning provides an unbiased analysis of the data. Today, companies all over the world are implementing machine learning in every level of business. Don't wait for your competition to pass you, get a jump start at implementing machine learning for your business right now with SAP powered by Approyo.

• Faster decisions - Machine learning algorithms can prioritize and automate decision making. They can also flag opportunities and smart actions that should be taken immediately – so you can achieve the best results.
• Adaptability - Artificial intelligence doesn’t just look at historical data. It can process real-time inputs – so you can adjust on the fly. Think of cars that can automatically stop before rear-ending another vehicle.
• Algorithmic business - An “algorithmic business” uses advanced machine learning algorithms to achieve a high level of automation. Making the shift can pave the way for innovative new business models, products, and services.
• Deeper insights - Machine learning can analyze big, complex, and streaming data, and find insights – including predictive insights – that are beyond human capabilities. It can then trigger actions based on those insights.
• Efficiency - With smart, machine learning-supported business processes, you can dramatically improve efficiency. Plan and forecast accurately, automate tasks, reduce costs, and even eliminate human error.
• Better outcomes - From triggering smart actions based on new opportunities and risks, to accurately predicting the results of a decision before it is made – machine learning can help you drive better business outcomes.

Industry Benefits for implementing Machine Learning

• Manufacturing  -Manufacturers collect a huge amount of data from plant sensors and the Internet of Things – which is perfect for machine learning. Computer vision and anomaly detection algorithms are used for quality control – and others are used
• for everything from predictive maintenance and demand forecasting to powering new services. 
• Finance - Few industries are better suited for machine learning than finance – given its high data volumes and historical records. Algorithms are used for trading stocks, approving loans, detecting fraud, assessing risks, and underwriting insurance. They’re even used for “robo advising” customers and aligning portfolios to user goals. 
• Healthcare - Machine learning algorithms can process more data and spot more patterns than any team of researchers or doctors, no matter how many hours they put in. From medical image analysis and early cancer detection, to drug development and robot-assisted surgery – the machine learning possibilities in healthcare are endless. 

Read the full blog post on www.approyo.com

Innovations and Intelligence in the new SAP S/4HANA 1809

SAP S/4HANA is an intelligent ERP solution that enables companies to capture every opportunity in today’s digital world, SAP S/4HANA removes common obstacles associated with legacy ERP applications, such as batch latency, complex landscapes, and manually-driven processes. The latest release, SAP S/4HANA 1809 provides new innovations in a number of key industries.

In the area of Procurement, we’re delivering s number of Machine Learning capabilities with SAP S/4HANA 1809, for example:

• Increased invoice automation and efficient invoice monitoring for exception handling
• Reduction of free-text items by automatically proposing the creation of a new catalog item
• Proposal of material group for free-text items in purchase requisitions
• Provision of options for materials without source of supply

Quotation Conversion Rates is an innovation in Sales and Distribution which truly delivers on the promise of an intelligent ERP. As an internal sales representative or a sales manager, you can use Quotation Conversion Rates to track to what extent your quotations are being converted into sales orders before expiring. By leveraging machine learning capabilities, you can gain predictive insights into quotation conversion by comparing actual and predicted results. The Quotation Conversion Probability (also known as Order Probability) is the probability that a quotation item will be converted into a sales order item. The probability, expressed as a percentage, and net value of the quotation is used in order to calculate a total expected order value.

In Manufacturing we’re introducing Demand-driven replenishment. With the demand-driven buffer level management, you can plan and manage supply chains much more efficiently. Providing decoupling points with strategic stock positions, manufacturers can avoid the so-called “Bull-Whip-Effect”, where the variations in demand increases as you move further up the supply chain from customer to supplier.

Moreover, in inventory management, we included intelligence by leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning for decision support.

Finance as well has quite a few intelligent innovations in store for you, for example predictive accounting. When a sales order is confirmed in the system, this is not recorded in accounting until goods have been delivered and the invoice has been sent. With the predictive accounting functionality, based on the sales order, a predictive goods issue and a predictive invoice is registered.

• Group reporting – The need to deliver accurate, up-to-date financial information continuously in a company’s consolidation process is not limited to the level of an individual entity. Therefore, SAP has introduced the SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting solution which provides direct access to the underlying transactions and detail across the entire enterprise so that a company can confidently and efficiently consolidate their financial and managerial results required in their closing cycles. It enables organizations to extend this evolution towards a continuous financial close on group level. It provides unprecedented transparency by delivering a complete flow of collection, processing, analysis and publication of the information.
• Embedded analytics – Most finance professionals will agree that it is often cumbersome to get interesting information out of their ERP system. Additional capabilities have been added to support business users in getting insights more flexibly and efficiently, so they can concentrate on acting on the information, rather than investing time in number crunching.
• Tax service – Global tax regulations get more diverse, complicated and change more often than ever before. Keeping up with the pace of change, typically in multiple systems, is a challenge. SAP’s response is a central tax determination engine with rules and rates maintained by SAP or its partners. With the SAP S/4HANA 1809 release, emphasis has been placed on enabling self-service tax management, facilitating an organizations chosen approach to reduce the risks and costs of inaccurate calculations and liability from non-compliance.

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. Check out our new Whitepaper, What's new in SAP S/4HANA 1809 and get started today...

Create Business Opportunities with Machine Learning

Machine learning technology teaches computers how to perform tasks by learning from data – instead of being explicitly programmed. Machine learning uses sophisticated algorithms to “learn” from massive volumes of Big Data. The more data the algorithms can access, the more they can learn.

Benefits of Machine Learning:

• Faster decisions - Machine learning algorithms can prioritize and automate decision making. They can also flag opportunities and smart actions that should be taken immediately – so you can achieve the best results.
• Adaptability - Artificial intelligence doesn’t just look at historical data. It can process real-time inputs – so you can adjust on the fly. Think of cars that can automatically stop before rear-ending another vehicle.
• Algorithmic business - An “algorithmic business” uses advanced machine learning algorithms to achieve a high level of automation. Making the shift can pave the way for innovative new business models, products, and services.
• Deeper insights - Machine learning can analyze big, complex, and streaming data, and find insights – including predictive insights – that are beyond human capabilities. It can then trigger actions based on those insights.
• Efficiency - With smart, machine learning-supported business processes, you can dramatically improve efficiency. Plan and forecast accurately, automate tasks, reduce costs, and even eliminate human error.
• Better outcomes - From triggering smart actions based on new opportunities and risks, to accurately predicting the results of a decision before it is made – machine learning can help you drive better business outcomes

Empower Your Digital Core with Machine Learning Powered by SAP and Approyo

• SAP Predictive Maintenance and Service - Optimize the entire maintenance program with real-time insights into current and future asset conditions.
• Remittance Advice Extractor - Extract payment information from unstructured documents.
• SAP Cash Application - Next-generation intelligent invoice matching powered by machine learning.
• Predictive Analytics for Contract Consumption - Proactively renew contracts by predicting their expiration and consumption.
• Predictive Analytics for Stock in Transit - Predict shipment dates and manage stock in transit.

Read the full blog post on www.approyo.com

Approyo CEO Chris Carter featured on Game Changers Crystal Ball 2019 Predictions Part 1 with Game-Changers Radio, Presented by SAP

Approyo CEO Chris Carter was recently featured as a guest on Game Changers Crystal Ball 2019 Predictions Part 1 with Game-Changers Radio, Presented by SAP. During this episode, Chris along with many other guests talk about Big Data, Machine Learning, AI and more technology trends that will impact 2019 and beyond.

Listen on-demand: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/110891/gamechangers-crystal-ball-2019-predictions-part-1 

The buzz: “It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future” (K.K. Steincke). Good news! If your #1 business wish this holiday season is knowing what 2019 holds for your company, industry and the world, we’ve got the next best thing. Coffee Break with Game-Changers Radio is bringing you six weeks of predictions from 80 thought leaders about the technologies, strategies, and trends that can help you grow and compete in 2019 and beyond. Pour a cup of Joe, Earl, or Dom, and join us for SAP Game-Changers Radio 2019 Predictions–Part 1 live. You’ll hear from Shaun Syvertsen, Convergent IS; Brian Kalish. Kalish Consulting; Gerard Das, SAP; Christian K. Kugelmeier, VORSPRUNGatwork; Maggie Goralska, SAP; Ellen Sasson, SAP; Jim Harris, JimHarris.com; Julio Viskovich, NexLevel Sales; Christopher Carter, Approyo; Richard Mooney, SAP; Sam Smith, Stellar One Consulting; Gray Scott, GrayScott.com; Praful Karanth; SAP; David Jonker, SAP. Happy holidays from Game-Changers Radio!

2019 Technology and IT Predictions

Every year, the team at Approyo gathers a few predictions for the upcoming year. This year we decided to make two lists, one focused on the IT and business world and the other focused on consumer technology.

Top IT predictions for 2019

• Intelligent Data – Businesses are now understanding the impact of big data in the marketplace. The next step is using all that data in intelligent ways to be able to grow your business. In 2018, SAP introduced the concept of “Intelligent Enterprise”. This gives businesses the technology solutions needed to use all the data and make intelligent decisions to improve business, 
• AI and Machine Learning - Creating systems that learn, adapt and potentially act autonomously. In 2019 and beyond, these systems will work with people to create better business processes and improve the bottom line. SAP continues to innovate with SAP Leonardo. It has many features for AI and Machine Learning that can help companies today. 
• Security – As we mentioned in our first bullet point, data is one of the most important aspects of your business. Cloud and hosting partners will need to continue to adapt security measures to protect this valuable information. 

Top Consumer Technology predictions for 2019

• AI in every part of our lives – AI is impacting every part of our lives in ways we probably don’t think about. Digital assistants are becoming widespread, your email is not writing sentences for you and more companies are utilizing AI in everyday business practices. You probably are interacting with chat-bots online or on the phone and you might now even know it. 
• Faster Internet – The Internet is a part of every minute of our lives. Between phones, cameras, voice enabled home systems, computers and even refrigerators, more and more devices require an internet connection. Because of this new reality, 5g and faster Wi-Fi internet will continue to grow. 
• Digital Assistants become the norm – Since the introduction of Apple’s Suri, Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa, the digital assistant has started to be part of our daily lives. Now and in the future, more and more devices will have a digital assistant built in. Everything from speakers, to cars and even appliances will now be enables with digital assistants to help you with daily tasks. 
• Security - We mentioned this on our IT list and it is here as well. More people than ever are online and use cloud services to store pictures, passwords, data and more. This means more phishing scams and hackers. People need to be aware of their security at home and at the office. Make sure you change your passwords on your online accounts and home devices. 

Are you ready 2019?
Planning your technology budget can be difficult. Let us make your process easier with a complimentary SAP assessment!  Sign up today...

Approyo CEO Chris Carter featured on Coffee Break with Game-Changers Radio, Presented by SAP

Approyo CEO Chris Carter was recently featured as a guest on Business Analyst by Day, Data Science Hero by Night - Part 2 of Game-Changing Predictive Machine Learning, Presented by SAP. During this episode, Chris talks about Big Data, Machine Learning, AI and more. Learn more about part 1 here...

About the episode:
Big data has officially crashed into the business world, taking competition to new levels.

Can your business benefit from big data without investing in qualified data-science resources – an entire lab and pedigreed experts – to navigate and take advantage of this new business domain, which includes AI and Machine Learning?

Good news!
Packaged application software has lowered the skills barrier to mining the data. Our panel is proof that anyone can successfully use data analytics tools. Hear what they wish they’d known when they began.

Listen on-demand: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/110564/business-analyst-by-day-data-science-hero-by-night-part-2

Featured Guests
Christopher Carter
With almost three decades of extraordinary working experience in the SAP industry, Christopher Carter, CEO at Approyo, founded Approyo with the goal of making it easy for customers to embrace SAP HANA. Chris works with businesses around the globe and is known to assist them in their journey to the usage of Big Data in the forms of Hadoop (Cloudera and Hortonwork’s) and SAP HANA. His experience has earned him a national recognition by the American SAP Users Group, SAP, Hadoop World, Cloud Expo and more. Additionally, Mr. Carter was fortunate to create the first SAP cloud ever used by an SAP client in 2005, and the first Client SAP HANA Production cloud.

Jason Olson
Jason Olson is an Analytics Specialist at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He has spent the last 15 years working in every area of the Business Intelligence field accumulating end-to-end technical and functional expertise. He earned his BBA from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in 2003 and MBA from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 2011. Leveraging his business acumen and technical expertise, Jason bridges the gap between technology and the real business needs in a wide range of business functions. His real passion is having a seat at the table with business users to accomplish their goals, demonstrate the art of possible, and enabling those who know their business best to leverage advanced tools and techniques. Jason’s current focus is on Machine Learning and enabling a diverse user base to leverage.

Samantha Wong
Samantha Wong is a Product Manager for Predictive Analytics at SAP. She has been part of the SAP Analytics team for over 4 years, and in her previous role, she supported customers across the Asia Pacific Japan region to drive actionable insights out of their data. With a Bachelor of Commerce degree specialized in Marketing, and experience in Advertising, Banking, and Insurance, Samantha fits the profile of analyst turned citizen data scientist. Connect with her on LinkedIn for interesting articles and commentary on the ever evolving world of Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning.

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. Get started today... 

Approyo CEO Chris Carter featured on Game-Changing Predictive Machine Learning, Presented by SAP

Approyo CEO Chris Carter was recently featured as a guest on Game-Changing Predictive Machine Learning, Presented by SAP. During this episode, Chris talks about Big Data, Machine Learning, AI and more...

About the episode: 
Big data has officially crashed into the business world, taking competition to new levels.

Can your business benefit from big data without investing in qualified data-science resources – an entire lab and pedigreed experts – to navigate and take advantage of this new business domain, which includes AI and Machine Learning?

Good news!
Packaged application software has lowered the skills barrier to mining the data. Our panel is proof that anyone can successfully use data analytics tools. Hear what they wish they’d known when they began.

Listen on-demand: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/108752/business-analyst-by-day-data-science-hero-by-night

Featured Guests

Christopher Carter
With almost three decades of extraordinary working experience in the SAP industry, Christopher Carter, CEO at Approyo, founded Approyo with the goal of making it easy for customers to embrace SAP HANA. Chris works with businesses around the globe and is known to assist them in their journey to the usage of Big Data in the forms of Hadoop (Cloudera and Hortonwork’s) and SAP HANA. His experience has earned him a national recognition by the American SAP Users Group, SAP, Hadoop World, Cloud Expo and more. Additionally, Mr. Carter was fortunate to create the first SAP cloud ever used by an SAP client in 2005, and the first Client SAP HANA Production cloud.

Jason Olson
Jason Olson is an Analytics Specialist at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He has spent the last 15 years working in every area of the Business Intelligence field accumulating end-to-end technical and functional expertise. He earned his BBA from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in 2003 and MBA from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 2011. Leveraging his business acumen and technical expertise, Jason bridges the gap between technology and the real business needs in a wide range of business functions. His real passion is having a seat at the table with business users to accomplish their goals, demonstrate the art of possible, and enabling those who know their business best to leverage advanced tools and techniques. Jason’s current focus is on Machine Learning and enabling a diverse user base to leverage.

Samantha Wong
Samantha Wong is a Product Manager for Predictive Analytics at SAP. She has been part of the SAP Analytics team for over 4 years, and in her previous role, she supported customers across the Asia Pacific Japan region to drive actionable insights out of their data. With a Bachelor of Commerce degree specialized in Marketing, and experience in Advertising, Banking, and Insurance, Samantha fits the profile of analyst turned citizen data scientist. Connect with her on LinkedIn for interesting articles and commentary on the ever evolving world of Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning.

Start your path to the Intelligent Enterprise with Approyo
Approyo provides full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in consulting, solutions architecture, hosting and managed services, in order to develop the right solution for our customers. Get started today... 

Where Machine Learning Can Make a Difference for your Business

Machine learning uses sophisticated algorithms to “learn” from massive volumes of Big Data. The more data the algorithms can access, the more they can learn. Real-world machine learning examples are everywhere. Think of personalized product recommendations on Amazon, facial recognition on Facebook, or fastest route suggestions in Google Maps.

Major Benefits of Machine Learning impacting companies today

• Faster decisions - Machine learning algorithms can prioritize and automate decision making. They can also flag opportunities and smart actions that should be taken immediately – so you can achieve the best results.
• Adaptability - Artificial intelligence doesn’t just look at historical data. It can process real-time inputs – so you can adjust on the fly. Think of cars that can automatically stop before rear-ending another vehicle.
• Algorithmic business - An “algorithmic business” uses advanced machine learning algorithms to achieve a high level of automation. Making the shift can pave the way for innovative new business models, products, and services.
• Deeper insights - Machine learning can analyze big, complex, and streaming data, and find insights – including predictive insights – that are beyond human capabilities. It can then trigger actions based on those insights.
• Efficiency - With smart, machine learning-supported business processes, you can dramatically improve efficiency. Plan and forecast accurately, automate tasks, reduce costs, and even eliminate human error.
• Better outcomes - From triggering smart actions based on new opportunities and risks, to accurately predicting the results of a decision before it is made – machine learning can help you drive better business outcomes.

Deploy intelligent applications with embedded state-of-the-art technologies that amplify human qualities.

FINANCE – streamline and improve accuracy of time-intensive, repetitive activities such as assigning incoming payments to open invoices

HUMAN RESORCES (HR) – create efficient hiring processes, enable job matching, and foster an active personalized culture of learning

CUSTOMER SERVICE – gain new insights into customer behavior and improve the customer experience through personalization while eliminating manual processes

MARKETING – address more customers efficiently and personally with the same resources in the same time, and boost revenue, margins, and marketing ROI

PROCUREMENT – use machine learning to enrich your catalog

Machine Learning and SAP Leonardo

Traditionally, organizations have been able to analyze only structured data that resides in databases or business systems, such as enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software. Because most enterprise data – including images, videos, audio, e-mails, documents, and natural language text – is unstructured, it can be difficult to mine meaningful insights from the vast majority of your data. Fortunately, recent advances in machine learning technologies are making it easier to tap these unstructured data resources.

SAP Leonardo provides advanced machine learning technology that helps applications recognize patterns and correlations in data. The foundation offers instantly consumable services that help you learn from data, extract knowledge, and gain new insights. Without massive computing power or the efforts of data scientists, the foundation helps you add intelligence to your enterprise applications.

Read the full blog post on www.approyo.com 

The untapped potential of machine learning

Many of today’s business processes are governed by rigid, software based rules. This rules-based approach is limited in its ability to tackle complex processes. Further, these processes often require employees to spend time on boring, highly repetitive work, such as checking invoices and travel expenses for accuracy or going through hundreds or thousands of résumés to fill a position. If we change the rules and let selflearning algorithms loose on the data, machine learning could reveal valuable new patterns and solutions that we never knew existed. Meanwhile, employees could be reassigned to more engaging and strategic tasks.

Intelligent infrastructure.
Our economy depends on infrastructure, including energy, logistics, and IT, as well as on services that support society, such as education and healthcare. But we seem to have reached an efficiency plateau in these areas. Machine learning has the potential to discover new signals in the data that could allow for continuous improvement of complex and fast-changing systems. That gives humans more time to apply their creativity (something that machines may never learn to duplicate) to new discoveries and innovation.

Digital assistants and bots.
Recent advances in machinelearning technology suggest a future in which robots, machines, and devices running on self-learning algorithms will operate much more independently than they do now. They may come to their own conclusions within certain parameters, adapt their behavior to different situations, and interact with humans much more closely.

Our devices – already able to react to our voices – will become more interactive, continuously learning assistants to help us with our daily business routines, such as scheduling meetings, translating documents, or analyzing text and data.

SAP S/4HANA and SAP Leonardo - The Modern Enterprise

SAP S/4HANA is the digital core – the nerve center – of your entire business. It connects all of your processes, provides you with live information and insights, and seamlessly integrates your enterprise with the digital world at large.

Integrated with intelligent services by SAP Leonardo, your business processes are enhanced to deliver new smart solutions. You can go beyond traditional transactions and drive digitized, automated operations based on a single source of information from planning, execution, prediction, simulation to analysis all in real-time.

More than ever, your teams are empowered to make strategic decisions  in the moment, based on deep, forward-looking business insights.

Many more intelligent applications and services will be available with the future releases of SAP S/4HANA. In addition, customers can also call up SAP Leonardo Machine Learning APIs on SAP Cloud Platform to build their own Machine Learning use cases and processes.

All the technological ingredients are now available for businesses to reimagine the way they work, and provide outstanding services to their customers.

Read the full blog post