Eursap's Ask-the-SAP-Expert – Waldemar Foltynowicz

Eursap's Ask-the-SAP-Expert – Waldemar Foltynowicz.

This month, we feature Waldemar Foltynowicz. Waldemar is based in Poznań in Poland and has built up a real following in the SAP world, through his insightful social media posts, as well as the excellent biweekly SAP Club Newsletter. With over 17 years of experience in software implementation, Waldemar has experience in almost all areas of SAP, as well as in technical leadership roles. He is also at the forefront of the latest SAP technologies.

Thanks for joining us, Waldemar! For readers who are not aware of you, can you give us a short background?

Thank you for having me! My SAP journey began not with a grand plan, but with curiosity. I started in product configuration, working with bills of materials and material master data. Over time, I found myself drawn deeper into the SAP world—first as a key user, then as a project leader, and eventually as an SAP IT Project Manager.

I’ve led global rollouts, managed teams, and implemented solutions across SAP PP, MM, SD, FI, and PLM. What’s kept me going all these years is the constant evolution of SAP—and the satisfaction of solving real business problems with technology.

You’ve worked across various SAP technologies—what part of the SAP ecosystem do you find most exciting right now?

The most exciting part? It’s the convergence. We’re witnessing a shift where SAP is no longer just about running processes—it’s about reimagining them. And that’s happening through platforms like SAP BTP, LeanIX, and Signavio.

SAP BTP is becoming the innovation layer. It’s where ideas turn into apps, where integration meets intelligence. But what really excites me is how LeanIX and Signavio are changing the game. LeanIX gives you visibility—real architectural clarity. It’s like turning on the lights in a room full of legacy systems. You suddenly see what’s connected, what’s redundant, what’s ready for transformation.

Then there’s Signavio—the storyteller of your processes. It doesn’t just map workflows; it reveals friction, inefficiencies, opportunities. It’s like having a mirror that shows not just what your business does, but how well it does it—and where it could do better.

Together, these tools form a kind of digital nervous system. They let you sense, respond, and evolve. And that’s what makes this moment in SAP so thrilling. We’re not just building systems—we’re building agility.

What trends do you think SAP professionals absolutely need to pay attention to over the next 1–2 years?

I’d say we’re standing at a crossroads. On one side, there’s the technical shift—S/4HANA migrations, cloud adoption, and AI integration. On the other, there’s a cultural shift—toward agility, user-centric design, and cross-functional collaboration.

One trend I’m watching closely is the rise of composable ERP. It’s changing how we think about enterprise systems—not as monoliths, but as flexible, modular platforms. That mindset shift is going to be just as important as any new tool or technology.

With all the buzz around AI, RISE with SAP, and BTP—what would you say is real and valuable, and what’s just noise?

A few years ago, I was leading a project where the client was overwhelmed by buzzwords. Every vendor pitch included AI, cloud, and digital transformation—but when we asked for specifics, things got vague fast.

That experience taught me to look beyond the hype and ask: What problem are we solving? Because when you start there, the value becomes clearer.

AI, for example, is real—but only when it’s embedded into workflows. I’ve seen AI-powered invoice classification reduce manual effort by 40%. That’s not hype—that’s impact.

BTP is another one. It’s not just a platform; it’s a mindset shift. I’ve used it to build lightweight extensions that would’ve taken months in the old world. It’s the foundation for agility in SAP.

RISE with SAP? It’s a powerful framework, but it’s not a silver bullet. It works best when it’s part of a broader transformation strategy—not just a lift-and-shift to the cloud.

So what’s noise? Anything that promises transformation without effort. Real change takes work. But with the right tools—and the right mindset—it’s absolutely possible.

Are there any common misunderstandings you often see in the SAP community that you wish you could correct?

One big one is that SAP is only for large enterprises or that it’s too rigid to innovate. I’ve seen small teams do incredible things with SAP when they’re empowered and supported.

Another is the idea that you have to choose between being technical or functional. In my experience, the best consultants are those who can bridge both worlds—who can debug an issue and explain it in business terms.

Let’s talk about the SAP Club Newsletter. It has become a go-to source for professionals—what inspired you to start writing it?

It started as a personal habit. I was already collecting links, articles, and updates to stay informed. One day, I thought—why not share this with others?

The first edition was simple, but the response was overwhelming. People appreciated the curation, the clarity, and the consistency. That’s when I realized: this could be more than a side project. It could be a service to the community.

What’s your process for curating content each week? How do you stay on top of so many SAP developments?

It’s a mix of structure and serendipity. I have a set of sources I check regularly—SAP blogs, GitHub, LinkedIn, newsletters. But some of the best finds come from conversations, comments, or even a random post that sparks a deeper dive.

I keep a running list of interesting topics, and every week I ask myself: “What would I want to read if I only had 10 minutes to catch up on SAP?”

What’s been the most surprising feedback you’ve received from a reader of your newsletter?

One reader told me they used a tip from the newsletter to solve a production issue—and their manager gave them a shout-out in front of the whole team. That made my day. It reminded me that even small insights can have a big impact.

Do you have a favourite edition or issue that really resonated with your audience—or with you personally?

Yes—there was one edition where I broke down SAP’s AI strategy in plain language. It wasn’t just a summary—it was a conversation starter. People replied with questions, shared their own experiences, and even challenged some of my views. That kind of engagement is what makes it all worthwhile.

How do you balance technical depth with accessibility when writing for a wide SAP audience?

I imagine I’m writing to a smart colleague who’s just not in that specific niche. I try to explain things the way I’d want them explained to me—clear, concise, and with enough context to connect the dots.

It’s a bit like translating between two worlds—technical and business. And I enjoy being that bridge.

If someone wanted to start their own SAP content series, what advice would you give them?

Start with your own curiosity. What are you learning? What’s confusing you? What’s exciting you? That’s your content.

Don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Share your journey. Be consistent. And most importantly, listen to your audience. They’ll tell you what’s working—and what’s not.

Tell us a bit about how you got into SAP—what drew you to the field, and how did your journey begin?

Early in my career, I was on a mission to find my niche. I knew I wanted to work at the intersection of technology and business, but I wasn’t sure where exactly I fit. What I did know was that I loved solving complex problems—especially those rooted in real-world operations, like manufacturing.

So I started by learning the business side first. I worked in roles that gave me hands-on experience with product data, configuration, and cost estimation. I wanted to understand how things really worked on the shop floor and in the back office before diving into systems.

That foundation turned out to be invaluable. When I was introduced to PLM and later SAP, it all clicked. Here was a platform that could bring structure to complexity, that could connect engineering, procurement, production, and finance in one ecosystem. I was hooked.

From there, I dove deeper—first as a key user, then as a project lead, and eventually as an SAP IT Project Manager. What drew me in wasn’t just the technology—it was the opportunity to make a real impact by improving how companies operate.

Looking back, were there any pivotal moments or mentors that really shaped your SAP career? This is your chance to give them a shout-out!

There are two moments that really stand out in shaping my SAP journey.

The first was during my time at Solaris, where I had a manager who gave me the freedom to lead cross-functional projects. That trust was a turning point. It taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating space for others to contribute, experiment, and grow. It was the first time I felt truly empowered to drive change, and it gave me the confidence to take on more strategic roles.

The second came at HOMAG, where I worked under a boss who introduced me to the world of enterprise architecture. Until then, I had been focused on process optimization and project delivery. But he showed me how architecture shapes everything—from system landscapes to business agility. He also introduced me to LeanIX, and helped me see it not just as a tool, but as a strategic asset. It was like putting on a new pair of glasses—I could suddenly see the connections, dependencies, and opportunities across the entire organization.

Both experiences helped me evolve—from a hands-on consultant to someone who can think in terms of long-term transformation. And I’m deeply grateful to those mentors for seeing potential in me and helping me unlock it.

You’ve been both a hands-on consultant and a content creator—how do those worlds complement each other?

They feed each other. Consulting gives me real-world stories. Content creation helps me reflect on those stories and share the lessons. It’s like sharpening a blade—each side makes the other stronger.

What’s a skill or mindset that helped you succeed in SAP, but that people don’t talk about enough?

Empathy. Whether you’re designing a process or debugging an issue, understanding the user’s perspective is key. It’s not just about what the system can do—it’s about what people need it to do.

A bit of fun now: If SAP had trading cards like Pokémon, what would be your “special ability” on yours?

“System Whisperer” – the uncanny ability to walk into any SAP landscape, listen to the silent signals of broken processes, outdated custom code, and forgotten workflows—and instantly know what needs to be fixed, optimized, or reimagined. One scan, one insight, one transformation.

And finally, the question we always like to ask our experts: if you could give any advice to SAP consultants starting out in the industry now, what would it be?

Be curious. Be humble. And don’t be afraid to ask “why.” The best consultants aren’t the ones who know everything—they’re the ones who keep learning, keep listening, and keep connecting the dots.