Breakout Session 3
Track 1 Roundtables
Contracts: The Under-Tapped Innovation Lever for A&D Firms
Contracts are often considered static documents to be forgotten once awarded, but the ability to harness and react to real-time contract data can turn them into strategic assets that deliver value and drive innovation for A&D firms. Join your peers for an insightful discussion on how contract intelligence can be leveraged as a strategic enabler for growth.
You will uncover actionable takeaways to drive efficiency, ensure compliance and unlock new levels of operational excellence with the power of your contracts.
Host:
- Patrick Hughes, Senior Director, Industry Advisory, Public Sector, Icertis
Sponsored by Icertis
Location: Gaslamp 1
How A&D Has Leveraged smartShift to Prepare Their Custom Code for Modernization and Future Agility
Custom code modernization is an iterative journey that should be managed before, during, and after significant programs like SAP S/4HANA and RISE with SAP. Learn how upfront analysis and proactive technical remediation have led to accelerated timelines, more secure systems, and reduced complexity for future efforts from one of the leading A&D companies with some of the most heavily customized environments.
Host:
- Matt Roon, Strategic Account Executive, smartShift
Sponsored by smartShift
Location: Gaslamp 2
Greater Mission Capability by Elevating the Value of SAP
OpenText understands that information management – having accurate, timely information at your fingertips when needed – must be part of every A&D organization’s decision-making strategy. Learn how OpenText powers SAP systems in procurement, supply chain, finance, human resources, and customer experience.
OpenText can assist SAP customers with enhancements to SAP S/4HANA and SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Information Capture by OpenText, SAP Digital Asset Management Cloud by OpenText, and lower-cost archiving solutions. OpenText is a digital magnet that pulls unstructured content like invoices, images, and videos from various locations, such as SharePoint and Teams, into the SAP record system.
Learn how OpenText and SAP have partnered across the global defense and intelligence sector to eliminate silos and make information management a strategic asset.
Hosts:
- Adam Terrill, Director of DOD, IC, and Aerospace, OpenText
- Keith Nelson, Senior Industry Strategist, Public Sector, OpenText
Sponsored by OpenText
Location: Gaslamp 3
From Factory to Foxhole: Synergizing the Defense Industrial Base
Please join our roundtable discussion with co-hosts from Northrop Grumman Corporation and A&D industry experts from SAP. The roundtable will explore how common ecosystems across key application pillars can enable greater collaboration and synergies throughout the Defense Industrial Base.
The discussion will focus on how commonality across technology pillars and data can enable the entire product lifecycle. This includes exploring ways A&D manufacturers and organic DoD depots and arsenals may work more seamlessly together. This intent is to support the full lifecycle of defense systems more comprehensively—from manufacturing and sustainment to repair, overhaul, and remanufacturing.
The goal is to realize the value of digital twins that span from the factory to the field, enabling faster deployment of defense systems and more efficient and responsive support for fielded systems.
Hosts:
- Jim Calas, Director, Manufacturing Engineering, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
- John Mikos, Principal Value Advisor, SAP
- David Blatner, Experience Management Engineering, Aerospace and Defense, Industry Executive Advisory, SAP
Location: Gaslamp 5
Sponsored by SAP
Track 2 Roundtables
How A&D Companies Can Support Their Low-to-High-Side Initiatives Supported by SAP NS2
Today, companies have mixed landscapes driven by varied customer needs and missions, and these unique program requirements can cause challenges when adopting cloud solutions. Without the right cloud service provider, companies may be burdened with building unique infrastructure for every business unit or program considering the cloud. How can you innovate quickly while ensuring your business programs have access to the latest and greatest?
During this roundtable, you’ll learn about the “build once, deploy twice” strategy at SAP National Security Services (SAP NS2). With a duplication strategy built into our delivery model, you can maximize your investments and support your high-side programs. Environment-specific configurations allow your highly regulated subsidiaries to adopt the same innovation as your low-side programs without compromising security. Never rebuild from scratch, save costs with automation techniques, and take your business to the next level with SAP NS2.
Host:
- Rich Zaremba, Chief Customer Officer, SAP NS2
Sponsored by SAP NS2
Location: Gaslamp 4
A&D Business Model Reinvention and Archetype-Oriented Solutions
Learn how shifts in the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) market often drive the need to adapt business models and build SAP solutions aligned to archetypes.
The A&D market is undergoing significant shifts due to evolving geopolitical landscapes, technological advancements, and changing customer demands. These dynamics are compelling companies to adapt their business models to remain competitive and agile. To help address these challenges, PwC increasingly emphasizes developing SAP solutions aligned with specific business archetypes, which can reduce SAP design complexity, facilitate effective operations, and assist in strategic decision-making. We will discuss how A&D companies can enhance and standardize their capabilities across the enterprise in a way that supports supply chain management, compliance, and innovation, thereby helping to drive sustainable growth and SAP solution resilience.
Host:
- Gregg Pilotte, Principal and Partner, PwC
Sponsored by PwC
Location: Balboa 1
Accelerating ERP Modernization with Automated Testing: Achieving Speed Without Compromising Quality
Organizations are transforming their ERP landscapes to drive innovation, streamline operations, and deliver exceptional constituent and user experiences. However, successful modernization projects require agility and must be able to meet demands like going live in days (not weeks), all while maintaining system integrity and reliability.
But how can agencies strike the right balance between rapid transformation and minimizing risks? The key lies in leveraging innovative solutions and proven processes that enable fast, secure, and scalable modernization, like automated software testing.
Join us for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion where industry leaders will share how to:
- Accelerate ERP modernization initiatives without sacrificing quality
- Manage system risks while introducing rapid changes to your landscape
- Implement best practices to achieve agility, stability, and long-term success
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with peers driving the future of ERP modernization.
Host:
- Ryan Williams, Director Strategic SAP Sales, Tricentis
Sponsored by Tricentis
Location: Balboa 2
Revolutionize Your Aerospace MRO with Digital Transformation
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) processes are subject to stringent regulatory requirements, complex workflows, and ever-evolving compliance standards in the aerospace and defense industry. Legacy systems and manual processes often create inefficiencies, increasing operational risk and costs.
Join our expert roundtable as we explore how digital transformation, powered by SAP solutions, revolutionizes MRO operations. This interactive discussion will showcase real-world strategies to enhance visibility, optimize resource allocation, and ensure compliance—all while improving turnaround times and operational efficiency. Discover how industry leaders leverage advanced analytics, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and next-gen automation to streamline MRO processes in a highly regulated environment. We'll dive into the cutting-edge trends and technologies reshaping MRO, focusing on the unique challenges facing the aerospace and defense sectors.
Whether you're navigating FAA, EASA, DoD, or other compliance frameworks, this interactive roundtable will provide actionable insights to help you modernize your MRO operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC). Join us to explore digital transformation strategies that can revolutionize your MRO processes.
Host:
- Asim Shafi, VP SAP Aerospace, Oil & Gas, Energy, Tech Mahindra
Sponsored by Tech Mahindra
Location: Balboa 3
Driving Innovation in Aerospace and Defense Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Effective procurement and supply chain management are critical in the aerospace and defense industry. This roundtable will bring together industry leaders to discuss best practices, innovative strategies, and emerging trends. Attendees will share challenges and exchange real-world insights on supplier collaboration, risk management, compliance, and technology adoption.
Additionally, SAP will provide an update on advancements in meeting security and regulatory requirements delivered by SAP NS2. This will spotlight industry-driven spend management solutions and enhanced data security protocols. Participants will gain valuable insights, share perspectives, and explore ways to drive procurement and supply chain management innovation within the aerospace and defense sector.
Hosts:
- Jason Leet, Vice President, Regulated Industries (SAP Intelligent Spend Management), SAP
- Megan Herrschaft, Senior Account Executive, SAP Ariba
Sponsored by SAP
Location: Balboa 4