SAP Korea has selected 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with growth potential to support their digital transformation. The program offers assistance from diagnostics and consulting to the implementation and stabilization of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It aims to reduce the initial cost burden for companies through special SAP licensing and growth diagnostic packages.
On October 20, SAP Korea held a press conference at the IFC The Forum in Yeouido, Seoul, to unveil the 'SAP Next 100' program. The initiative collaborates with four partners in finance, consulting, and implementation, including Hana Bank, PwC Korea, Bluebird, and ASPN, to support the digital transformation and growth of domestic SMEs.
Gang Ji-hoon, head of the SME customer division at SAP Korea, explained, "We created this program with the belief that our next growth is tied to the growth of our customers, particularly SMEs."
The SAP Next 100 program supports the entire process of digital transformation, from growth diagnostics to system design, implementation, and stabilization. It targets SMEs that wish to adopt SAP's public cloud ERP, with a total of 100 companies to be selected.
Gang noted, "In the past, we focused on nurturing the ecosystem by training consultants and expanding companies' implementation capabilities. This time, we aimed to identify companies with growth potential early on when planning the program."
The program also emphasizes reducing the initial cost burden for selected companies. They will receive a growth diagnostic package valued at 25 million won, which includes readiness assessments for artificial intelligence (AI) utilization. Special pricing for SAP licenses and other support benefits will also be provided. Gang explained that the program aims to support implementation at cost levels, considering the financial burden on companies.
Selected companies will undergo four phases over eight months: Discover (1 month), Design (1 month), Build (4 months), and Grow (2 months). In the first phase, the current growth status and readiness for digital transformation will be assessed, followed by the design and implementation of business systems. The final phase will support system stabilization and utilization, helping companies address management and system expansion challenges during their growth process.
During the press conference, representatives from partner companies also introduced their support plans. Park Tae-jun, head of Hana Bank, Choi Jae-moon, executive director at PwC Korea, Cheon Seok-beom, head of Bluebird, and Lee Seong-hoon, executive director at ASPN, attended to explain the collaboration background and corporate support plans.
Hana Bank will provide pre-integration of its firm banking services with SAP's public cloud ERP to reduce the time and cost burdens that arise when linking financial systems after ERP implementation. Park Tae-jun stated, "Our goal was to address the challenges faced by corporate clients during the ERP adoption process."
PwC Korea will offer free business diagnostics and a digital readiness assessment platform based on its 'Grow Fast' implementation methodology and predefined templates. Choi Jae-moon remarked, "We aim to expand our capabilities, built around large enterprises, to SMEs, creating a virtuous cycle where these companies return to PwC after they grow into large enterprises."
ASPN will support package-based implementations tailored to the size of growing companies and assist in the utilization of AI following ERP adoption. Bluebird will provide consulting for SAP cloud transitions, system implementation and operation, cash management, firm banking integration solutions, and AI agent platforms.
The first recruitment for SAP Next 100 will run until October 31. Gang stated, "Due to higher-than-expected participation, we plan to continuously recruit participating companies, with the second round starting in November."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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