Keep your core. Sharpen your edge.
How to be fit-to-standard and fit-to-customer at the same time.
Every enterprise transformation hits the same wall sooner or later: the moment standardization and differentiation feel like opposites.
Fit-to-standard keeps your core clean, scalable, and cost-efficient. But your industry doesn’t compete on clean cores – it competes on speed, precision, and capabilities your standard platform alone cannot deliver. The question isn’t which one to choose. The question is how to run both at once.
September 24, 2026 | 9am (CDT) | Online Event
How LEAP 2026 improves your SAP strategy.
The business case for keeping a clean SAP core has never been stronger. Lower TCO, faster upgrades, better compliance – the advantages are well-documented. What’s changed is what’s now possible *on top* of that core.
AI-driven development has fundamentally shifted the economics of enterprise software. Building, adapting, and scaling targeted capabilities now costs a fraction of what it did three years ago. The combination of clean-core discipline and purpose-built industry extensions is no longer a compromise – it’s a competitive strategy.
AI-driven development has fundamentally shifted the economics of enterprise software. Building, adapting, and scaling targeted capabilities now costs a fraction of what it did three years ago. The combination of clean-core discipline and purpose-built industry extensions is no longer a compromise – it’s a competitive strategy.
At the same time, enterprise IT architectures are moving away from monolithic, one-size-fits-all setups. Modular, composable structures are replacing them – designed not just for integration, but for continuous innovation. Organizations that understand this architecture shift are gaining the flexibility to respond to market demands faster without sacrificing stability or governance.
LEAP 2026 brings these two forces together: the enduring strength of fit-to-standard SAP implementations and the sharpening power of fit-to-industry extensions. From prebuilt SAP add-on solutions to AI-enabled process orchestration, you’ll see how leading organizations are doing both – without one undermining the other.
LEAP 2026 brings these two forces together: the enduring strength of fit-to-standard SAP implementations and the sharpening power of fit-to-industry extensions. From prebuilt SAP add-on solutions to AI-enabled process orchestration, you’ll see how leading organizations are doing both – without one undermining the other.
Register.
What to expect.
LEAP is Westernacher Consulting’s annual flagship event for enterprise transformation leaders. Each year, we bring together business executives, IT decision-makers, and SAP experts to explore what’s actually working – not in theory, but in live deployments and concrete customer scenarios.
LEAP 2026 will cover:
The fit-to-standard foundation – Why a clean core remains the right starting point, and how to implement it without locking yourself out of future innovation.
Fit-to-industry extensions – How prebuilt, SAP-native add-on solutions create targeted competitive advantage in supply chain execution, transportation, yard logistics, and planning – without compromising the core.
AI as the accelerant – How dramatically lower application development costs are changing what enterprises can build, how fast, and for how much. What this means for your transformation roadmap.
Architecture for growth – How modular, composable enterprise architectures support innovation, partner integration, and long-term scalability – and what Westernacher’s real-world implementations look like.
Why LEAP.
Westernacher Consulting has been implementing SAP for more than 55 years, across more than 30 countries, with over 1,300 consultants. LEAP is where we share what we’ve learned from the complexity of global rollouts, from the frontlines of AI adoption, and from organizations that have found a way to stay standard and stay competitive at the same time.
This is not a product showcase. It’s a practitioner’s summit.
The sessions.
Prompting a new reality: The world of new images.
How does artificial intelligence influence our perception of photography today? How did the need to invent a photographic process arise in the first place? What actually is photography and what is the essential difference to AI-generated images that constitutes this irreversible, epochal change?
These questions need to be clarified if we want to understand the world of new images and deal and communicate with it constructively.
Bernd Arnold | German documentary photographer
Empowering Business Transformation through AI.
In a world where change waits for no one, mastering AI-driven transformation initiatives is key – not only to bridge the gap but also to stay one step ahead.
As a complex and cross-functional discipline, Business Transformation Management (BTM) must adapt to harness AI’s full potential. Learn how to identify genuine AI opportunities, incorporate intelligence into your transformation roadmap, and establish a governance model that ensures innovation remains both safe and compliant.
Brian Halkjær | General Manager Westernacher Consulting Denmark
Dilara Tagge | Business Process Consultant, SAP Signavio at Westernacher Consulting
Dilara Tagge | Business Process Consultant, SAP Signavio at Westernacher Consulting
Smart Warehousing: Accelerate efficiency with AI and mobile solutions.
Customer expectations evolve by the minute. So, you need to ensure flawless fulfillment around the clock. Change the game, and here’s how: by automating manual tasks, enabling real-time decision-making and empowering seamless mobility. AI, machine learning, and mobile technologies are transforming warehouse operations. Explore practical use cases.
Amit Paranjpe | Warehouse & Logistics Consultant at Westernacher Consulting UK&I
From Vision to Execution: Implementing SAP Joule as part of your Business Transformation Journey.
In an AI-powered enterprise, SAP Joule is not just a digital assistant—it’s a strategic enabler of enterprise-wide transformation. This session outlines how to embed Joule into your SAP landscape to drive innovation, support strategic initiatives, and deliver real-time insights across finance, supply chain, and HR. We’ll explore implementation prerequisites, change management imperatives, and how to align Joule with your broader transformation agenda to unlock measurable business value.
Florian Wilhelm | Enterprise Architect, Westernacher Consulting
Trustworthy AI – Compliance meets Innovation.
AI is transforming how we research, work, and innovate – but to truly harness its power, we must entrust it with vast amounts of data, including sensitive information often stored in the cloud. With growing regulations and compliance requirements, this can feel like navigating a minefield. In this talk, we’ll explore how to unlock AI’s potential while staying firmly on the right side of the rules and protecting your intellectual property at the same time. Join us to discover practical strategies for building powerful, compliant AI solutions that you -and your stakeholders- can trust.
Heiko Pfeffer-Orth | CEO Westernacher Solution
Leap your IBP S&OP process through Supply Chain Orchestration.
An orchestrated supply chain turns complexity into clarity and risk into opportunity. Find out how end-to-end process empowerment can transform your supply chains into a driving force for growth. SAP Signavio’s Process AI and demos to uncover hidden inefficiencies will be introduced. Watch SAP IBP in action with concrete planning scenarios that speed up decision-making.
Vittorio Cotroni | Supply Chain Planning Specialist, Westernacher Consulting Switzerland
Phillip Wüst | SAP Signavio Process Excellence, Westernacher Consulting Germany
Phillip Wüst | SAP Signavio Process Excellence, Westernacher Consulting Germany
The recordings.
The experts.
Nayan
Baseshankar
Baseshankar
Nayan is an Enterprise Technical Architect with over 12 years of experience in designing and delivering solutions centered around S/4HANA, BTP, and open-source technologies.
He has previously worked as a Product Developer at SAP headquarters, a Technical Consultant for a Big Four firm, and a Technical Analyst for a US Fortune 50 enterprise and a global conglomerate.
Nayan’s expertise includes S/4HANA public and private cloud implementations using RISE and Grow, embedded analytics, extensions, integrations, enterprise mobility, IoT, UI/UX, digital experience, and IAM.
Global Lead – Enterprise Technologies,
Westernacher Consulting
Westernacher Consulting
Martin
Espenschied
Espenschied
Martin is a customer focused SAP professional with over 14 years of experience in building and leading teams to deliver high quality 24/7 Application Management Services (AMS) and support. He aims to understand the customer’s business in order to deliver the best fit and he is not afraid to give his honest opinion. Martin believes that AMS is a long term business, and strives to create partnerships based on mutual trust and reliability. He is able to communicate effectively with people from the shop floor to C level. He likes to liaise between the business and IT perspective. Martin’s functional SAP focus is production and logistics and he is certified in SAP PP and EWM.
Global Practice Lead AMS,
Westernacher Consulting
Westernacher Consulting
Alexander
Hero
Hero
Alexander is a consultant for SAP Supply Chain Management with a focus on Industry 4.0. He specializes in the SAP cloud applications of manufacturing, asset management, and the Internet of Things.
Consultant Industry 4.0,
Westernacher Consulting
Westernacher Consulting
Stefan
Müller
Müller
Stefan is the Global Practice Lead for Transportation Management (SAP TM), including SAP Business Network for Logistics and Global Trade Services, and serves as Global Industry Lead for Logistics Service Providers. With over 23 years of experience—13 in SAP—he has worked as a Solution Architect, Principal Consultant, and Project Manager. He brings deep expertise in the LSP sector and multiple industries, including retail, automotive, and life sciences, along with strong cross-cultural experience, particularly in Asia, and a proven track record in business process design and global service center transformation.
Global Director SAP TM, SAP GTS & BN4L, Westernacher Consulting
Alexandru
Săsărean
Săsărean
Alex sees Supply Chain Management as more than just a profession; for him, it is a passion. He helps companies with their inevitable digital transformation, understanding that every challenge is an opportunity to excel and every innovation is a step towards a better future. The experience he has gained in SAP projects over the last 15 years characterizes him as a Solution & Development Architect specializing in industries such as Transportation and Logistics, Commerce, and Distribution.
Global Competence Center Lead Yard Logistics / Managing Director, Westernacher Consulting Romania
Marco
Trottmann
Trottmann
Marco is a member of Westernacher’s management team, serving as Global Practice Lead Industry 4.0 and Practice Director for Warehouse Management in the US. With over 20 years of experience—18 focused on SAP—he is a strategic advisor and thought leader in digital supply chain transformation. He supports global organizations as a Project Director, Solution Architect, and trusted C-suite advisor on large-scale SAP initiatives, with deep expertise in warehouse management and Industry 4.0. A regular speaker at industry events, Marco shares insights on the latest trends and innovations in the digital supply chain space.
Practice Director & Global Practice Lead, Westernacher Consulting US
Wei
Zhang
Zhang
A seasoned SAP Supply Chain Solution Architect with over 18 years of consulting experience in supply chain management and SAP implementations. Brings strong hands-on expertise in SAP IBP, including S&OP, S&OE, demand planning, and supply optimization. Known for effective leadership, communication, and agile project management skills, with industry experience across consumer products, high-tech, automotive, industrial manufacturing, and logistics service providers.
Supply Chain Planning Practice Director China, Westernacher Consulting
Get inspired by our last LEAP events.
LEAP 2025.
Drive your business with AI.
The next level of SAP innovation.
The next level of SAP innovation.
Discover how to bridge the gaps and turn uncertainty into acceleration. The focus was on smart warehousing and empowering business transformation through AI. In addition, SAP Signavio and SAP LeanIX showcased the next level of SAP innovation.
LEAP 2024.
Be the Champion in your Industry: Top-class Business Capabilities with Innovative SAP Technology.
Discover how to lead your industry with world-class business capabilities.
One of the highlights will be the presentation of SAP Signavio and LeanIX by our expert speakers. They will also conduct a key session featuring an industry example from the chemical and process industry to illustrate how innovative SAP technology can be used to address unique challenges and drive success.
