With over five decades of experience in enterprise resource planning (ERP), SAP’s market-leading solutions are proven and time-tested. But as businesses increasingly move away from legacy infrastructure and turn to cloud solutions, the company has adapted its offerings to meet the changing needs of its diverse customer base. Being the global leader in enterprise applications and business AI
Traditionally, any ERP systems were complex, on-premises installations that required substantial investment in hardware, software and IT personnel. These systems, while powerful, often struggled with issues of scalability and accessibility, and could require frequent, costly upgrades.
Over the past decade, SAP has witnessed a dramatic shift in attitudes towards cloud ERP solutions, which aim to address some of these pain points. As a result, the cloud ERP market reached a valuation of US$44bn in 2023, driven by the increasing need for scalable, flexible business solutions.
As Evert-Jan (EJ) Tromp, Vice President Cloud Sales EMEA at SAP notes: “Ten years ago, many would have been hesitant to move their ERP to the cloud. Now, it's become the norm.”
With over two decades of experience in the industry, EJ has played a key role in shaping SAP's strategies and guiding customers through the cloud transformation. “I started as a trainer at Business Objects in the late 1990s,” EJ recalls. Since then, his career trajectory has been marked by rapid progression through various roles. “I moved through different positions, from training to post-sales, pre-sales and then channel management,” he explains.
A significant milestone in EJ’s career came when he successfully rebuilt the channel for Business Objects in the Netherlands: an achievement which led to broader responsibilities and set the stage for his future at SAP. “Rebuilding the channel in the Netherlands opened up opportunities for regional roles, which ultimately led to my transition into SAP,” EJ notes.
The acquisition of Business Objects by SAP in 2008 marked a new chapter in EJ's career. At the time of the acquisition, he was overseeing the analytical portfolio at Business Objects across EMEA for the channel organisation. “Joining SAP as part of the Business Objects acquisition was a significant moment. It was one of SAP's first major acquisitions, and it opened up new horizons for me,” EJ reflects.
Within SAP, EJ's role continued to evolve, and took on various regional roles, adapting to SAP's changing organisational structure. “My journey at SAP has been one of continuous growth. I started with regional roles and then took on responsibility for EMEA South across the line of business when the region was split,” EJ explains.
Today, EJ holds a crucial position within SAP, overseeing the line of business in mid-market across the entire EMEA region. This role, which he assumed in April 2024, involves managing all revenue streams across a diverse and complex region comprising nearly 100 countries. “The EMEA region presents unique challenges and opportunities. We're dealing with mature markets in Western Europe alongside rapidly growing markets in Africa and parts of the MENA region,” EJ says.
The complexity of the EMEA region is both a challenge and a source of motivation for EJ.
“Managing such a diverse region is like solving a complex puzzle. The varying pace of business and different stages of market maturity across our portfolio make the job fascinating,”
EJ’s role extends beyond managing existing business. He is at the forefront of SAP's cloud transformation, guiding customers through the shift from on-premises solutions to cloud-based ERP systems. “When I joined SAP, customisation was the norm. Everyone believed their processes were unique. Now, we're seeing a significant shift towards standardisation and best practices,” EJ observes.
And looking to the future, EJ is optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence in ERP systems. “We're only beginning to tap into the potential of AI in ERP. The developments we expect to see in the coming years are truly exciting,” he states.
“Just a year ago, AI wasn't a central topic in our GROW events. Five months later, it was front and centre, with customers recognising its potential to address significant business challenges.
“Given the pace of change, it's hard to imagine what the future holds, but I'm confident we'll continue to move the needle for our customers and partners in exciting ways.”
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