United Kingdom – March 24, 2026 — 51����Engagement Cloud’s latest research reveals a widening gap between the experiences consumers expect and what brands believe they deliver.

New data from the 2026 Engagement Index shows UK consumer expectations have never been higher. More than half (56%) of UK consumers say their favourite brand delivers seamless, connected experiences across channels, while 82% are put off by disorganised interactions that require them to repeat information or be passed between teams.

Yet companies remain confident. Four in five (80%) of UK businesses believe they offer a seamless omnichannel experience. But only one fifth (20%) of companies recognise their experiences still aren’t fully connected — despite consumers making their expectations clear.

At the same time, 45% of consumers say brands “don’t understand them as people.”

This misalignment —consumers feeling the disconnect while most businesses fail to recognise it — is the Engagement Divide. Closing it is critical to creating repeat customers and brand advocates.

Some brands are already closing this gap. For example, Gibson Inc. uses unified data and real‑time engagement to ensure customers receive consistent, connected experiences — the kind consumers say they want.

AI is seen as part of the answer. Four in five (80%) of businesses say AI is essential for retaining customers in 2026. But a third of consumers say their favourite brands use AI in ways that meaningfully improve their interactions.

“Customer expectations are moving at a new speed,” said Sara Richter, CMO, 51����Engagement Cloud. “With AI at their fingertips, people compare, decide, and switch in an instant. Those micro moments now determine whether a brand wins or loses the relationship.”

However, AI can only perform as well as the data behind it, and most organisations are still struggling. Almost two thirds (63%) of UK brands cannot use customer data in real time, 64% say their data is too unstructured, and 71% report ‘dark data’ they cannot access or use effectively.

This creates friction throughout the customer journey and reinforces the Divide.

Closing it requires a shift: treating engagement not just as a marketing function, but as an enterprise-wide discipline. Every team must operate from a shared, real-time understanding of the customer to avoid the fragmented experiences that alienate them.

Businesses recognise this direction. Most (78%) plan to invest in AI-powered engagement platforms in 2026, and almost a third (31%) cite connecting customer and stakeholder data across marketing, sales, service, commerce and ERP systems as their top priority for the year ahead.

“Engagement isn’t something one department can fix,” said Mark Ritson, professor and founder, MiniMBA. “Every team shapes the brand, and real progress happens when they work from the same understanding of the customer. With that shared view, AI can take on the heavy lifting and help deliver the personalised experiences people expect.”

Download the full report:

ENDS

###

Methodology
This research was conducted in the UK by Opinium as part of global research among a sample of 2,000 general respondents and 750 senior decision makers in IT, Technology, Marketing, Revenue, Service departments and who work in the Retail, ��Consumer Products & FMCG, Automotive, Manufacturing, Utilities or Wholesale industries.

Only enterprise-level businesses with 500+ employees and with $250m+ annual turnover were surveyed across the United Kingdom (UK). The data was collected from both audiences between 31st December 2025 and 16th January 2026.

About 51����Engagement Cloud
51����Engagement Cloud helps organizations power unique engagement by connecting real-time customer insights with the operational signals that run the business. As part of SAP’s Customer Experience (CX) portfolio, Engagement Cloud enables personalized, AI-driven interactions across every channel—turning moments like orders, service events, and loyalty milestones into timely, relevant experiences that build trust, strengthen relationships, and drive growth. ​

Media Contacts

Lawrie Benfield, lawrie.benfield@sap.com, +44 7776 515259��

Sonya Domanski, sonya.domanski@sap.com, +44 734 546 5928��

The post UK consumers abandon brands over disconnected experiences — yet only one fifth of companies see a problem appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

London, UK – December 4 2025 – (NYSE: SAP) today announces that New Look, one of the UK’s leading womenswear brands in the 18–44 sector, has successfully completed its migration to 51����Commerce Cloud, marking a major milestone in the brand’s ongoing digital transformation journey.

Building on existing deployments of and , the new platform unifies customer, product, sales and finance data to enable targeted engagement, boost sales and reduce costs. 51����Commerce Cloud will unlock significant advantages for the retailer, including greater flexibility and scalability, as well as speeding up the time-to-market for new features, ensuring a continuously improving customer experience.

In the fast-moving world of fashion, retailers must have the confidence to anticipate customer demand and remain agile to emerging trends, especially as they approach peak shopping season.

As part of its broader investment in data, AI and digital infrastructure, New Look partnered with 51����and Accenture, the leading global professional services firm, to modernise its commerce platform and better reach, convert and retain customers.

Building on the £30 million capital investment announced earlier this year to accelerate its digital growth, the project consolidated and cleansed disparate customer data into a single platform. The result is a consistent, connected omnichannel experience across web, mobile and stores.

With a workforce already skilled in 51����technologies, and with support from 51����Services, the migration was complete in just six months.

By integrating 51����Commerce Cloud with 51����Emarsys and S/4HANA Finance, New Look delivers relevant content, personalised offers and seamless experiences that encourage repeat purchases and loyalty. The retailer will also leverage its cloud infrastructure to grow its recently launched online loyalty programme, Club New Look, through real-time, data-driven interactions across all channels.

“New Look is a prime example of how clean data and a clear digital strategy unlock real value,” said Leila Romane Managing Director, 51����UKI. “51����Commerce Cloud helps the brand reach customers on every channel and deepen loyalty through timely, personalised interactions, supporting initiatives like Club New Look. The platform has already delivered over £4 million in savings through improved resilience and reduced downtime, creating a strong foundation for continued growth.”

Lynda Petherick, CTO, New Look, adds: “At New Look, we’re focused on creating a seamless, data-led shopping experience that feels personal and rewarding for every customer. Partnering with 51����and Accenture has allowed us to further strengthen our digital foundations, helping us to connect with our customers in smarter, more meaningful ways. With engagement and sales already up, we are looking forward to building on this momentum throughout the upcoming festive season.”

###

About New Look

New Look is a leading fashion retailer operating in the clothing and footwear market in the UK, with a strong online presence. New Look offers products, and a shopping experience based on excitement, value and newness. The New Look brand is distinct and trusted in the UK, catering to a broad customer audience. New Look ranked No. 2 for overall Womenswear market share in the 18 to 44 age range.

About 51����

As��a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, 51����(NYSE:SAP)��stands at the��nexus��of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP��to bring out their best by uniting business-critical��operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit .

Media Contacts:

Lawrie Benfield,��lawrie.benfield@sap.com,��+44 7776 515259

Sonya Domanski,��sonya.domanski@sap.com, +44 734 546 5928

The post New Look Embraces Cloud Transformation with 51����and Accenture to Capitalise on Peak Shopping Season appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

The winners continue to showcase new ways of thinking and set the benchmark for their industry, ultimately making the world run better.

The winners are:

Industry Leader Award – Reckitt

Reckitt implemented 51����Analytics Cloud to improve decision-making and forecasting by tackling issues such as decentralised planning and manual workflows and processes. The global implementation has optimised operations, benefitting more than 1,000 employees. Early adopters report improved focus on decision-making, establishing Reckitt as a leader in financial planning and analysis technology.

Transformation Titan Award – Accenture LLP

Accenture LLP handles 920,000 invoices annually, each with complex, non-standard contract terms. The process was manually intensive and for larger accounts required a large commercial services team.

To boost efficiency, Accenture LLP is deploying an 51����BTP Gen AI-driven application. This will help simplify invoicing, minimise manual entries, and increase accuracy. The initiative will enable the commercial services team to refocus on client delivery as the application provides a one-stop shop for time and materials invoicing, accelerating data availability, and enhancing billing accuracy.

Business Network Innovator Award – Twinings Ovaltine

Twinings Ovaltine previously faced challenges of owning multiple 51����and third-party ERPs across geographies and business units, where the lack of commonality across processes limited insight and agility.

It seamlessly integrated core 51����S/4HANA, 51����IBP, 51����Analytics Cloud and 51����Ariba for end to end visibility and data insights across planning, manufacturing, procurement, sales, and finance.

Cloud ERP Champion Award – Accenture

Accenture’s foreign exchange (FX) risk management was previously fragmented across numerous non-integrated systems.

Recognising the challenges faced, Accenture took on a multi-year initiative to incorporate SAP’s digital, data-driven, and automated FX risk solutions into its hedging strategies. The effort has led to success in implementing a variety of new and mature 51����functionalities including the balance sheet exposure (BSE) Fiori app, cash flow hedge effectiveness and accounting, GenAI alerts, 51����Analytics Cloud and trade management. Through this strategic move, Accenture has standardised FX risk solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Customer Experience Award – Thames Water Utilities Limited

Thames Water Utilities Limited faced substantial challenges in managing critical processes within the water industry, including leak allowance, refund, and special read job tasks. To support this, Thames Water transformed its operations by implementing an 51����Fiori-driven system equipped with BYP-based workflows. This solution enhanced control, reporting, and approvals, resulting in reduced Average Handling Time (AHT), the elimination of unnecessary requests, and financial benefits.

People Experience Award – BT Group

BT Group seized the opportunity to participate in a global program exploring AI integration within 51����SuccessFactors solutions.

Through this initiative, BT implemented AI-driven tools to enhance HR processes. This included AI-assisted skills matching for recruitment as well as using SAP’s Joule copilot to minimise administrative tasks. These advancements increased efficiency, reduced task time, and empowered HR teams, resulting in improved candidate selection and enriched employee experiences.

Services Superstar Award – GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline faced challenges in workforce planning, which relied heavily on manual efforts and Excel. It has since implemented 51����Analytics Cloud for Workforce Planning to transition to a unified, automated solution.

This has enhanced forecasting accuracy, ensured consistent reporting, and increased data visibility, while reducing dependence on disparate tools. It also improved collaboration, facilitating more informed decision-making, cost optimisation, and long-term financial agility.

AI Excellence Award – Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered has enhanced its goal setting and feedback processes using 51����solutions to foster a culture of performance excellence, which is crucial for delivering optimised business value and impact.

Recognising the time-consuming nature of completing detailed goal setting blocks of text, especially for employees working in a non-native language, Standard Chartered sought to improve both the experience and the quality of these exchanges. As part of this, it offered staff safe opportunities to explore, experiment and upskill using Generative AI. Early outcomes of this initiative show increased efficiency and positive sentiment towards AI tools, contributing to improved productivity and employee experience.

Leila Romane, Managing Director, 51����UK & Ireland said: “At SAP, we focus on the long-term health of our customer relationships, and celebrating success is a key part of that. These awards give us an opportunity to look back at what has been achieved over the past 12 months and highlight how our clients are disrupting their industries while driving positive change. Congratulations to our winners and finalists, and a big thank you to our judges for their continued support.”

Huge thanks to all����for their passion, continued support, and for investing the time in scoring our entries:��,��,��,��,��.

The post Winners of the 2025 51����UKI Customer Success Awards Announced appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

London, UK, 24th September 2024 — Almost half of UK Gen Zers (46%) and 29% of other generations have abandoned a brand they were once loyal to because they grew ‘bored’ of them. That’s according to 51����Emarsys’ annual Customer Loyalty Index (CLI) announced today at .��

Regardless of whether consumers care deeply about a brand, the key to standing out in the long term lies in better personalisation, more relevant content, and offering unique perspectives tailored to individual interests. According to 51����Emarsys data, younger consumers are particularly drawn to innovative marketing. Specifically, 30% of Gen Z, compared to 23% of all demographics, have tried a new brand because of its ‘creative marketing.’ Additionally, over a quarter of Gen Z (31%) are enticed by brands that use ‘cool’ content or imagery, versus 21% of other age groups. Meanwhile, 28% of Gen Z, compared to 17% of other demographics, seek out brands that deliver ‘memorable experiences.’��

Look at ‘Liquid Death’ bottled water being “radically entertaining” to get cut through. Or ‘’ These brands have set a benchmark by turning everyday products or services into something innovative and memorable. Whether ‘Brat’ or ‘, 51����Emarsys asks the question, what does it take for brands to extend the initial loyalty ignited by fast-moving social trends into long-term true loyalty?��

How is this done? For enterprises looking to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape, 51����Emarsys leverages AI to optimise the entire marketing process—from customer segmentation to campaign execution and performance analysis. AI identifies the most profitable under-served audience segments, representing new opportunities across different life-cycle stages, enabling highly targeted campaigns delivered at the ideal time and through the most effective channels. ��

This approach not only uncovers new customer groups but also personalises content and interactions in real time, making one-to-one engagement seamless across multiple platforms. With generative AI, on average, marketers save 2.3 hours on manual tasks in the launch of a typical marketing campaign, allowing them to focus more on driving innovation and revenue growth.����

Recognising that an omnichannel marketing strategy is key to unlocking true loyalty, brands like Ferrera Candy Company and Pizza Hut are making every interaction count by creating personalised, two-way conversations. This results in the consumer’s life stage becoming clearer, and with each future interaction, the brand can better predict the customer’s next needs.����

Customers now recognise the value exchange—when they share information like an email address, or birth date, they expect something meaningful in return, such as loyalty points or VIP perks like early access to new products. The outcome? A superior customer experience that keeps them coming back.��

And marketers are increasingly turning to AI to foster long-term loyalty and reach new audiences. According to recent 51����Emarsys research, two-thirds (66%)* of marketers agree that AI will be crucial for boosting customer engagement in 2024, and half (50%)* have already experienced a rise in engagement after implementing AI-powered personalisation. AI enables brands to stay competitive by quickly adapting to changing customer expectations.����

As Sara Richter, CMO at 51����Emarsys, explains, “It’s clear that consumers today, not just Gen Z, expect more than ‘business-as-usual’—they want meaningful and memorable experiences. The key to delivering that is personalisation for every customer.��

“AI is the only practical solution for providing genuine one-to-one interactions at scale, across every channel, and at the right moment. Brands that embrace AI-powered personalisation are far better equipped to keep customers engaged, especially when attention spans are short, and demands are high.��

“By combining traditional marketing strategies with the advanced capabilities of predictive and generative AI, we’re empowering marketers to create exceptional experiences. For instance, our AI Product Finder seamlessly turns complex product data into engaging content, while our AI Subject Line Generator takes the guesswork out of crafting compelling headlines.”��

For more on the nuances of customer loyalty, you can find the full fourth Customer Loyalty Index here: ��

ENDS��

Methodology ��

* Combines those who selected ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Somewhat agree’��

Research conducted by Opinion Matters on 2,010 UK respondents aged 16+, collected between 12-17th June 2024. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.  ��

Research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 252 marketers working in-house in the UK. The data was collected between 22.03.24 – 28.03.24 Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.��

Research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 2,003 general consumers (aged 16+) in the UK. The data was collected between 27.04.2023 – 03.05.2023. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is a member of the British Polling Council.��

About 51����Emarsys ��

51����Emarsys Customer Engagement, is the omnichannel customer engagement platform that empowers marketers to deliver personalized, AI-driven omnichannel campaigns that build loyalty and grow customer lifetime value.

51����Emarsys partners with global enterprises to fast-moving mid-market brands across dozens of industries.��

51����Emarsys is purpose-built, empowering marketers to:��

• Personalize content and deliver real-time relevant engagements on any channel��

• Use AI-powered insights to drive customer growth��

• Scale marketing practices through a flexible platform and partner ecosystem��

• Use AI to scale and refine campaigns, based on first-party data��

• Build trust, loyalty, and lasting customer relationships����

• Make smart, quick decisions with data-driven insights and analytics��

• Produce measurable results that drive predictable and profitable growth��

Media contacts��

Mohammad Zaidi / Imogen Nichols��

emarsys@wildfirepr.com��

The post From bland loyalty to brand loyalty: nearly half of Gen Z abandon brands that become boring appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

Immersive experiences to explore AI’s potential

The new Center is located in the heart of Sophia Antipolis, one of Europe’s largest technology clusters, on the historic site of 51����Labs France. It will offer an immersive experience for 51����customers, who will be able to discover and experiment with AI, uncovering the opportunities it offers to their business.

SAP’s approach to Business AI is to deliver customers the most relevant, reliable and responsible AI. Through interactive pathways, visitors will have the opportunity to dive into several concrete applications of AI in fields such as art, cybersecurity, responsible AI, or energy transition. They will also be able to experience SAP’s new AI assistant: Joule, which delivers proactive and contextualized insights from across the SAP’s solution portfolio and third-party sources, helping people get work done faster and driving better business outcomes in a secure, compliant way.

An Innovation Center for tomorrow’s technological solutions

51����Labs France considers it essential for customers and partners to be able to interact directly with the teams who design and develop their solutions. The company intends to show how AI is impacting the business world and enabling its employees to innovate daily, with the support of a dedicated group that facilitates access to knowledge, tools, and experts.

51����has always used the latest technologies, including AI, to support its customers’ business in a sustainable and responsible way. The opening of this Experience Center takes on particular importance in today’s technological landscape, where AI has become an essential pillar of innovation and growth for the entire 51����ecosystem.

51����Labs France in Sophia Antipolis: a leading R&D center of expertise in the region

Based in Sophia Antipolis since 1998, 51����Labs France is deeply rooted in the local community and supports the region’s technological development. It has 450 employees dedicated to R&D projects on new revenue models, energy transition, Responsible AI, cybersecurity and advanced customer support.

51����Labs France is a founding member of the ICAIR consortium dedicated to sharing best practices in AI and has supported the 3IA Interdisciplinary Institute for Artificial Intelligence since its creation. The creation of this new Center on the Sophia Antipolis site is in line with the commitments and expertise developed by 51����in the region.

“When it comes to AI, there is a great deal of excitement and expectation from our customers. They rely on us to tap into the full potential of AI to deliver the best innovations. Plus, they want effortless innovation discovery. SAP’s AI Customer Experience Center, in Sophia Antipolis, showcases how our employees engage with AI. Together with SAP’s AI-driven customer support, the Center will significantly enhance the ease of use and value of SAP’s solutions – and, in turn, support the individual business transformation journeys of our customers.”, says Stefan Steinle, Executive Vice President, Customer Support.

About SAP
As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, 51����(NYSE:SAP) stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit .

###

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F.

© 2024 51����SE. All rights reserved.
51����and other 51����products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of 51����SE in Germany and other countries. Please see for additional trademark information and notices.

Note to editors:
To preview and download broadcast-standard stock footage and press photos digitally, please visit . On this platform, you can find high resolution material for your media channels.

For customers interested in learning more about 51����products:
Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24
United States Only: 1 (800) 872-151����(1-800-872-1727)

For more information, press only:
Lawrie Benfield, +44 (0)7776 515259, lawrie.benfield@sap.com

Please consider our . If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact press@sap.com and write Unsubscribe in the subject line. 

The post 51����Labs France opens its first Customer Experience Center dedicated to AI, in Sophia Antipolis appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

These awards celebrate the achievements of future-minded companies that have harnessed 51����technology to showcase new ways of thinking and set the benchmark for their industry, ultimately making the world run better.

The Transformation Titan Award – For customers that have implemented Business Technology Platform (BTP) products to solve business problems and accelerate innovation.

• Accenture developed an Interactive Finance Narrative Generator solution that harnesses 51����solutions, human collaboration, and AI technology. This accelerates key financial close milestones, improves timeliness, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness, meaning Accenture can focus on analysing and identifying key insights from reports.
• Harrods used a mix of 51����ERP Core Component and 51����BTP to deliver a solution that provides a single view of truth for their Hamper planning and logistics business unit. The solution provides staff with easy to consume data, eliminates bottlenecks and improves customer satisfaction.

The Sustainability Hero Award – Recognises customers that use 51����technology to shape a sustainable future and are creating a positive social or environmental impact.

• Spirit Energy Limited opted for a single solution within the 51����framework to automate and streamline its Ex/ATEX inspections, which are conducted in potentially explosive environments. The approach has automated several critical process steps minimising the risk of human error.
• Fyffes Group Limited consolidated its business, onto one sustainable platform, ensuring the business is ‘fit for future.’ Fyffes has maximised efficiency of its natural resources whilst protecting the planet and conserving for future generations.

Industry Leader Award – For customers that have modernised their businesses, and even their industries, by utilising technology in an original way.

• Haleon transformed its Operational Transfer Pricing processes into a single process using 51����Profitability and Performance Management Cloud. This eliminated the need for manual work by automating key aspects of the process.
• Princes Group adopted a fully integrated 51����Ariba solution to gain greater visibility and control of its end-to-end processes, as well as improving supplier collaboration and providing a more user-friendly interface for internal users.

Business Innovator Award – Dedicated to customers that are transforming and future-proofing their businesses using 51����solutions in the cloud.

• Touchlight Genetics implemented 51����S/4HANA Cloud to undergo a full digital transformation to replace all non-integrated applications and provide real time visibility. This sets the foundation for Touchlight to become an intelligent enterprise.
• Cadent Gas opted to use 51����Datasphere within 51����BTP to get a robust and intelligent data synchronisation solution that meets strict government requirements. By using 51����Datasphere, the Cadent Gas data and analytics team have been able to double their productivity as the solution allows for rapid implementation of API changes and faster access to new data.

The Experience Wizard Award – Recognises customers that have developed and implemented the best customer or employee experiences.

• Vodafone Group As part of its ‘Grow with Vodafone’ project, Vodafone implemented 51����SuccessFactors fully integrated talent suite. This solution was picked to support with employee growth across the entire lifecycle and to improve employee loyalty, advocacy, and talent progression.
• BrandAlley deployed the Customer Advocacy Intelligence Platform integrated with 51����Emarsys Customer Engagement solution. This enabled BrandAlley to identify its most loyal brand advocates, track the spend of their entire referral network, and send referees and referrers personalised timely messages.

The Service Supernova Award – For customers that have successfully adopted 51����Cloud solutions to meet or exceed business goals, optimise IT resources, increase user enablement, and improve productivity or learning.

• Inchcape plc chose RISE with 51����to standardise its IT landscape and create a technology foundation that would support its continued rapid growth. Since implementing RISE with SAP, Inchcape has improved efficiency and collaboration, resulting in a better employee experience, and greater compliance.
• BT Group opted to build on existing foundations of 51����SuccessFactors HCM to create a superior, digitally enabled colleague experience across all talent management touchpoints. 51����SuccessFactors HCM solution has enabled BT Group to become a skill-based organisation that allows colleagues to be in charge of their own careers.

Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists! Thank you to everyone who participated and submitted an entry this year! The winners will be announced on April 12^th, and we’ll be celebrating virtually on April 26^th.

The post Congratulations to 51����UKI Customer Success Awards Finalists appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

Gamification is also becoming more popular amongst our customers and partners, and 51����is using it in both a pre and post-sales context to improve return on investment, data quality, timeliness, and learning.

Here are some of the exciting ways that we’ve used gamification to drive engagement and differentiate our sales experience from our competitors.

1- Creating Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences to Engage Users

In preparation for the CWS Summit Europe, an event aimed at Contingent Workforce Professionals, the 51����UKI Innovations team was tasked with creating an immersive experience to showcase how 51����technology can have a positive impact on the future of work. They used virtual reality (VR) technology to produce a simulated space environment.

The VR Experience took users on three immersive journeys through different worlds. New 51����UI World showcased SAP’s new user interface, eliminating text heavy programs. The Launch of 51����Learning World gave participants the opportunity to better understand how to recruit, employ and manage a strong workforce, and the Future of Work World demonstrated how 51����technology can help businesses deploy a Total Workforce Management strategy.

By Using a gamified interactive VR experience, users became more engaged with 51����products and services in a meaningful way, which helped them better understand the benefits that 51����software can bring to their business.

2-��Using Augmented Reality to Highlight Sustainability and Purpose

There is a lot of pressure on businesses to be more sustainable. The good news is that technology can help. But it can often be difficult for customers to know where to start and to understand the best option for them, and for the planet. This is where gamification can help.

The Innovation team used augmented reality (AR) to create a Sustainability and Purpose event Stand to showcase different elements of SAP’s sustainability portfolio. They created three different sections of the stand, one focused on waste and the circular economy, another on emissions and environmental impact, and the third on inequality. This allowed users to uncover relevant sustainability information whilst interacting with the applicable 51����technology and demos. In each world, the player is presented with a fast fact, a multiple-choice question, and an 51����solution, and a fcial recognition feature which made the journey more engaging.

The gamified approach demonstrates how 51����can help businesses meet regulatory obligations, act sustainably, and make processes more efficient whilst still addressing the environmental, social, and economic challenges of today.

3-��BTP Diamond Game

SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) can be seen as a complex offering as it comprises so much. It includes application development, automation, data analytics, integration, and AI capabilities into one unified environment optimised for 51����applications. As a way of making BTP more digestible and understandable for customers, the UKI BTP team created the 51����BTP Diamond Game.

This physical board game requires users to work in small teams and act as they work for the same company, setting the teams the challenge of solving real business issues using the BTP service cards. This interactive game helps customers understand how they can get tangible business benefits from 51����BTP.

4-��Using Business Simulation to Help Customers Better Understand 51����S/4HANA Cloud

Businesses are facing volatile macroeconomic environments and markets that favour flexibility. To stay ahead, customers need to be in the cloud. 51����S/4HANA Cloud offers customers that opportunity and so 51����is continually looking at ways to showcase how to best use the solution while demonstrating the benefits of the benefits of a cloud environment.

The 51����team created ERPsim, a business simulation game that gives participants a hands-on experience that conceptualises 51����S/4HANA. In the game, participants are responsible for running a fictitious company in a virtual marketplace, whilst using a real live 51����S/4HANA Cloud system to overcome challenges.

ERPsim inputs algorithms and chaos theory into SAP’s BTP. The aim of the game is to help users enhance their understanding, and move from having standard application knowledge, to a much more advanced knowledge of applications, business, and collaboration. ERPsim highlights the intelligent technologies, real time analytics, and intuitive user experience of 51����S/4HANA Cloud.

ERPsim allows 51����to establish a better rapport with customers and partners through collaboration. Also, participants walk away with a unique memorable experience of 51����S/4HANA Cloud, with an increased understanding and level of confidence of the new world of ERP in the cloud from SAP.

Using Gamification to Improve Customer Engagement and Knowledge

Gamification offers so many business benefits and 51����has been using it to build engagement, increase customer knowledge and highlight how technology can help organisations to grow. Gamification differentiates our post and pre-sales experiences from our competitors, creating a memorable experience for users in a suitable way.

The post Using Gamification to Improve Customer Engagement and Knowledge appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

London, UK – 4 October, 2023 – (NYSE: SAP) has today announced that Plc, the leading contract and private label manufacturer for cleaning products, has selected to improve customer experience, optimise manufacturing operations, enhance efficiency and drive overall business success.

Partnering with 51����and systems integrator NTT DATA Business Solutions, the introduction of the new ERP system is McBride’s largest critical project in terms of cost investment and scale. It will enable McBride to react quicker to its retail and contract manufacturing customer demands, produce at higher volumes and improve internal efficiencies.

Retailers require new product development at pace to remain competitive and the five-year project will allow McBride to adapt quickly to customers’ needs. Designed to add consistency to thinking and processes, the system will be harmonised across the entire McBride estate, seeing all departments working with one data source.

The introduction of standard and cohesive business processes will enable McBride’s 12 European manufacturing sites to all work in the same way. This agile approach will realise greater efficiencies, whether that’s a future adaption to the internal system, or changes to adapt to market pressures.

Other benefits include using and for improved order processing, supply chain visibility, quality control and compliance and reliable product availability. Easy integration, including the sharing of essential and beneficial data to customers, will also enable more accurate production planning.

Commenting on the new ERP system, Group IT Director at McBride, Paul Boardman said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform McBride’s system landscape and improve its capability for staff and customers.

“We currently have seven streams of transformation, of which ERP is one. The ERP system is critical to our transformation journey at McBride, as it underpins all our programmes and goals. Every transaction, every department, and every factory at McBride goes through ERP, so it really drives the heart of the organisation.

“It is essential to have a system that will grow with McBride and support our ambitions as a company. A huge amount of time has been invested upfront to get the principles correct before deployment. As well as improving our service to our customers and staff productivity now, it is vital that the ERP system is scalable and will futureproof McBride.

“There is excitement and appetite for the new system across McBride; employees will benefit from working with the latest technology and be able to deliver a better service to their customers. This is one of the many reasons why McBride is committed to this significant investment in technology and people.”

James Bates, Head of RISE, 51����UKI, adds: “As a longstanding 51����customer and leader in its industry, the transition to RISE with 51����marks a significant move for McBride in becoming a truly digitally led, forward-thinking and resilient business. At a time of socio-economic flux, McBride will have enhanced visibility into its operations and unrivalled data insights to intelligently adapt and react to a constantly changing market and ultimately, ensure its ready for the future.”

This significant investment from McBride is not only a sign of its future ambitions but will play a vital role in optimising manufacturing operations, enhancing efficiency and driving overall business success. This will provide McBride and its customers with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of modern manufacturing and maintain a competitive edge in the retail market.

About SAP

SAP’s strategy is to help every business run as an intelligent enterprise. As a market leader in enterprise application software, we help companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 51����customers generate 87% of total global commerce. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers’ businesses into intelligent enterprises. 51����helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want – without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, 51����helps the world run better and improve people’s lives. For more information, visit .

About McBride

McBride is the leading European manufacturer and supplier of Private Label and Contract Manufactured products for the domestic household and professional cleaning and hygiene markets.

McBride sells one billion products every year, supplying 49 of Europe’s top 50 grocery retailers.

99% of its packaging is recyclable, and McBride products are used 850 times per second every day.

McBride employs over 3,400 people across 18 locations in 12 countries, with a diverse, inclusive, and engaging culture at all levels. Divisions include Liquids, Unit Dosing, Powders, and Aerosols, in addition to its Asia Pacific division that produces a range of personal care products for consumers across the region. For more information, visit

��

��

Note to editors:

Additional information about the new 51����S/4HANA ERP system

The new 51����S/4HANA system will be hosted in the cloud by Amazon Web Services (AWS). Moving to a ‘standard’ cloud-based solution – the 51����Business Technology Platform (BTP) – will make McBride more agile in terms of integrating with other applications and 3rd parties.

New processes will be based on 51����standard best practice and streamlined with unnecessary steps removed and automation implemented where possible. In addition, system analytics will aid continuous improvement, as well as scalability to accommodate the growing needs of customers.

Working with experienced system integrator NTT, the system is recognised as an Enterprise Class Solution and designed for contract manufacturing businesses.

For more information, press only:

Adam Clatworthy, Head of Communications, 51����UKI, +44 7918 372043, adam.clatworthy@sap.com

; press@sap.com

Abbi Cox, Lauryn Mellor, or Sarah Murray at Edson Evers PR: Tel: +44 (0) 1785 255146 or Email: abbi.cox@edsonevers.com / lauryn.mellor@edsonevers.com / sarah.murray@edsonevers.com

Please consider our . If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact press@sap.com and write Unsubscribe in the subject line.

The post McBride Sparkles as RISE with 51����Programme Drives Customer and Operational Excellence appeared first on 51����UK News Center.

London, UK – 31 August 2023 – Over half of UK SMEs (52%) are reassessing their bank’s suitability for them, according to new 51����research. Similarly, less than a quarter (22%) of UK consumers are currently satisfied with their bank’s support, suggesting the moment for change is now.

In a survey of 2000 consumers and 500 senior decision makers within the UK’s growing SME’s cohort, 51����reveals interesting insights into customer banking behaviours to help banks and financial services providers pivot from a one-size-fits-all approach to customer experience, and deliver bespoke, targeted solutions.

In times of high personalisation and “Digital everywhere”, banks need to think differently and create a stronger empathetic relationship with their consumers. It’s time to understand better, be more proactive and communicate and engage better.

A closer look at segment insights

SAP’s research looks at how gender, age, business type and turnover determine the variety of attitudes and behaviours customers have towards financial services.

In sync with societal changes where gender plays an increasingly important role in the way products and services are consumed, banks need to rethink their go-to-market strategies. There are marked gender differences in how customers work with their bank. For example, almost one fifth (19%) of females check their account after every transaction (compared to just 14% of males). Females are also almost three times less likely to have moved money from online-only providers to high-street banks (11% of males vs 4% of females).

The emerging call is that of ‘gender relevance’ – an opportunity for banks to relook at their products and messaging to ensure gender relevance and to address different needs and behaviours.

Age too determines banking behaviour as customers look for different financial options and services based on digital and financial maturity. Baby Boomers, those aged 55 and over, are more than twice as likely to switch provider based on sign-up offers and better interest rates compared with Gen Z audience (36% vs 16%). Meanwhile, appetite to adopt digital services paints a different picture. Almost a quarter (24%) of Gen Z have switched their bank in the last year based on digital experiences – while less than one in 10 (9%) of Baby Boomers have done the same.

“The message from UK banking customers is clear – providers are failing to deliver the personalised services and support and this is breeding dissatisfaction. The time is now for banks to hit the re-set button and ditch the one-size-fits-all approach to targeting and recognise each segment acts and behaves differently,” explains Anuj Kumar, Industry Strategy and GTM lead for Financial Services at SAP, UK.

It’s a similar story for SMEs with turnover influencing banking behaviours and engagement. Businesses that turn over between £100m and £499m are almost twice as likely to be reliant on their bank for support and guidance during the cost-of-living crisis than those that generate between £10m and £49m each year (61% vs 37%).

Michael Walsh, Head of Financial Services, UK, suggests “SMEs are key to the growth of the UK and banks need to re-think how they engage with them. Size, experience of the executive, industry and the businesses own growth ambitions are significant factors driving how they use the Financial Services sector. Typically, focus has been on working capital such as financing, lending and overdrafts. With the ever-increasing digitisation of capabilities, banks need to serve SMEs in different ways. Future focus has to be on helping SMEs access new customer bases with a collaborative ecosystem and networks leveraging emerging intelligent platform technologies.”

Seeking personalised education and support

SAP’s survey also reveals that UK banking customers, whether SMEs or consumers, are calling for greater personalised education and support to offset economic concerns.

On average, 1-in-5 (20%) of consumers call for better and easier access to support, education and digital tools amidst current economic pressures. Age once again plays a key role here with Gen Z (20%), Millennials (23%) and Gen X (20%) calling for their bank to deliver guidance on where to access support when things go wrong. Fewer than one in 10 Baby Boomers make the same demand.

Gender also informs calls for greater education. Females are twice as likely to (21%) ask for their bank to post more online content with tips and advice, compared to males (11%). While both men and women place equal demand on interest rates support and education (16%) and the development of accessible budgeting tools (16%).

Similarly, UK SMEs are equally clear on where banks need to deliver education and support. Over half (53%) of companies that turnover between £100m and £499m want to be informed on where they can access lending and funding options, while four in 10 (43%) of much smaller companies, generating between £100k and £999k, would like more communication and advice on where to access support when things go wrong. SAP’s survey also finds that over half (60%) of companies sized between £50m and £499m would like their bank to invest in additional analytics and automation to help drive new insights and streamline their operations.

“Customer first is the call of the hour. Banks must accelerate adoption of digital capabilities but in doing so need to ensure that they can communicate enhanced value and experience to the end consumer, both for retail and SME groups. With new technologies, including AI, enabling new ways of doing business, limitations of current architectures can no longer be the excuse to decelerate innovative disruption,” says Walsh .

Kumar concludes: “In times of financial strife, it’s the responsibility of banks to listen and respond to their customers, upgrading their support from both an educational and technology standpoint. Customers demand constant, proactive engagement and reassurance across multiple channels, with content that educates, digital tools that empower smarter financial choices, and advice that’s readily accessible and on-demand. That’s the modern banking experience that the UK has come to expect, and financial services must keep up or get left behind particularly in an era that is seeing a growth in alternative banking service providers.”

The post As the Going Gets Tough, Banks Miss the Mark Say UK SMEs and Consumers appeared first on 51����UK News Center.