NZ SAP User Group is back and has kicked off its 2025 events in Christchurch – which had a record-breaking number of attendees. The day was all about collaboration, learning, and SAP solution innovations.

Kicking Things Off

People from various fields, such as manufacturing, retail, and government, gathered to enjoy a day packed with insightful talks and great networking opportunities. The keynote speaker, Theo van Dikj, SAP’s Architecture Advisor, got things rolling with an inspiring speech that set the tone for the day – SAP’s vision of bringing together applications, data, and AI.

Engaging Sessions and Local Stories

The User Group offered a variety of sessions tailored for both newbies and experienced SAP users. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, from the latest on SAP S/4HANA to Application Risk Management and Using Data and Analytics for a competitive edge

A notable aspect of the Christchurch NZ SAP User Group was the focus on local experiences. Several companies based in Christchurch shared their SAP implementation processes, discussing the advantages they have gained from using SAP solutions and the significance of finding appropriate partners. These examples provided insights, motivating others to consider their own paths of innovation and transformation.

Attendees learned directly from end-users such as Foodstuffs South Island and Suntory, both clients of TTC Global, which helped translate theoretical knowledge into practical understanding.

Session Highlights – Testing SAP

A key aspect of the event is the presentation on Establishing an Effective SAP-focused Test Practice, delivered by Raymond Dee, Suntory’s Test and Release Manager, and Brendon Russell, a Principal Consultant at TTC Global

Ray began the talk by asking how many testers were in the room. Out of over 50 attendees, approximately three people raised their hands. And funnily enough, that is almost the same ratio of testers on some digital transformation projects.

Ray has provided an overview of one of their significant Digital Transformation programmes named “Field of Dreams” (FOD), which includes Operations and Infrastructure, Commercial, Supply Chain, and Finance. He has also highlighted the importance of establishing a dedicated testing practice, explaining why Functional Consultants, Developers, and Business Analysts alone cannot conduct all of the testing for these types of programmes.

He outlined what were Suntory’s key challenges on testing and how they turned those challenges into opportunities – and how partnering with the right test supplier was key to their success:

Reducing Overall Testing Cost

Suntory implemented an onsite/offsite model for the FOD programme, resulting in a reduction of overall testing costs by at least 30%. TTC Global contributed to this achievement by leveraging our offshore team in Pune and ensuring their work hours overlapped with the onshore team from 12PM NZT onwards.

Scarcity of good SAP QA Resources in NZ and Onsite/Offsite Team Coordination

Suntory emphasised choosing the right testing supplier specialising in SAP. Our vast experience on SAP and Tricentis locally in New Zealand and across the globe are testament to our expertise. TTC Global is also proud to be the only testing consultancy that is an accredited partner of both SAP and Tricentis – we pride ourselves on having been involved in testing the majority of the SAP S/4 HANA migrations in New Zealand, as well being the key implementation partner of Tricentis TOSCA.

Handling Frequent Requirement Changes

Suntory uses a Risk-Based Testing approach to handle frequent requirement and schedule changes. TTC Global echoes the importance of Risk-Based Testing (we cannot test everything, after all) – to support this method, our test leads conduct Quality Risk Analysis and End-to-End mapping workshops to address any gaps and help prioritise our tests.

Tight Timelines and Test Coverage

Ray mentioned that automating repetitive tests and continuously building regression suites reduced their testing timelines. TTC Global helped Suntory achieve this through continuously building an automation suite using Tricentis TOSCA – which cut manual testing effort by at least 65%.

Test Data and Environment Issues

Ray has indicated that data masking/cloning, environment refreshes, and early planning are among the techniques they have employed to address this issue. The latest test environment refresh and validation were led by one of our senior consultants, with the test automation suite we developed playing a crucial role in smoke and regression testing to ensure stability for ongoing test projects. Suntory deemed the test environment refresh led by TTC Global to be successful, handling any blockers promptly.

Brendon then supported Ray’s presentation by discussing TTC Global's test automation efforts in Suntory Oceania. He mentioned the different tools and best practices that were introduced and described the journey from automating EWM to automating end-to-end tests.

TTC Global deeply values our long-running partnership with Suntory Oceania. As a dedicated partner, we focus on delivering reusable assets and efficiency gains to benefit our clients, as exemplified by our collaboration with Suntory. It is also remarkable to witness an organisation, such as Suntory Oceania, that invests and sincerely appreciates the significance of Testing and Quality Assurance.

Ray wrapped up the presentation by highlighting the keys to their success – implementing the right industry-specific test strategy, automating where it makes sense, and partnering with the right testing supplier to augment their team. At the end of the presentation, Ray showed a photo of the test team – all with happy and smiling faces. 😊

Looking Ahead: The Future of Testing SAP

In the rapidly evolving landscape of enterprise software solutions, the future of testing SAP holds significant promise and challenges. As organisations continue to adopt SAP's advanced capabilities, the complexity of ensuring seamless integration and functionality increases. This underscores the critical need for sophisticated testing strategies that are both efficient and effective.

Automating repetitive tasks and leveraging advanced tools for continuous testing are becoming indispensable. The emphasis is on reducing manual effort and accelerating testing cycles, which can be achieved through comprehensive test automation suites. For instance, tools like Tricentis TOSCA have demonstrated the ability to cut manual testing efforts substantially, as evidenced by a 90% reduction in some instances. This not only saves time but also enhances accuracy and reliability in test outcomes.

One of the key aspects that organisations should consider will be the strategic selection of test suppliers who possess deep expertise in relevant tools and technologies. The right partner can bring a wealth of reusable assets and proven best practices, ensuring that the testing process is robust and aligned with industry standards. A test supplier with a strong focus on innovation and efficiency can help organisations navigate the complexities of their digital transformation, from automating end-to-end tests to addressing data and environment issues through advanced techniques like using AI tools in test cases and data generation.

Moreover, the role of a test supplier extends beyond mere execution. By integrating seamlessly with the client’s team and sharing knowledge, a proficient test partner can empower the organisation to achieve long-term sustainability in their testing efforts. This collaborative approach fosters continuous improvement and ensures that the organisation remains agile and responsive to evolving business needs.

Looking ahead, the future of SAP testing will be defined by the ability to adapt and innovate. As enterprises strive to enhance their digital transformation journeys, leveraging the expertise of the right test supplier, like TTC Global, will be paramount. This partnership will not only drive efficiency and effectiveness in testing processes but also pave the way for greater innovation and success in the competitive landscape of enterprise software solutions.

Closing Thoughts

The Christchurch NZ SAP User Group event not only deepened the attendees’ understanding of SAP solutions but also strengthened the bonds within the SAP community. All in all, the Christchurch NZ SAP User Group event was a huge success, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the shared pursuit of excellence. As Christchurch’s SAP community continues to grow and evolve, events like these will remain crucial in fostering innovation, empowering users, and shaping the future of enterprise software solutions. We’d like to thank the organisers for all the hard work that they do – and the success of this User Group is all thanks to them.

If you want to know more about how TTC Global can help you on your SAP Testing journey, let us know via our Contact Us page.