SAP insider Magazine
SAPi: KPMG is known for its Trusted AI framework. How does J4C help you innovate with SAP’s clean-core philosophy without introducing the technical debt that has plagued ERP systems for decades? Kimball: KPMG’s Trusted AI framework is our strategic approach to deploying AI responsibly, regardless of technology and ERP systems. J4C is a key tool that helps us enforce clean-core principles and prevent technical debt. First, it guides consultants toward standard processes by giving instant access to best practices. Second, when requirements fall outside the standard, it provides expert guidance on building clean side-by-side extensions using SAP BTP. Combined with robust governance and ethical principles, we can use Trusted AI to innovate for customers without creating technical debt. SAPi: If you look a year or two down the road, how do you think the stan- dard skill set for an SAP consultant evolves because of tools like Joule? What should the next generation fo- cus on now? Kimball: We see the skill set evolving away from manual execution and toward AI-embedded delivery. I see three main career directions: • Strategic orchestrators who guide the why of a project and help customers re- alize the business value of AI • Solution and enterprise architects who create the technical blueprint • Modern builders who are hands-on AI builders delivering with speed and quality These aren’t rigid job titles as much as directions people can grow toward. Across all of them, the most important capabilities are adaptability and critical judgment, along with deep sector and industry knowledge. These factors let teams connect with customers at a busi- ness level, not just a technical one, and become value creators who link business outcomes, processes, and AI into a co-
interruption to business operations. SAPi: Many people still think of AI as a tool for Q&A. How is KPMG moving beyond that into using it for complex tasks like ABAP interpretation or sys- tem configuration design? Kimball: We’re moving beyond Q&A by using J4C to accelerate complex pro- cesses, such as system configuration design. One example is a fit-gap assess- ment. Under this approach, consultants can use J4C to analyze a customer’s business requirements directly from workshop notes. Additionally, J4C can compare those requirements against SAP best practices and propose an ini- tial configuration design. That approach quickly highlights where standard pro- cesses fit and, just as importantly, flags the gaps where a unique solution is needed so teams can focus immediately on the most critical design decisions. Trusted AI and the Path Forward
technical question, a consultant might need an hour or several hours to dig through documentation and assemble the right material to respond. With J4C, they can get the same validated answer in about 30 seconds, keeping the work- shop moving and building customer confidence in the moment. SAPi: There’s a fear that AI will re- place the need for deep expertise. How is KPMG using J4C to elevate its junior consultants, while letting se- niors focus on strategy? Kimball: Our goal is empowerment, not replacement. For junior consultants, J4C can serve as a mentor, providing a reliable path for learning and upskilling, and giving instant access to the latest SAP best practices. The knock-on effect is essential because when juniors can self-serve foundational guidance faster, experienced consultants aren’t pulled away as often for level-one questions. That frees senior people to spend more time directly with customers on complex problems, such as designing sophisti- cated integration architecture, where ex- perience and judgment still matter most. Practical Applications SAPi: Your session during the SAPin- sider Vegas conference touches on real-world applications that drive speed to value. Can you share a story from a cloud transformation where J4C acted as a catalyst—saving a deadline or unblocking a bottleneck? Kimball: We recently worked with a leading consumer goods customer to replace their legacy ERP with SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud. The critical con- straint was doing it with zero disruption to their existing e-commerce portal. J4C acted as a catalyst, helping us design the entire integration architecture, including identifying the correct APIs and applying SAP Integration Suite best practices. The result was 15–20% faster sprint comple- tion and a successful transition with no
“At a practical level, J4C helps our consultants spend less time doing manual research and information gathering.” Doug Kimball, SAP Learning & Enablement Lead, KPMG
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