Facing the challenges of legacy data

The challenges with legacy data are the same as they ever were. In a sense, nothing has changed – but everything has changed. Similar to the number of cars on the freeways, the amount of data has grown exponentially. Companies have always been challenged with managing data, and now there is even more of it.

But the issue is not with the data or the technology. It is about choosing what matters in relation to the information.

Chaos theory states that complex systems move toward disorganization, when in fact there are underlying patterns that are organized and related. The same is happening with the current proliferation of data. Companies know they should do something with the data, but they are not sure what or how to derive insights from the patterns that underlie the apparently chaotic information.

Even before talking about technology, companies need to assess where they are in the data journey, where they are from a cultural perspective, and their ability to adopt a data-driven culture. They also need to determine how they can develop trust in the data and drive it into the business, so employees can get excited about the possibilities.

Questions that need to be answered:

• Who is driving the data?
• Who is consuming the data?
• Who is responsible for the trustworthiness of the data?

Once the groundwork is established, a proper technology platform can be created to achieve your objective. You don’t just build a platform and employees come. The biggest challenge is understanding where you want to go and how to leverage the data to get you there.

Capgemini’s Renewable Insights was developed based on the SAP S/4HANA platform and technologies. SAP S/4HANA was purpose-built around supply chain, finance, HR, CRM, and other core ERP applications and business functions. Renewable Insights dovetails with SAP S/4HANA because the core remains focused on business processes while agility and renewability are achieved on the edge in the cloud.

The winners in the market are the companies that adopt and adapt new business models. It is transformation inside and outside of the business, and whether it’s business functions or more experiential, the platform needs to be pliable and elastic to manage the pace of innovation and business today. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bcnUIDBjnhM?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.capgemini.com

Mike Price is a Vice President with the Insights & Data team and is responsible for SAP initiatives. He has been guiding clients at Capgemini for more than 16 years and can be reached at michael.r.price@capgemini.com.

Mike Price

Expert in Insights and Data

I am committed to delivering clients real business value from data and analytics ventures. As an Insights and Data Growth Practice Lead, I focus on new areas of growth to add to the portfolio of Capgemini Group alliances. I search for new and emerging partnerships that can further this goal. I also serve as an I&D SAP Practice Leader, supporting partnership within the global Capgemini SAP practice. I am an expert at working with client executives and Capgemini teams to drive strategy and leverage the insights and data portfolio to help companies become more data-driven through transformation, management, and performance.
My recent work includes:
Building and managing an Analytics Center of Excellence for over 70 resources across multiple sectors
Leading a team in the logical and technical design of an Enterprise Sales Warehouse
Leading the business process design, technical design, and delivery of an enterprise-planning, budgeting, and forecasting program deployed across all major markets
Developing a data-governance program to standardize and manage enterprise data assets and architecture
Developing an Analytics Strategy and Governance program concerning functional processes, organizational, and information requirements.
I have operated across Capgemini market units and industries, including consumer products, retail, manufacturing, energy and utilities, media and entertainment, and life sciences. I joined Capgemini in 2004 and have held various positions within the firm. I was initially a North American SAP Business Intelligence and Analytics Leader before taking on various new roles within the firm. I was also COO of the Insights and Data North America geography for three years.
Outside of work, I often speak and present on data and analytics at various venues including market analyst and partnership events. In my spare time, I enjoy running and other athletics.