UNITED VARS BEYOND

“We Pushed a Car Through a Fence to Build a Global Alliance.” Detlef Mehlmann reflects on 20 years of UNITED VARS

Anna Colette — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:52:36 GMT

What does it take to turn a founding idea into a global alliance of SAP solution providers and implementation partners?

To mark the 20th anniversary of UNITED VARS in June, we interviewed our newly retired Managing Director, Detlef Mehlmann, on his last two decades of shaping UNITED VARS.

Built on Trust: Alejandro Daniel O'Davoren on the Origins of UNITED VARS

Anna Colette — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:40:41 GMT

UNITED VARS celebrates its 20th anniversary in June 2026. To mark this milestone, we spoke with the three founders about their original vision, how the alliance has evolved, and what they hope for the future.

Why Capability Development Has Become a Strategic Lever in Global SAP Delivery

United VARs — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:53:29 GMT

Why Capability Development Has Become a Strategic Lever in Global SAP Delivery

Global SAP delivery has entered a new phase of complexity. Programs span regions, partners, and cultures, while expectations around speed, quality, and predictability continue to rise. In this environment, success is shaped less by individual brilliance and more by the organization’s collective ability to collaborate, align, and adapt.

When Technical Excellence Is No Longer Enough in Global SAP Delivery

United VARs — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:45:14 GMT

When Technical Excellence Is No Longer Enough in Global SAP Delivery

Global SAP programs rarely fail because of missing functionality. They struggle because of misalignment between regions, unclear decision paths, and human dynamics that are hard to address with technical solutions alone. As delivery models become more international and interconnected, the factors that determine success are shifting.

Spotlight on Islet Group

Anna Colette — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT

When Janina Luoto, Islet Group's CEO, has free time, she packs her tent and disappears into the Finnish Lapland Natural Parks; taking nothing but basic supplies and her love of untouched nature. She also enjoys cross-country skiing and hiking with her family and their two black Labradors.

Navigating SAP’s Shift to Full Use Equivalent (FUE) Licensing

Dudley Cartwright — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The SAP licensing landscape is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in years. With the introduction of the STAR measurement process for organisations moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private Edition, SAP has taken a major step forward. The use of a transparent, published STAR rule set provides a definitive basis for determining each user’s Full Use Equivalent (FUE) status.

The Relational Approach to SAP Consulting at the United VARs Academy

United VARs — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The Relational Approach to SAP Consulting at the United VARs Academy

An interview with Manuel Lopez, Founder and Director of Liquid School

The United VARs Academy is a week-long, in-person enablement program designed for consultants and project managers working at United VARs member companies. It helps participants to acquire and develop the skills and confidence to excel in international SAP projects.

Spotlight on Citek

Anna Colette — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:00:00 GMT

"Harry" Hoang Tung, Business Consulting Director and co-founder of Citek, balances a demanding career with family life in Ho Chi Minh City, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and young son.

The Crucial 10%: Blue-Zone’s Small Solutions That Drive Big Results in SAP Implementations

United VARs — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT

"Think of a Formula 1 car without its aerodynamic spoiler. The engine runs perfectly, but it's missing that crucial 5-10% performance edge that could win the race."

Building SAP Talent with Heart: How NETIZEN Wins the War for Talent in Thailand

Anna Colette — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In Thailand, SAP consultancies face a shrinking talent pool. NETIZEN, one of the country’s first SAP consulting firms, has found a different way forward. Instead of competing in bidding wars for scarce professionals, the company has built its own talent pipeline, guided by a culture of service and global collaboration.

Omotenashi: Service from the Heart Shapes Everything

When Seree Satukijchai returned to Thailand after years with SAP in Japan and Germany, he brought home not only technical expertise but also a philosophy. In 2000, he founded NETIZEN on the principle of Omotenashi, the Japanese concept of wholehearted hospitality.

This mindset shapes how NETIZEN works with customers and how it develops people. "Consulting is never just about technical know-how. It means understanding the client’s true needs and responding with the right attitude," Seree says. This belief also shapes the workplace, giving employees the chance to learn, grow, and feel proud of the difference they make.

Young Professionals Choosing AI and Data Science Roles

Career choices among graduates are changing rapidly. "In the past, SAP was one of the most attractive jobs for new talent. Today it’s different. Many graduates think SAP work means long hours and no work-life balance," says Seree.

Emerging fields such as AI, blockchain, and data platforms are attracting graduates who want more flexible and creative careers. The first questions they ask are no longer about technical challenges or advancement. They ask about working hours and balance.

Rather than compete for a shrinking pool of experienced SAP consultants, NETIZEN recruits people from other enterprise platforms such as Oracle and Microsoft, then develops their SAP expertise internally.

"We don’t want to fight for the same pool of experienced SAP professionals. We’d rather bring in people from different backgrounds and develop them through our framework and academy," Seree notes.

A Culture Anchored in Five Core Values

At NETIZEN, every team member is regarded as a "Guardian of Our Culture," guided by five principles: gratitude, virtue, wisdom, determination, and responsibility.

These values are not abstract ideals but practical standards that shape everyday decisions and unite the company across projects and regions. To bring them to life, new hires take part in the “Proud to be NETIZEN” program, which helps them understand what success looks like through the eyes of customers.

The same values also shape how NETIZEN attracts new talent. Each month, an “Open House for Talent” welcomes candidates into the workplace to experience the culture firsthand, hear employee success stories, and learn about skills development opportunities such as the NETIZEN BTX training model that helps consultants build expertise faster through specialized learning paths.

From a group of around 40 visitors, only two or three are typically hired, reflecting a focus on quality over quantity.

From Local Consultants to Global Professionals with the United VARs Academy

Two years ago, NETIZEN sent its first group of consultants to the United VARs Academy in Bangkok. Employees from consulting, sales, and customer engagement joined the program. The experience changed more than their technical skills.

"After the Academy, our people become more global. Before, they might hesitate to speak English. Now they’re confident and open to working with international teams," says Seree.

The Academy introduces participants to international project management frameworks and cross-cultural collaboration. It builds networks that continue long after the program ends, creating a support system for consultants working on complex projects.

You can find out more about the Academy in this blog, How United VARs Helps its Members Win the 'War for Talent'.

Global Connections That Continue After Training

The Academy experience goes far beyond the classroom. Graduates come back with greater confidence in English, stronger cultural awareness, and professional networks they can rely on for years to come.

"Colleagues in Germany may see a new SAP solution first. Thanks to the Academy, our team can learn about it straight away and share that knowledge back here," Seree explains.

Knowledge Cascades Through the Organization

The Academy experience is not limited to those who attend. NETIZEN requires participants to present their learnings to the wider company. Insights about project management, collaboration, and technical best practices flow across the organization, multiplying the impact of the program.

Even sending three participants can transform an entire company’s readiness to work globally. For NETIZEN, this flow of knowledge helps nurture a culture of openness and ongoing improvement. NETIZEN was proud to host the United VARs Academy in Bangkok in July this year. Bringing the Academy to Thailand demonstrated the country’s growing importance in the SAP ecosystem.

AI Skills Now Essential Across All Roles

Seree sees AI reshaping how consultants work and learn. "The most important skill now is knowing how to manage knowledge and work with AI. You don’t need to memorize everything. You need to know how to ask AI the right questions to get the right answers," he explains.

He believes this shift will influence every role, not only technical ones. Consultants, project managers, and even customer-facing teams will all need confidence in using AI to solve problems faster and make better decisions.

Seree also emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a partner in everyday work rather than a replacement for human expertise. By combining structured thinking with the ability to collaborate with AI, consultants can deliver higher value to clients while continuing to adapt as new technologies emerge.

A Different Approach to Winning the War for Talent

NETIZEN’s story offers a lesson for SAP consultancies worldwide. Competing for scarce professionals is not the only path. Companies can build their own talent, create environments that inspire loyalty, and prepare employees for global collaboration.

The United VARs Academy is central to this strategy. It bridges local expertise with global readiness, helping consultants overcome language and cultural barriers while forming lasting networks throughout their careers.

Visit the Academy landing page on the members-only United VARs Hub for details and registration. If you need access, please reach out to Carol Li.