SAPinsider has named the finalists for its 2026 Awards program, spanning seven categories that recognize organizations and leaders driving measurable outcomes through SAP-based innovation, cloud transformation, and cybersecurity.
The finalists, selected by an independent judging panel, include a broad cross-section of global enterprises, public sector bodies, and individual leaders. Winners will be announced live at the SAPinsider Awards Ceremony Dinner on March 16 during SAPinsider Las Vegas.
Leading the AI Powered Innovation category are three organizations advancing practical enterprise AI use cases:
- BRG Sports for its Riddell Intelligent Assistant project
- Fit Foods for its Autonomous Invoice Processing innovation
- HP Inc. with SAP for their Innovation and Optimization with SAP AI initiative
Driving large-scale cloud and business model reinvention, this year’s Digital/Cloud Transformation finalists include:
- Eugene Water & Electric Board for their transformation from legacy on-premise systems to SAP on RISE
- Waymo with PwC for their transportation-as-a-service monetization initiative
- Florida Crystals with SimpleMDG for their SAP data governance transformation initiative
- McKesson with Microsoft for their healthcare-at-scale transformation initiative
Cybersecurity remains a central focus this year, with the following finalists recognized for strengthening SAP environments against evolving risk:
- U.S. Department of Defense with NextLabs for their sensitive data protection initiative
- Siemens Healthineers with Onapsis for their centralized SAP security program
- Sainsbury’s with SecurityBridge for their SAP cybersecurity enhancement initiative
Large-scale ERP modernization efforts are represented by the following ERP Transformation finalists:
- Microsoft for its 70TB SAP modernization and migration initiative
- Brown-Forman with Sovos for their ERP and global tax compliance transformation program
- Loparex with Reveal USA for their SAP S/4HANA operational transformation initiative, driving inventory reduction, service level improvements, and supply chain performance gains
Redefining enterprise impact at scale, this year’s Innovation Vanguard – Customer of the Year finalists include:
- Nestlé with Microsoft for their cloud-first ERP transformation on Azure
- United Therapeutics with Protiviti for their real-time decision-making and risk reduction initiative
- Patatas Meléndez with SEIDOR for their digital transformation from technical conversion to enterprise modernization
Two individual recognition categories round out the program. The Next-Generation Leader of Impact shortlist features Martin Rowan of Reveal, Andrew Reid of SAP, and Erin Hughes of SAP.
The SAP Woman of Impact finalists are Cindy Borgman of apiphani, Carol McMillan of Naturipe Farms, and Tami Fox of Monster Energy.
James Bedard, Chairman and Global CEO of SAPinsider, said, “These finalists exemplify what it means to move beyond implementation to true business transformation. Their projects and leadership demonstrate measurable impact, disciplined execution, and innovation at scale.”
SAPinsider Las Vegas runs from March 16–18, bringing together SAP practitioners and solution providers across AI, cloud, ERP, cybersecurity, and data management.
What This Means for ERP Insiders
Transformation is being measured by outcomes, not implementation. Across categories, finalists are recognized for quantifiable impact, from inventory reduction to service-level gains, reinforcing that modernization must translate into operational and financial performance.
Cloud and RISE strategies are moving into execution maturity. Projects such as migrations from legacy on-premise systems to SAP on RISE signal that enterprises are progressing beyond roadmap discussions toward scaled deployment and optimization.
AI, data governance, and cybersecurity are now core ERP disciplines. The breadth of finalists underscores a shift: innovation is no longer adjacent to ERP — it is embedded within it, reshaping how organizations manage risk, intelligence, and business agility.
