Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough When it Comes to Your Data
In her recent article by ERP Today, senior editor Radhika Ojha interviews Kevin Campbell, CEO of Syniti, to unpack the challenges organizations face when preparing for SAP S/4HANA migrations. Based on findings from a new Syniti report, one thing is clear: when it comes to data, “good enough” simply isn’t good enough. While 70% of organizations claim to have a data strategy, 86% fear poor data management will derail their AI efforts. The root issue? It’s not the tech—it’s the people. Too often, data is treated as an IT issue, not a business priority. Campbell argues that success starts with a “Data First” culture where executive commitment, early business involvement, and shared ownership are non-negotiable. One of the biggest missteps in SAP S/4HANA projects is treating data quality as an afterthought. Campbell warns: every migration is a data quality project. Delaying data cleansing leads to delays, inflated costs, and downstream errors. The solution? Start cleansing 6–8 months before design and involve business users from day one. AI, often viewed as a goal, should also be used as a tool—helping to automate data cleansing and governance at scale. But AI is only as effective as the data it’s fed. Finally, companies must bridge the talent gap. Success demands business-savvy data specialists and cross-functional teams fluent in both data and operations. Ojha concludes that if your data isn’t right, your transformation won’t be either. You must treat data as your most valuable asset.
