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I help you build systems and then make them smart.

I help your team pick the right platforms, deliver programmes, improve reporting and use AI where it solves real problems.

Noel D'Costa

Three areas. One question.

Enterprise applications, data and AI are connected parts of the same problem. Whichever one brings you here, the question is the same: will this work for your business, and what does it take to get there?

“Noel led the technical delivery of the SAP Finance Transformation project at Etihad … the programme has delivered on time (18 months), on budget and with no major issues.”Andrew MacFarlane, Managing Partner, Cumbrae Partners LLP. Previously Chief Investment Officer, Etihad Airways

I start with the business process and the numbers behind it, then decide which system, data or AI work earns its place. Not the other way round.

Expertise

Applications, data and AI. Connected.

Each area stands on its own. Most of my work touches at least two of them.

All expertise

Enterprise applications

Pick the right platform. Then make the programme deliver.

Enterprise applications
  • Platform choice and business case across SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and ServiceNow, before you sign
  • The migration route: upgrade, re-implement or move in phases
  • Independent oversight of SI-led programmes, from design to go-live and after
  • Recovery when a programme has slipped on time, budget or scope

SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion, Microsoft Dynamics 365, ServiceNow

Data & analytics

Bring your data into the decisions that matter.

Data and analytics
  • Finance and management reporting that holds up at month-end close
  • Planning and reporting across your ERP and other systems
  • A data foundation that joins ERP data with the rest of the business, including Databricks
  • Data quality for migrations, so the new system starts with numbers people trust

Databricks, Microsoft reporting, SAP Analytics Cloud

AI

Make your systems smart, where it pays back.

Enterprise and private AI
  • Choosing the few AI use cases worth funding, and dropping the rest
  • Private AI that keeps company information inside your own environment
  • AI steps inside ERP processes, with a person approving what matters
  • SAP Joule and other built-in AI: what your licence includes and what it needs

Most of my AI work: public sector, aviation, defence and retail

AI projects

Most of my AI work is for public sector, aviation, defence and retail organisations. Client names stay private.

  • Public sector

    A private assistant for policy and procurement rules

    A government entity wanted staff to ask questions of its policies, circulars and procurement rules without sending documents to a public AI service. I helped pick the first use cases, set up the deployment so data stayed inside their environment, define who could see what, and build a test set of real questions to check answers before rollout.

  • Aviation

    AI on finance exceptions

    An airline's finance team spent days each month clearing invoice and payment exceptions. I helped design an AI step that reads each exception, suggests the likely cause and routes it to the right person, with a human approving every posting.

  • Defence

    AI on a network with no internet access

    A defence manufacturer needed engineers to search technical documents and change records inside a restricted network. I helped choose a model that runs on their own infrastructure, set access by clearance, and decide what the assistant must never answer.

  • Retail

    Answers for store teams

    A retailer's store teams asked the same product, stock and policy questions every day. I helped scope an assistant over approved product and policy content, reading stock from the ERP, with clear limits on what it could change.

  • SAP Joule

    Joule readiness

    An SAP customer wanted to know what Joule would do for them. I worked out what their licence included, what had to be set up, and which processes were standard enough to benefit.

Recommendations

  • “Noel is … a go-getter with an unprecedented focus on cost optimisation and over-delivering objectives.”

    Tareq AshmawyDigital Advisor, Department of Government Enablement
  • “Noel did a splendid job in helping us define and implement our road-map, which included SAP, our ERP, as well as other reporting solutions using Microsoft and automation tools like Robotics and Process Automation.”

    Adam BoukadidaChief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air
  • “His ability to inspire those around him, whether through his strategic insights or his personal integrity, has earned him the respect and admiration of many.”

    Andrew Stotter BrooksChief Learning Officer, ADNOC Group
  • “This was a very substantial undertaking and it is huge credit to Noel that the programme has delivered on time (18 months), on budget and with no major issues.”

    Andrew MacFarlaneManaging Partner, Cumbrae Partners LLP (former Chief Investment Officer, Etihad Airways)
  • “His deep understanding of SAP solutions, coupled with his strategic vision, has been truly impressive.”

    Ruchira DasanayakeProgram Manager, Fortude, United Kingdom
  • “Noel's guidance drove significant advancements in our digital initiatives, especially in SAP, improving efficiency and ensuring we stayed ahead of industry trends.”

    Farouq Al KabarityDigital Design Manager, Digital DEWA, Dubai
  • “His functional expertise, combined with his financial accounting knowledge and detailed business process understanding and attention to detail gained from working in Internal Audit are invaluable tools that Noel uses to drive business change and deliver amazing results.”

    Mike PapamichaelPRISM Consulting Services, Cyprus (former Chief Information Officer, EAG)
  • “His attention to detail and ex-audit background is an unusual, yet refreshingly formidable combination. With his razor-sharp commercial acumen, he is a great partner to work with all round.”

    Anubhav AgarwalHR Executive Leader, Translink Canada
  • “Noel is a very talented negotiator and has a laser focus on cost and value. He builds strong business-focused technology organisations and develops them into talented teams.”

    Takhliq HanifHead of Architecture, Volkswagen Financial Services
Client work

Programmes I've worked on.

Some of this work was as an employee, some as an adviser. I say which, because it changes what I was responsible for.

All case studies
Programmes, Noel's relationship to each, platforms and what changed
ProgrammeMy rolePlatformsWhat changed
National airlineIn-house, IT leadership teamSAP, Microsoft reporting, RPABuilt and ran the SAP centre of excellence. Technical delivery of the SAP finance transformation: 18 months, on time, on budget.
Government departmentAdviserOracle E-Business Suite to Oracle FusionMove to Oracle Fusion across 84 entities.
Global IT services firmLeadership, now CTOSAP, Oracle, MicrosoftPractices across the Middle East and Africa, 800+ consultants.

Watch the thinking.

36 talks on SAP, ERP programmes, data and AI. Straight answers, from the work.

Subscribe on YouTube
AI Academy · for consultants

Bring AI into the way you consult.

I'm building an academy for consultants who want to use AI in their work, automate the repetitive parts and build practical tools. The first programme is AI Automation Practitioner.

See the programme
Launching soon

The goal: build and deploy three working business automations in 30 days.

  1. Learn

    One technique at a time.

  2. Build

    On your own work.

  3. Submit

    A working automation.

  4. Feedback

    What works, what doesn't.

  5. Fix

    Revise until it works.

  6. Complete

    Three accepted.

  7. Certify

    Your certificate.

What you can expect.

Noel D'Costa
  1. 01I work with your leadership team myself. No junior team learning on your budget.
  2. 02We start with what the business needs to achieve, then decide what technology gets you there.
  3. 03If your current system needs adjusting rather than replacing, I'll tell you.
  4. 04I came to ERP through finance and internal audit, so I look at the close, the controls and the numbers first.

Two more places for consultants.

If you are a consultant rather than a buyer, these two are for you: one for your CV and career, one for learning and my books.

  • ERPCV

    Careers for ERP consultants

    Recruiter-ready career documents for SAP, Oracle and Microsoft consultants: CV, project portfolio, interview preparation and LinkedIn outreach. Start with a free CV diagnosis.

    • Free CV diagnosis
    • Career Evidence Pack
    • One-to-one career advice with me (paid)
  • SAPopedia

    Career paths, skills and books

    Career navigation and professional skills for enterprise technology people: SAP career paths, courses, The Authority Code, and my books.

    • SAP career paths
    • Professional skills courses
    • Books by Noel

New articles, first.

When I publish a new article, video or AI Academy update, you get it by email. No spam, and you can leave any time.

Tell me what you're working on.

A 30-minute call. You describe the programme, the decision or the problem. I'll tell you whether I can help, and if I can't, who might.