An SAP programme should leave the business faster, clearer and easier to run. Many do not. The system goes live, but people work around it, processes stay slow and the people who built it have moved on.
I help organisations at three points: before they commit, while the programme is running, and after go-live when the value has not arrived. I am independent of SAP and of the implementation partner, so my advice is about your business, not about selling more work.
Most of the programmes I am asked to look at fit one of three patterns.
- The system is live, but people do not use it well. Training covered transactions, not the way the business actually works. Read how I approach SAP training and adoption.
- The processes are still slow. The design copied the old way of working, or the standard was bent with custom code that now needs maintaining.
- The partner has left and nobody owns the system. Changes queue up, upgrades get postponed and the business case is quietly forgotten.
If your programme is still running and already off track, my guide to SAP project recovery explains how I assess it in the first week.
Each piece of work is scoped to your situation. These are the six areas I am asked about most.
SAP health check and audit
A structured review of your system, your processes and how the system is used today. You get a clear list of what is working, what is not and what to fix first, in order of value.
SAP suitability assessment
Before you commit, I help you test whether SAP fits your business, which edition fits and what it will really take. My guides to RISE with SAP public vs private cloud and S/4HANA migration cost cover the main questions.
SAP integration strategy
How SAP connects to your CRM, finance, supply chain and data platforms, and which system owns which data. Getting ownership right early prevents most of the reconciliation work later.
SAP licence optimisation
A review of what you pay for against what you use, before renewal or before a RISE with SAP contract. Read what to negotiate in a RISE with SAP contract and my SAP licence negotiation checklist.
Process improvement and automation
Bringing processes back towards SAP standard, removing custom code that no longer earns its place and automating the manual steps that remain.
Implementation support
Senior, hands-on support during delivery: design reviews, partner oversight, data readiness and go-live decisions. I also help choose the right implementation partner and keep the scope in your hands.
- A 30-minute call. You describe the situation and I tell you honestly whether I can help.
- A short scoping piece of work. One or two weeks to understand the system, the programme and the people, with a written view at the end.
- The engagement itself, sized to what the scoping found, not to a standard package.
- SAP implementation cost calculator: a first budget range for your programme.
- Data migration estimator: effort and cost for moving your data.
- S/4HANA migration assessment: greenfield, brownfield or selective for your situation.
- SAP solution builder: map your requirements to SAP products.
I write about SAP, ERP and AI for practitioners and leaders. Recent pieces include:
- How SAP generative AI is creating new careers globally on the SAP Press blog.
- Leading through technology: addressing core organisational problems on Techronicler.
- Five SAP careers set to grow in 2026 on InfoSites.
My work has also appeared on Inter Press Service, TechBullion, MSN and LinkedIn.
These are recommendations from sponsors, colleagues and partners on programmes I have led, quoted as they were written.
Tareq Ashmawy
Digital Advisor, Department of Government Enablement
Noel is — no cliché — a go-getter with an unprecedented focus on cost optimisation and over-delivering objectives; a mix of qualities that would appear hard for partners or vendors to cope with.
However, I can confirm that my experience with Noel has been challenging, exciting and rewarding.
Adam Boukadida
Chief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air
We had an opportunity to transform the Finance function in Etihad by automating our processes and providing more transparency in financial reporting.
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.
Andrew Stotter Brooks
Chief Learning Officer, ADNOC Group
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.
He's not only a role model in the professional space but also someone who leads with empathy, always willing to lend an ear or offer guidance when needed.
Andrew MacFarlane
Managing Partner, Cumbrae Partners LLP (former Chief Investment Officer, Etihad Airways)
Noel led the technical delivery of the SAP Finance Transformation project at Etihad.
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.
Ruchira Dasanayake
Program Manager, Fortude, United Kingdom
His deep understanding of SAP solutions, coupled with his strategic vision, has been truly impressive.
Noel's ability to communicate clearly and deliver results that not only meet but exceed expectations has made a lasting impact. He is a true leader who believes in pushing boundaries.
Farouq Al Kabarity
Digital Design Manager, Digital DEWA, Dubai
Noel's guidance drove significant advancements in our digital initiatives, especially in SAP, improving efficiency and ensuring we stayed ahead of industry trends.
His inclusive leadership fostered a collaborative environment where employees thrived and felt empowered to contribute their best.
Mike Papamichael
PRISM Consulting Services, Cyprus (former Chief Information Officer, EAG)
Noel has been a core member of my IT leadership team in Etihad since 2017.
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.
Anubhav Agarwal
HR Executive Leader, Translink Canada
Laying the foundation stones for several key IT efforts to support business transformation across the corporate functions, he has helped steer very successful efforts and investments at EY.
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.
Takhliq Hanif
Head of Architecture, Volkswagen Financial Services
Noel has excellent stakeholder management skills and is a very strong communicator. He has a growth mindset and continually challenges himself and his organisation to deliver quicker and more cost-effectively.
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.
If your SAP programme is about to start, is running late or has gone live without the value you expected, book a 30-minute call. I will tell you what I see and whether I am the right person to help.