Whew! A high energy, go-go pace for the first two days at the I Love APIs Conference 2014! From the very moment that the API management demos were set up, curious and eager participants came streaming in to see what SAP had to offer. Starting with the brightly colored neon safety vests, and hard hats, to the giant remote-operated Cranes, it was clear SAP was bringing something different to the floor at I Love APIs 2014. With 4 demos showcasing the power of API Management, powered by the new strategic partnership with Apigee, it was hard not to walk away with a smile. To paraphrase one attendees comment, "It is like big toys, for us big kids."
SAP DEMOS IN ACTION
Some samples of the demos in action on the first days:
- Crane Demo
SAP Partner, SK Solutions, showing Irfan Khan, CTO Global Customer Operations, the Real-time Anti-Collision and Remote site monitoring applications provided by embedded computers in cranes, powered by SAP HANA and the Internet of Things.
- Google Glass Demo – DiscoverSimple Assist
Ning-Jing Gao, Product Manager for SAP Gateway and API Management gives a first-hand demonstration of the Google Glass app providing hands-free laptop repair scenario with 3D or video instruction and online inventory checking / ordering powered by SAP API Management (jointly developed with SAP partner Quantilus).
- Augmented Reality Demo - Visual Showroom
Amid the hustle and bustle, a hands-on view through a tablet device lets an amazed user see the augmented reality of an interior design item from a catalog, and order products in real-time, powered by SAP API management (jointly developed with SAP partner Quantilus).
(views from her perspective)
Last but certainly not least, the largest, and most prominent display, that could not help but grab passerby attention
- Connected Retail Demo
Attendees being prompted to tell the SAP Smart Vending Machine their life story, in order to earn points, before purchasing a snack via End-To-End Marketing Equipment Operations spanning supply-chain, maintenance, analytics, mobile payments and consumer Loyalty, enabled by HANA and Internet of Things.
Not only these exciting demos trotted out by SAP, the floor was filled with all kinds of amazing API developments, robots that learn how to beat you at games, remote controlled telepresence devices for terminally ill children, drones, personal fitness, personal shoppers, you name it! It was a real playground (even if we show up in work gear, we know how to have fun too), and inspiring to see all the solutions that are coming out that utilize API Management.
SPEAKER PANELS
In addition to all the great devices to see and try, today was full of amazing panel sessions covering a variety of API topics, from leaders of Industry. It was great to hear so many influential people sharing their knowledge and opinions on the state of APIs and what the future has to offer.
The afternoon Keynote roundtable saw market powerhouses Irfan Khan, CTO Global Customer Operations SAP, Chet Kapoor CEO Apigee, Brian Lillie CIO Equinix, and Somesh Nigam CIO Independence Blue Cross sitting down together, against the impressive giant digital backdrop of the mainstage to discuss a broad overview of the changing role of technology and business, and what stands in the way of businesses rising to meet the challenge of staying current in this ever evolving landscape.
One concept that Irfan Khan spoke about which really stuck out in my mind, and seemed to get some good discussion going on stage, was the idea of "Classes of data" similar to airline classes. He spoke about "Enterprise class Data", "First Class Data", and the "Economy Class" data. He said that historically because there is so much of this "Economy" data it has been left ignored in comparison to the "Higher Class" data (perhaps paralleling many peoples Economy flying experience). But capitalizing now on the power of SAP HANA In-Memory Management computing and analytics, it turns out that this "Economy" data, such as all the common APIs, actually helps to give a sense of perspective to the other classes of data, and how they are useful in relation to the broader environment. It is clear that Irfan Khan is thinking broadly and deeply about the future of data and APIs.
Next up on the main stage, was another impressive panel of speakers, our own Joav Bally who entered the stage to cheers, Chief Product Manager SAP, speaking with Allan Donald (BBC), Shawn Gilmour (Autodesk), and John de Keijzer (Swisscom), moderated by Nigel Fenwick (Forrester) on the topic of Digital Transformation, bringing IT and Marketing together to drive business forward in a new way, and the differences between the new Business Market and the old Business Market.
After the fanfare died down, it was time to have some serious discussion, with probing questions as you can see in the above picture. However SAPs Joav Bally still managed to keep the atmosphere light hearted, answering the above question, about the fundamental change of business, with an Anecdote about "Date Night" with his wife, which garnered more than a few chuckles on and off stage. But his point was well-received, even something as common as going on a date now has become an almost completely digital transaction! You look up where to eat on Yelp, reserve a table on a mobile device enroute with OpenTable, you pay the bill with PayPal, look up movie showtimes on moviefones app, etc. If a business is not prepared to interact with people in this medium, it will not exist for much longer. Another thoughtful discussion, certainly.
The discussion wrapped up, and I realized, all this great discussion, and viewing so many companies impressive demos, and it was still only 4pm! Needless to say there is a ton of stuff to see and do, and unfortunately one can't see it all. It was great to see how much
energy and enthusiasm everyone at the conference has for APIs and digital business. Was a great opportunity to see the amazing Demos and speak with many leaders in API Management solutions, and there is still one more day left to participate, looking forward to what comes next.
We will see you then, or see you next year!
SAP "I love API" event team