On October 15, 2025, students from the Management and Controlling degree programs took part in an exciting excursion to SAP in Walldorf. At the "HWG LU Student Day @SAP", they were given exclusive insights into the currently rapidly changing working world of a global software company and were able to experience their potential future career field up close with detailed insights as well as a smart supermarket showroom with innovative future technology.
After a warm welcome at SAP's headquarters, the day began with an informative introductory talk. Participants were given an overview of the company, its customers, partners and employees, as well as a variety of career paths - from entry-level to expert and management positions. It quickly became clear that artificial intelligence now plays a central role in almost all SAP applications in order to continuously improve work processes and results. The SAP Learning Hub was also presented: a free, practice-oriented learning offer for students that enables them to acquire certificates in addition to exercises in the SAP system.
The students were then able to experience innovative digital retail technologies in the newly established SAP S.Mart showroom. Here they were shown how SAP software uses digital solutions such as electronic price tags, RFID tags and AI-supported shelf monitoring. These technologies enable significantly faster inventories, automated payments, immediate reordering and a detailed analysis of customer behavior.
The joint lunch afterwards provided an opportunity to network with SAP employees. It was particularly pleasing that our alumni Jenny T. and Annika S., who had just completed their Master's degree in Controlling MCO the previous year, also attended. Lively discussions quickly developed in a relaxed atmosphere and the students were able to ask numerous questions about everyday working life, career entry and career prospects.
Exciting insights into cloud controlling followed in the afternoon. Here it was impressively conveyed that controlling analyses must adapt to the business model. In recent years, SAP has gradually shifted its software offering from traditional on-premise solutions to cloud solutions. In addition, artificial intelligence is increasingly taking over routine tasks such as cost forecasting, which has long been part of the core business of controlling. Today, a sound understanding of complex business models, their mapping through new key figures such as current cloud backlog or cloud renewal rate and in-depth analyses of the sales side are becoming more important. In the last three years, the controllers' understanding of their role has clearly shifted towards that of a business partner.
The ERP simulation game on the live SAP S/4HANA system was a practical highlight at the Degree. In teams of three, the students made business decisions and observed their impact on sales, the profit and loss account and company value in real time. The results from the retrievable reports formed the basis for the next strategic decisions and made theoretical management and controlling knowledge directly tangible for our students.
The day ended with many new impressions, contacts and the motivation to carry on the impulses gained into their studies and their own professional development.
A big thank you goes to the dedicated SAP employees, especially Melina M. and Christina S., who gave the students a practical insight into the world of SAP with great commitment, openness and enthusiasm. They made the day a very special experience.
