Our Story

The Evolution of ASUG

The Americas' SAP Users' Group (ASUG) got its start in the very early 1990’s when a group of long-time SAP customers were compelled to get together and to share their experiences and learn from each other about their use of SAP. One day in late 1991, they decided to launch a user group. We weren’t very sophisticated back then – we had no Website, no e-mail... The one thing we did have was a shared passion for SAP, so everything clicked. From our origins connecting users face-to-face in small meetings, we have expanded into a year round community, with thousands of opportunities for members to share their stories with each other. Over ASUG’s short 17 year history of connecting SAP customers and partners with each other, it’s become an ongoing cycle of shared experience that continues to create real advantage for the entire SAP community. And it’s our job to not only make those connections possible, but to make them interesting and fun and to ensure that everyone gains an advantage from the exchange.

We’ve been a lot of things over the last 17 years:

And as SAP has expanded its customer base and solutions, ASUG has followed suit by increasing product and service offerings and revitalizing our organizational structure. Yet, even during these substantial periods of growth, ASUG has remained true to our mission of providing the SAP ecosystem with the resources, tools, and connections they need to maximize the return on their SAP investment.

On January 1, 2010 we joined forces with the Global Business Network (GBN) to provide SAP users with one, independent resource for all professionals in the SAP ecosystem, and deliver education, networking, and influence opportunities regardless of a member company’s underlying platform. Our story unfolds.

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Our Leadership

ASUG is led at the highest level by our Board of Directors comprised of ASUG volunteers elected by our membership and an SAP executive liaison. Daily operations are managed by the Chief Executive Officer, Bridgette Chambers, and the ASUG management team who are charged with delivering on the Board’s vision and serving the membership on a daily basis. The Chief Executive Officer reports to the ASUG Executive Committee, which is comprised of ASUG Board Chairperson Abbe Mulders, Vice Chairperson Anthony Bosco, the Immediate Past Chairperson Mike O'Dell, and the Finance Vice Chairperson Joe Zabaglo.

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Our Volunteers

ASUG relies on the passion, experiences and commitment of more than 300 volunteer leaders at the Special Interest Group (SIG) and Chapter levels. These volunteers shape the direction of 90 SIGs and 38 Chapter communities bringing timely, relevant educational and networking opportunities to our membership.

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Our Members

The story of ASUG is best told by our members. Here’s what a few of them have to say about the value they derive from their participation.

ASUG Community Video

They also come together to recognize the best of the best. Three companies each received an ASUG Impact Award in 2009 for achieving outstanding business results through their use of SAP in the following categories: Public Sector - U.S. Navy; Large Enterprise - Hewlett-Packard; and Small to Medium Enterprise - Newport Corporation.

But our membership consists of more than just SAP customers. The strength in our member community is our diversity. Our Associate Members bring their thought leadership and expertise to our community on a daily basis. And our University Connection members that represent the leading minds in the country are committed to educating and empowering the next generation of business and technology leaders. We fully appreciate and leverage the network of professionals that develop, implement and work with SAP.

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ASUG Impact Award

The ASUG Impact Award recognizes ASUG member companies that have achieved significant business results due to an SAP implementation.

2009 Impact Award Video

2008 Impact Award Video

2007 Impact Award Video

Our Partnership with SAP

Just as there are many different aspects to ASUG, our partnership with SAP has many facets as well. We are partners in our educational events, including the ASUG Annual Conference and SAPPHIRE, as well as the SAP BusinessObjects User Conference, and partners in joint programs like Benchmarking and Influence that fuel so much value for our member community.

We are proud of this partnership because not only is it unprecedented in the technology industry – there’s no other solution provider/user group relationship out there like it – it just keeps on growing. Both organizations are constantly looking for ways to make the lives of SAP customers easier.

While we value our close relationship with SAP, we do maintain our independent voice and often act as a trusted advisor to SAP. Our ongoing dialog with SAP has generated a lot of value to SAP customers over the years but we recognize that we must continually balance our partnership and our independence in order to maintain our strategic relationship with SAP and to ensure that our member voices are heard.

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Our Success

We are proud of our continuing growth and contributions to the SAP ecosystem. While our Annual Reports reflect the success of our community from previous years, we believe we are poised for even greater growth in the future. And we believe we’ll get there by continuing to be where our members need us and by creating opportunities for them to be there for each other.

ASUG Annual Report

Review all the successes and highlights from the previous year by downloading the ASUG Annual Report.

2008 Annual Report

2007 Annual Report

2006 Annual Report

2005 Annual Report

ASUG Bylaws

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Questions? Contact hq@asug.com or call 312.321.5142.