From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Africa’s first AppHaus, a creative space available to organisations that use SAP solutions, has been launched in South Africa to bolster innovation on the continent. Natasha Odendaal has the story.

Natasha Odendaal:

Africa’s first AppHaus, forming part of a community of 22 global locations, has been integrated into independent SAP human resources and payroll specialist EPI-USE in Pretoria, which was selected to form part of the global network in October 2022.

Part of the SAP AppHaus network, the EPI-USE team underwent intensive training in key AppHaus methodologies to help clients accelerate project development and develop innovative ideas within a design-led innovation centre.

EPI-USE technical AppHaus lead Jhani Coetzee...

Natasha Odendaal:

This led to the establishment of a 250 m2 dedicated space, which can be adapted to suit clients’ individual needs and can host workshops for up to 50 people.

It includes four separate meeting areas, moveable design-thinking tables and walls which can be written on, all of which support the hands-on approach that is unique to an AppHaus experience to foster innovative solutions on the continent.

The goal of the AppHaus network is to place people at the centre of engagements by applying SAP’s human-centered approach to innovation and leveraging SAP Business Technology Platform as a foundation for innovation.

EPI-USE technical AppHaus lead Jhani Coetzee...

Natasha Odendaal:

While the creative space, which will provide an inspiring environment to connect, network and share ideas, has been established at the group’s Pretoria offices, workshops incorporating Africa’s unique landscape will also be held at a community-run lodge in the North West that forms part of the nonprofit Elephants, Rhinos and People, or ERP.

EPI-USE technical AppHaus lead Jhani Coetzee...

Natasha Odendaal:

Groupelephant.com, which EPI-USE is a part of, pioneered a hybrid business model ‘Beyond Corporate Purpose’ which features the ERP.

ERP aims to protect and conserve Elephants and Rhinos in the wild in Africa through a strategy based on the economic upliftment of impoverished rural people living in communities adjacent to the threatened species.

EPI-USE technical AppHaus lead Jhani Coetzee...

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.