Feb, 2025

As part of its strategic investment in SAP, Link Consulting continues to strengthen its team with top-tier talent. Joana Sousa Pinto, a seasoned SAP expert with 25 years of experience in leading and delivering complex SAP projects, is the latest addition to its leadership. Joana joins as a key figure in driving the company’s SAP Practice growth, leveraging her vast expertise in logistics, sales, procurement, and system integration.

With a strong track record in optimizing processes and integrating SAP systems, Joana is set to play a crucial role in shaping Link’s SAP strategy and delivery model. Her appointment underscores Link’s dedication to providing high-impact SAP services to businesses navigating digital transformation.

A remarkable SAP journey spanning over two decades

Joana’s SAP career started at ABN Amro Bank, where she was part of the IT department preparing for the Year 2000 (Y2K) transition. She later joined Tecnidata, which evolved into ROFF and subsequently Inetum, where she played a pivotal role in major SAP implementations.

“I had the opportunity to take on diverse roles, from consultant to service manager, working on projects that shaped industries. One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences was the SAP implementation at TV Cabo and its system integration with MEO (then Portugal Telecom). It was a milestone project that showcased SAP’s ability to connect and optimize complex business operations,” Joana recalls.

Her journey also led her to structure and scale SAP support services, growing a team from a handful of consultants to over 60 professionals. Later, she moved into pre-sales and, most recently, led the SAP business development across Europe for Inetum, gaining extensive experience in the global SAP market and cross-cultural project management.

“Over the last seven years, I’ve worked extensively with international clients, which has broadened my perspective on how SAP is leveraged across different industries and geographies. This experience allows me to bring a global mindset to Link’s SAP strategy, ensuring we align with both local and international best practices,” she highlights.

Why Link? The opportunity to innovate and expand SAP solutions

Joana’s decision to join Link Consulting was driven by the company’s strong reputation for innovation and its commitment to digital transformation. She was particularly drawn to Link’s leadership in cloud and integration technologies, which complement the evolution of SAP’s cloud-native solutions.

“What excited me most about Link was the chance to be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team with a strong presence in the Portuguese market and a growing international footprint,” Joana explains. “The opportunity to contribute to the expansion of the SAP Practice, strengthen Link’s portfolio, and drive new projects with innovative approaches was a key motivator.”

Joana envisions her role as a blend of strategy and execution. Her mission is to expand the SAP services, promote integration with cutting-edge technologies, and develop new business opportunities that bring tangible value to clients.

“I want to help align SAP with Link’s broader technology ecosystem, ensuring that businesses can seamlessly integrate SAP with other digital transformation initiatives. Whether it’s S/4HANA Cloud, Business Technology Platform (BTP), or other SAP innovations, our goal is to make these technologies work smarter and faster for our clients,” she adds.

Building the future of SAP at Link Consulting

Looking ahead, Joana has ambitious plans for Link’s SAP Practice, aiming to position it as a reference in the market. She believes that Link’s deep expertise in cloud, AI, and integration will be instrumental in delivering next-gen SAP solutions.

As Joana states, “My vision is to accelerate Link’s SAP growth, expand strategic partnerships, and deliver innovative SAP services that drive real business impact. We have a unique opportunity to transform businesses with SAP’s latest advancements, from cloud ERP implementations and migrations to intelligent process automation.”

A message to businesses navigating SAP transformation

For companies considering SAP solutions, Joana has a clear message: SAP is at the heart of digital transformation, and cloud is redefining how businesses operate.

“With SAP S/4HANA Cloud, BTP, and other innovations, organizations can achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency. However, successful SAP transformation requires expertise, strategic alignment, and a partner who understands both technology and business objectives,” she emphasizes.

At Link, the mission is to help businesses fully unlock SAP’s potential, ensuring a smooth transition to cloud environments while optimizing SAP systems to drive growth and agility.

Let’s talk about how Link’s SAP capabilities combined with 20+ years in deploying successful system integration and cloud projects can streamline your operations, enhance your business processes, and future-proof your technology landscape.