Business students to compete in the International SAP ERPsim Competition after finishing in top 3 at North American qualifier

Photo: Marlene Zhou

Montana Technological University’s Department of Business will send five students to the SAP ERPsim International competition after snagging one of three spots available through the North American qualifier on March 31.

The team took home third place amongst 26 teams and more than 100 students from the U.S. and Canada competing in the 2023 North America SAP ERPSim hosted by HEC Montreal, the University of Montreal’s business school.

“I was just hoping our team would qualify to make it to the final round,” Associate Professor of Business Rita Spear said. “I couldn’t believe it when the final scoreboard was posted, and our team was in third place. I am incredibly proud of these students.”

Heaven Dagel, a business student from Great Falls, was thankful for the opportunity to represent Montana Tech, but shared in Spear’s award-time anxiousness.

“The opportunity was rewarding in so many ways,” Dagel said. “I was shaking so bad waiting for the results.”

The ERPsim is a business simulation game, where teams use SAP S/4 HANA to manage a virtual company in a fast-paced, competitive marketplace, where business decisions are based on data analytics. This simulates the competitive market students will face once they launch careers after graduation from Montana Tech. Montana Tech and 16,000 universities worldwide belong to the SAP University Alliance. SAP is the world’s largest provider of ERP systems; SAP customers generate 87% of total global commerce ($46 trillion).

“It was a great experience, and I’m glad I was able to help our team achieve what we did. It’s something I’m proud to share with people,” said Trevor Swanson, a student from Helena.

Clint Bannister, a student from Florence, enjoyed the competition.

 “The SAP simulation was a great learning experience!” Bannister said.

The competition helped shape the team before the international competition.

 “The simulation was a great team-building exercise and an enjoyable experience overall,” said Damon Irvin of Shelby.

Jr Seewald of Cut Bank noted the team’s win represented their hard work.

“It was a great experience going up against the other great schools,” Seewald said. “We stuck to our strategy, and it paid off.”