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Spinnaker Support has appointed Vivek Pruthi as managing director for APAC as it expands operations in the region.
Pruthi will oversee regional growth strategy, sales and business development, and customer and partner relationships across Asia-Pacific. Spinnaker said it has more than doubled its APAC headcount over the past year in response to demand from organisations seeking alternatives for SAP, Oracle and VMware support.
The appointment strengthens regional leadership as businesses across APAC reassess the cost and timing of software support and modernisation projects. Spinnaker, which provides third-party software support and related managed services, said customers want greater control over technology roadmaps and less reliance on vendor timelines.
The shift is unfolding amid a broader shortage of specialist ERP skills. Spinnaker cited market research estimating a global shortfall of 30,000 to 40,000 SAP consultants, with demand for certified ERP consultants continuing to outstrip supply, particularly in more complex industries.
The shortage has driven up consulting costs and extended implementation schedules, adding pressure for companies running large ERP estates. For many organisations, that has prompted a review of whether existing systems can be supported for longer while they plan upgrades or broader transformation work on a timetable that suits internal priorities.
APAC has become one of the fastest-growing parts of Spinnaker's business. The company serves more than 1,000 organisations worldwide and has been building its regional presence as businesses look for independent support options for mission-critical applications.
Pruthi's role combines commercial expansion with customer retention and partner development. His remit also includes helping clients manage current technology investments while planning future modernisation.
Mark Ritacco, chief strategy officer at Spinnaker Support, linked the appointment to the company's regional growth plans.
"APAC is one of the fastest-growing regions in our business and a critical part of Spinnaker's global expansion strategy," said Mark Ritacco, chief strategy officer, Spinnaker Support.
He said customer demand is being shaped by concerns over software roadmaps and the availability of specialist expertise.
"We are investing aggressively in the region because customers are looking for greater control over their technology roadmaps, access to experienced expertise, and alternatives to vendor-driven timelines. Vivek has extensive knowledge of SAP, and combining his experience with our laser focus on garnering new SAP customers will help us drive further success across the Asia-Pacific region," said Ritacco.
Regional demand
Third-party support providers have positioned themselves as an option for enterprises that want to delay migrations or upgrades while maintaining existing ERP environments. In APAC, that proposition appears to be gaining traction among companies balancing cost pressures with the need to keep core finance, supply chain and other back-office systems stable.
Spinnaker said customers in the region are asking practical questions about whether vendor schedules align with business needs. It argues that some enterprises are being pushed towards decisions on timing that do not reflect the state of their existing systems or internal investment cycles.
Pruthi said those discussions are central to current buying behaviour in the region.
"Enterprises across APAC are asking practical questions about cost, control, and timing," said Pruthi.
He said many businesses are running stable ERP estates while facing pressure to move on vendor-led schedules.
"Many organizations are running stable, mission-critical ERP environments, yet they are being pushed toward vendor timelines that may not align with their business priorities. Spinnaker gives customers another path. We help them protect what is already working, reduce unnecessary spend, and create the flexibility to modernize when they are ready," said Pruthi.
The company's focus spans Oracle, SAP and VMware support, alongside managed services and cloud-related offerings. Its customer base includes enterprises in regulated sectors, where the cost and risk of changing core systems can be particularly high.
In APAC, the combination of a tighter labour market, sustained ERP complexity and pressure on IT budgets is creating a wider opening for independent support firms. Spinnaker's decision to add a regional managing director and increase headcount suggests it expects demand to keep building across the market.