Marcello Urbani is a highly accomplished SAP software engineer and open-source contributor who brings world-class ABAP expertise, modern development practices, and a passion for modernizing enterprise software to his role as Founding Engineer at Nova Intelligence. As an active contributor to AbapGit and author of a popular ABAP plugin for Visual Studio Code, Marcello represents the bridge between traditional SAP development and contemporary software engineering practices.
Open Source Leadership in SAP Community
Marcello's contributions to the SAP open-source community demonstrate both technical excellence and commitment to advancing SAP development practices:
AbapGit Contributor
As an active contributor to AbapGit—the version control integration that brings Git workflows to SAP development—Marcello has helped modernize how SAP developers collaborate, manage code, and implement DevOps practices. This work has benefited thousands of SAP developers worldwide.
ABAP Plugin for Visual Studio Code - Author
Marcello created and maintains an ABAP plugin for VS Code, enabling SAP developers to use modern, powerful development tools instead of being limited to traditional SAP interfaces. This innovation:
- Brings modern IDE capabilities to ABAP development
- Enables better integration with contemporary development workflows
- Demonstrates his ability to bridge traditional SAP systems with modern tooling
These open-source contributions showcase Marcello's technical depth, community leadership, and vision for modernizing SAP development—exactly the expertise needed to build AI systems that understand and transform SAP code.
Modernizing SAP Development Practices
Marcello is passionate about bringing modern software engineering practices to SAP development, including:
- Test-Driven Development (TDD): Advocating for and implementing testing practices in ABAP
- Object-Oriented Design Patterns: Applying proven OO design principles to SAP development
- Agile Development: Bringing agile methodologies to enterprise SAP projects
- DevOps: Implementing containerization, continuous integration, and modern deployment practices
This commitment to modernization makes Marcello ideally suited to build AI systems that not only understand legacy SAP code but can transform it into modern, maintainable, Clean Core-compliant implementations.
15+ Years of Deep SAP Technical Expertise
Basis Technologies (2009-2025) - 15 Years, 10 Months
Marcello spent nearly 16 years at Basis Technologies, progressing from Solution Specialist to Technical Architect:
Technical Architect (2020-2025)
- Led technical architecture and solution design for complex SAP environments
- Applied expertise across DevOps, containerization, and modern development practices
- Guided teams in implementing sophisticated technical solutions
Solution Specialist (2009-2020)
- Designed and delivered SAP solutions across diverse customer environments
- Developed deep expertise in ABAP, SAP modules, and integration patterns
Comprehensive SAP Module Expertise
Throughout his career, Marcello has worked across virtually every SAP module and technical area:
- Core Modules: SD (Sales & Distribution), MM (Materials Management), PP (Production Planning), FI (Financial Accounting), CO (Controlling), HR (Human Resources), QM (Quality Management), WM (Warehouse Management), SRM (Supplier Relationship Management)
- Technical Areas: BADIs, BAPIs, User Exits, Custom Reports, SAPScripts, Batch Inputs, ALE/IDOC interfaces, Web Applications
This breadth of experience means Marcello understands SAP systems holistically—from business processes to technical implementation patterns across all major modules.
International Experience & Consulting Excellence
Freelance Developer - Multiple Major Enterprises
Marcello has delivered high-quality SAP development across major international corporations:
Recticel (2008-2009)
- Maintained custom ABAP developments across multiple SAP modules
- Covered the full spectrum of SAP development artifacts
Campari (2006-2008)
- Maintained all custom ABAP developments across diverse modules
- Developed several small internal projects
- Demonstrated versatility across business functions
Banca Intesa (2005)
- Developed custom SAP ALE (IDOC) interfaces
- Built SAP SRM web applications
Infrastructure & Security Experience
Thales Information Systems (2004-2005)
- Served as SAP Basis Consultant
- Managed SAP security administration (users and profiles) at IVECO SpA
- Handled SAP transport management
Camozzi S.p.A. (2000-2002)
- Provided requirement analysis, troubleshooting, and user support
- Managed network administration alongside SAP responsibilities
Full-Stack Technical Capabilities
Beyond SAP, Marcello brings diverse technical skills:
- Programming Languages: ABAP, PHP, Visual Basic, C++, Linux administration
- Modern Practices: Jira, Containerization, DevOps, Git, VS Code
- Infrastructure: Network administration, Linux mail servers, PC support
This versatility enables Marcello to understand how SAP systems integrate with broader enterprise technology landscapes.
Problem-Solving Excellence & Communication
Marcello combines:
- Excellent problem-solving abilities: Essential for tackling complex SAP transformation challenges
- Good communication skills: Critical for explaining technical concepts and collaborating effectively
- Comfortable working independently or in teams: Adaptable to different project needs
Early Technical Foundation
TXT e-solutions (1998-2000)
- Developed shop floor control applications in Visual Basic and C++
- Spent three months in Brazil for ABB customizing software, demonstrating international project experience early in his career
Education
Laurea (Degree) in Ingegneria Informatica (Computer Science) (1988-1998)
Marcello's computer science education provides the theoretical foundation for his practical expertise in software engineering and system architecture.
Building the Future of SAP Development
At Nova Intelligence, Marcello applies his unique combination of:
- World-class ABAP expertise across all SAP modules
- Open-source leadership and modern development practices
- Deep understanding of both legacy and contemporary SAP architectures
- Proven ability to bridge traditional enterprise systems with modern tooling
- Passion for improving developer experience and productivity
His experience building tools that help developers work with SAP code (VS Code plugin) and version control systems (AbapGit contributions) directly translates to building AI agents that can intelligently analyze, understand, and transform SAP code at scale.
Based in London Area, United Kingdom, Marcello represents the intersection of traditional SAP expertise and modern software engineering practices—bringing both deep technical knowledge and a progressive vision for how AI can transform enterprise software development.
