SAP CEO Christian Klein launched SAP Sapphire this week with an upbeat keynote highlighting the company’s latest enterprise AI innovations, products and partnerships, which he said will change the way people work.
“This year is a very special Sapphire year,” Klein said. “We are entering a new phase of AI, with endless possibilities for us all. »
Klein and Julia White, Director of Marketing and Solutions, used the keynote to explain how AI will bring real business benefits to different functions within the company and “Bring out the best in you”, the theme of this year’s event.
Delivering on an AI Promise
Klein highlighted how SAP delivered on its promise to infuse generative AI across its business portfolio, enabled customers to harness the potential of enterprise AI, and positioned Joule Copilot as the new front-end for SAP applications.
Together, the two also announced the next evolution and new features of RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP. Since its launch more than three years ago, more than 6,000 customers have chosen RISE with SAP. During his keynote address, Klein announced that RISE with SAP will now include a dedicated enterprise architect to guide customers through the RISE with SAP methodology, as well as an integrated toolchain to help manage the landscape of processes, systems and data holistically across RISE with SAP. life cycle.
Meanwhile, White, broadcasting live from the SAP Sapphire show center showcase, announced that the GROW cloud ERP offering with SAP will now include SAP Sales Cloud and Concur Expense at no additional cost. Whether it’s managing your finances or managing your expenses, GROW with SAP has you covered, she said.
The momentum of AI
Building on SAP’s momentum in business AI, Klein and White also announced a series of expanded partnerships to help businesses make the most of this watershed moment in AI. Expanded partnerships include agreements with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud. Klein also announced the integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot with Joule, delivering what he described as a “truly differentiated employee experience.”
Together on stage with customers and SAP Chief AI Officer Philipp Herzig, they demonstrated how SAP is infusing generative AI across the entire application portfolio and enabling customers to thrive in the AI era.
“The business AI innovations we are announcing will not only change the way people work with SAP solutions, but also the way they work in general,” Klein said ahead of his keynote speech.
New Joule abilities
Klein announced Joule for consulting capabilities and Joule for ABAP development capabilities, which will help the 6 million strong SAP consultant and developer community accelerate projects by 30% and implement solutions SAP faster than ever.
During his keynote address, he described enterprise AI as “an inflection point” and added: “Today’s AI announcements and partnerships build on on our commitment to delivering breakthrough technology that drives real results, helping customers unlock the agility and ingenuity they need to succeed. today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
“SAP is the only technology company capable of integrating AI capabilities directly into your business processes and workflows,” he said, praising the achievements of the 40,000 SAP employees in the product development organization .
Bravo to the SAP developers
“No other technology company can offer a more powerful platform to transform businesses and rewrite the way they do business. » SAP developers transformed SAP’s portfolio “from an ERP system enabling real-time transactions to one with modular applications and embedded AI so you can run smart, connected, sustainable businesses.”
“We promised you this and we delivered,” Klein told the online audience and the 14,000 customers and partners in person at SAP Sapphire this week in Orlando. “We are now leveraging the power of generative AI across our entire stack to once again revolutionize how businesses operate and how end users will work in the future. »
After announcing the Joule generative AI co-pilot in September 2023, Klein confirmed that it will become the new front-end and UX for SAP applications and “turn your words into actions”. Joule is ready for prime time, he said, “and going forward it will be integrated from the start for all of our cloud customers.”
Joule: the key to higher productivity
He predicted that Joule will also become the biggest productivity driver for every SAP end user, and that by the end of the year, 80% of the most used tasks will be managed through Joule and that all 300 million end users of SAP products will be 20 years old. % more productive.
While AI is a powerful technology that opens up huge opportunities for businesses and employees, the SAP CEO stressed that delivering responsible AI is also crucial. To this end, he announced that SAP was among the first technology companies to adhere to the UNESCO AI Principles.
Klein concluded his speech by emphasizing that SAP does not view AI as an end in itself, but rather as a tool to help the world run better and improve people’s lives. “You have my commitment that we will continue to listen to your needs, that we will continue to deliver great innovations, and that we will continue to deliver great results for your business.
