Throughout 2024, SAP actively continued integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across its entire product suite to enhance business processes and user experiences, which has set the stage for driving tangible impacts for businesses in 2025. Key initiatives discussed in this new Insights post include:
- System-wide Joule Integration
- Embedding AI in SAP S/4HANA Cloud
- AI-Powered Business Transformation Processes
- Generative AI in Service and Customer-facing Programs
System-wide Joule Integration
SAP's generative AI copilot, Joule, has been embedded into over 80% of the most-used tasks across the SAP portfolio. This integration allows users to interact with SAP applications within a secure, closed software environment. As an integral part of the SAP ecosystem, Joule can search for accessible information and navigate the SAP landscape using natural language, thereby streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
Joule has entered its second year, with new updates continuing robustly in Q4 2024. It is now seamlessly integrated with 13 SAP applications right out of the box and is accessible via SAP Mobile Start, enabling users to interact with SAP applications using natural language while on the move. On iPhone and iPad, Joule is just a "Hey, Siri" command away, as Siri can now open and send queries to Joule. Additionally, Joule is now integrated with Microsoft 365 Copilot, allowing for seamless two-way interaction.
SAP Joule was also identified by Bramasol as a prime example of leveraging embedded agentic AI in our post on Trends to Watch in 2025.
Embedding AI in SAP S/4HANA Cloud
After a successful SAP Early Adopter Care program in 2024, Joule is now widely available in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. This integration provides a more user-friendly way for individuals to engage with SAP solutions. Instead of manually searching for information or navigating through various interfaces, users can simply request what they need from Joule—be it insights on business data or guidance on specific tasks.
Information searches are up to 95% faster, and navigation and transactional tasks are completed up to 90% faster. SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition also introduced new features, including AI-assisted master data governance, AI-assisted sales order fulfillment monitoring, AI-assisted conversational planning, and more.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, SAP introduced new AI-assisted features in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, such as smart summarization capabilities, that help automate and simplify complex tasks, providing users with concise insights and reducing manual effort. Also, SAP S/4HANA Cloud now includes AI-driven tools for smarter data processing and task automation. These features are particularly impactful in financial, logistics, and manufacturing operations.
Key features and benefits of embedding AI in SAP S/4HANA Cloud include:
- Automatically condensing lengthy reports or datasets into key takeaways.
- AI-enabled predictive analytics to forecast financial trends and inventory requirements.
- Automation of routine tasks like invoice matching and exception handling.
- Empowering users with quick insights, thereby saving time on analysis.
- Supporting faster decision-making by delivering concise and actionable data insights.
AI-Powered Business Transformation Processes
SAP is enhancing business transformation services by merging AI with human expertise through its GROW and RISE with SAP initiatives, along with complementary tools and capabilities including SAP Signavio, SAP LeanIX, SAP Cloud Applications Lifecycle Management (ALM), SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), and WalkMe.
Through the RISE with SAP program and complementary tools, businesses can leverage AI to enhance their digital transformation journeys and to streamline operations and drive efficiency. Key capabilities include:
- Customizable AI-driven solutions that can be tailored to specific business needs.
- Integration with human expertise to optimize AI's role in processes like procurement, HR, and customer service.
- Industry-specific AI models for sectors like retail, manufacturing, telco, and healthcare.
These AI-driven digital transformation capabilities are significantly boosting the adoption of SAP Cloud ERP solutions. By the second quarter of 2024, about 37% of SAP ECC customers globally had purchased or subscribed to S/4HANA Cloud licenses, as reported by Gartner. The trend indicates a forthcoming widespread adoption phase for the remaining 63%. During the same timeframe, 60% of S/4HANA sales were to new clients, with 41% opting for RISE and 45% selecting GROW. These figures clearly show a growing number of new customers are embracing S/4HANA through these transformation methods.
Generative AI in Service and Customer-facing Programs
SAP has implemented generative AI within its Enterprise Service Management solutions to automate processes, analyze correspondence, and generate automated replies. SAP Business AI in Sales, Services, Marketing, and Commerce boosts productivity and improves workflow. Joule in SAP Sales Cloud Version 2 means intelligent recommendations and faster search results. Sales teams can now navigate more efficiently and access data up to 50 percent faster. AI-assisted backend entity extraction for SAP Enterprise Service Management automatically transforms unstructured text into structured data.
For sales, services, marketing, and commerce, SAP Business AI employs artificial intelligence to enhance customer engagement, increase productivity, and refine processes. It achieves this by offering intelligent recommendations, personalized experiences, automated tasks, and deeper customer insights at every interaction point, all driven by data analysis within the SAP ecosystem. Essentially, it leverages AI to streamline operations and enhance customer journeys throughout the entire sales and marketing funnel.
Based on the experience of companies implementing SAP AI-driven customer-facing capabilities, these tools have resulted in cost reductions of up to 70% and accelerated service request resolutions by up to 30%.
Keys to Success with AI Implementation
With a 28 year track record as one of SAP's longest serving partners and the recognized experts in SAP revenue compliance, SAP BRIM/OTC offerings, and SAP S/4HANA Cloud implementation, the Bramasol team has deep experience tailoring SAP solutions to specific client requirements. Based on this experience, we recommend considering these key steps for effectively integrating AI into your end-to-end ERP system.
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Define Clear Objectives
- Identify Gaps: Recognize areas where AI can add value, such as automating repetitive tasks or enhancing data analysis.
- Set Goals: Establish clear aims for AI integration, like improved decision-making, increased efficiency, or cost reduction.
- Align with Business Strategy: Ensure that AI initiatives support your overall business objectives.
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Develop a Data Strategy
- Data Collection: Ensure your ERP system can collect relevant data necessary for AI analysis.
- Data Quality: Maintain high data quality and data access to ensure accurate AI outputs.
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Invest in Training and Change Management
- Employee Training: Educate your workforce on new AI tools and processes.
- Change Management: Implement strategies to manage the transition and encourage user adoption.
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Monitor and Optimize
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess the performance of AI components and make necessary adjustments.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of new AI developments to continually enhance your ERP system.
Summary
The above-described capabilities collectively demonstrate SAP's commitment to using AI for optimizing business operations. Joule Integration provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with SAP systems, while AI in SAP S/4HANA Cloud focuses on improving operational efficiency. Meanwhile, RISE with SAP takes a broader approach by leveraging AI for holistic business transformation. Lastly, Generative AI in Enterprise Service Management addresses specific operational challenges, particularly in customer service.
As a leading partner in helping companies transition to SAP Cloud ERP solutions, the Bramasol team continually stays abreast of SAP's family of AI solutions and initiatives, both from a strategic perspective to help clients determine their AI roadmap and from a technical depth perspective to assure smooth integration of AI capabilities with end-to-end business operations.