SAP in the Era of “Business Unleashed”: What’s at Stake for CIOs and Business Leaders?
In February 2025, SAP unveiled its new strategic roadmap: Business Unleashed. This bold initiative promises to unlock the full potential of businesses through a next-generation cloud ERP platform focused on performance, value creation, and a reimagined user experience. But what lies behind this ambitious promise? What major transformations must companies embrace to reap the full benefits? And are we truly on the brink of a technological revolution?
Mathieu Godard, SAP Practice Director at VISEO, breaks down the key innovations and implications of SAP’s strategic shift.
Cloud at the Core of SAP Business Unleashed
SAP’s Business Unleashed strategy makes one thing clear: the cloud is no longer just a hosting option—it’s the backbone of innovation and agility. It enables companies to simplify their IT landscape, accelerate innovation, and reduce costs.
Public vs. Private Cloud: A Strategic Choice
SAP now offers a flexible deployment model, allowing organizations to choose between public and private cloud based on their size, industry, and digital maturity.
Key Benefits of SAP Public Cloud:
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Lower operational costs
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Seamless and automatic feature updates
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Instant access to innovation (AI, Joule, industry modules)
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Browser-based access with minimal IT overhead
This flexibility enables companies to adopt a modular, scalable, and ready-to-use SAP architecture, powered by industry-specific plug-ins for HR, finance, supply chain, and more.
Business Data Cloud & AI-Driven ERP
SAP is betting big on the Business Data Cloud, developed in partnership with Databricks, to unleash the full power of artificial intelligence in ERP.
By aggregating both internal and external data, it enables:
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More accurate financial forecasting
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Enhanced risk management
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Data-augmented business processes
Meet Joule: SAP’s Intelligent AI Copilot
SAP introduces Joule, a next-gen conversational AI integrated into its cloud ERP. The goal? Enable 80% of tasks to be completed via AI-powered assistants.
With Joule Studio, companies can even design their own AI scenarios to:
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Automate workflows
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Respond to customer queries
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Generate real-time reports
A Simplified, Standardized User Experience
SAP’s interface is evolving towards a “fit-to-standard” model, offering preconfigured business environments for finance, procurement, HR, and more. This means:
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Streamlined and consistent processes
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Faster onboarding and adoption
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Tailored user experiences by industry
Which Cloud Model for Which Business?
| Company Type | SAP Public Cloud | SAP Private Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| SMBs / Mid-market | Highly recommended | Not a priority |
| Large Enterprises | To be evaluated | Often more suitable |
| Regulated Industries (EU) | Case-by-case | Recommended (sovereignty) |
SAP is encouraging a public cloud shift, but provides customized roadmaps for each scenario.
In Summary: Business Unleashed = AI-Ready ERP Cloud
Business Unleashed is a cloud-first, AI-powered strategy reshaping the ERP landscape.
The Business Data Cloud and Joule are its technological cornerstones.
SAP Public Cloud is becoming the default for mid-sized companies, delivering measurable value quickly
VISEO supports clients on this journey with a focus on business value, sovereignty, and adaptability.