ISLM: Business AI in SAP S/4HANA

Integrate artificial intelligence into SAP S/4HANA business apps

ISLM (Intelligent Scenario Lifecycle Management) enables the integration of artificial intelligence into SAP S/4HANA business apps and processes. Intelligent scenarios can be delivered via both the SAP HANA database and cloud services. ISLM provides tools for managing AI scenarios throughout their entire lifecycle (discovery, training and deployment of models). Getting started with ISLM is easy, as most scenarios can currently be used without additional licence costs – with the exception of scenarios based on Generative AI.

Examples of use cases

ISLM categories Embedded & Side-by-Side

ISLM can be used with the libraries available within the HANA database or with cloud solutions. Embedded scenarios based on HANA libraries have been available for several years. The advantages of embedded AI are that business data and machine learning scenarios based on this data are located in one system and that the scenarios can be used at no additional cost. However, the model is only suitable for relatively simple scenarios such as classifications. Side-by-side scenarios with cloud solutions and services are becoming increasingly important, as they can also be used for more complex applications such as recommendations or the extraction of data from documents.

	Embedded AI	Side-by-Side
Machine Learning Provider	HANA libraries (APL, PAL)	Cloud solutions and services, including SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub
Characteristics	Simple architecture with machine learning and business data in one system	Enables the implementation of complex scenarios
Areas	Simple scenarios such as predictions, classifications or regressions	Document processing, data-based recommendations, generative AI
Life Cycle	Setup, training, activation, provision of scenarios	Creation of scenarios in SAP AI Core, partially trainable
Resources	Limited, suitable for ‘narrow AI’ as resources are only available to a limited extent	High flexibility and scalability
Costs	Part of the S/4HANA licence	Usually additional costs

SAP AI Portfolio

SAP's AI portfolio goes far beyond ISLM – the area marked in red in the graphic is relevant for Intelligent Scenario Lifecycle Management, i.e. AI scenarios integrated directly into SAP HANA and cloud services based on SAP BTP for side-by-side architectures.

Two applications are available in the SAP Fiori Launchpad for ISLM administration, both in the SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and in the Public Cloud:

App ‘Intelligent Scenarios’: Create intelligent scenarios and get an overview of existing scenarios
App ‘Intelligent Scenario Management’: Configure and control intelligent scenarios, e.g. regular training of models

ISLM Fiori App – Intelligent Scenarios

In the ISLM Fiori app ‘Intelligent Scenarios’, users can create new scenarios or view detailed information about existing scenarios. The detailed view of each scenario contains additional information about documentation, use in business areas and Fiori apps, and the associated scope items.

Life cycle of intelligent scenarios

[Translate to English:] Infografik zu der App "Intelligentes Szenario-Management"

With the ISLM app ‘Intelligent Scenario Management’, intelligent scenarios can be orchestrated throughout the entire lifecycle. This means that the app offers the following options:

Search for suitable scenarios
Configuration and training
Activation, use and monitoring

A typical role distribution is that business users work directly with the ISLM scenarios in the business applications and use their functions for their daily tasks. Business or AI experts manage the scenarios within the ISLM apps and make them available for use. AI experts develop ISLM apps to enable customised AI-supported solutions.

ISLM - Possible distribution of roles

There are several pillars to the actual use of ISLM in the company. For example, experts from the business areas, AI experts within the company or consultants can work with the intelligent scenarios provided in business apps. The ISLM apps also enable these user groups to manage and configure existing scenarios. AI experts and consultants can also work with SAP BTP cloud services to handle complex scenarios. Developers will also find APIs (JavaScript, Python, ABAP) provided in connection with ISLM useful.

ABAP AI SDK with ISLM Framework

ABAP AI SDK has been added with SAP HANA Release 2502. It enables the use and implementation of AI scenarios with access to large language models/generative AI. There are also plans to use ABAP AI SDK to extend SAP Joule and develop custom scenarios in this area. Scenarios for the Fiori apps ‘Intelligent Scenarios’ can also be created using ABAP Eclipse ADT Tools. Here, you can assign language models (known as Intelligent Scenario Models) to the intelligent scenarios.

ISLM in SAP S/4HANA Public vs. Private Cloud

	Public Cloud	Private Cloud
Creation of scenarios	Only Embedded / HANA APL	Embedded / Side-by-Side
ABAP AI SDK ISLM	Available since 2502	Available since 2502