With the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) presented on February 13, 2025, SAP is pursuing a new approach to the use and refinement of company data. It is a cloud-based platform that supports companies in integrating data from various sources, managing it efficiently and making it usable for innovative applications. At its heart are AI agents that access BDC data and pass it on to users as required. Thanks to the uniform database and seamless connection to SAP and non-SAP systems, the BDC enables better decision-making, optimized processes and a holistic view of all relevant information.
Key features of the SAP Business Data Cloud
The SAP Business Data Cloud includes the following innovative aspects:
- Standardization of SAP and third-party system data: The BDC integrates data from various sources, both SAP and non-SAP, to provide a consistent and reliable database. The original business context, including semantics, is retained - direct access is therefore possible without time-consuming extraction.
- Integration of AI agents: The data is used by means of Joule, the SAP assistant with generative AI, which accesses the data with the help of AI agents and returns it to the user. The AI agents receive extensive knowledge about end-to-end processes and can work together across functional areas to overcome complex challenges in the company. Companies will also be able to create and use their own AI agents. This should reduce lengthy coordination between specialist departments, as AI agents can act across departments and provide information automatically.
- Insight Apps: The BDC offers preconfigured applications that use data products and AI models to process real-time data. These applications enable complex evaluations and support planning in various business areas, such as central business analysis, finance and human resources.
Advantages of the SAP Business Data Cloud
- Efficient use of data: By harmonizing data from different sources, companies can make better decisions and improve the results of AI applications.
- Optimization of business processes: Providing real-time insights into different business areas enables companies to optimize their processes and make them more efficient.
- Promoting innovation: The combination of a central database and AI technologies creates space for new solutions and strengthens competitiveness in the long term.
With the SAP Business Data Cloud, SAP is establishing a new generation of data platforms that not only combines integration and analysis, but also lays the foundation for company-wide innovation through the use of AI technologies.
Our assessment
From a business perspective, the development towards a central data platform is consistent and forward-looking. Data has long been regarded as strategic capital - the easier, more secure and context-rich it is to access, the greater its value for operational excellence and innovation. The SAP Business Data Cloud picks up on this idea and creates a powerful basis for data-driven business models by using AI agents and harmonizing data from SAP and third-party sources.
At the same time, key questions remain unanswered. On the one hand, SAP has not yet published any details on the cost model - a sound economic assessment is therefore not yet possible. Secondly, the maturity level of the AI agents, particularly with regard to their actual usability in everyday life, needs to be examined. The SAP strategy is forward-looking, and availability will hopefully be ensured as soon as possible.
Companies should therefore keep a close eye on developments relating to the SAP Business Data Cloud. As soon as the remaining questions have been answered, we will update our assessment and make a well-founded recommendation.
Data has long been regarded as strategic capital - the easier, more secure and context-rich it is to access, the greater its value for operational excellence and innovation.
