Core Insights - SAP is focusing on cloud revenue growth through its cloud ERP suite and modernization programs like RISE and GROW, aiming to attract customers for system upgrades and SAP Business Suite services [3][4] - The company's cloud backlog increased by 23% year over year in Q3 2025, totaling $21.8 billion (18.8 billion euros), highlighting the critical importance of cloud business performance for SAP [4] - SAP's cloud revenue rose by 22% in Q3 2025, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of high cloud revenue increases, although it represents a decline from 24% growth in Q2 [6] Company Strategy - SAP plans to continue releasing AI agents and orchestrating a network of AI assistants to enhance business value across its value chain [5] - The company is collaborating with industry customers to co-develop AI assistants, which are envisioned to support functions like supply chain management [5][6] - SAP aims to accelerate total revenue growth through 2027, with AI being identified as a key enabler of this growth [6] Financial Performance - SAP reported total revenue of approximately $10.5 billion for Q3 2025, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase, down from a 9% increase in Q2 [6] - Executives expressed confidence in a strong pipeline for Q4, which is expected to support the ambition for accelerating total revenue growth in 2026 [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses how AI is transforming the ERP landscape, with SAP's new strategy emphasizing "AI-first, suite-first" to lead growth in the AI era [2][4][5] - SAP's Business Suite is positioned as essential for successful AI application, integrating AI capabilities into workflows and collaborating with external systems [2][6] Industry Trends - AI is pushing the ERP industry from "tool standardization" to "value scenario" transformation, highlighting the need for dynamic responses rather than rigid processes [4][5] - Major ERP players are adapting to AI, with Microsoft Dynamics 365 focusing on human-machine collaboration, while Infor targets cost reduction in manufacturing [5][6] SAP's Strategy - SAP aims to embed more AI capabilities within its platform while allowing third-party AI agents to integrate directly with its processes through open APIs [5][6] - The company recognizes the importance of balancing core stability with external flexibility to avoid being outpaced by AI tools [6][9] Market Positioning - SAP's approach to AI and cloud migration is tailored to the unique demands of the Chinese market, where local enterprises show strong motivation to adopt new technologies [10][11] - The collaboration with Alibaba Cloud is seen as a strategic move to enhance service delivery and support local enterprises in their digital transformation [15][18] Customer Engagement - Many CEOs express anxiety about missing out on AI advancements, prompting SAP to guide clients in understanding the long-term value of AI and the importance of foundational digital transformation [13][14] - SAP's value proposition lies in its ability to standardize and structure data at the source, reducing the burden of manual data cleaning [14] Organizational Evolution - The new leadership at SAP China emphasizes the need for rapid adaptation and learning within the team to meet the fast-paced changes in the AI landscape [17][18] - The focus is on creating an open technical ecosystem that allows for better integration with local AI companies and enhances the capabilities of developers [18]

Summary of SAP Connect Virtual Conference Highlights Company and Industry - **Company**: SAP (NYSE: SAP) - **Industry**: Enterprise Software and Cloud Solutions Core Points and Arguments 1. **AI-Driven Innovation**: SAP highlighted five patterns of AI-driven innovation, including embedded AI, agent-driven autonomous execution, AI-native applications, appless experiences, and a new conversational AI-driven engagement layer called Gen UI [10][12][14] 2. **Collaboration and Integration**: Emphasis on breaking down silos within organizations through the SAP Business Suite, enabling proactive collaboration across functions [11][21] 3. **AI in the Workplace**: 44% of workplaces report using AI tools, but only 20% of employees understand how to apply them, indicating a need for SAP's role in integrating AI into business processes [14][15] 4. **Human-AI Partnership**: The future of work is seen as a partnership between humans and AI, where AI enhances human creativity and decision-making rather than replacing it [15][16][17] 5. **SAP Joule AI Assistants**: Introduction of various AI assistants tailored for specific roles within organizations, aimed at reducing administrative burdens and enhancing productivity [17][18] 6. **Productivity Gains**: Industries most exposed to AI are experiencing a four-fold increase in productivity growth, particularly in smaller and mid-sized organizations [19] 7. **Customer Experience Focus**: Three main themes from the conference were dealing with uncertainty, evolving workforce, and customer centricity, highlighting the importance of a seamless customer experience [25][26] 8. **SAP Business Data Cloud**: This platform is crucial for unifying data across processes, enhancing customer experience, and supporting AI agents [32][34] 9. **Supply Chain Innovations**: Launch of SAP Supply Chain Orchestration to manage disruptions and improve resilience in supply chains, alongside new products like Logistics Management and IBP Reimagined [78][79] 10. **Next-Gen SAP Ariba**: Introduction of next-generation procurement solutions that integrate AI capabilities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sourcing and procurement processes [115][121] Other Important Content 1. **Customer Engagement**: SAP Engagement Cloud aims to unify customer interactions across various touchpoints, enhancing personalization and context in customer journeys [23][36] 2. **Workforce Management**: SAP SuccessFactors is integrating AI advancements to prepare workforces for future challenges, including the introduction of multiple AI assistants for HR tasks [49][50] 3. **Acquisition of SmartRecruiters**: This acquisition is expected to enhance SAP's talent acquisition capabilities, integrating seamlessly with SAP SuccessFactors [56][67] 4. **Experience Center**: The SAP Experience Center showcases how SAP Business Suite integrates data, AI, and applications across various industries, emphasizing the importance of a future-ready workforce [88][91] 5. **Real-Time Insights**: SAP's solutions are designed to provide real-time insights and analytics, enabling organizations to make informed decisions quickly [93][94] This summary encapsulates the key themes and innovations presented during the SAP Connect Virtual Conference, focusing on the integration of AI, customer experience, and supply chain management within the SAP ecosystem.

Core Insights - SAP SE showcases the integration of AI, data, and applications at the SAP Connect event, emphasizing the creation of business value through innovative solutions [1][2] - The introduction of role-based assistants in Joule aims to enhance human productivity by coordinating various agents across business functions [2][4] Group 1: AI Integration - SAP introduces a new generation of role-aware assistants in Joule, designed to partner with individuals in specific business roles, enhancing productivity and insight [2] - Specialized Joule Agents support these assistants, enabling them to execute complex workflows tailored to specific functions, such as financial planning and people management [2] Group 2: Data Connectivity - SAP Business Data Cloud Connect is launched to eliminate data silos by securely linking SAP BDC with partner platforms, facilitating a bidirectional flow of business-ready data [3] - The partnership with Databricks and Google Cloud allows for faster access to data products, enhancing analytics and AI capabilities for customers [3] Group 3: Application Development - New AI-native solutions like SAP Supply Chain Orchestration and SAP Engagement Cloud are introduced, leveraging AI to improve risk detection and customer interactions [4] - The next-generation SAP Ariba procurement suite is highlighted as an AI-driven solution that enhances spend management processes [4]

Core Insights - SAP's CEO Christian Klein has successfully transitioned the company towards cloud services, making it the most valuable software company in Europe, but faces challenges as cloud sales are expected to decline after 2027 [3][5][10] Group 1: Company Performance and Strategy - SAP's cloud sales are projected to reach nearly €22 billion ($26 billion) this year, nearly triple the levels of 2019 [5] - The company has invested approximately $30 billion in acquisitions to catch up in the cloud market, but integration has been challenging [13] - SAP's market cap has surpassed that of its US rival Salesforce, highlighting its dominance in the European software market [6][10] Group 2: Future Challenges - The surge in cloud sales is expected to decline after 2027, as SAP will begin to roll back support for older software, necessitating a shift to new services [4][15] - Analysts predict that while cloud and software sales will continue to grow for the next few years, growth rates will slow after 2027, with an average outlook of above 10% through 2030 [15] - Approximately 60% of SAP's customers have not yet begun their cloud transition, indicating a significant challenge in customer migration [16] Group 3: Customer Sentiment and Market Position - Many customers express frustration with the complexity and cost of cloud upgrades, which can take years and millions of dollars [8][16] - SAP is reportedly losing market share in newer product categories outside its core business, with competitors like Microsoft gaining ground [24][25] - Customers are increasingly adopting a "best of breed" approach, selecting applications from multiple providers rather than relying solely on SAP [19][22] Group 4: AI Integration and Future Growth - SAP is targeting artificial intelligence as a key area for future growth, but faces competition from major tech companies [4][31] - Only 34,000 out of SAP's 400,000 customers are currently using its AI products, indicating a need for improved customer engagement and education [29] - Analysts note a lack of interest from customers in investing in SAP's AI solutions, attributed to complex licensing and unclear benefits [31][33]

Core Insights - SAP SE has launched an expanded cloud strategy focusing on digital sovereignty and AI-driven innovation in Europe, addressing regulatory requirements and data protection needs [1][5][10] - The SAP Sovereign Cloud offers flexible deployment options tailored to customer requirements, enabling organizations to innovate securely while maintaining control over their digital assets [2][4][10] Investment Commitment - SAP is committing €20 billion to enhance Europe's digital resilience through secure and regulation-compliant cloud solutions, particularly for the public sector and regulated industries [5][10] Cloud Infrastructure and Offerings - The SAP Cloud Infrastructure (Europe) operates within EU data centers, ensuring compliance with local regulations, while the SAP Sovereign Cloud On-Site provides infrastructure within customer-selected data centers [3][6] - Delos Cloud is specifically designed for the German public sector, facilitating digital transformation while adhering to national sovereignty requirements [4] Financial Performance - SAP's cloud backlog increased by 22% to €18.1 billion, with cloud revenues rising 24% to €5.13 billion, driven by a 30% increase in Cloud ERP Suite revenues to €4.42 billion [8][10] - The company maintains its 2025 outlook, projecting cloud revenues of €21.6–€21.9 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 26–28% at constant currency [8] Growth Strategy - SAP's growth strategy is built on four pillars: product innovation, go-to-market transformation, simplification, and talent investment, aiming for sustained growth through 2027 [9] - The SAP Business Data Cloud is emerging as a core platform, integrating enterprise data to enhance AI-driven operations [11]

Core Insights - The success of AI strategies heavily relies on reliable data, with 94% of technology leaders focusing more on data due to the ongoing AI trend [2] - Companies face challenges in selecting the right partners to unlock data value and drive AI projects amid rapid market changes [2] Group 1: Data Transformation Strategies - Companies can follow three actionable paths for successful data transformation: empowering critical business applications, transitioning from transactional to intelligent applications, and leveraging open ecosystems [3][5][7] - Only 34% of business leaders express high trust in their data, indicating a significant challenge in data integration and management [3] - Business data fabric can simplify data management by providing an integrated, semantically rich data layer, enabling easier access to trustworthy data [3] Group 2: SAP Business Data Cloud - SAP Business Data Cloud offers a fully managed SaaS solution that unifies and governs both SAP and third-party data, facilitating strategic data projects [4] - The "zero copy share" method of SAP Business Data Cloud reduces complexities in data environments, allowing companies to focus on transformative data initiatives [4] - SAP's intelligent applications, built on its extensive business process experience, are designed to embed smart capabilities directly into core business processes [5][6] Group 3: Importance of Open Ecosystems - Companies should choose vendors with an open ecosystem strategy to access diverse industry expertise and extend solutions across multiple cloud platforms [7] - SAP's partnership strategy exemplifies this approach, as seen in collaborations with Adobe and Moody's to enhance data insights and application capabilities [7] - The integration of data and AI is crucial for future business success, with companies viewing data as a strategic asset leading to a 28% higher AI adoption rate [8]

Group 1 - The SAP China Summit held on June 5 focused on the unprecedented challenges of uncertainty faced by enterprises in the AI era and how to find growth certainty in a complex environment [2] - Acloudear, as a platinum partner of SAP, participated in the summit, engaging with over a thousand business leaders and industry experts to explore new paths for enterprises to cope with uncertainty in the AI era [2] Group 2 - SAP launched a new strategy "AI First, Suite First" aimed at reshaping the future ecosystem of enterprise management software through a triad of "AI + Data + Applications," marking the beginning of the SaaS 2.0 era [4] - The SAP Business Suite, as the cornerstone of this strategy, emphasizes integration to eliminate system fragmentation, reducing data integration costs by 40% and laying a solid foundation for AI empowerment [4] Group 3 - The "flywheel effect" proposed by SAP is a key methodology for addressing uncertainty, where applications, data, and AI create a positive feedback loop [5] - End-to-end integrated applications cover all business scenarios, generating unified and accurate data, which drives AI model optimization and ensures the accuracy and practicality of AI insights [5] Group 4 - Acloudear showcased its unique capabilities in empowering enterprises to navigate uncertainty through public cloud practices and AI innovations [10] - The company provided valuable insights and practical tips on core concerns and challenges faced by enterprises during SAP public cloud transformation and AI implementation [10] Group 5 - Acloudear introduced its AI intelligent service system, AIOS, which utilizes AI agents and RAG technology to enhance service efficiency in enterprise-level applications [10] - AIOS is already applied in SAP operational service scenarios, providing sustainable and intelligent operational support for enterprises [10] Group 6 - SAP's integrated Business Suite and powerful commercial AI outline a clear path for enterprises towards resilient growth and a certain future [12] - Acloudear, as a close platinum partner of SAP, offers comprehensive support from strategic planning to implementation, leveraging its global practical experience and continuous innovation [12]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, highlighting the need for modernization of ERP systems to keep pace with accelerated growth and operational demands [10][11]. Core Insights - Legacy ERP systems are becoming constraints rather than enablers, leading to fragmented operations and inefficiencies [6][13]. - The A&D industry is projected to experience significant growth, with civil aviation aircraft numbers expected to double in 20 years and defense markets growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% from 2025 to 2029 [10]. - Modernizing ERP is essential for reducing technical debt and achieving interoperability across various business functions [8][16]. Summary by Sections Industry Growth - The A&D industry is entering a period of accelerated growth across all segments, with substantial investments from the European Union to enhance industrial readiness [10]. - Manufacturers face increasing pressure to scale operations and adapt to changing geopolitical and supply chain realities [11]. Challenges with Legacy Systems - Many organizations operate with fragmented and aging system landscapes, leading to a lack of visibility and limited interoperability [13]. - The limitations of legacy systems are evident in production delays, rising costs, and inefficiencies [17]. Benefits of Modernization - Organizations that have begun to modernize their ERP systems report significant improvements, including up to 60% reduction in engineering change process time and up to 80% reduction in time to prepare shop orders [18][16]. - The modernization process is not merely an upgrade but a strategic shift that enhances enterprise-wide integration and data continuity [8][16]. Digital Core for A&D - Capgemini's Digital Core for Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing integrates PLM, ERP, and MOM/MES into a single architecture, enabling real-time feedback and cross-functional interoperability [20]. - Key capabilities include native integration with core processes, end-to-end visibility, and AI-augmented processes to enhance productivity [22]. Composable Architecture - The shift from monolithic ERP architectures to composable architectures allows for modular extensions and better integration of advanced technologies [24]. - Composable architectures facilitate faster innovation cycles and ensure enterprises remain agile and compliant in a rapidly evolving landscape [25].

Core Insights - SAP SE has partnered with Accenture to launch ADVANCE, a cloud transition solution for companies with annual revenues up to $5 billion, enabling rapid implementation in six to twelve months [1][2] - ADVANCE offers preconfigured, industry-specific solutions that integrate SAP Business Suite with Accenture's operational expertise, streamlining finance, procurement, supply chain, and workforce management [2][4] Product Features - ADVANCE packages reduce system complexity and operational costs by incorporating preconfigured industry processes and best practices [5] - The offering emphasizes speed and agility, providing industry-tailored accelerators for quick business outcomes and transparent pricing for efficient budget management [6] - Integration of AI agents and predictive analytics allows businesses to adapt to market changes and enhance decision-making [7] Financial Performance - SAP's cloud revenues reached €4.99 billion, a 27% year-over-year increase, with Cloud ERP Suite revenues growing 34% to €4.25 billion, accounting for 85% of total cloud revenues [9] - For the year, SAP anticipates cloud revenues between €21.6 billion and €21.9 billion, reflecting a 26-28% increase year-over-year [12] Market Outlook - SAP maintains a positive growth outlook despite global uncertainties, with expectations for cloud and software revenues between €33.1 billion and €33.6 billion, indicating an 11-13% year-over-year increase [12][11] - The company's stock has performed well, with a 54.3% increase over the past year compared to the industry's 9.6% growth [13]