SAP BTP and AI realize the vision of the Intelligent Enterprise

AI as a driver for added business value

While current discussions about AI topics such as ChatGPT are of great interest, SAP is focusing on AI applications and tools that bring clear benefits for companies. The focus here is on ERP and process data, which form the basis for value-adding AI solutions. Summarizing texts or pre-formulating emails can certainly be a useful function for individuals - but real business value is only created when entire business processes are noticeably accelerated, simplified or automated.

The architecture of SAP Business AI

SAP's AI portfolio, which the provider summarizes under the name “Business AI”, is divided into three levels:

1. AI Foundation: This level forms the technical basis for all AI-based functionalities in SAP applications. Data scientists and AI specialists can develop and train their own models here or integrate the Large Language Models (LLMs) from SAP partners to map individual scenarios.

2. Embedded AI: SAP is gradually integrating intelligent functions into all business applications. These functions facilitate input, provide suggestions, interpret data and generate content. Examples include SAP AI Business Services, which support business use cases such as the processing of unstructured information in documents (e.g. orders or invoices) with Document Information Extraction (DOX) and their further processing in automated processes with SAP Build Process Automation.

3. Joule: SAP's intelligent AI assistant supports users in daily tasks and provides insight into data in an intuitive way. Joule promises to make processes faster and more efficient and will be available across the entire SAP product portfolio.

Hands-on instead of theory - real AI use cases from T.CON projects

Even though artificial intelligence is not really a new technology, there are still few use cases that are widely used, especially in the context of ERP systems. However, T.CON has already been working with “classic” AI techniques such as machine learning for several years and has implemented various projects. We are also taking up the new approaches of generative AI at an early stage and using the entire breadth of the SAP Business AI portfolio:

• “Golden Batch": with the help of BTP's SAP AI core service, AI models were developed based on IoT and ERP production data to help optimize plant and machine settings.
   
• Semantic search in production data: With Generative AI technologies, it is possible to analyze and search production data (e.g. in a digital shift book such as our ELB) in a natural language way.

• Automated sales order entry and invoice receipt workflows: BTP's Document Information Extraction Service (DOX), in combination with RPA bots in SAP Build Process Automation, allows the automation of various repetitive document-based processes. A classic example of this is invoice receipt workflows, but orders, order confirmations, payment advice notes, etc. can also be processed automatically in this way.

• AI assistant Joule: Joule, the innovative AI assistant from SAP, is already available in S/4HANA Public Cloud and SuccessFactors systems. We are involved with the technology at an early stage and can show you ways in which it can support and relieve SAP users.
   

Joule as a "game changer"

Joul promises to be a game changer for SAP users. SAP software is often perceived as complex and not very user-friendly - thanks to Joule, this perception could improve considerably. The wizard will be helpful for a wide range of user groups:

BTP administrators can effortlessly monitor complex system landscapes and deploy new services.

Software developers increase their efficiency thanks to the generation of code components based on natural language descriptions.

Business users gain a clear insight into extensive databases and can execute transactions efficiently without having to operate complex user interfaces. At the last Sapphire, SAP announced that Joule will soon map 80% of the most important business functions.

The vision of a self-controlling ERP system

If you take the SAP idea of the “Intelligent Enterprise” a step further, you end up with a vision of self-controlling ERP systems for which people only specify the framework and objectives and only have to intervene in exceptional cases. In such an environment, people would be freed from routine tasks and could concentrate on their actual strengths. Natural and artificial intelligence would complement each other symbiotically and companies could achieve their business goals more efficiently.

This may still sound utopian today - but companies can already take the first steps with the help of SAP BTP's powerful AI tools, increase their productivity and efficiency and free up employees.