On December 5th, SAP professionals and enterprise architects joined an insightful LinkedIn Live session titled “Maximizing SAP Investments: AI, Automation, and LeapGreat’s De-Risking Approach.” The session featured Stefan Schoepfel, SAP Global VP of Business AI GTM, and Bob Cummings, CEO of LeapGreat. Moderated by Ross Orrett, the discussion focused on how AI and automation are transforming SAP environments, de-risking SAP S/4HANA implementations, and driving better business outcomes.
Here are the key takeaways and verbatim highlights from the discussion:
Setting the Stage for AI in SAP: SAP’s AI Strategy and Current Adoption Trends
Stefan Schoepfel opened the session by explaining SAP’s strategy for AI adoption and its transformative potential for businesses. “Our strategy is to provide AI solutions in basically two areas,” Stefan said. “One area is during the implementation cycle, and the other is AI embedded within the solution itself.” He emphasized the importance of actionable and tangible use cases for AI, cautioning against falling into the “trough of disillusionment” often discussed in Gartner’s Hype Cycle.
“Analysts often say we’re at the peak of inflated expectations,” Stefan noted, “but the focus now needs to shift towards productive use cases with a concrete plan to realize benefits early.” This vision aligns with what Stefan called the “generative enterprise,” where generative AI supports efficiency, innovation, and even new business models.
SAP’s AI framework is built around three key pillars:
- User Interaction Layer (Joule): SAP’s generative AI assistant, akin to a co-pilot, offers streamlined access to data and processes across the entire SAP portfolio.
- Embedded AI Capabilities: AI capabilities are infused into core processes to enhance efficiency and intelligence.
- AI Foundation: The SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) allows customers to integrate external AI models securely while leveraging SAP’s enterprise data and processes.
“These layers make AI not just an enhancement but a foundational element for transforming business processes,” Stefan added. He highlighted that SAP is introducing over 100 new generative AI use cases across its portfolio, underscoring the company’s strategic focus on innovation.
LeapGreat’s De-Risking Approach: AI for Frontload™️ SAP Implementations
Bob Cummings brought the discussion closer to the practical challenges organizations face during their S/4HANA journeys. “A lot of the real details of what’s going to happen in an implementation come very late in the project,” Bob explained. “This often leads to surprises, change requests, and unnecessary delays.”
To address this, LeapGreat has developed an AI-driven Frontload™️ approach. Bob elaborated, “Imagine if you had an AI agent that could analyze your company’s data and create a preliminary SAP system representing your specific use case—before you even start the project. This would enable teams to work with real-world scenarios from day one.”
Bob stressed the importance of shifting heavy-lifting tasks to the beginning of the project lifecycle. “Most projects are backloaded,” he said, “and what we’ve done is flip that model. AI allows us to Frontload™️ many processes, significantly reducing time, risk, and cost.”
The Importance of Standardization and Clean Core for AI-Driven Success
Both speakers highlighted the role of standardization in maximizing AI’s value. Stefan emphasized, “To truly leverage SAP Business AI, having an upgrade strategy and adhering to a clean core approach is crucial. Clean data and good data quality are not things you can backload; they need to be addressed from the start.”
Bob reinforced this sentiment, explaining that structured and standardized environments make it easier for AI to deliver value. “AI works much better in an orderly, transparent system,” Bob said. “The closer you are to SAP best practices and clean core, the more value you can derive.”
Bob provided a balanced perspective for organizations hesitant to embrace clean core or standardization. “While most customers want to go greenfield, the reality is many need to bring elements of their legacy systems into the new environment,” he said. “This is where hybrid approaches like Bluefield come into play. AI can help bridge the gap, allowing companies to bring what’s necessary from their old systems while aligning with modern best practices.”
AI in the Implementation Cycle: A Game-Changer for SAP Projects
While much of the focus on AI revolves around its operational benefits, Stefan and Bob also discussed its role in the implementation phase. “AI can help you stay closer to standard, leverage best practices, improve data quality, and find automation opportunities—all during the project itself,” Stefan explained.
Bob cited a compelling example from LeapGreat’s experience: “We used to take six hours to prepare a process for a customer by manually aggregating data from Signavio and other tools. Using AI, we’ve reduced this time to under 10 minutes. The more we use these models, the better and faster they get, creating exponential value.”
Both speakers highlighted the potential of AI to de-risk SAP projects by enabling teams to address challenges proactively. “AI doesn’t increase risk; it reduces it,” Bob said. “By frontloading tasks and working with real-world scenarios early, you can avoid many surprises that typically occur later in the project.”
Real-World Applications: AI Driving Business Value
Stefan shared real-world examples of SAP customers leveraging AI for tangible business outcomes:
• Zalando: The global retailer used AI to improve cash flow forecasting, enabling better payment management and mitigating potential disruptions.
• Gibson Brands: This retailer of musical instruments utilized SAP’s Customer Experience (CX) suite and AI tools to deliver a seamless multichannel experience for its customers.
“These examples show how AI isn’t just about efficiency gains—it’s also about driving growth and innovation,” Stefan said.
Looking Ahead: The AI Wave in SAP
Closing the session, both speakers reflected on the transformative potential of AI in the SAP ecosystem. “This is the biggest wave we’ve ever seen,” Stefan remarked. “AI represents a fundamental shift in how businesses operate and innovate.”
Bob echoed this sentiment, drawing parallels to the early days of ERP. “It feels like the 1990s again,” he said. “We’re looking at a tsunami of demand in the next few years, and it’s incredibly exciting to help customers navigate this journey.”
For enterprise architects and SAP professionals, the message was clear: AI and automation are no longer optional—they are essential tools for maximizing SAP investments and ensuring long-term success. With SAP and LeapGreat at the forefront, organizations can confidently embrace these innovations, knowing proven strategies and real-world expertise back them.
By adopting AI-powered tools, embracing standardization, and prioritizing a clean core approach, businesses can unlock the full potential of their SAP systems while mitigating risks. Whether you’re preparing for SAP S/4HANA or optimizing existing landscapes, the insights shared by Stefan Schoepfel and Bob Cummings provide a valuable roadmap for success.
