Author: Peter Körner, Red Hat

AI and ML are trending topics par excellence, including in the SAP area. However, the development, provision and management of AI and ML models are associated with a number of challenges and require specific frameworks.

Is the automation of IT processes a technical challenge? Yes, but not only. The key to success and smooth implementation is a well-structured plan that involves all employees - far beyond IT.

What are the benefits of open source? SAP modernizations and migrations are complex; taking a different approach based on open-source principles can help you avoid several problems and stumbling blocks from the start.

SAP users are currently facing many far-reaching challenges. Not only do they need to drive migration, but also address innovation topics in terms of competitiveness and cover them from an IT perspective.

Holistic SAP modernization should address migration and innovation issues simultaneously and accelerate both. Open-source principles and platforms form the basis for this disruptive approach.

SAP's customers are caught between the conflicting priorities of migration and innovation, necessary changes which are associated with a wide range of strategic, technical, and business challenges. The key is that it's all about building an intelligent enterprise.

The SAP deadline of 2027 applies to most applications and existing customers. They are actively driving the necessary migrations. However, innovation is often neglected during the transformation. But this does not have to be the case.

The silo security of a traditional SAP environment is reaching its limits in an era of increasing interconnection between SAP and non-SAP systems. Does this lead to sacrifices for the security of a process landscape?

SAP users are caught between the conflicting priorities of migration and innovation. Migration projects with lift-and-shift procedures often dominate at first, and innovation falls by the wayside. But there is a better way.

The DSAG Technology Days have shown it again: Uncertainty still exists on the user side with regard to the necessary modernization. Time is pressing; after all, the deadline of 2027 has been confirmed once again.

The modernization of SAP landscapes is by no means done with a lift & shift to the cloud provider. A large number of proven and required add-ons, extensions and tools are initially left out or have to be adapted and individually integrated in tedious detail work.

Open source stands for innovation and is an integral part of the SAP world. Almost every player in the SAP ecosystem, be it a partner, an independent software vendor or an add-on manufacturer, is therefore taking up the open source theme.