Accessing data in real time, analyzing it with artificial intelligence, automating processes, and
doing all of this in the cloud – this is the core idea behind the new target architecture for
future SAP and IT landscapes.
However, the term “Business Suite” is not new for SAP customers. For years, it described an
integrated package of business applications (ERP, CRM, SCM, etc.) that connect central business
processes such as finance, HR, and sales in one system, based on SAP NetWeaver.
According to the current DSAG Investment Report 2025, 51% of respondents are still using SAP ERP
or the “old” Business Suite. 42% are using S/4HANA on‑premises, 33% S/4HANA Private Cloud, and
13% S/4HANA Public Cloud. The data highlights the continued shift toward the cloud and the
growing acceptance of the S/4HANA cloud strategy.
What is the new SAP Business Suite?
It is SAP’s unified, cloud‑based architecture combining SAP S/4HANA Cloud, AI applications, and
the SAP Business Data Cloud into a single, integrated system.
How does it differ from the old SAP Business Suite?
The former suite was an on‑premise bundle of ERP/CRM/SCM applications. The new version is
cloud‑native, AI‑enabled, and data‑centric.
What are the core components?
SAP S/4HANA Cloud, innovative AI applications, and the SAP Business Data Cloud – all connected
through the SAP Business Technology Platform.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud, AI Apps, and SAP Business Data Cloud as core elements
The new SAP Business Suite was introduced as part of SAP’s Business Unleashed strategy. SAP is
redefining itself and presenting a holistic target architecture for future SAP and IT systems in
the cloud.
What does this mean specifically?
In this architecture, SAP S/4HANA Cloud (SAP’s next‑generation cloud ERP system),
innovative AI applications, and the new SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) come together in the cloud
to create a deeper connection between data, processes, and AI than ever before. These three core
elements form the new SAP Business Suite, built on the SAP Business Technology Platform.
This represents a significant expansion beyond the classical definition of a collection of
on‑premises applications for finance, logistics, HR, or customer relationships.
Single Source of Truth for data
The Business Data Cloud, a SaaS offering managed by SAP, is responsible within this architecture
for consolidating, managing, and processing data. It accesses consolidated data from a wide
range of sources in real time – including SAP systems such as S/4HANA and BW, as well as
third‑party applications – and harmonizes it on a unified data foundation (Single Source of
Truth). As a result, all stakeholders use the same consistent and therefore reliable
information. Manual reconciliation processes and potential sources of error are reduced or
eliminated. Through centralized management of data access, data quality, and security policies,
companies can also better comply with regulatory requirements such as IFRS, SOX, or ESG
guidelines.
Within this context, the SAP Business Data Cloud succeeds SAP Datasphere, the central,
multi‑tenant platform for modern backend data management (while SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
enables visualization, analysis, and planning on the frontend). With SAP Datasphere,
configuration and operations must still be carried out by the customer — which is the key
difference compared to the Business Data Cloud.
SAP previously positioned Datasphere as the evolutionary successor to the Data Warehouse Cloud,
marking the shift from a traditional data warehouse to a “Business Data Fabric.” Like the BDC,
Datasphere is built on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and is therefore a cloud
offering. The BDC now unifies and harmonizes Datasphere, SAC, and additional systems such as SAP
BW under a modern, AI‑enabled data fabric strategy.
Working more productively with agentic AI
Within the SAP Business Suite, various AI agents take over the combination and further processing
of the data collected in the SAP BDC, automating parts of existing processes – or even entire
workflows. To do this, they draw on the business process context and integrations with existing
data and applications. SAP’s digital AI assistant Joule is responsible for orchestrating these
agents. This generative AI copilot is seamlessly embedded into the Business Suite, accesses the
SAP Business Data Cloud, and understands the complex interrelationships of the data. As a
result, it can deliver deep insights, suggest decision options, and proactively trigger actions.
Employees interact with the AI agents via Joule, working with them like real team members. NTT
DATA Business Solutions has already implemented concrete use cases for several customers –
including the consulting firm zeb – where simple yet impactful AI agents were developed to
support tasks in the SAP landscape.
RISE und GROW: updated classification
SAP has also adapted its former RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP programs as part of the Business
Suite. While the former initially targeted the Private Cloud and the latter the Public Cloud,
RISE now refers to the journey of moving from an existing SAP system into the cloud –
specifically into the Business Suite. Whether Private or Public Cloud no longer matters.
Analogously, the GROW Journey reflects this pathway for new customers.
Just as in the previous SAP world, the new SAP Business Suite is designed to flexibly meet the
specific requirements of different industries and business units. NTT DATA Business Solutions
understands these needs and, backed by a broad portfolio and deep expertise, can tailor
solutions accordingly. This enables organizations to fully leverage the potential of the new SAP
Business Suite in the era of AI. We will explore how these individual configurations and
industry‑specific scenarios look in upcoming posts in this series – starting with financial
management.
So in a nutshell:
The new SAP Business Suite unifies cloud ERP, AI, and a harmonized data foundation to deliver
real‑time insights, automation, and an integrated end‑to‑end architecture for modern
enterprises.
Further information on how NTT DATA Business Solutions supports companies in shaping the future
of ERP with the SAP Business Suite can be found here.
