SAP TechEd 2024 highlights the SAP Analytics Cloud and the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) as central elements in the digital transformation of enterprises. The Analytics Cloud, positioned as a leading solution for planning and analysis, offers a wide range of new features and enhancements that help businesses develop a more efficient and future-proof data strategy.

SAP Analytics Cloud: Advanced Features for Analysis and Planning

The SAP Analytics Cloud enables companies to analyze data centrally and make well-informed decisions. With features like the Analytics Catalog, which allows centralized management of analytics, and an Office 365 integration, the Analytics Cloud has become a comprehensive solution for business analytics. The application’s key areas include:

• Business Analytics: Data exploration, dashboards, and visualizations, as well as augmented analytics powered by machine learning technologies.
• Enterprise Planning: Simulations and predictive planning are core components that help businesses anticipate future trends and guide their strategies effectively.

Additionally, the Analytics Cloud is now available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, providing access to critical insights from anywhere. The "Just ask" feature allows for simple, AI-powered data queries, further enhancing the platform's user-friendliness.

12-Month Statistics: Continuous Improvement of the Analytics Cloud

Over the past twelve months, the SAP Analytics Cloud introduced 183 new features, implementing numerous customer requests and feedback. With over 4,000 votes and 119 influence requests considered, this highlights SAP's commitment to meeting user needs. The focus areas include:

• Story & Reporting: 64 new features for creating and refining reports.
• Planning: 54 enhancements that expand the planning and simulation capabilities of the Analytics Cloud.
• Data Integration & Modeling: 42 features enable seamless integration with both SAP and non-SAP data sources.

Strategic Priorities of SAP

The strategic direction of the Analytics Cloud and the Business Technology Platform emphasizes integration, planning, and user-friendliness. Key priorities include:

• SAP Software Integration: The close linkage between the SAP Analytics Cloud and solutions like SAP Datasphere enables a holistic approach to data use across the entire enterprise landscape.
• Composable Analytics: With the Open Widget API, available from Q3 2024, companies can embed individual analytics widgets into external applications and use data in customized environments. This includes support for SAP products like Fieldglass and BTP (and many more), as well as non-SAP tools (e.g., MS Teams, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, and Apple Vision Pro).
• Generative AI: By leveraging generative AI, companies can integrate advanced analytics methods into their business processes, gaining more in-depth insights into their data. Joule, a large language model, allows natural language queries, simplifying workflows.

Performance Monitoring and Data Access

The Analytics Cloud’s Performance Analysis Tool offers detailed insights into system performance, helping to identify optimization opportunities even during the design phase. Upcoming releases, including the Performance Insight Tool (Gantt) and Joule integration for guided analytics, will significantly expand user capabilities.

Starting in Q4 2024, SQL Live will support direct connections to Google BigQuery, minimizing the need for data replication into the Analytics Cloud and simplifying the use of live data sources. This ensures data remains where it is needed and enhances the efficiency of analytics processes.

Seamless Planning and Simulation with SAP Datasphere

The integration of the Analytics Cloud with SAP Datasphere enables seamless planning, from data modeling to simulation. As of Q4 2024, companies will be able to integrate new models directly into SAP Datasphere and leverage the workflows of the Analytics Cloud. This close connection supports businesses in transferring planning data and using analytical models for better decision-making.

Another important addition is the SAP Analytics Cloud Compass, which allows users to simulate uncertainties in critical areas and better understand potential impacts. With stochastic simulations, companies can perform real-time risk analyses and make well-founded decisions. The focus is on enabling users without programming skills to conduct meaningful analyses.

An Integrated Portfolio for Data and Analytics

SAP's integrated data and analytics portfolio comprises three core components:

• Advanced Planning and Analysis: With the Analytics Cloud, SAP offers an integrated solution that takes planning and analysis to the next level.
• Business Data Fabric: SAP Datasphere provides a semantically rich data layer that integrates underlying data landscapes, offering scalable access to data without duplication.
• Intelligent Data Applications: Utilizing analytical capabilities such as machine learning and graph databases through SAP HANA Cloud and ABAP strengthens the application of intelligent data analysis, combining historical and real-time data.

Conclusion: SAP Analytics Cloud and BTP as Drivers of Digital Transformation

The SAP Analytics Cloud and the SAP Business Technology Platform offer a wide range of tools and capabilities to support companies in their data analysis efforts. With a strong focus on data integration, AI-powered features, and user-friendly solutions, they enable comprehensive optimization of business processes. The Analytics Cloud roadmap shows that SAP continues to prioritize customer needs while positioning cutting-edge technologies at the forefront.

SAP remains a leading partner for companies looking to optimize their analytical and planning capabilities, offering a platform ready to meet the challenges of the modern business world with new AI-driven functionalities.