SAP and AWS Partner on AI-Powered Cloud ERP Platform GROW

As organisations seek faster implementation of business software and greater integration with AI, enterprise resource planning software installations have transformed from complex on-premises installations into cloud-based systems that companies can deploy in months rather than years. 

Traditional ERP systems often required dedicated data centres, extensive hardware purchases and complex licensing agreements. Today’s cloud-based alternatives offer organisations the ability to start using these systems without substantial capital investment.

This market evolution has prompted two of the sector's largest companies to build on their ongoing collaboration. Enterprise software company SAP needs to accelerate customer adoption of its cloud products, while Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing arm of Amazon, aims to increase usage of its infrastructure. The result is a partnership that aims to reshape how organisations implement business software, as both companies announce a collaboration to enable faster deployment of cloud-based ERP systems through SAP’s GROW with SAP platform.

AWS becomes first cloud provider to offer SAP’s GROW platform

The partnership marks AWS as the first cloud provider to offer GROW with SAP through its marketplace. ERP systems serve as centralised platforms that manage core business functions including finance, human resources, supply chain operations and customer service management. Traditional ERP implementations often require significant capital expenditure for hardware and software licences.

GROW with SAP operates as a software-as-a-service solution, meaning organisations can access the software through the internet rather than installing it on local computers. The platform aims to reduce deployment time from years to months whilst eliminating upfront costs. Customers receive one unified bill and can use existing AWS credits and commitments.

The announcement, made at the AWS re:Invent conference, focuses on SAP's S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, the company's flagship ERP solution. The integration aims to provide organisations with enhanced visibility into business operations.

SAP and AWS unite to deliver advanced AI capabilities

The collaboration integrates AWS's artificial intelligence service, Amazon Bedrock, with SAP's technology platform. Through this integration, organisations can develop AI applications using their SAP data alongside AI models from companies including AI21 Labs, Anthropic, Cohere, Meta, Mistral AI and Stability AI.

These capabilities complement Joule, SAP’s AI assistant that functions across the company's business applications. The integration operates through the generative AI hub in SAP AI Core on SAP Business Technology Platform.

Ruba Borno, VP of Specialists and Partners at AWS, says: “For more than 16 years, we've worked to empower thousands of customers to transform their businesses through seamless integration of SAP solutions with AWS.”

Technical infrastructure powers cloud migration

The platform utilises AWS Nitro System, a hardware and software infrastructure designed for cloud computing workloads. It also incorporates AWS Graviton processors, which consume 60 per cent less energy than comparable computing instances.

The infrastructure aims to provide enhanced performance, reliability and data protection without traditional hardware limitations. This allows organisations to run mission-critical ERP applications in the cloud environment.

Muhammad Alam, Member of the Executive Board at SAP Product Engineering, says: "Our collaboration with AWS will provide customers of all sizes a simplified path to deploy cloud ERP with powerful automation and insights via Joule embedded across our business applications. Today's announcement will allow customers to transform in the cloud more easily with the proven security, reliability, and availability of AWS."

The partnership builds upon previous collaborations between the companies, including SAP’s RISE with SAP solution, which serves organisations including BBC, Hyundai, Moderna and Zurich Insurance Group.

Steve Niesman, Executive Vice President and President of Americas region at NTT DATA Business Solutions, says: “Making GROW with SAP available in AWS Marketplace will unlock tremendous opportunities for us to accelerate widespread customer adoption of SAP cloud ERP infused with embedded business AI capabilities. The combination of SAP's proven cloud ERP solutions combined with the security, reliability, and scalability of AWS, plus the integration of cutting-edge generative AI solutions and services, will empower customers with significant productivity gains and the ability to innovate and thrive in the digital age.”

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