Google, SAP Unveil Data Cloud, the Next Big Thing in Business Intelligence?

The enterprise application software vendor SAP recently announced an extensive partnership with Google Cloud to introduce an end-to-end data cloud that brings data from across the enterprise landscape using the SAP® Datasphere solution. This offering, which complements the RISE with SAP solution, enables organisations to access business-critical data in real time. 

The solution addresses a significant challenge faced by organisations that need to invest substantial resources in building complex data integrations, custom analytics engines, and generative AI and natural language processing (NLP) models to derive value from their data investments. 

By combining SAP software data on supply chains, financial forecasting, human resources records, omnichannel retail, and more with non-SAP data on Google Cloud from virtually any other data source, organisations can accelerate their digital transformation significantly. This approach provides them with a fully-defined data foundation that retains complete business context, enabling organisations to accelerate their digital transformation. 

“SAP and Google Cloud share a commitment to open data and our extended partnership will help break down barriers between data stored in disparate systems, databases, and environments,” said Christian Klein, CEO and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE.

Businesses will be able to utilise our analytics capabilities, as well as advanced AI tools and large language models to find new insights from their data.

At SAP Now India conference held in Mumbai, Paul Marriott, President, SAP Asia Pacific Japan, told AIM, “Whether it's ChatGPT, generative AI, or what we're doing in the automotive sector with Catena-X to create a global exchange that drives a more efficient supply chain for the industry, or initiatives around energy transition to create a greener future, all this innovation is being delivered into the RISE and SAP cloud platforms.”

SAP and Google Cloud also plan to partner on joint go-to-market initiatives for enterprises’ largest data projects. The SAP Sapphire® conference, which will take place May 16-17 in Orlando, Florida, will host demos of joint AI and data solutions, including how

Enterprises can apply generative AI to common workflows and applications, such as using a chatbot to search, create, and edit purchase requests.

Alongside Google Cloud, SAP also announced collaboration with IBM to embed IBM’s Watson technology into applications such as SAP Start, a digital assistant designed to work with SAP’s cloud solutions, including those integrated with SAP S/4 HANA Cloud.