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Espoo, Finland - 14.02.2025. The race for digital transformation is heating up, with SAP at its core. For businesses aiming to stay agile, streamline operations, and improve data quality, SAP’s evolving ecosystem offers both opportunities and challenges, including S/4HANA migration, Fiori adoption, and the implementation of automation platforms.
Our partners at Precisely recently collaborated with ASUG to explore the current state of SAP S/4HANA adoption and the integration of automation technologies. Let's take a look at the trends, challenges, and strategies for 2025 that will enable companies to realize the full potential of automation in SAP.
Key Trends in Automation
The Growth of Intelligent Automation
Did you know that it is projected that businesses will spend over $60 billion on intelligent automation by 2027? This shows just how essential automation has become.
CEOs are prioritizing technology investments, with 67% allocating more budget to tech than to workforce expansion. Why? Because automation helps companies respond faster to market changes, work more efficiently, and keep their data in top shape.
Automation use among SAP customers increased by 15% for digital transformation projects from 2023 to 2024. However, integration challenges increased by 22%, becoming the primary issue in 2024.
Growing SAP BTP Adoption
SAP is leading the charge with its Business Technology Platform (BTP). In 2024, 41% of respondents reported using SAP BTP, up from 31% in 2023.
While SAP® BTP provides a unified gateway for users to access various services, it does not necessarily reduce the inherent complexity of processes and data within SAP S/4HANA® ERP. The level of complexity depends on the structure and nature of the business process being managed in SAP S/4HANA®. In some cases, BTP can even add to this complexity, particularly when a solution requires multiple integrated services from the platform. This challenge is further compounded by SAP’s fragmented pricing model, which can make implementation more.
S/4HANA Migration Accelerates, Yet Organizations Struggle with Interface Complexity
The transition to S/4HANA is progressing, with 50% of respondents having completed the migration and another 30% planning to switch within two years. However, many organizations still rely on mixed-interface environments, combining Fiori apps, GUI, and other tools, which makes choosing the right automation platform even more important.
Master Data: the Foundation of Automation
Why SAP Master Data Matters
Consider SAP master data to be the 'nervous system' of your business. It connects everything—from sales and distribution to inventory and finance. But when master data is inaccurate or poorly managed, it can cause big headaches, like:
Incorrect shipment of orders or incorrect pricing
Production delays due to missing or inaccurate materials data.
Financial reporting errors that can lead to compliance risks.
Overcoming Master Data Challenges
Managing master data can be a challenge due to its complexity and sheer volume. Here are some proven strategies for tackling this challenge:
Centralize Your Data: Create a single source of truth.
Establish Data Governance: Set clear rules for those who are responsible for and maintain data quality.
Enhance your team's skills:: Make sure employees know best practices for data entry and validation.
With these steps, your Master Data can become a strategic asset for smooth operations and better decision-making.
SAP Fiori Adoption and Challenges
SAP Fiori adoption is steady, with 58% using it for specific LoB scenarios, mainly in finance and supply chain. Challenges include limited apps and complexity compared to SAP GUI, emphasizing the need for user-friendly automation solutions.
Empowering Citizen Developers
Citizen developers are ordinary business users who take ownership of automation projects, creating workflows and scripts to meet their specific needs. In 2024, the recognition of citizen developers by organizations rose by 9%, highlighting the growing use of low-code/no-code platforms for business-user automation. They know their data and processes best, so empowering them accelerates automation adoption and ensures it fits the business like a glove.
Overcoming Challenges in SAP Automation
Integration and Complexity
Integration continues to be one of the biggest hurdles for SAP automation projects. With businesses using a mix of SAP interfaces—like Fiori and GUI—it’s critical to choose automation platforms that work across all environments. Add to that the complexity of processes spanning multiple departments, and it becomes clear that a thoughtful approach is essential. The main challenge in automation is integrating it with existing business processes, particularly as companies adopt it individually.
Climbing the Automation Maturity Curve
Moreover, as companies increasingly embrace automation, their focus is shifting. Instead of simply improving efficiency, they are beginning to use automation to gain strategic advantages, such as faster response to market changes and better organizational alignment. To accomplish this, companies need:
Tools that can be easily integrated into different systems.
A mindset that views automation as a competitive advantage.
Strong governance to maintain high-quality data and processes.
Conclusion
SAP automation is a challenging but extremely rewarding journey. By focusing on the right tools, strategies, and governance, companies can overcome obstacles such as integration and complexity to build smarter, more agile operations. Automation is no longer just about saving time; it’s about transforming the way companies deliver value and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. As 2025 has just begun, there’s no better time to seize the opportunities SAP automation presents and prepare your organization for success in the coming years..
Discover more insights in our full report here or contact our sales team at sales@adsotech.com
Watch the recording from Unlocking Automation in SAP 2025 Trends and Challenges webinar here
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