AI is dominating conversations around SAP transformation. Every month brings new tools, bold claims and predictions about faster delivery. Enterprise leaders are now trying to separate genuine progress from ambitious marketing.
That was the focus of Trillion's recent webinar, SAP in the AI Era, where Harry Gordon, Managing Consultant at Trillion sat down with transformation leader Andy Brown to discuss how AI is changing SAP delivery, what organisations should prioritise before 2030, and where expectations have moved ahead of reality.
Andy Brown is an IT Programme Director and independent ERP consultant with more than 20 years' experience leading large-scale SAP programmes.
Alongside programme delivery, he researches how AI is changing SAP consulting, programme management and enterprise transformation.
Here are five of the biggest takeaways from the discussion.
AI is already supporting delivery teams with documentation, requirements analysis, testing and development, but it hasn't fundamentally changed the cost or complexity of enterprise SAP programmes.
The challenge is no longer whether AI can generate useful outputs. It's whether organisations trust those outputs enough to use them without extensive review.
Every recommendation still needs experienced people to validate it.
For now, AI is making individual tasks more efficient rather than transforming entire programmes.
Harry then turned to one of the biggest questions facing SAP leaders: should AI change the business case for S/4HANA migration?
AI isn't the reason to modernise SAP.
It's one of the biggest benefits of doing it well.
The business case for migration hasn't changed. Organisations still need to modernise their ERP landscape, move onto supported platforms and simplify their environments.
AI strengthens that decision because modern SAP environments are better positioned to adopt new capabilities. It isn't the reason to migrate.
Waiting for AI to make migration easier could leave organisations with less time, fewer implementation partners and a smaller pool of available SAP talent.
Andy explained that AI depends on reliable data, standard processes and well-governed systems.
Organisations carrying years of customisation and inconsistent data will find it harder to use AI effectively because the technology can only work with the information it's given.
Drawing on his experience, Andy described Clean Core as an enabler rather than another technical initiative.
Before organisations look at AI, they need confidence in the data and processes sitting underneath it.
The conversation also turned to the growing number of AI-powered SAP delivery platforms entering the market.
Large systems integrators have made bold claims about AI-driven delivery, but Andy noted that independent evidence is still limited.
Some of the most interesting innovation is coming from specialist providers building tools that solve specific delivery problems rather than trying to automate entire programmes.
Examples discussed included Resulting IT's SForce Sense AI and Nova Intelligence.
Instead of replacing consultants, these tools support analysis, documentation and delivery activities, allowing experienced teams to spend more time on higher-value work.
"The work is not shrinking. The work is increasing."
That was Andy's response when Harry asked whether AI would reduce the need for SAP consultants.
Routine work such as documentation, testing, requirements capture and elements of migration is expected to become increasingly automated over the next few years.
That doesn't reduce the need for experienced consultants. It changes where they create value.
Architecture, governance, stakeholder management, business change and programme leadership become even more important as AI takes on repetitive work.
For consultants starting their careers, technical skills remain essential, but they're no longer enough on their own. Commercial understanding and the ability to solve business problems will become stronger differentiators.
The technology will keep evolving, but the fundamentals of successful SAP delivery aren’t changing.
Looking ahead, Andy expects AI to become part of almost every stage of SAP delivery.
1. Testing will become faster.
2. Migration tooling will become more intelligent.
3. Documentation will continue to improve.
4. Programme teams will increasingly work alongside AI rather than around it.
The organisations that benefit most won't necessarily be those adopting every new tool.
They'll be the ones investing in Clean Core, modern SAP platforms, high-quality data and people who know how to apply AI responsibly within enterprise transformation.
AI is changing SAP transformation, but enterprise delivery still depends on experience, sound architecture and good judgement.
If you'd like to hear the discussion in full, watch the webinar recording to explore Andy Brown's insights in more detail.
Watch the full webinar SAP in the AI Era Expert Q&A with Trillion
The strongest programmes don't treat those as separate decisions. They build the business case, define the roadmap and secure specialist expertise together.
Planning an SAP transformation or exploring how AI fits into your programme? Speak to Harry Gordon and the Trillion team about building the right delivery capability for what's next.