SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) – The future of your Data & Analytics strategy
The SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is SAP's latest and most forward-looking Data & Analytics product suite. It combines the strengths of proven SAP solutions – SAP BW, SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) – in a flexible, scalable platform supplemented by AI/ML capabilities of the Databricks platform.
With the BDC, you benefit from:
✅ Seamless integration of your existing data landscape into the cloud.
✅ Maximum flexibility – BW on HANA systems can continue to be used until 2030 without direct migration to BW/4HANA.
✅ State-of-the-art analytics and planning functions that enable informed, data-driven decisions.
✅ Powerfuln ML and (Gen)AI capabilities of the Databricks Platform.
Use the SAP Business Data Cloud to gradually transfer your existing BW environment to the modern SAP Datasphere - without time pressure and with a clear future perspective.
E-Book Business Data Cloud (BDC)
Would you like to have all the important information at a glance? Download the free guide to the SAP Business Data Cloud now!
SAP BDC is available for all SAP customers, not just RISE/GROW customers.
✅SAP BW Bridge is retained to integrate SAP ECC and BW4/HANA data.
What is the SAP BDC?
The SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is SAP's latest and most forward-looking Data & Analytics product suite. It combines the strengths of proven SAP solutions – SAP BW, SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) – in a flexible, scalable platform supplemented by AI/ML capabilities of the Databricks platform.
With the planned market launch in February 2025, the BDC is aimed particularly at companies that use BW on HANA. Around 4,000 companies in the MEE region face the challenge of migrating to BW/4HANA by 2027. The BDC offers them more flexibility: Instead of having to switch to BW/4HANA, they can gradually transform their existing IT landscape. In addition, customers get more time to transform their IT landscape.
The BDC also opens up attractive opportunities for companies that do not rely on BW on HANA. For example, you can use Databricks to implement modern Data & Analytics strategies.
The SAP Business Data Cloud combines various components and services under a unified platform and comprises two central areas:
✅ Insight Apps (Front End) – An intuitive data analysis for informed decision-making. This includes Partner Eco Apps, 360° Analytics and Extended Planning.
✅ Business Data Fabric (Backend & Infrastructure) – A powerful, flexible and scalable data architecture. This includes SAP Datasphere (Business Semantics), SAP Analytics Cloud (Analytics & Planning), BW Modernization (SAP BW/4HANA) as well as Data Engineering and Machine Learning with Databricks.
With the SAP Business Data Cloud, companies can make their data strategy more efficient, flexible, and future-proof.
“Since 2019, there has been the Data Warehouse Cloud (DWC), which has been further developed as SAP Datasphere since 2023. With the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC), SAP is now taking the next step in the evolution of data & analytics management. We at s-peers have implemented the DWC for our customers from the very beginning and are now also supporting the introduction of SAP Datasphere and the BDC. It is great to work with SAP on the further development of this forward-looking product.”
The best of both worlds: Key competencies of the SAP Business Data Cloud in the SAP Business Suite
SAP Business Data Cloud combines SAP and third-party data in a SaaS solution managed in collaboration between SAP and Databricks. It utilizes the following functions:
Knowledge Graph with Business Data Fabric:
Captures data, metadata, and semantic relationships to make information searchable and usable.Delta Sharing and Data Federation:
Enables direct data exchange without complex duplication, which avoids costs and redundant data extractions.AI Acceleration:
Develop AI models and generative AI applications based on your own business data using SAP Databricks.
A solid, trustworthy data basis forms the foundation for the use of powerful AI tools. Targeted functions ensure that the AI solutions used are reliable, responsible, and application-oriented:
Integrated knowledge graph:
Connects data, metadata, and processes so that AI and analytics applications can recognize the relationships in the context of business relationships.Joule Copilot:
Increases efficiency by automating cross-functional tasks, generating relevant insights, and summarizing critical business information.Extended planning and analysis options:
Supports complex corporate planning – from risk assessments and forecasts to detailed simulations.AI-supported Monte Carlo simulations:
Automate risk assessment and support precise time series forecasts.
As illustrated, the SAP Business Data Cloud forms the core of the SAP Business Suite. This suite includes a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of core applications that are seamlessly linked to optimally support business processes. By using powerful business data and insightful AI solutions, it enables:
- Efficient scaling and flexible adaptation to growing business requirements.
- The promotion of innovations and the achievement of sustainable added value.
- Accelerated and optimized integration of business processes for greater efficiency and better results.
Advantages of BDC: With a clear path forward for all SAP BW customers of the Business Data Cloud (BDC)
✅ We support you with license consulting and the creation of a customized roadmap for the implementation of the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) in your company. ✅ Take this opportunity to evaluate the full potential of the SAP Business Data Cloud for your company – without obligation, with practical relevance and a clear perspective.
Data & Analytics implementation and consulting for our clients
BDC Roadmap Workshop – The individual strategy for the future of Data & Analytics infrastructure
The SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) sets new standards in the world of Data & Analytics Management. With SAP's announcement to introduce the BDC as a central solution for companies, the question arises: What does this mean for your existing data and analytics infrastructure?
In our BDC Roadmap Workshop, we work together to analyze how BDC impacts your current infrastructure and the opportunities it offers your company. You will receive a detailed impact analysis showing how implementing BDC can transform your systems and processes.
Contents of the BDC Roadmap Workshop:
In this first step, we analyze your current Data & Analytics infrastructure in detail. We look at both the technological components as well as the processes and the maturity of your data strategy. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses of the existing solution and to create a solid basis for further optimizations.
SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) offers innovative ways to integrate, manage, and analyze data in a flexible and scalable environment. We examine the extent to which SAP BDC fits into your existing architecture, what advantages it offers, and how it can contribute to optimizing your data strategy. In doing so, we take both technical and economic aspects into account (e.g. TCO).
Based on the preceding analyses, we identify specific optimization potentials. This includes, for example, improving data integration, more efficient data processing, and synergies between existing and new solutions. Our goal is to make your Data & Analytics landscape future-proof and more efficient.
Finally, we will develop a customized roadmap for the introduction of SAP BDC into your IT landscape. We place particular emphasis on a practical and feasible strategy that takes into account both technological and organizational aspects. The roadmap serves as a clear guideline for successful implementation, with defined milestones and specific recommendations for action.
E-Book Business Data Cloud (BDC)
Would you like to have all the important information at a glance? Download the free guide to the SAP Business Data Cloud now!
FAQ Business Data Cloud (BDC)
SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud are fully integrated into SAP BDC. In the future, these products will be obtained through a unified subscription model.
The underlying foundation services of BDC are based on Delta Lake and a Medallion architecture. This design enables the efficient loading of data products, so that even with large amounts of data, a zero-copy query via Insight apps, Datasphere, and Databricks functions smoothly.
The Zero Copy Share function makes it possible to share data between different applications and services without creating physical copies of the data. Instead, references or pointers are used, so that the target applications can directly access the original data. This reduces storage requirements, minimizes administrative effort and ensures high performance - even with very large data volumes. In the SAP Business Data Cloud, this function is used, for example, in combination with SAP Databricks to ensure efficient and seamless data exchange.
SAP BDC uses SAP HANA Cloud Data Lake Files as storage. This storage is managed by SAP and is transparently hidden from customers and system integrators.
Dedicated help content for BDC can already be found at help.sap.com. This content is constantly updated. A test access will be possible soon – please contact us about this.
BDC is an independent focus area, but it shares some fundamental services (like HANA Cloud) with the BTP.
Currently, the focus is on data products from the SAP business units. In the future, data products from partners will also be provided, which may include aspects of non-SAP data.
Yes – currently, access is via methods such as SDA, Data Flows or Repflows in DSP. Additional integration options are also planned for the future.
Deployment: As a public cloud solution, it is compatible with SAP S/4HANA Private and Public Cloud.
- SAP Databricks is natively integrated into BDC, enabling AI/ML-supported analyses and allowing zero-copy data sharing with Delta Sharing.
- SAP BW remains relevant and can be gradually integrated into BDC.
- SAP BDC can process data from local (on-premise) and cloud systems.
- Joule AI is a generative AI agent that is integrated into many SAP products to support automation and decision-making.
- Joule Studio & Agent Builder enable custom AI agents for specific business requirements.
The integration is directly available for greenfield customers without an existing Databricks contract. A DBX connector will be provided in SAP BDC later this year for brownfield customers.
No, for BW and BW/4HANA customers, the transition to SAP BDC is seamless – without the need for a complete migration. Existing subscriptions for Datasphere and SAC will remain in place.
Yes, the data products can be expanded and customized. In the future, they will be fully integrated into the SAP S/4HANA extensibility framework, which enables customer-specific adjustments.
- SAP BW 7.5 PCE runs until 2030, BW/4HANA PCE at least until 2040.
- Transition to BDC: SAP recommends a gradual transition via Datasphere and Databricks.
- Existing SAC & Datasphere customers receive seamless commercial and technical integration into BDC.
According to SAP, the data products currently in controlled rollout are S/4 PCE data products. SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud data products will follow later this year. ECC data products are not planned by SAP.
SAP Datasphere is an integral part of SAP Business Data Cloud. BDC expands this foundation with additional functions such as SAP Data Products, SAP Databricks, and BW options. In the future, existing Datasphere instances will be seamlessly transferred into the expanded BDC ecosystem, allowing users to benefit from the new innovations.
SAP Databricks is provided as an OEM solution in BDC and includes most of Databricks' features. Some features, such as the Databricks Marketplace, are not included – instead, the focus is on the Datasphere Marketplace.
Learn more about BDC first-hand directly from SAP! In an exclusive interview, Thomas Duschek (SAP) provides valuable insights, presents current developments, and shares practical tips about BDC. Click here to read the full interview.
Frequently asked questions about licensing SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC)
SAP BDC is licensed as a SaaS solution via Capacity Units. The exact costs depend on application area, volume and specific requirements. Licenses can be obtained directly from SAP or through authorized SAP partners (such as s-peers AG). The solution is already available - for detailed price and contract information, a direct license consultation is recommended.
Regarding minimum contract durations, there is currently no conclusive information available. Initial trends suggest that SAP might consider long-term contractual commitments – details will be individually agreed upon during the sales cycle.
SAP will honor existing contracts. At the next contract negotiation, a conversion to SAP BDC Capacity Units will take place. SAP will take over the “rewiring” of the tenants and ensure a smooth transition.
The SAC Dedicated SKU (formerly SAC Private) provides a dedicated tenant that is exclusively available to one customer. In contrast, SAC Public is based on a shared tenant.
SAP BW/4HANA will remain available as a product but will be exclusively managed under the license terms of the SAP Business Data Cloud in the future. Separate licensing for BW/4HANA will no longer be necessary.
Discover BDC possibilities - We are here for your questions and requests!
How can we help you?
Would you like to learn more about the BDC Features, request a BDC Roadmap Workshop, or arrange an individual license consultation? We are at your disposal and will take care of your request as quickly as possible. Simply contact us via the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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