E3 Category: Analysis column

The S/4 transformation remains the central IT project for many companies. However, legacy custom code is slowing down the pace and innovation. New AI-based approaches could pave the way for a genuine clean core.

The S/4 countdown is running: Companies have less than two years left before mainstream maintenance ends. Service providers are upgrading massively, AI is gaining in importance - but choosing the right partner is becoming more complex than ever.

In 2026, the S/4 migration will reach a milestone: over half of companies will have completed the changeover. AI-supported tools and public cloud models will accelerate this process and transform the role of IT service providers.

AI will fundamentally change the business of IT service providers—not only in testing and software development, but also in consulting. Experienced consultants will benefit, but junior consultants will find it more difficult to get started at first.

Geopolitical turbulence is having an impact on the future direction of companies' IT strategies. Sovereignty is the order of the day. What can business application providers contribute?

The SAP service market is booming thanks to S/4 migrations - but the end of this wave is in sight. What comes next? New opportunities, new challenges and a change of strategy in the SAP partner ecosystem.

SAP is doing well, judging by its share price: up 40 percent in a year. In contrast, Oracle was up almost 20 percent in mid-June, and Salesforce was up 13 percent after a dip at the end of May.

The car is becoming a networked device on wheels, delivering a wealth of new services in addition to driving performance. Ease of use and safety are a must to ensure a good customer experience.

Cloud computing is already a reality for many companies today. They use cloud-based services as an alternative to internal IT infrastructure and for hosting websites and e-commerce systems.

While SAP is busy browsing the racks for new companies to acquire, the integration of the various solutions is falling by the wayside. However, integration is more important than ever if the ERP vendor wants to continue to be a strategic supplier of business software.