Insights from SAP Partner Summit in Berlin – and Three Key Trends for 2026

The SAP Partner Summit in Berlin gathered over 2,000 participants for two days of deep dives into AI, business data, and SAP Cloud ERP. Implema’s Johan Berg was there, highlighting three clear trends now influencing SAP customers’ choices and priorities going forward – from how AI is moving into core processes to the rapid development in SAP’s cloud platforms.

Hello there… Johan Berg, senior SAP consultant at Implema, just back from the SAP Partner Summit in Berlin! What was your main takeaway from this year’s summit?

– The incredible pace of development in AI. SAP already has over 300 embedded AI solutions, Joule with 2,100 capabilities, and a growing number of AI agents. It’s clear that AI is no longer on the sidelines of the SAP platform – it’s part of the core.

SAP talked a lot about data. What did you take away from that?

– That SAP’s strength really lies in access to business data and deep knowledge of its integrated business processes. According to SAP, over 95% of the world’s business data is inaccessible to general AI models. This makes SAP’s process-centric AI operations significantly more accurate and useful in practice.

Was there anything that surprised you?

– Yes, how quickly interest in SAP Cloud ERP is growing. It was clear that many customers are now looking directly at the full-scale SaaS model for SAP S/4HANA. SAP’s innovation pace is highest there, making the cloud track increasingly relevant.

How do these trends affect SAP customers’ choices going forward?

– I think many will place even greater focus on process harmonization, data quality, and competence. As AI moves into core processes, the demands for order and structure increase – but also the ability to receive innovation.

And what does this mean for Implema’s customers specifically?

– Above all, more opportunities. As SAP now builds more intelligence directly into standard processes, customers can more quickly benefit without large, standalone AI initiatives. Our role becomes helping them understand when the functions provide value, how they create impact, and what needs to be done organizationally to succeed.

How does it affect Implema as a partner?

– It means we need to continue building competence in cloud, standardization, and AI – but also continue to stay close to our customers and understand how technology meets business needs. That’s at least as important as technical knowledge.

Did you feel that the summit’s content confirmed anything you’re already working on?

– Absolutely. Our focus on the combination of technology, processes, and business value feels completely right. That’s also where SAP’s message lies – that AI and cloud only create value if they’re used in real processes.

Which question do you think will be most central for SAP customers in 2026?

– Moving from vision to everyday reality. AI will become more concrete over the next year, especially as it lands in planning, purchasing, finance, and supply chains. Companies that take the step early will notice a difference quickly.

And finally, what are you personally most looking forward to?

– Putting these insights into practice in customer projects. It’s when we together make the technology practically useful that development becomes real – and I think 2026 will be a very exciting year in that regard.