The following partner insight was authored by Nik Mohan, Global Director of SAP Business Unit - SAP Global Alliance + GSI Sales & Strategy at Microsoft.
SAP needs powerful infrastructure to deliver its cloud-based business applications at scale, and the Microsoft Cloud delivers exactly that. Throughout both companies’ 30+ year joint partnership, their technologies have become fundamentally interconnected, enabling customers to accelerate business transformation and innovation.
SAP systems host mission-critical data powering core business processes and can greatly benefit from the insights, automation, and efficiencies unlocked by Microsoft Cloud capabilities and AI.
Microsoft’s differentiators extend across critical aspects of enterprise technology, such as:
- AI innovation with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) on Microsoft Azure: Azure’s industry-leading AI models are directly available in GenAI Hub in BTP, SAP AI Core is also available on Azure.
- Enhancing end-user productivity with Microsoft Copilot: SAP customers can use Microsoft 365 Copilot—available in Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PowerBI—so that end-users can unlock SAP insights, and perform tasks faster.
- Enabling AI transformation using Azure AI services: SAP customers running their workloads on Azure can build their own AI capabilities using the Azure OpenAI Service with their SAP data to quickly develop generative AI applications.
- Automatic attack disruption for SAP, powered by AI: Microsoft Security Copilot empowers all security and IT roles to detect and address cyberthreats at machine speed, including those arising from SAP systems. For customers using Microsoft Sentinel for SAP, which is certified for RISE with SAP, attack disruption will automatically detect financial fraud techniques and disable native SAP and connected Microsoft Entra accounts to prevent cyberattackers from transferring any funds–with no additional intervention.
Microsoft Cloud: A Path from On-Premises to the Cloud
RISE with SAP on the Microsoft Cloud has emerged as the primary path for organizations moving from on-premises systems to SAP’s standardized cloud solutions. SAP’s business applications and Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure combine to transform operations without sacrificing control. Mid-market organizations follow a similar path through GROW with SAP, which adapts this approach to their specific needs. Microsoft is also actively partnering with SAP to support their ambition of Cloud ERP and dual journeys with RISE and GROW (SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition).
A Thriving Partner Ecosystem
From Azure’s robust infrastructure to AI-driven innovation with GenAI & Microsoft Copilot, enterprises can unlock new efficiencies while reducing operational complexities. However, the true catalyst for SAP transformation lies in Microsoft’s thriving ecosystem of partners - a network of Global System Integrators (GSIs), Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), and Specialized Service providers - who bring unparalleled expertise and innovation.
Microsoft’s diverse partner ecosystem plays a critical role in accelerating SAP migrations, driving co-innovation, and delivering tailored industry solutions. These partners bring:
✅ End-to-end SAP migration, integration, and managed services for enterprises.
✅ Cutting-edge tools that enhance security, performance, data migration and automation for SAP environments.
✅ Expertise in SAP workload optimization, industry-specific customizations, and seamless multi-cloud strategies.
This collaborative approach ensures enterprises not only migrate to SAP on the Microsoft Cloud smoothly but also gain access to AI-powered analytics, enhanced security, and a future-ready cloud environment.
Organizations that leverage Microsoft’s ecosystem of partners for SAP transformation experience:
✔ Accelerated Cloud Migrations – Minimized downtime and seamless transitions to SAP S/4HANA on Azure.
✔ AI-Driven Innovation – Advanced insights, automation, and efficiency improvements powered by Microsoft AI.
✔ Enhanced Security & Compliance – Built-in threat protection, compliance frameworks, and end-to-end data governance.
✔ Optimized Performance & Cost Efficiency – Flexible cloud economics, predictive analytics, and right-sized infrastructure solutions.
The path to SAP modernization requires a powerful technology foundation and the right expertise. Microsoft, alongside its strategic partners, is empowering enterprises to unlock agility, intelligence, and innovation in their SAP environments.
Unlocking the Power of SAP with Microsoft Cloud & AI
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, enterprises running SAP need a cloud solution that not only enhances performance but also drives innovation. Microsoft stands out as the premier hyperscaler of choice for SAP workloads, offering cutting-edge cloud and AI capabilities that enable businesses to optimize, scale, and future-proof their SAP investments.
1. AI-Powered SAP Workloads
Microsoft’s AI solutions bring intelligence and automation to SAP environments, enabling predictive insights, process automation, and enhanced decision-making. With Microsoft’s AI capabilities, businesses can extract greater value from their SAP data, optimize operations, and drive efficiencies at scale.
2. Integration with SAP BTP
Seamless integration with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) ensures that enterprises can leverage Microsoft’s powerful cloud ecosystem while maintaining deep interoperability with SAP solutions. Microsoft Azure provides a secure, scalable, and high-performance infrastructure for SAP BTP applications, enhancing agility and flexibility. SAP Business Technology Platform currently runs in eight Microsoft Azure regions with an additional five regions recently announced jointly with SAP. Customers can use all the popular BTP services on Azure today.
3. A Strong Partner Ecosystem
Microsoft’s diverse partner ecosystem—including GSIs, ISVs, and service providers—collaborates to deliver end-to-end solutions for SAP customers. These partnerships ensure businesses have access to the expertise, tools, and innovation necessary to maximize their SAP investments.
Real-World Benefits
- Increased Efficiency: AI-driven automation reduces operational overhead and improves productivity.
- Scalability & Flexibility: Microsoft Azure enables SAP workloads to scale dynamically based on business needs.
- Enhanced Security & Compliance: Industry-leading security and compliance frameworks safeguard SAP data and applications.
- Innovation & Modernization: The combination of SAP and Microsoft unlocks new business models and digital transformation opportunities.
For businesses looking to optimize their SAP environments, Microsoft offers the most comprehensive, secure, and innovative cloud solution. By leveraging Microsoft’s AI, cloud scalability, and SAP BTP integrations, enterprises can unlock new levels of performance and business value.
Are you ready to elevate your SAP workloads with Microsoft and its industry-leading partners? Connect with us today to explore how we can accelerate your transformation journey.
Nik Mohan is Global Director of SAP Business Unit - SAP Global Alliance + GSI Sales & Strategy at Microsoft.