SAP Data Meets Databricks AI in New Partnership

Databricks has announced the launch of SAP Databricks, a product integrated with the SAP Business Data Cloud. The partnership will merge SAP data with Databricks’ data intelligence capabilities for warehousing, engineering, and AI. The initiative is governed by the Databricks Unity Catalog.

Databricks, following a recent $15 billion fundraising, plans to allocate $250 million to support customers and system integrators in deploying SAP Databricks. The goal is to enhance the value of SAP data through improved analytics and AI applications.

SAP applications are central to business planning, procurement, HR, and travel management. Many enterprises seek to integrate SAP data with other systems, often stored on legacy platforms. SAP Databricks enables this by preparing datasets for use in warehousing and AI development.

“Every organisation is searching for a faster, more reliable way to translate their data into strategic advantage,” said Ali Ghodsi, co-founder and CEO of Databricks. “Together with SAP, we’re helping businesses seamlessly unify their data sources, streamline analytics, and accelerate the development of domain-specific AI applications.”

“Our partnership with Databricks represents a turning point in how enterprise data is harnessed,” said Muhammad Alam, executive board member at SAP. “Together, we’re fusing SAP’s expertise in mission-critical applications with Databricks’ data engineering and AI capabilities to help customers unlock the next era of digital innovation.”

SAP Databricks enables enterprises to integrate SAP data with broader enterprise datasets through Delta Sharing. The integration simplifies data engineering and enhances productivity. The Unity Catalog governs the data estate, ensuring security and consistency. Mosaic AI capabilities support the development of AI models tailored to SAP data.

Industry leaders support the initiative. Karthik Narain, Group Chief Executive – Technology and CTO at Accenture, stated, “Generative AI is a catalyst for reinvention across the enterprise, but to build and scale AI applications effectively, organisations need to have a complete understanding of their data.”

Niraj Parihar, CEO of Insights and Data Global Business Line at Capgemini, highlighted the importance of AI integration. “SAP Databricks will enable clients to seamlessly merge ERP data with operational insights to maximise the value of AI for organisations and drive critical business benefits.”

Jessica Kosmowski, Global Ecosystems and Alliances Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP, said, “Breaking down silos between structured and unstructured data is a crucial step in unlocking true value from data-driven AI investments.”

SAP Databricks will be sold by SAP as part of SAP Business Data Cloud. It will be introduced in phases on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Further details will be shared at the SAP Business Unleashed virtual event.