Let’s be real—keeping up with SAP trends can feel like trying to drink from a firehose. Every year, there’s a new “must-do” initiative, and 2025 is no different. But what’s actually getting attention, and what’s just hype?
At BIIT Recruitment, we decided to cut through the noise and ask SAP professionals directly. We ran a LinkedIn poll to see what’s actually top of mind for businesses and consultants heading into next year.
Spoiler: S/4HANA is still king, but AI is coming in hot.
The Big 4 SAP Trends for 2025 (Ranked by Real People)
Here’s how the votes shook out:
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S/4HANA Migrations – 74% (No surprise here—everyone’s racing the 2027 deadline.)
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AI-Driven Transformations – 13% (Small but growing fast.)
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Cloud Integration – 11% (Still essential, but not as flashy.)
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Sustainability Solutions – 2% (The dark horse—more on this later.)
So, what does this mean for you? Let’s break it down.
1. S/4HANA Migrations: The “Do This or Get Left Behind” Priority
Look, SAP isn’t playing around—ECC support ends in 2027, and they’re not extending it again. That means if you haven’t started planning your move to S/4HANA, you’re officially behind.
Why the urgency?
✔ Real-time everything – No more batch processing; instant analytics is the new norm.
✔ Simpler (and smarter) ERP – Less custom code, more built-in AI and automation.
✔ Cost of delay – The longer you wait, the more expensive and chaotic migration gets.
But here’s the catch:
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Data migration is messy (like, really messy).
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Custom code? A lot of it won’t work without tweaks.
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User adoption can be a nightmare if training isn’t handled right.
What to do?
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If you haven’t started, get a roadmap now.
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Consider selective data migration instead of lifting-and-shifting everything.
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Train your team early—S/4HANA isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a whole new way of working.
2. AI in SAP: Not Just Hype Anymore
A year ago, AI in SAP felt like sci-fi. Now? It’s baked into everything—from finance to supply chain.
Where AI is making waves:
🤖 Predictive maintenance – Machines tell you when they’ll break before it happens.
📊 Automated financial closes – AI spots errors and speeds up month-end.
📦 Smarter supply chains – It predicts shortages before you run out of stock.
But here’s the reality check:
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Most companies are still experimenting, not fully deploying.
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You need clean data—AI on messy SAP data = garbage in, garbage out.
Bottom line?
If you’re not at least piloting AI in SAP, you’re missing out. Start small—maybe with SAP’s Joule AI assistant—and scale from there.
3. Cloud Integration: The Quiet Backbone of SAP
Cloud isn’t the shiny new thing anymore—it’s just how SAP works now. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Why cloud still matters:
☁ Hybrid setups are the norm – Most companies aren’t “all in” on cloud yet.
🔐 Security is better – SAP’s cloud tools have stronger compliance than many on-prem setups.
💰 Costs can be lower – If you do it right (keyword: right).
Biggest hurdle?
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Integration headaches – Connecting cloud SAP to legacy systems is still a pain.
What’s next?
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SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) is becoming the glue that holds everything together.
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More companies will shift to industry-specific cloud solutions (like SAP’s Rise program).
4. Sustainability: The “Boring But Important” Trend
Only 2% of our poll picked sustainability as a top priority—but don’t ignore it.
Why?
🌍 Regulations are coming – Carbon reporting is now mandatory in many places.
🏷️ Consumers care – 66% of buyers pay more for sustainable brands.
💸 It saves money – Energy-efficient processes cut costs long-term.
SAP’s sustainability tools (like the Sustainability Control Tower) help track emissions, but adoption is still slow.
Prediction?
By 2026, this will be a top-3 SAP trend as compliance deadlines hit.
What Should You Do Next?
If You’re a Business:
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S/4HANA first – If you’re not migrating, start now.
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AI second – Pilot something small this year.
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Cloud third – Optimize what you’ve got before adding more.
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Sustainability fourth – At least start tracking emissions.
If You’re an SAP Pro:
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Get S/4HANA certified – It’s the #1 in-demand skill.
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Learn AI basics – Even simple automation skills will set you apart.
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Watch sustainability – Early experts will dominate this niche.
Final Thought: The SAP World Moves Fast—Don’t Get Stuck
2025 is all about S/4HANA, AI, cloud, and (soon) sustainability. The companies (and professionals) who adapt fastest will win.
Need SAP talent to make it happen? Or looking for your next career move? We help with both.
👉 Let’s talk: BIIT Recruitment