When most people think of digital transformation in the SAP environment, they picture ERP systems, S/4HANA conversions, or cloud deployments. Few appreciate the real driving force behind this revolution - SAP Business Technology Platform, known simply as BTP. Today, this component of the SAP ecosystem determines whether a company merely “operates” or genuinely “innovates”.
Why BTP is more than “just another cloud”
SAP BTP is not simply a cloud platform in the traditional sense of the term. It is an integrated technology environment combining application development, process automation, systems integration, data management and artificial intelligence into one coherent whole. While traditional cloud platforms offer mainly infrastructure, BTP delivers ready-made tools deeply integrated with SAP’s business logic.
“BTP is not just another tool in the technology stack - it is the foundation on which we build our clients’ competitive advantage,” emphasises Jacek Bugajski, CEO of SNOK. “We see that companies treating BTP as just another cloud are missing the chance for a genuine digital transformation.”
According to independent research conducted by IDC, organisations using SAP BTP together with SAP S/4HANA Cloud achieve a return on investment of 514% over three years. These are not merely theoretical figures - real enterprises report additional revenue of USD 1.27 million per year for every 100 users. The payback period? Just eight months.
Anatomy of the platform - more than the sum of its parts
SAP BTP is built on five pillars that together create an ecosystem going far beyond the capabilities of individual cloud solutions. Let us look at each of them in detail.
Integration as the platform’s DNA
SAP Integration Suite is the heart of the BTP platform, allowing SAP systems to be connected with third-party applications - both in the cloud and on-premise. The catalogue contains more than 2,500 ready-made integration adapters and hundreds of predefined scenarios for finance, HR, supply chain and procurement processes.
According to a 2025 ASUG survey, as many as 69% of SAP BTP users cite integration as the key use case for the platform, although its role is evolving towards more strategic applications. Forrester Research calculated that SAP Integration Suite delivers a return on investment of 345% over three years, increasing integration developer efficiency by 30%.
“In practice, this means that where a team previously needed weeks to build an integration, today it takes days,” explains Michał Korzeń, CTO of SNOK and AI solutions architect. “But the real value lies elsewhere - in the ability to create event-driven architectures that respond to business changes in real time.”
Application development without limits
SAP Build - a suite of low-code and pro-code tools - is changing the rules of the game for building business applications. The platform allows both developers and business users to build solutions without needing deep programming knowledge.
In May 2025, SAP introduced significant enhancements in the form of a simplified pricing model and an extension wizard that guides users step by step through the process of building applications that extend SAP S/4HANA Cloud. Sony Pictures, using SAP Build, identified 500 automation opportunities and deployed 30 of them almost immediately.
Data and analytics in real time
SAP HANA Cloud and SAP Datasphere form BTP’s data and analytics layer, enabling query processing in milliseconds even on huge datasets. SAP Analytics Cloud, used by 60% of organisations - and as many as 73% following an S/4HANA conversion - serves as the central interface for reporting and dashboards.
Notably, 54% of IT leaders regard Datasphere as a key enabler of generative AI programmes. The platform allows unified access to data from multiple sources - both SAP and third-party - without the need to physically move it.
Artificial intelligence built into processes
SAP Joule - the platform’s AI assistant - is changing the way users interact with SAP systems. SAP Joule operates in natural language and is deeply integrated with SAP’s business logic, which sets it apart from generic AI tools.
In November 2025, SAP announced that the ability to build custom agents in Joule Studio would become generally available in December. New features include AI-assisted agent design, system-triggered agents, extensibility of SAP-delivered Joule agents, centralised enterprise-level agent monitoring, and support for Agent-to-Agent and Model Context Protocol.
“SAP Joule is not a chatbot - it is an intelligent collaborator that understands business context,” explains Kacper Wojciechowski, Team Leader of Custom Development and AI at SNOK. “When a user asks about an order status, SAP Joule knows what data it is working with, what permissions it has, and which process it is part of. That changes everything.”
Extensibility and modularity
BTP is a platform designed with extensibility in mind. Every component - from integration, through applications, to data and AI - is independent, yet works seamlessly with the others. This allows organisations to choose exactly the tools they need and add new ones without having to rebuild their existing infrastructure.
Real-world applications - from theory to practice
Extending S/4HANA without compromise
The concept of the “clean core” has become a cornerstone of SAP’s strategy. Rather than modifying the ERP source code, organisations build extensions on BTP that communicate with the system via APIs and events.
An international apparel corporation used BTP to build S/4HANA extensions that improved system performance and minimised disruption during updates. The solution included Face ID and Touch ID authentication integration, accessibility features compliant with relevant standards, and augmented reality technology allowing users to virtually view products before purchase.
Test automation and CI/CD
SAP CI/CD Service automates the software lifecycle on BTP, eliminating manual deployment tasks and accelerating time to market. The service runs predefined pipelines that compile code, execute unit and integration tests, scan for security issues, and deploy applications to Cloud Foundry, Kyma or ABAP environments.
Companies applying DevOps strategies on BTP automate the entire process of rolling out new versions through CI/CD pipelines, reducing manual effort and enabling faster, more reliable integration of new features. A Spanish brewery cut integration build time by 35% and saved 120 hours of manual work per month through automation.
Adding UiPath Test Cloud on top of this gives a full-scale environment for testing not only applications built on SAP BTP, but also entire business processes.
Intelligent master data management
SAP Master Data Governance, cloud edition, delivers a centralised platform for managing master data as a SaaS service. The solution uses SAP Master Data Integration - the preferred integration service on BTP - offering predefined scenarios based on a unified domain model.
Master data management is the discipline of creating a single trusted reference for all critical business data - products, customers, assets, finance. MDM ensures organisations do not rely on multiple, potentially inconsistent, versions of data across different parts of the business.
SNOK and the SAP BTP platform - expert practice
At SNOK, we have observed for several years how SAP BTP is changing our clients’ approach to digital transformation. As an SAP partner specialising in integration, cybersecurity and process automation, SNOK has deep experience deploying advanced BTP-based solutions.
The SNOK team works on building dedicated solutions that leverage the full potential of SAP BTP. SNOK’s approach is based on a deep understanding of the platform’s capabilities - from the integration layer, through process automation, to advanced AI-based applications. SNOK’s experts, including Michał Korzeń as CTO and AI solutions architect, lead transformation projects for clients across various industries.
A characteristic feature of SNOK’s approach is combining practical SAP experience with innovative thinking about the future. The company treats BTP not merely as a tool for solving current problems, but as a strategic platform for building organisational capabilities for years to come. SNOK’s clients receive not only technical implementations but comprehensive solutions that change how their organisation works - from developers themselves, through business analysts, to end users.
Most importantly, SNOK understands the Polish business and regulatory context. The company’s experts know how to work with the requirements of the public sector, financial institutions and companies with high security requirements. This allows for building BTP solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also practically implementable within the realities of the Polish market.
SNOK MDM - master data management without compromise
SNOK MDM is an advanced master data management solution built on the SAP BTP foundation. The application integrates data from multiple sources - both SAP systems and external platforms - ensuring a single, trusted version of the truth across the organisation.
The solution uses the platform’s mechanisms for real-time data distribution and for connections to third-party systems. SNOK MDM automatically validates data, identifies duplicates, and enforces quality rules defined for specific domains - such as business partners, materials or finance.
“In one project, we deployed SNOK MDM for an international logistics group,” recounts Michał Korzeń. “The system unified data from twelve business units within minutes, saving 120 hours a month. But the most important thing was that we eliminated the risk of decisions being made on inconsistent data.”
SAP Joule - intelligence built into processes
Joule Studio - the AI agent factory
Joule Studio, introduced by SAP in May 2025, is a capability within SAP Build that enables the creation of custom AI agents and SAP Joule skills with drag-and-drop simplicity. While SAP Joule skills execute rule-based tasks, AI agents plan and carry out complex business scenarios using dynamic reasoning.
Agents are deeply grounded in business data and processes, allowing them to achieve accurate outcomes aligned with organisational goals. Joule Studio’s open, extensible architecture lets users connect not only to SAP systems but also to third-party applications for seamless task execution.
“We built a SAP Joule agent for a financial-sector client that automatically detects discrepancies in invoices,” shares Kacper Wojciechowski. “The agent reads the mailbox, extracts invoice data using AI Core, validates it against purchase orders and goods receipts in SAP, and then automatically triggers a workflow in SAP Build to handle exceptions. That is what I call real automation.”
SAP Joule for developers - code faster, fewer errors
New SAP Joule capabilities for developers, such as AI-assisted ABAP development in SAP Cloud ERP Private and AI-assisted custom code migration, help developers modernise legacy systems while meeting enterprise-level governance and security requirements.
SAP Joule in SAP Build Code generates SQL code, creates and edits processes, automations and decisions in natural language. Developers can use the AI assistant without switching context - SAP Joule is integrated directly into SAP development tools, supporting both conversational AI requests and AI-assisted actions directly within the developer workspace.
The Polish context - between need and opportunity
The public cloud challenge in the public sector
The Polish IT market has its own specifics, particularly with regard to the public sector and heavily regulated industries. According to a communication from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) of 23 January 2020, financial institutions supervised by the KNF must meet detailed requirements when using public or hybrid cloud processing services.
Public institutions in Poland often cannot rely solely on public cloud resources - regulations require on-premise environments to be maintained. The Common State IT Infrastructure programme (WIIP) introduces a “Cloud First” principle giving priority to cloud-based digitalisation of public administration, but implementation is proceeding gradually.
“This is not an insurmountable obstacle,” notes Jacek Bugajski. “SAP BTP handles hybrid models very well. We can keep critical data and processes on-premise while still leveraging the cloud for innovation, analytics and integration.”
The hybrid model as an answer
SAP BTP supports various deployment options - public cloud, private cloud and on-premise environments. The platform also enables multi-cloud deployment, allowing companies to distribute applications across multiple cloud platforms.
SAP Cloud Connector acts as a localised integration hub, ensuring secure, real-time communication between on-premise and cloud systems. Edge Integration Cell, an optional hybrid integration runtime environment offered as part of SAP Integration Suite, enables asynchronous communication and supports partially disconnected environments.
“In Poland, we see growing interest in hybrid models,” observes Michał Korzeń. “Clients want the benefits of the cloud - scalability, flexibility, access to the latest technologies - but they need to retain control over critical data. BTP allows them to do that without compromise.”
BTP adoption in Poland - growing awareness
According to a SAP Poland report from January 2025, 38% of Polish companies already use cloud-based ERP systems, and a further 39% plan to implement such solutions within the coming year. The most frequently cited benefits are increased efficiency, simplified IT infrastructure, and better systems integration.
A 2025 ASUG survey shows that 55% of SAP customers worldwide already use BTP, and 73% of them use the platform during their transformation to SAP S/4HANA. In Poland, this trend is only just gaining momentum, but it is already clear that companies are beginning to see BTP not as an optional add-on, but as a key component of a modern SAP landscape.
The statistics speak for themselves
The numbers do not lie. According to independent IDC research, organisations using SAP BTP with SAP S/4HANA Cloud achieve:
-
514% return on investment over three years
-
A payback period of just 8 months
-
USD 1.27 million in additional annual revenue per 100 users
-
35% faster launch and delivery of innovative projects
-
197 additional hours of productive time per year per line-of-business user
-
63% fewer errors affecting data processes
-
56% fewer outages and performance issues
-
67% less lost productive time
SAP Integration Suite - a key BTP component - delivers a return on investment of 345% over three years and increases integration developer efficiency by 30%. The payback period? Under six months.
“These are not theoretical projections - they are the real results of our clients,” emphasises Jacek Bugajski. “We see organisations avoiding USD 1.70 million in lost revenue annually by reducing unplanned downtime. Others automate 91% of incoming emails. These are facts, not promises.”
Security and compliance - the foundation of trust
The three pillars of BTP security
SAP BTP takes a comprehensive approach to security and compliance, built on three pillars: secure development, secure operation and secure response.
The platform is developed securely, with state-of-the-art security features and privacy-protection capabilities built in. SAP BTP’s cloud operations adhere to, and go beyond, leading industry standards in technology, operational measures and legal requirements.
SAP BTP complies with industry standards and regulations such as GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 27018, ensuring data is processed in line with security best practice. The platform undergoes regular audits and assessments to maintain its certifications.
Encryption, access control and monitoring
SAP BTP uses Secure Network Communication for encrypted data transmission, ensuring there is no unencrypted data traffic between systems. The platform provides a wide range of built-in security features protecting customer data, including data encryption and identity and access management.
SAP’s Identity Authentication Service enables multi-factor authentication - in addition to a password, users must enter a second factor, such as a code from an app. MFA protects against phishing attacks and other attempts to misuse access credentials.
Within SAP Business Technology Platform, threats are monitored in real time, and remedial measures are triggered automatically as needed. Intrusion detection systems, SIEM solutions and automatic security updates are used to counter both known and emerging threats.
“Security is not an add-on - it is the foundation,” emphasises Jacek Bugajski. “Our clients entrust us with their most critical business data. That is why, in every project, we implement role-based access control, comprehensive audit trails of actions, and real-time monitoring. This is non-negotiable.”
Adoption challenges - what to keep in mind
BTP credits - managing costs
SAP acknowledged at the Sapphire 2024 conference that around 25% of BTP credits expire unused, equivalent to approximately USD 600 million per year globally. The absence of an automatic reallocation policy or suspension of idle services leads to wasted resources.
Organisations should implement FinOps practices that tie credit spending to key objectives and trigger automatic right-sizing. Clients recover between 15% and 20% of lost credits within a single quarter through such an approach.
Complexity and the learning curve
SAP BTP offers an enormous range of services and capabilities, which can be overwhelming for organisations just starting out on their platform journey. According to an SAPinsider survey, 42% of organisations do not use SAP BTP at all, and those that do mainly use integration - only 16% use SAP Datasphere and 20% use SAP Build Code.
“The key is a strategic approach,” advises Michał Korzeń. “Do not try to do everything at once. Identify a specific business problem, choose the right BTP tool to solve it, gain experience, and then expand scope. Small wins build momentum.”
Change management and competencies
Implementing SAP BTP requires not only technology but also a shift in organisational culture. According to a SAP Poland report from January 2025, 28% of companies with fewer than 250 employees cite “better process management” as a key benefit of ERP, while among companies with more than 1,000 employees the figure rises to 32%.
“A dual change lies ahead of us - not only within processes, but also in the approach to education and team-building,” Kacper Wojciechowski notes, reflecting broader industry trends. “Knowledge management that is fit for reality requires facing the facts: exactly what competencies do the employees and teams in our company actually have?”
The future of BTP - what lies ahead
Agentic AI as the new standard
November 2025 brings a groundbreaking announcement - the ability to build custom agents in Joule Studio will become generally available in December. New features include AI-assisted agent design, system-triggered agents, extensibility of SAP-delivered Joule agents, and support for Agent-to-Agent and Model Context Protocol.
This means organisations will be able to create intelligent systems in which AI agents work together, automating complex, multi-step processes without human intervention. For instance, a logistics agent could automatically identify a delivery delay, consult a finance agent about contractual penalties, and then trigger a communication agent to notify the customer and propose a solution.
“This is not science fiction - it is already working for our clients,” says Kacper Wojciechowski. “We see a future in which AI agents are equal members of teams, handling routine tasks and leaving people to do what they do best - creative thinking and strategic decision-making.”
Edge computing and IoT
SAP BTP provides tools for building chatbots, automating processes and tasks, machine learning, predefined models delivering intelligence to applications, and predictive analytics. SAP IoT, part of SAP BTP, provides the tools needed to capture, process and analyse data from sensors and connected devices in real time.
One of the main use cases is predictive maintenance, in which sensor data is analysed to predict failures and optimise the maintenance of industrial equipment, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency. An industrial equipment manufacturer reduced unplanned downtime by 25% through early fault detection using IoT data integrated via BTP.
Industry Cloud - industry-specific solutions
SAP Industry Cloud enables the discovery and deployment of industry-specific solutions from SAP and its partners. These help apply industry-leading best practice and extend existing business processes.
Service providers are actively building industry solutions on BTP, ensuring companies can seamlessly integrate digital processes and drive innovation. SAP BTP supports solutions for manufacturing, retail, life sciences, automotive, healthcare, energy and many other sectors.
“At SNOK, we are working on dedicated solutions for the financial and energy sectors,” reveals Michał Korzeń. “BTP lets us rapidly prototype and deploy applications using the latest technologies - from blockchain to quantum optimisation algorithms - without compromising integration with SAP systems.”
Practical steps - how to get started with BTP
Identify high-value use cases
Do not try to cover everything at once. Start with a business analysis of existing pain points and uncover high-value use cases. Assess the feasibility and priority of the identified use cases to maximise return on investment.
Sample use cases that are quick to implement include:
-
Automating supplier invoice approval using SAP Workflow Management
-
Building internal tools with SAP Build without writing code
-
Creating real-time sales dashboards with SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud
-
Using SAP Joule to predict delivery delays
Plan a hybrid architecture
Establish mechanisms for the rapid identification and resolution of defects. Automate testing to ease release schedules and ensure quality. Deploy CI/CD pipelines on SAP BTP that automate code compilation, testing and deployment.
If you have requirements for keeping data on-premise, use SAP Cloud Connector to securely connect on-premise systems to BTP. Edge Integration Cell supports partially disconnected environments and provides real-time communication.
Invest in competencies and cultural change
Provide training for development teams, business analysts and end users. SAP offers learning paths for SAP BTP, new BTP use cases, SAP BTP FinOps, and an updated SAP Business Accelerator Hub that will accelerate innovation.
“Technology is only half of success,” reminds Jacek Bugajski. “The other half is people. We invest heavily in developing our teams’ competencies and in building a culture of experimentation. Only then can BTP unlock its full potential.”
The time for SAP BTP has come
SAP Business Technology Platform is far more than “just another cloud”. It is a comprehensive technology ecosystem that enables organisations not only to undergo digital transformation, but to achieve genuine innovation. From integration and process automation, through application development and data management, to artificial intelligence and machine learning - BTP delivers tools that genuinely change how companies operate.
The numbers speak for themselves: 514% return on investment, an eight-month payback period, additional revenue, and a dramatic increase in productivity. But the most important thing is something else - BTP gives organisations the ability to respond quickly to market changes, experiment with new technologies, and build competitive advantage in a world where digital transformation is no longer optional, but a necessity.
The Polish market has its own specifics - particularly in the context of the public sector and requirements for on-premise data storage. But SAP BTP handles hybrid models very well, allowing organisations to retain control over critical data while harnessing the power of the cloud for innovation.
“At SNOK, we believe the coming years will bring an explosion of BTP adoption in Poland,” concludes Jacek Bugajski. “Companies are beginning to understand that BTP is not a cost, but an investment in the future. And that without such an investment, they risk losing competitiveness in a world where digital transformation is happening here and now.”
The time has come to stop talking about BTP as a “hidden engine” of innovation. Time to make it visible, understandable and accessible to every organisation that wants not only to survive, but to grow in the digital era.
Want to see this in practice or discuss implementation in your company? Get in touch with us - we will respond within 48 hours.