SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) is a platform-as-a-service solution that helps companies develop applications, integrate data and use innovative technologies. It connects existing systems with modern cloud solutions and supports digital transformation.

Can I use BTP with existing systems?

Yes, SAP BTP was designed to integrate existing systems, both SAP and non-SAP systems. Companies can continue using their existing systems while adding new capabilities.

Which specific use cases do companies implement with SAP BTP?

Typical scenarios include automated approval processes, reporting apps for sales, data analytics in production or AI-based demand forecasting in procurement. Many companies start with small extensions and scale as needed.

What does SAP BTP have to do with the Autonomous Enterprise?

The Autonomous Enterprise requires AI agents to access relevant data, processes and business logic securely, in a controlled way and with traceability. SAP BTP can establish this connection by integrating systems, enabling extensions and supporting governance structures for AI scenarios.

Can I develop my own AI agents with SAP BTP?

Yes. With Joule Studio and other SAP BTP services, companies can develop their own AI agents, workflows and applications. Depending on the scenario, both low-code approaches and pro-code development are possible. A clean data foundation, clear authorizations and a controlled operating model are essential.

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SAP BTP: Business Technology Platform for Integration, Extensions, and AI

Q: What role does SAP BTP play for SAP Business AI?

SAP BTP provides central capabilities to develop, integrate and operate AI scenarios in SAP landscapes. These include integration, data access, side-by-side extensions, governance and the operation of AI services. This makes BTP an important architectural building block for SAP Business AI.

SAP BTP is SAP’s central technology platform for integration, extension, data, automation, and AI. It connects existing SAP landscapes with modern cloud services and lays the foundation for side-by-side extensions, business AI scenarios, and agent-driven workflows. With SAP Business AI, Joule Studio, and the vision of the Autonomous Enterprise, SAP BTP is becoming even more important: Companies can develop, integrate, and operate AI scenarios without unnecessarily modifying the core ERP system.

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TL;DR – Key facts in brief

Definition: SAP BTP is SAP's technology platform for integration, extension, data, automation, and AI.
What SAP BTP is used for: Companies use SAP BTP for side-by-side extensions, interfaces, workflows, data analytics, and, increasingly, for business AI and agent scenarios.
Why BTP is important for Business AI: With SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub, and Joule Studio, BTP becomes the platform for developing, integrating, and operating AI applications, agents, and workflows.
Why aiLAB: At REALTECH aiLAB, we assess which BTP and business AI use cases make sense, which architecture is appropriate, and how an initial pilot can be realistically implemented.

What is SAP BTP?

The SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is SAP’s central platform for integration, extension, data, automation, and AI. It provides companies with services to connect existing SAP and non-SAP systems, develop custom applications, and drive innovation beyond the core ERP system.

Formerly known as SAP Cloud Platform, SAP BTP is now a platform that combines integration services, real-time analytics, AI technologies, and tools for custom application development in a flexible environment.

Today, SAP BTP is also a central component of SAP Business AI: Companies can use the platform to develop and operate AI-powered extensions, integrations, automations, and agent-based scenarios – for example, with Joule Studio, SAP AI Core, or the Generative AI Hub.

Core areas of SAP BTP

SAP BTP combines tools and services to optimize processes, implement innovations faster and connect existing on-premise systems with modern cloud solutions. The platform supports hybrid system landscapes and contains the following core areas:

Application development & extension: development of new apps and extension of existing SAP and third-party applications with low-code/no-code tools
Automation: functions for automated workflows, e.g. RPA and process optimization
Integration: connects SAP and non-SAP systems to seamlessly map end-to-end processes
Data & analytics: provides central tools for data management, real-time analysis and business intelligence
Artificial Intelligence & Business AI: SAP BTP supports AI scenarios through services such as SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub, and Joule Studio – ranging from custom AI applications to agents and intelligent workflows.

Whether you are a medium-sized company or an international corporation, SAP BTP offers a scalable, modular basis for implementing future-proof digitalization projects.

SAP BTP: The basis for Business AI and AI agents

With SAP Business AI, Joule Studio, and AI agents, SAP BTP is becoming a key architectural component for modern SAP landscapes. The platform provides the technical foundation for developing AI scenarios not in isolation, but embedded within processes, data contexts, and governance frameworks.

This is particularly relevant in the context of the Autonomous Enterprise: AI should not only support individual tasks, but also understand process chains, utilize context from various sources, and prepare or execute the next steps. This requires an architecture that clearly governs data access, permissions, monitoring, and human oversight.

SAP BTP supports this approach by integrating business AI services such as SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub, and Joule Studio with existing SAP landscapes. This enables companies to develop, test, and operate AI applications, agents, and intelligent workflows – without making unnecessary changes to the core ERP system.

Why SAP BTP? That’s why it’s worth it:

SAP BTP is particularly valuable for companies that want to modernize their existing SAP systems without overloading the core ERP system. Instead of implementing changes directly in the core system, extensions, integrations, workflows, and AI scenarios are developed in a controlled manner on the platform.

The added value lies not only in individual services, but in their combination: integration, data, automation, scalability, and business AI all work together. That is precisely why a clear architectural decision is important: Which use cases belong on the BTP? Which ones remain in the core system? Which data and processes will be integrated? And how will operations be managed?

Who benefits?

BTP helps integrate hybrid SAP landscapes, manage customizations effectively, and drive innovation outside the core ERP system.

New applications, workflows, and AI scenarios can be tested more quickly – with a clearer understanding of the benefits, costs, and risks.

BTP offers services, APIs, and development tools for side-by-side extensions, automation, and Business AI scenarios.

Technical architecture of BTP

SAP BTP is typically not used in isolation, but rather as an extension and integration layer for existing SAP systems. The ERP system remains stable, while new applications, interfaces, workflows, data models, or AI scenarios are added on top of BTP. SAP BTP has a modular structure. Three layers together form the foundation for applications, data, and AI scenarios.

Foundational Plane

Cloud Foundation, Identity, Security, and Multi-Cloud Runtime serve as the technical foundation for all services.

Data Plane

SAP HANA Cloud, Datasphere, and Analytics Cloud for data integration, modeling, and analysis.

Application Plane

Build and integration services, workflow, RPA, and business AI services for your specific scenarios.

Areas of application and use cases of SAP BTP

Whether you are a start-up that wants to grow quickly or a corporation that is streamlining its processes – SAP BTP adapts exactly to your pace.

Integration of hybrid SAP landscapes

SAP BTP connects SAP and non-SAP systems, cloud and on-premises environments, and line-of-business applications. This enables end-to-end processes that span system boundaries.

Side-by-Side Extensions

Companies can develop new features outside the core ERP system – such as approval apps, workflows, dashboards, or line-of-business applications. This supports the clean-core approach.

Process Automation

Workflows, rules, and automation can be used to digitize recurring tasks – such as approvals, notifications, reviews, or escalations.

Data, Analytics, and Planning

SAP BTP supports the consolidation, modeling, and analysis of data. This provides a better basis for decision-making for business units and management.

Business AI and AI Agents

Using services such as SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub, and Joule Studio, companies can develop AI scenarios and integrate them into their processes – for example, for document processing, process analysis, or decision support.

AI-powered extensions and agents

In addition to traditional Fiori apps, workflows, and integrations, AI-powered extensions are gaining greater prominence. With SAP BTP, companies can develop their own scenarios that combine SAP data, process logic, and AI services – for example, for document processing, decision support, process analysis, or intelligent workflows.

The key here is the side-by-side approach: extensions run outside the ERP core and access data and processes in a controlled manner. This preserves the “clean core” concept while allowing new AI scenarios to be tested and further developed more quickly.

SAP BTP in hybrid environments

Many companies continue to run central SAP systems on-premises, in the private cloud, or in a hybrid environment. SAP BTP can serve as a connecting layer in this context: existing systems remain stable, while new integrations, extensions, and AI scenarios are added via the platform.

This model is particularly important for Business AI. AI functions, agents, or generative scenarios are often deployed close to the cloud, but can be connected to existing SAP landscapes via defined interfaces, integration services, and data access points.

Automate BTP transports

With SAP Cloud Transport Management (cTMS), you can securely move software artifacts such as applications, enhancements, or integration flows between different environments in BTP.

In combination with SmartChange, these transports are controlled centrally – with clearly defined approval processes, automatic documentation, and complete transparency. This reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and speeds up your deployments.

Put SAP BTP & Business AI into a strategic context

Would you like to explore the role SAP BTP plays in your AI strategy? At REALTECH aiLAB, we’ll work with you to analyze which use cases make sense, which architecture is best suited, and what an initial pilot might look like.

Ready for the next step?

Realize your AI vision together with REALTECH. Let us examine together which SAP AI use cases have the greatest leverage for your company.

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FAQs: SAP Business Technology Platform

SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) is a platform-as-a-service solution that supports companies in developing applications, integrating data and using innovative technologies. It combines existing systems with modern cloud solutions and boosts the digital transformation.

SAP BTP provides key capabilities for developing, integrating, and operating AI scenarios in SAP environments. These include integration, data access, side-by-side extensions, governance, and the operation of AI services. This makes BTP a key architectural component for SAP Business AI.

Autonomous Enterprise requires that AI agents be able to access relevant data, processes, and business logic – securely, in a controlled manner, and with full traceability. SAP BTP can establish this connection by integrating systems, enabling extensions, and supporting governance structures for AI scenarios.

No. SAP BTP supports both cloud and hybrid IT environments. You can work seamlessly between on-premise systems and the cloud.

Yes, SAP BTP has been developed to integrate existing systems (both SAP and non-SAP systems). Companies can continue to use existing systems and add new functions at the same time.

Typical scenarios: automated approval processes, reporting apps for sales, production data analysis or AI-based demand forecasts in purchasing. Many companies start with small extensions and scale up as required.

Yes. With Joule Studio and other SAP BTP services, companies can develop their own AI agents, workflows, and applications. Depending on the scenario, either low-code approaches or pro-code development are possible. A clean data foundation, clear permissions, and a controlled operating model are essential.