Agentic AI in SAP: Why You Should Start Embracing Change Now
SAP TechEd 2025 clearly demonstrated: Agentic AI is not a future concept, but a reality that creates significant competitive advantages. Why it is important for companies to be involved is discussed in this blog post.
At the beginning of November, the virtual SAP TechEd 2025 took place. A clear message resonated through most keynotes and breakout sessions: The future success of companies largely depends on how quickly they embrace change. At the centre of this development is Agentic AI.
A shift in thinking for transformation is required
This new generation of artificial intelligence promises much. Above all, it goes far beyond rule-based automation. Agentic AI encompasses autonomous, goal-oriented systems capable of thinking, acting, and adapting independently within complex business environments. While generative AI primarily creates content or makes predictions, Agentic AI takes a crucial step further: it acts.
Companies are challenged. After all, this shift towards Agentic AI requires more than just technological investments. It necessitates a fundamental rethink in processes, workflows, and decision-making structures. Those who initiate this transformation early will be more agile, efficient, and strategically superior in the long run, as Aaron Levie, CEO of Box aptly stated:
“The performance of AI agents directly depends on how much companies change or redesign their workflows.”
It is therefore not about viewing AI as an addition, but as an integral part of the corporate architecture.
Technology alone is not enough, …
But let’s take a closer look: Agentic systems interact with databases, applications, and web resources to solve complex tasks – autonomously or semi-autonomously, based on predefined overarching goals. They continuously learn from context and outcomes without constant human guidance.
For example, an AI agent can independently find a way to optimise a supply chain, conduct procurement negotiations, or streamline planning processes.
Importantly: Agentic AI does not replace humans. It complements them. The concept of 'Human-in-the-Loop' remains essential despite all advanced technologies. Clear control points are needed for transparency, accountability, and ethics. AI provides the foundation; however, humans remain the decision-makers.
… a change in mindset is needed.
Change begins in the mind – and it inevitably encounters resistance there. In companies, this resistance often arises when uncertainty, lack of transparency, or concerns about loss of competence or control are present. Employees cling to established structures because they provide security and clear responsibilities.
In Austria, resistance to change is particularly evident in traditionally shaped, hierarchical organisations and in sectors where stability has historically been valued more than rapid transformation. At the same time, the necessary change can no longer be postponed.
It is therefore crucial to prepare for different forms of resistance – at individual, organisational, and even societal levels – and to allocate sufficient time and appropriate measures for this. The willingness to change significantly increases when benefits, security, and concrete support are communicated transparently. With clear guidance, active involvement, and good support, even deeply rooted resistance can transition into constructive co-creation.
SAP relies on Signavio
For Agentic AI to realise its full potential, the following three key factors must be considered at the outset, as Lukas Egger, VP Product Strategy & Innovation at SAP, notes in his Strategy Talk:
- Use Case Identification and Prioritisation: Recognising where agents create real value.
- Workflow Redesign and Prompt Engineering: Designing processes so that agents can understand and execute them.
- Context and Knowledge Integration: Ensuring that agents can access precise, interconnected business data.
SAP is already addressing these enablers with solutions such as SAP Signavio, which currently supports process analysis and optimisation. In the future, Signavio will play an even more central role – as a data bridge between agents and core systems, with governance mechanisms, compliance checks, and orchestration across multiple interacting agents.
The future belongs to the brave
What became clear at SAP TechEd: The transformation has already begun. Agentic AI is not a future topic. It is a reality. Companies that engage with it early will actively shape the next phase of intelligent corporate management.
The future of corporate success belongs to those who embrace this paradigm shift, redesign their processes, and leverage agentic intelligence to enhance human potential. Best to start today.
Through the targeted use of agentic systems, processes can be optimised holistically, efficiency potentials realised, and resources effectively relieved. At the same time, Agentic AI opens up space for innovation and strategic growth – teams gain time for creative and value-adding tasks, while data-driven decisions can be made more precisely and agilely. In short: Agentic AI is a multiplier for productivity, innovation power, and sustainable corporate growth.
If you also want to know how to prepare yourself and your company for the Agentic AI era, simply contact us without obligation. The SRB Consulting team is happy to assist you in intelligently connecting and optimally utilising the potentials of SAP Signavio, Business AI, and Cloud ERP. For competitive advantages that could be crucial in the future.
