**London**: Databricks has unveiled SAP Databricks, a product designed to merge SAP data with advanced analytics and AI. This initiative follows a $15 billion funding round and aims to simplify data preparation and enhance business productivity by integrating various enterprise datasets.
Databricks has recently unveiled its new product, SAP Databricks, during a significant announcement aimed at enhancing data integration for enterprises. This product is specifically designed to work in conjunction with the SAP Business Data Cloud, effectively merging SAP data with Databricks’ advanced data intelligence capabilities which focus on warehousing, engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI).
This strategic initiative comes on the heels of Databricks securing $15 billion in funding, with the company set to dedicate $250 million towards aiding customers and system integrators in the deployment of SAP Databricks. The primary intention behind this initiative is to amplify the value derived from SAP data through enhanced analytics and AI applications.
SAP applications play a crucial role in various business functions such as planning, procurement, human resources, and travel management. Many companies are attempting to integrate SAP data with an array of other systems, often involving legacy platforms. SAP Databricks facilitates this integration by streamlining the preparation of datasets for use in data warehousing and AI development projects.
“Every organisation is searching for a faster, more reliable way to translate their data into strategic advantage,” remarked Ali Ghodsi, co-founder and CEO of Databricks. He further highlighted the partnership with SAP as a means to assist businesses in unifying their data sources, enhancing analytics, and expediting the development of domain-specific AI applications.
Expressing his views on this collaboration, Muhammad Alam, an executive board member at SAP, referred to it as a pivotal moment in how enterprise data can be harnessed. “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,” Alam stated.
Through SAP Databricks, corporations can integrate their SAP data with broader datasets managed across the enterprise via Delta Sharing. This integration simplifies the data engineering process and enhances overall productivity. The Unity Catalog will govern the data estate, ensuring both security and consistency across platforms, while Mosaic AI capabilities will facilitate the development of tailored AI models that make use of SAP data.
Industry leaders also voiced their support for this initiative. Karthik Narain, Group Chief Executive – Technology and CTO at Accenture, emphasised that “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.”
Similarly, Niraj Parihar, CEO of Insights and Data Global Business Line at Capgemini, stressed the significance of AI integration through SAP Databricks. He stated, “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.”
Additionally, Jessica Kosmowski, Global Ecosystems and Alliances Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP, pointed out that “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 marketed by SAP as a part of the SAP Business Data Cloud and will be introduced in phases across major cloud platforms, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Further announcements regarding the initiative are anticipated to be made during the SAP Business Unleashed virtual event.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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