The world of procurement is undergoing a seismic shift trying to catch up, with SAP S/4HANA playing a pivotal role in reshaping how businesses manage their sourcing and purchasing processes.

At mysupply, we are always on the lookout for innovations that can drive efficiency, automation, and smarter decision-making for procurement teams. In a recent discussion between Andreas Zimmermann, founder of mysupply, and Florian Farr, CTO of ASAPIO, we explored how SAP customers are leveraging AI, integration, and automation to optimize their procurement workflows.

The Evolution of Procurement in the SAP Landscape

SAP S/4HANA has emerged as the system of record for many enterprises, acting as the central hub for procurement processes. However, as Florian highlighted, modern procurement is no longer confined to a single suite. Companies are now integrating best-in-class solutions, such as Ariba, Fieldglass, and third-party AI-powered automation tools, to enhance efficiency.
One of the biggest shifts is the recognition that software in procurement is no longer optional. Gone are the days of manual, paper-based workflows—organizations must now manage a complex digital ecosystem. But this also presents challenges, particularly in data integration and process automation.

The Role of AI and Automation in Procurement

Florian emphasized that today's SAP customers are ready to innovate, having completed their S/4HANA transformations. With AI and automation becoming more mainstream, businesses are exploring new ways to:

- Automate purchase requisitions and approvals
- Enhance sourcing decisions with AI-driven insights
- Improve contract and invoice management
- Optimize supplier management through data-driven analytics

One particularly exciting development is SAP Joule, a next-generation AI assistant designed to bring intelligence directly into ERP workflows. While still in its early stages, Joule is expected to revolutionize how procurement teams interact with SAP systems, enabling natural language processing and predictive analytics.

Breaking Down Data Silos: The Power of Integration

One of the most critical challenges for procurement teams is data integration across multiple systems. Many organizations still struggle with disconnected software, leading to inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Florian shared an example of a global enterprise that automated its workforce procurement process by integrating SAP Fieldglass with its ERP. This resulted in 10x more system traffic, proving that seamless integration unlocks massive efficiency gains.

With SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP), companies now have access to a scalable, event-driven integration framework that simplifies data exchange between systems. Whether through APIs, process automation tools, or AI-powered assistants, integration is no longer the bottleneck it once was.

The Future of Procurement: A Connected, AI-Driven Ecosystem

Looking ahead, the procurement landscape will continue to evolve in two key directions:

1. Increased Automation & AI Adoption – SAP and its partners are embedding more AI-driven automation into procurement workflows, reducing manual effort and enhancing decision-making.

2. Expanded User Access & Orchestration – Procurement tools will no longer be limited to procurement specialists. Instead, more business users will gain access through intuitive, guided workflows, powered by solutions like Ariba Intake Management.

At mysupply, we see a future where AI, automation, and smart integrations drive procurement efficiency like never before. With SAP leading the way and partners like ASAPIO enabling seamless connectivity, businesses can reduce costs, increase agility, and unlock new levels of procurement excellence.

For SAP customers, the time to embrace AI-powered procurement and seamless integration is now. The tools and technology exist to eliminate inefficiencies, enhance supplier relationships, and drive real business impact.