Case study
SAP data and AI
SAP Data for AI and Analytics
We bring your SAP data into Google BigQuery – without copying via SAP Business Data Cloud, or by replication directly from ECC and S/4HANA. There you combine it with other data, analyze it in Looker and make it usable for Gemini and your own AI agents.
- The right route for your SAP landscape
- Analytics and forecasts in BigQuery and Looker
- AI agents that work on real business data
In brief
You can use SAP data in Google BigQuery in two ways: without copying via SAP Business Data Cloud Connect for BigQuery, generally available since 27 July 2026 (according to Google), or by replication with the BigQuery Connector for SAP, including from SAP ECC. The Google Cloud Cortex Framework, in version 7 since August 2026 (according to Google), turns this into ready-made data products for analytics, forecasts and AI agents with Gemini.
Two routes to your SAP data
SAP Business Data Cloud Connect – without copying
For companies with SAP Business Data Cloud. Shared SAP data products, for example from S/4HANA, SuccessFactors or Ariba, are available directly in BigQuery – without copying and in both directions: enriched data flows back to SAP. On the Google side, BigQuery Enterprise Plus is required. This works whether your Business Data Cloud runs on Google Cloud, AWS or Microsoft Azure; on Google Cloud it is available in the Frankfurt region, among others.
BigQuery Connector for SAP – replication
For SAP ECC and S/4HANA without Business Data Cloud. Google's free connector (according to Google) continuously replicates tables to BigQuery via the SAP LT Replication Server. The Google Cloud Cortex Framework provides ready-made data products for it, for example for sales, procurement and finance.
| Business Data Cloud Connect | BigQuery Connector for SAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Companies with SAP Business Data Cloud | SAP ECC or S/4HANA, also without Business Data Cloud |
| Which data | Shared SAP data products | Tables from the SAP system |
| Transfer | Without copying, in both directions | Continuous replication to BigQuery |
| Requirements | BigQuery Enterprise Plus, Connect instance on the SAP side | SAP LT Replication Server |
Rule of thumb: if you use SAP Business Data Cloud, start with Connect. If you work on ECC or S/4HANA without Business Data Cloud, start with the connector. We work out which route fits in the concept phase.
Cortex Framework v7: turning SAP tables into data products
Ready-made data products
For SAP ECC, S/4HANA and Business Data Cloud: SAP tables are translated into clear business terms, and your own Z fields are picked up automatically.
Findable in the Knowledge Catalog
The data products are registered in the Knowledge Catalog and give the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform the business context for AI agents.
Lean operations
The data pipelines run serverless with Dataform in BigQuery and, by default, load only new or changed data.
Generally available since 3 August 2026 (according to Google).
What SAP data in BigQuery makes possible
Finance
Keep an eye on closings, liquidity and variances continuously instead of waiting for the monthly report.
Sales
Combine revenue, margins and customer behavior with CRM and market data.
Procurement and supply chain
Spot lead times, inventory levels and supplier risks early.
Production
Bring machine and quality data together with orders from SAP.
Forecasts
Predict sales and demand with machine learning directly in BigQuery.
Questions in plain language
Employees ask Gemini for key figures instead of waiting for the next report.
AI
How Gemini and AI agents work with SAP data
Gemini in BigQuery and Looker
Ask questions about business data in plain language and have queries and analyses created for you.
Gemini Enterprise
SAP data becomes usable for the agents in Gemini Enterprise via BigQuery or a dedicated connector.
Your own agents on GEAP
For workflows such as quotes, purchase order suggestions or dunning, we build an agent on the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform that reads SAP data and prepares suggestions for approval.
Approach
How we make your SAP data usable
SAP data projects rarely fail because of the technology – they fail because of open data questions: which data, for whom, with which permissions? We start with a concept and a target architecture, choose the right route for your SAP landscape and get the first analyses into everyday use quickly.
Getting started: AI Business & Readiness Workshop
01
Concept and architecture
Target picture for data and AI: which SAP data, which route to BigQuery, permissions, data protection and cost framework.
02
Choose use cases
Together with finance, sales or procurement, define the questions with the greatest leverage and make them measurable.
03
Connect SAP data
Set up Business Data Cloud Connect or replication with the BigQuery Connector for SAP, together with your SAP team.
04
Data model and analytics
Data products with Cortex Framework v7, dashboards in Looker, first forecasts.
05
AI and agents
Gemini for questions in plain language, your own agents for recurring workflows.
06
Operations and governance
Monitoring, cost control, access rules and ongoing expansion as a managed service.
From practice: SAP data in wholesale
How a technical wholesaler running SAP ECC brings its data into BigQuery, forecasts sales and inventory, and queries key figures with Gemini in plain language.
Find out in 30 minutes which route to your SAP data fits
- Assessment of your SAP landscape
- Business Data Cloud Connect, replication or both?
- First use cases and next steps
Frequently asked questions
In two ways: without copying via SAP Business Data Cloud Connect for BigQuery if you use SAP Business Data Cloud, or by replication with the BigQuery Connector for SAP via the SAP LT Replication Server – which also works with SAP ECC.
A connection between SAP Business Data Cloud and Google BigQuery that makes shared SAP data products available in BigQuery without copying and works in both directions. It has been generally available since 27 July 2026 and works with Business Data Cloud on Google Cloud, AWS and Microsoft Azure.
Yes, via the BigQuery Connector for SAP. Business Data Cloud Connect only transfers shared data products; individual tables from ECC reach BigQuery by replication.
A framework from Google that translates SAP data in BigQuery into ready-made data products with clear business terms. Version 7 has been generally available since 3 August 2026: it provides data products for SAP ECC, S/4HANA and SAP Business Data Cloud, picks up your own Z fields automatically and registers the data products in the Knowledge Catalog so that AI agents on the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform can use them.
Yes. BigQuery can be connected to SAP Business Data Cloud on AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud; the data stays where it is. On the Google side, BigQuery Enterprise Plus is required.
Google provides the connector free of charge. Costs arise from using BigQuery and, where applicable, from licenses on the SAP side.
Yes. Once the data is in BigQuery, Gemini answers questions about it in plain language, and your own agents on the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform prepare suggestions on that basis, such as purchase orders or quotes. Decisions stay with people.
Google Cloud offers European regions, including Frankfurt; BigQuery datasets can be created there. SAP Business Data Cloud itself is also available on Google Cloud in the Frankfurt region, among others. We define which region fits in the concept phase.
No. The BigQuery Connector for SAP also supports older SAP systems such as ECC. If you're moving to S/4HANA anyway, you can plan your data strategy at the same time.