In previous articles in this series, we showed how life sciences companies can set in motion a cycle of innovation—known as the flywheel—through modern ERP architectures with SAP S/4HANA, a clear data strategy, and the targeted use of AI. Read part 1 and part 2 of the blog post series here. Now we turn our attention to the strategic direction of SAP itself: how the new Business Suite strategy forms the foundation for this digital transformation and why it is particularly important in regulated industries such as life sciences.
SAP’s new Business Suite strategy at a glance
SAP defines the next-generation Business Suite around three central pillars:
SAP S/4HANA as the digital core, the Business Data Cloud as the data and integration layer, and the Business Technology Platform (BTP) as the innovation and extension layer. These are complemented by the generative AI assistant Joule, which embeds intelligence directly into business processes.
At the heart of this architecture is the concept of Clean Core: a standard-based, maintainable ERP foundation that remains flexible thanks to modular extensions. Customizations and industry-specific innovations are no longer implemented directly in the core, but are decoupled via the BTP. This reduces technical complexity, keeps systems updatable, and facilitates validation – a decisive advantage for life sciences organizations with strict GxP and compliance requirements.
The semantic linking of data from SAP and non-SAP systems is essential here. With the Business Data Cloud, SAP creates a uniform data layer on which AI models, process automation, and analyses are based. This makes the “data to value” vision a reality: data is no longer distributed, but centrally controllable, traceable, and validatable.
Clean Core, BTP, and Business Data Cloud – Architecture with substance
The Clean Core principle marks a paradigm shift toward stable standardization while maintaining freedom for innovation.
In the SAP context, this means that the core remains as untouched as possible, with extensions made exclusively via BTP – for example, through APIs, event-driven architecture, or side-by-side developments.
To ensure that this approach is effective not only technically but also organizationally, adesso has developed the Clean Core Index. This is a framework that evaluates and quantifies the degree of standardization, the extension architecture, and the technical debt level. This enables companies to see where they stand and how close they are to the goal of a future-proof, updatable SAP landscape.
The Business Technology Platform (BTP) acts as the integration and innovation layer of this new suite. It connects data from the Business Data Cloud, applications from the Industry Cloud, and external services (e.g., IoT, analytics, AI). This creates a cross-platform architecture that concretely implements the “intelligent enterprise” approach – as our colleague Christian Engel describes in his blog article: The BTP is not only a technical basis, but also “the strategic link between processes, data, and innovation.”
For life sciences companies, this creates a balance between stable, validated core systems and agile innovation environments – a prerequisite for both compliance and digital speed.
AI and Joule: Intelligence in business processes
With Joule, SAP’s generative AI assistant, artificial intelligence is finding its way directly into users’ work processes. Joule uses the Business Data Cloud as a semantic data layer and the SAP Knowledge Graph to identify relationships between data points. This allows deviations, trends, or quality risks to be identified at an early stage and recommendations for action to be triggered automatically.
An example from life sciences practice: Joule can link production or quality data with batch information, evaluate deviations, and prepare the next release stage – in a GxP-compliant, traceable, and auditable manner. This means that AI is not an add-on, but an integral part of validated processes.
Cloud and hybrid models: Flexibility for validated systems
A central component of SAP’s strategy is hybrid architecture. Programs such as RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP support companies in the transition from classic on-premise systems to modular cloud models.
For life sciences, this means:
- Critical core systems (e.g., production, quality management, validation) remain in a controlled, validated environment.
- Innovation scenarios (e.g., AI analyses, digital supply chains, clinical ops integration) run in parallel in the cloud.
This creates a balanced approach between stability and agility. The basis for secure and dynamic transformation.
How the new Business Suite fuels the flywheel
SAP Business Suite forms the technological backbone of the flywheel model described above:
- S/4HANA as a stable core provides reliable process and master data.
- Business Data Cloud integrates data sources and creates semantic unity.
- BTP and Joule enable continuous innovation and automation.
Each of these layers reinforces the others: optimized processes generate valid data, which feeds AI models, and AI delivers new insights for process optimization. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of data, knowledge, and value creation – the flywheel in its technical form.
How adesso business consulting supports life sciences companies
adesso business consulting supports companies in implementing the new SAP Business Suite strategy in a practical manner: from system and process analysis to clean core strategies to data and AI architectures on the BTP.
Focus areas:
- Roadmaps & migration strategies for S/4HANA and RISE with SAP,
- Validatable architectures for regulated processes,
- Data architecture designs based on the Business Data Cloud,
- Use case definitions for AI and automation with Joule,
- Governance models for sustainable process and compliance security.
This is how technical strategy and industry specifics are combined – for a stable, scalable, and future-proof Business Suite architecture.
Outlook: From architecture to implementation and beyond
With this article, the series moves from the strategic architecture level to practical implementation. In the next article (“SAP Business Suite in the life sciences industry“), we show how SAP’s strategy comes to life in concrete end-to-end processes – from clinical orchestration to batch release to supply chain transparency. Here, we see how validation and digital speed intertwine.
In the fifth and final part, we will then shed light on SAP’s transformation toolchain – the tools and methods that companies can use to keep this flywheel moving technologically and operationally – from SAP Signavio and Cloud ALM to automated testing and validation frameworks. This closes the gap between vision, architecture, and achievable transformation.
