DSAG Annual Congress 2025: Impulses for the transformation with SAP

The transformation that many companies are currently undergoing does not stop at the DSAG Annual Congress. Instead of a traditional keynote speech, as was customary in previous years, the second day of the congress began with a panel discussion in which the DSAG executive board members presented their views on current topics and developments in the SAP world in a moderated expert discussion. Michael Bloch (Licensing, Contracts & Support), Hermann-Josef Haag (Human Resources & Public Sector), Thomas Henzler (Sales, Production & Logistics), and Stephan Hüttmann (Financials) analyzed typical challenges in transformation, provided valuable insights for informed IT decisions, and also called for improvements on the part of SAP.

Secure your future with the right SAP landscape

The coverage of DSAG Annual Congress 2025 at a glance:

• Preview: In search of balance
• Day 1: The new SAP world
• Day 2: Impulses for the transformation with SAP

Changes in IT architectures bring about changes

When it comes to IT infrastructure, companies are increasingly turning their attention to the cloud. The transformation of system landscapes brings with it additional changes beyond pure technology that companies must address. For example, the switch from an on-premise ERP system to a private cloud or public cloud deployment model inevitably creates new realities in terms of licensing, integration, and regulation.

The development from monolithic ERP systems to modular architectures, in which many solutions run outside the SAP S/4HANA core, ensures greater openness to third-party providers on the one hand, but also makes the IT landscape more complex on the other. In addition, the speed at which SAP announces changes to its licensing models is currently very high. For example, the use of different licensing models for SAP Cloud ERP Private Edition and SAP Cloud ERP Public Edition leads to additional complexity. In this context, DSAG would like to see more continuity from SAP and greater transparency in the decision-making.

Regulatory requirements must be mapped quickly

With regard to regulations, companies are constantly having to deal with new local requirements and transnational legislation. SAP is required to implement regulatory changes in its software solutions as quickly as possible so that user companies can continue to operate in a legally compliant manner. Additionally, the applicable regulatory provisions in certain industries can prove to be an obstacle in moving to the cloud.

From January 1, 2027, e-invoicing will become mandatory for companies with a previous year’s turnover of at least EUR 800,000. The particular challenge here is that no standard format has yet been established in Europe that companies can use as a guide for the transition. For large companies, SAP already offers a suitable option with the SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC) cloud solution. For small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the on-premise world, however, DSAG believes that SAP still needs to enable a low-threshold entry into the implementation of e-invoicing.

IT employees need new skills

The transformation also has an impact on the skills and knowledge required in companies’ IT departments. In the cloud world, traditional SAP base teams will perform different tasks than they did in the on-premise era. Moreover, collaboration with SAP as a cloud provider needs to be reorchestrated. Companies must therefore be aware of the skills required and ensure that their employees have the appropriate qualifications.

Furthermore, the boundaries between IT and business departments are becoming increasingly blurred. But despite low-code and no-code tools, DSAG does not consider it realistic that employees in business departments will be able to implement applications completely independently in the future. Such a citizen developer concept would require employees in business departments to be extremely IT-savvy. Nevertheless, employee enablement remains crucial – not least in view of the increasing use of AI in companies. For artificial intelligence to generate real added value, it must be applied in core processes, where it can relieve the burden on employees.

Conclusion: Homework for companies and SAP

Digital transformation means much more than just the use of new technologies. It results in a changed IT architecture and requires the acquisition of new skills. At the DSAG Annual Congress 2025, DSAG made it clear that it sees SAP as responsible for creating continuity in licensing models, implementing regulatory requirements quickly, and providing practical support to companies during the transformation. Companies need to set the course not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of strategy, organization, and personnel. This is the only way to master the complexity of transformation and leverage the potential of cloud and AI in the long term.