An overview of SAP Leonardo

An overview of SAP Leonardo

Software company SAP recently redesigned and launched a new version of its Leonardo platform, migrating it from a primarily Internet of Things (IoT)-based system to a so-called ‘digital innovation system’ that takes advantage of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, machine learning, and advanced analytics.

The software company launched SAP Leonardo in order to help customers solve an array of business problems with a helpful package of emerging technologies. Indeed, rather than focusing on IoT and cloud-based systems, the rejuvenated Leonardo is capable of addressing a whole new set of enterprise issues.

What are the advantages of SAP Leonardo?

One of the main perks of the system is the amazing speed of its problem-solving abilities. Indeed, through its use of smart technologies such as AI, Leonardo can accelerate the speed of problemsolving from customer to customer.

For example, when a problem arises that is specific to one client, Leonardo will identify the elements of that issue that are common across the industry. It will then define the methodological steps that can be used to solve such a problem, packaging them up and storing them to use as a quick reference point for future customers with similar issues. In this way, Leonardo is a valuable tool for businesses keen to use machine learning to put themselves at the forefront of innovation in their sector.

One of the things that makes Leonardo unique is that it allows clients to store all of their business data safely and securely while at the same time using it to their advantage. Indeed, the clever use of data holds the key to fuelling digital innovation and will help business leaders drive novel and dynamic customer experiences.

Who can run SAP Leonardo?

Because Leonardo is built on an open platform - the SAP Cloud Platform - users are able to snap it into any environment or architecture, even if they are non-SAP customers. In this way, users of the three main public cloud infrastructure brands - AWS, Google, and Microsoft Azure - will be able to make the most of the platform.

How can users get started with Leonardo?

There are three possible routes for businesses hoping to get started with Leonardo.

At the first level, Leonardo’s capabilities are embedded in SAP applications such as SAP Ariba, S/4HANA and Hybris.

At the next level, for those who want to implement Leonardo quickly, SAP has released 23 Leonardospecific kits for use by specific industries. These include life sciences, manufacturing, retail, and automotive.

The automotive kit, for example, provides speedy access to fleet insights. It is a cloud-based application that optimises the operations of fleets by combining sensor data and business data to offer a global overview of fleet performance. This then allows for strategic decision making.

At the most bespoke level, clients may wish to invite a SAP team on site or pay a visit to a global design centre for a session of so-called “design thinking”. This will help identify the primary use cases customers want to use Leonardo for, with the ultimate aim of developing a working prototype using the SAP Build Tool.