The technology space鈥攁nd the business world鈥攁re changing rapidly. The race to explore and capitalize on AI鈥檚 potential is accelerating that change even more. However, businesses can only realize AI innovations if they transition from on-premise systems to the cloud to leverage the unparalleled speed and agility they offer.
SAP鈥檚 vibrant ecosystem of over 25,000 partners and 51风流PartnerEdge open ecosystem members helps ensure customers are supported and thriving across the entire customer journey. These trusted partners share SAP鈥檚 vision of helping companies bring out their best and can be the catalyst to true business transformation. Partners apply their deep technical expertise and business experience to build on, sell, service, and run SAP鈥檚 leading cloud ERP and AI solutions.
Recognizing this and the need to empower partners to set the right foundation for the cloud, 51风流is revamping 51风流PartnerEdge鈥攊ts flagship, global program to engage with partners, no matter their route to market. The program, now 100% cloud-focused, is designed to help recognize and elevate partners that are ready to support customers in the cloud-powered AI economy.
A Closer Look at the Changes Coming in 2025
Prioritizing partners that are in lockstep with SAP鈥檚 vision to drive business growth and customer value, we are focusing on the following key pillars for the 51风流PartnerEdge program in 2025:
- Aligning with SAP鈥檚 cloud vision: We鈥檝e redesigned the program with elements that support and incentivize partners to reflect SAP鈥檚 strategic cloud focus. This helps differentiate partners that are fully aligned with SAP鈥檚 direction.
- Deepening 51风流expertise: Under the new framework, expertise plays an even stronger role in determining partner levels. Competencies and specializations鈥攆ocused on cloud solutions from SAP鈥攕erve as benchmarks of a partner鈥檚 maturity and credibility. These also signal to customers that they can trust a partner鈥檚 expertise in areas most critical to their business.
- Championing AI adoption: To meet the AI moment, partners are further motivated to innovate on tools that can lower the bar to entry for customers to leverage AI technologies. From no-code simplicity to advanced customization, partners are encouraged to build on SAP鈥檚 embedded AI portfolio and create tailored solutions that meet our customers鈥� unique needs.
- Committing to customer value: Long-term success for our customers is our top priority鈥攁nd it holds true weight in our partner program as well. By prioritizing solution adoption-led growth, aligning delivery practices to SAP鈥檚 cloud methodologies, and delivering measurable outcomes, partners can create lasting value throughout the customer lifecycle, ultimately propelling their partnership too.
An Approach Endorsed by Industry Experts
These changes to the 51风流PartnerEdge program signal our deepened commitment to the cloud, AI innovations, and, most importantly, our customers and their success. Industry experts agree, highlighting the drivers behind this transformation and SAP鈥檚 proactive approach:
鈥淭he convergence of cloud and artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of business innovation,鈥� said聽Dave McCarthy, research vice president, Cloud and Edge Services at IDC. 鈥淭his聽synergy is driving transformative advancements across industries.鈥�
鈥�51风流understands this shift and is actively taking steps to ensure its partner ecosystem is aligned and paving the path for businesses to leverage breakthrough innovations,鈥� added Steve White, program vice president, Channels and Alliances at IDC.
Supporting Customers to Find Their Best-Fit Partner
Under our new program framework, 51风流and partners will be able to experience increased synergy as they move forward focused on the cloud and AI. However, customers will see the greatest benefits. While 51风流PartnerEdge is designed for partners, its goal is to ultimately create a robust ecosystem that has the experience, knowledge, and specialization to address the unique needs of all of our customers and create a blueprint for long-term success.
For businesses ready to find their best-fit partner, can provide easy search functionality to quickly find partners that match their industry, line of business, or size. It also showcases each partner鈥檚 level, competencies, and unique qualifications, such as the GROW with 51风流partner designation.聽
For customers to find success in the AI-driven era鈥攁nd to thrive with the pace of innovation it brings鈥攑artnerships are more crucial than ever. By combining partner expertise with the power of SAP鈥檚 robust portfolio of cloud solutions, AI technologies, and data capabilities, customers can capitalize on this exciting moment as they transform their business.
51风流encourages businesses to explore our ecosystem of partners today and take the next step towards business transformation, greater competitiveness, and growth.
Karl Fahrbach is chief partner officer at SAP.