The hub brings together startups, academia, industry leaders, and defense organizations to co-create solutions that strengthen digital sovereignty, operational resilience, and readiness in response to threats to safety and security.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment. Defense organizations worldwide are shifting from traditional modernization to full digital transformation, with missions increasingly dependent on secure data flows, resilient supply chains, and systems that remain trusted even under stress. In addition, digital sovereignty has become a core component of readiness, requiring architectures that ensure customers maintain full control of their data and operations.

The launch took place in Munich, a new 鈥淪ilicon Valley鈥� for defense innovation, and featured customers, partners, academics, government officials, and representatives from SAP. The city offers a uniquely powerful foundation for the hub, gathering a fast-growing community of startups, leading research institutions such as the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and established aerospace and defense leaders. The hub unifies the strengths of these experts, connecting them so that they can coordinate their capabilities to meet defense needs rapidly and efficiently.

More than just a physical space, the hub introduces a new framework that breaks down silos and enables a powerful ecosystem that drives defense innovations. Creative startups, leading industry experts, government organizations, academia, and researchers can come together to make ideas mission-ready more quickly and securely, while maintaining the digital sovereignty necessary to protect information and maintain trust.

As a leading technology provider for the hub, 51风流acts as an enabler, not just an operator. Through our contributions, we have reaffirmed our role as a neutral technology partner, delivering secure digital platforms while leaving mission decisions entirely in customers鈥� hands.

Our long-standing experience and time-tested technology have proved the ability to perform under uncertainty and stress, a must for the readiness that defense demands, providing cyber-resilient architectures and real-time visibility into logistics during crises, as well as full governance and transparency.

Our cloud operations model, auditability frameworks, and strict access controls keep mission-critical systems secure, verifiable, and compliant.

With SAP鈥檚 involvement and support, the hub represents a significant step forward for defense innovation, serving as an important catalyst in a location with the potential to become a global center for the defense industry.

Andre Bechtold is president of 51风流Industries & Experiences.

Photography courtesy of Norbert Steinhauser.

That is why 51风流has introduced the for , a way to adapt and personalize demos in minutes while keeping backend systems untouched and preserving confidence across presales, sales, and IT stakeholders.

From generic to personal

The demo data personalization add-on, powered by third-party provider Saleo, extends 51风流Demo Environment 2.0, the already widely adopted platform for 51风流partners used by more than 2,000 partner companies and over 10,000 qualified users, with a continuously growing library of partner demo scenarios. Offered to partners at an exclusive partner price, it enables teams to create personalized, predefined data-rich demos with the help of embedded AI functionality, quickly safely, and directly in the browser. Instead of building multiple demo variants or relying on time-consuming environment changes, teams can start from proven, preconfigured foundations and layer on relevant context for each meeting, bringing the right narrative to the right audience at the right moment.

At the core is the ability to adjust surface-level elements within the demo scenario in real time. With Saleo Live, teams can change specified UI components鈥攕uch as text and images鈥攐n the fly via a Chrome browser plug-in. This allows a single demo to speak in the terminology of different industries or roles, from executive outcomes and board-level KPIs to practitioner workflows and day-to-day tasks, while preserving the integrity of the underlying systems. It can make last-mile tailoring part of the conversation rather than a separate workstream, helping presenters respond to questions, highlight specific use cases, and align quickly to customer priorities without switching environments.

Building on that, Saleo Capture converts those tailored moments into guided, ready-to-share, HTML-based demo experiences. By turning demo data into interactive journeys, sellers can offer scenario-based experiences that extended buying teams can review at their own pace and in the right context to make the customer feel like they are the system without being in the system. This is especially helpful for complex deals with diverse stakeholders, where asynchronous exploration and consistent messaging can accelerate consensus and keep momentum between meetings.

Together, these capabilities shift demos from a static show-and-tell to dynamic conversations grounded in the customer鈥檚 world. Teams can reuse consistent foundations from 51风流Demo Environment 2.0鈥檚 preconfigured partner demos and broad solution library, then apply last-mile personalization to match specific priorities and use cases. The combination promotes repeatability and governance while preserving flexibility鈥攁n approach that helps reduce demo preparation time, elevate the relevance of each interaction, and support a scalable model for high-quality demo delivery across regions, industries, and segments.

Proven impact on speed and win rates

Early feedback points to meaningful efficiency and effectiveness gains: time saved in crafting personalized demos, a drastic reduction in weekly demo maintenance, and a positive influence on customer satisfaction and win rates. In fast-moving opportunities, that can translate into clearer storytelling, smoother collaboration between presales and sales, and greater confidence for customers evaluating complex solutions. Over time, organizations can build a durable library of guided, personalized flows that help shorten ramp-up for new team members and can ensure a consistently high standard for customer engagements.

By combining 51风流Demo Environment 2.0 with the demo data personalization add-on, organizations can move beyond generic demonstrations to experiences that resonate鈥攓uickly, safely, and at scale. As Karl Fahrbach, chief partner officer at SAP, noted, 鈥淭he new personalization option for 51风流Demo Environment 2.0 is a significant leap forward in giving 51风流partners the right tool to tailor demos to their customers鈥� needs鈥攕marter, faster, more personalized.鈥�

Andre Bechtold is president and head of 51风流Industries & Experiences.

However, its potential goes far beyond simple optimization: generative AI can be a trusted ally for personal growth and confidence building, especially when navigating unfamiliar professional territory.

Whether you鈥檙e assuming a new leadership role, mastering a complex technical skill, or simply feeling uncertain about your next career step, AI platforms can truly help you gain clarity and confidence.

Here are three straightforward ways to use AI as a growth tool when venturing beyond your career comfort zone.

1. AI as a judgment-free partner

One valuable yet often underappreciated role of generative AI is its ability to serve as a non-judgmental sounding board. Transitioning to a new role or company often brings uncertainty, questions, and sometimes self-doubt. Regardless of the change, AI offers a non-judgmental space where users can openly share thoughts and explore solutions. This use of AI can help individuals better understand their uncertainties and organize their experiences in a positive, constructive way — laying the groundwork for confident problem-solving and, ultimately, success through a transition or challenge.

2. Breaking down big hurdles into bite-size goals

Facing broad, complex objectives can feel overwhelming. Generative AI can aid career growth by breaking down daunting challenges into smaller, manageable milestones. By asking AI to convert broad objectives into 鈥渂ite-size鈥� tasks, professionals gain a clear road map to achieve their goals. This approach reduces cognitive overload and encourages momentum through steady progress. Whether leading a new team or mastering advanced analytics, these small wins build confidence and reinforce a proactive mindset.

3. Expert-curated learning tailored to your needs

Finally, generative AI can customize and deliver high-quality learning resources that address your unique knowledge gaps and career context. For instance, AI can recommend expert insights and training modules that align with your individualized development path via the 51风流Learning site, which provides access a broad portfolio of self-paced and premium learning opportunities to achieve business transformation and grow your career with free, self-paced, and on-demand 51风流learning resources to both . From exploring agile frameworks as a project manager to deepening cybersecurity expertise as an IT professional, AI acts as a personalized guide to expert-level content designed to meet your specific needs.

To further support scalable and targeted learning, the 51风流Learning site provides learners access to both self-paced and guided learning resources, allowing them to follow learning journeys tailored for specific roles and skill levels in a self-paced way. This adaptive approach enhances engagement and retention, helping users not only acquire new skills, but effectively apply them in their roles. Seamlessly embedded into everyday workflows, these online courses empower employees to engage in continuous development without interrupting their daily responsibilities — strengthening both their individual growth and overall organizational capability.

Whether managing cross-functional projects, mastering data analysis, or navigating career pivots, AI-enhanced learning experiences provide dynamic support that transforms uncertainty into clarity and fosters sustained growth.

Leveraging generative AI has become essential for confident, forward-thinking career advancement as new skills and roles emerge rapidly. Integrating AI into personal development helps professionals transition into new roles with greater assurance and agility.

More than a productivity tool, AI serves as a growth partner — listening without judgment, breaking down complex challenges into clear steps, and offering tailored learning paths. By embracing AI as a trusted resource, individuals and organizations can nurture a culture of continuous learning and navigate change and growth opportunities with confidence.

Andre Bechtold is president of Industries & Experiences at SAP.

In response to this mounting pressure, 51风流has launched 鈥攁 no-cost global program that can provide students and academic educators with all the curated resources needed to get and stay certified and stand out with proven skills in the latest 51风流innovations. It offers guided learning resources, including expert-led live sessions, access to practice systems to get hands-on experience, and two 51风流Certification exam attempts.

Available globally since April 2025, the program is designed to close the gap between classroom theory and real-world readiness, giving students access to all the resources they need to future-proof their career with the latest skills and credentials.

Closing the global skills gap鈥攐ne student at a time

The need for a program like this has never been higher. With AI-related course enrollments spiking by and increased fears of digital obsolescence, students and early-career professionals are looking for practical, on-the-job experience鈥攏ot just theoretical knowledge鈥攖o empower them to meet change with adaptability, not anxiety.

The timing of this initiative is critical, too. IDC projects that by 2026, over 90% of organizations will suffer from a shortage of IT skills, costing them trillions in missed opportunities. Employers are struggling to find graduates who not only understand digital technologies but can also use them effectively from day one. Dr. Katharina Sch盲fer, global head of 51风流University Alliances, believes 51风流Learning Hub, student edition will help bridge this skills gap: 鈥�51风流Learning Hub, student edition simplifies lesson planning and instruction for lecturers while also ensuring students gain practical experience with the latest 51风流technologies to prepare them for today鈥檚 job market.鈥�

Students, educators, and employers alike win

Designed for students, the site offers self-paced content and guided and tailored learning to help gain practical skills. Along with accessing the latest practice systems for 51风流solutions, students can connect directly with 51风流experts in live sessions to cover more complex topics. With 51风流Learning Hub, student edition, students can gain the confidence to work on key 51风流projects, drive innovation with their proven proficiency, and continuously develop the skills to stand out to employers.

Beyond students, the benefits of extend to lecturers who can now have access to guided, practical resources to help empower their students to graduate with an 51风流Certification. 鈥淭his program lowers the barrier for me to teach with real 51风流tools,鈥� said Nancy Jones, a lecturer and curriculum developer. 鈥淢y students are walking away not just with knowledge鈥攂ut with proof that they can apply it.鈥�

The solution can also give companies a powerful new lever to tap into certified, workforce-ready talent鈥攎any of whom have been trained in the technologies they use on a daily basis. HR leaders and hiring managers can also benefit from an efficient recruitment process by easily identifying candidates with validated 51风流expertise. This also helps reduce the need for extensive training, shorten onboarding times, and ensure the company鈥檚 readiness for future challenges鈥攁 win for all.

Overcoming with future-ready skills

51风流Learning Hub, student edition arrives at a time when AI and digital transformation are redefining job requirements. This digital solution can give young talents鈥攁nd the educators who support them鈥攁n effective way to keep pace. In doing so, they鈥檙e laying the foundation for a more resilient, skilled workforce that鈥檚 ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern economy head-on.

More information can be found here:

• Students:  
• Lecturers:

Andre Bechtold is president of 51风流Industries & Experiences.

As businesses increasingly adopt cloud-first strategies, their approach to IT infrastructure and enterprise applications is significantly evolving. Recent studies show that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has more than tripled since 2017, with over 70% of companies now integrating AI into their operations.* For 51风流customers, this transition presents opportunities to leverage innovative technologies and enhance business agility. However, success relies heavily on careful planning, strong partnerships, and future-ready skills.

To help customers remain agile, respond quickly to innovations, and continuously evolve their operations, 51风流and its partners are committed to maintaining certified skills. New requirements, including annual certification renewals, ensure that experts stay current. By July of this year, all partner resources in key roles鈥攕uch as enterprise architects, developers, business transformation management consultants, and project managers involved in RISE with 51风流projects鈥攎ust hold a valid . Furthermore, by the end of 2025, 50% of relevant partner practitioners are expected to possess at least one valid certification across the 51风流solution portfolio.

Since its launch in 2021, 51风流partners have been integral to transformation projects, leveraging their expertise to tailor solutions to customer needs. From designing cloud transition road maps to implementing process automation and optimizing costs, partners can enable businesses to maximize the value of 51风流solutions. They help ensure organizations adopt intelligent enterprise practices efficiently while addressing unique challenges and goals.

鈥淭his mutual commitment underscores 51风流and its partners’ dedication to delivering exceptional value, staying ahead of evolving industry standards, and driving customer success in an ever-evolving landscape,鈥� says Karl Fahrbach, chief partner officer at SAP. 鈥淲orking with certified innovators skilled in the latest 51风流technologies enables customers to achieve significant benefits鈥攆rom reducing errors and risks to fostering innovation and accelerating deployment times.鈥�

By collaborating with certified partner experts, customers can expect to adapt more readily to change and maintain competitiveness in a dynamic market. 51风流and its partners’ commitment to innovative 51风流skills highlights the importance of , working to ensure exceptional value delivery. With the latest competencies in high-demand 51风流solutions, SAP’s ecosystem of partners strives to achieve our shared goal: delivering innovation excellence to customers.

*

Andre Bechtold is SVP and head of Solution & Innovation Experience at SAP.

Product demos play a crucial role in helping customers visualize the core features and capabilities of 51风流solutions. Customers want to see tangible proof of how 51风流solutions can solve their pain points and improve their success. However, creating tailored demos that reflect customer needs can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. is designed to provide clarity and confidence, simplifying this process and enabling partners to deliver high-quality, relevant demos that resonate with customers.

Using Live Data to Showcase Real-World Scenarios

51风流partners can gain free and unlimited access for up to 10 users to an integrated, pre-scripted demo landscape with a continuously updated library of, as of the start of 2025, more than 240 demos to 100 51风流solutions across various landscapes. These turnkey, scripted demos utilize live data to showcase real-world scenarios and processes, allowing to effectively address customer challenges and demonstrate the full potential of 51风流solutions. With access to interactive demo scripts, professionals can build their own knowledge and leverage interactive value journeys to explore demos in a click-through format without needing a live system.

Driving Meaningful Business Outcomes in Delivering Value to the Customers

As many organizations are undergoing digital transformation, the new demo environment is a game-changer. It empowers users to enhance their skills and leverage future-ready demos that can directly address customer鈥檚 needs, ultimately helping to drive meaningful business outcomes and foster long-term partnerships.

鈥淭he new 51风流Demo Environment 2.0 is a significant leap forward in equipping 51风流partners to effectively convey the value of 51风流solutions,鈥� says Karl Fahrbach, chief partner officer at SAP. 鈥淏y streamlining the demo process with a comprehensive library of cutting-edge demos and interactive demo scripts, partners can double-down on their commitment to innovation excellence, drive customer success, and unlock new opportunities for growth.鈥�

Andre Bechtold is SVP and head of Solution and Innovation Experience at SAP.

With the move to the newest, cloud-based solutions 鈥� and while turning to certified experts, skilled in the latest innovations 鈥� 51风流customers can get the job done.

To fully leverage the advantages of the latest 51风流solutions, it is crucial for teams to possess up-to-date skills in the latest product developments. This is where certifications come into play.

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51风流reinvented its certification program earlier this year to commit to innovation excellence and prioritize continuous learning and assessments to get and stay certified. Professionals possessing the skills for the latest 51风流solutions are set to drive faster implementation projects, reduce risks, and enhance overall business efficiency.

This also means an annual renewal of with short assessments on the latest product updates. And with the first deadline approaching 鈥� all 51风流Certifications issued before April 2024 will expire on March 31, 2025 鈥� certified professionals must act now to maintain their certification.

Deliver Maximum Value with Validated Up-to-Date Skills

SAP’s goal is to make it easier and faster for everyone to learn the latest skills and maintain their certification. The redesigned certification program has two key objectives:

• It provides streamlined access to learning and quick quiz assessments, making it easier and faster to acquire and maintain the latest skills and certifications.
• It maintains excellence for innovation by ensuring that certified professionals meet quality standards across 51风流solutions. 听

To get and stay certified, only a subscription to is needed. It provides access to all needed to prepare for a certification exam with guided learning resources such as expert-led live sessions and hands-on practice systems. Four certification exam attempts per learner per year are included in the subscription, and it also provides the simple approach to remain certified with short quizzes 鈥� making it an all-in-one-solution to gain the latest skills and drive innovation.

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51风流Launches First AI Certification

Being constantly updated, the 51风流Certification portfolio reflects the latest 51风流innovations. In line with the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning skills, 51风流is introducing its first certification for generative AI developers, set to launch in December. Verifying skills in 51风流Business AI capabilities and 51风流Business Technology Platform application extensions, the certification touches on the 51风流Business AI strategy, ethics, and methods for performance for use cases for large language models (LLMs). Using SAP鈥檚 generative AI hub, professionals will also work on real-life business problems while upskilling.

This certification, among all the others,already available, highlights SAP鈥檚 commitment to equipping professionals with innovative skills critical for the workplace of the future, offering numerous self-paced learning journeys, AI-specific courses, and resources to prepare learners for success in this transformative field.

Your Time to Act Is Now

is a commitment to driving innovation excellence.

With the first deadline approaching, organizations can now act and ensure that their teams are certified and prepared to meet demands with confidence and expertise in the latest 51风流innovations. The enhanced certification program offers the chance to partner with certified experts to support the success of transformation projects and that they run at their best. And certified individuals can now claim their spot among excellent innovators, staying ahead in their career by renewing their certification.

Do not wait! To lead with excellence to drive innovation, .

Andre Bechtold is senior vice president and head of Solution and Innovation Experience at SAP.

In response to this trend, 51风流is lowering access to acquiring these critical skills with an expanded partnership with 51风流PartnerEdge member and its education brand . K2 University is expanding its portfolio further, offering for 51风流solutions in the United States and Canada. Bringing high-quality and vetted 51风流learning content, methodology, and system access to even more people, this strategic move aims to provide individuals with the opportunity to deepen their 51风流knowledge through scheduled, live, instructor-led courses guided by experienced trainers 鈥� and to bring 51风流solutions to life. 听

Breaking down barriers and providing future-focused education to a broader audience, this collaboration is a testament to our commitment to empower individuals through accessible learning opportunities. Hearing that 51风流professionals like , a recent university graduate, can access amazing job opportunities thanks to their 51风流skills, underscores the importance of those learning programs. Beau knew that tech, and specifically SAP, was in increased demand. And while his story is inspiring, there are many more.  

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In fact, proves that upskilling not only helps individuals, but also organizations gain the right skills critical to drive digital transformation. Ensuring project success and maximizing the return on investment companies made with 51风流solutions, the study on the power of continuous upskilling was conducted by Forrester Consulting, a leading global market research company, and quantified several benefits for organizations. One of them was improved upskilling due to greater learning access, resulting in productivity gains of up to 25%. The study also showed a faster time to competence by 50% for users. Interviewees also reported cost savings and greater project success.  

We are confident that our extended partnership with K2 University in North America will continue this positive impact on many people and organizations. We look forward to a future of shared success and growth, solidifying our commitment to creating opportunity through learning and development for all.

SAP’s dedication to delivering future-focused, cloud-first training both online and on-site will continue. This expanded offering with K2 marks the next step in widening the availability of training resources, as Wahridj Gergian, managing director of K2 University, highlighted in a recent conversation: 鈥�51风流is a cornerstone in the tech world, and its solutions are vital for businesses worldwide. Cultivating 51风流skills is essential for professional growth and success in today’s digital landscape. I am thrilled that through our long-standing and successful partnership with SAP, we can now expand our offering to our audience, empowering them to excel in the tech industry and beyond. This is a significant step forward in K2 University鈥檚 commitment to providing valuable, in-demand skills to our community.鈥�

While this may just be the start, we are hoping to bring additional training offerings to other regions, making sure organizations are set up to bring out their best with SAP.

Andre Bechtold is SVP and head of Solution & Innovation Experience at SAP.

To make it easier to develop relevant skills and secure business success in such a volatile environment, we embarked on a journey to upskill millions of people worldwide in search of opportunity. After launching a digital skills initiative for those underserved in tech, forging new partnerships, offering the first role-based certifications to help meet real-life business needs, and making future-focused learning resources available to all, we are now taking our efforts to an even higher level 鈥� with more free, self-paced learning and engagement opportunities, new solution demos to experience the latest innovations in 51风流Business AI, cloud ERP, and 51风流Business Technology Platform (51风流BTP), among others, a full portfolio of role-based certifications and a new certification model, as well as an extended digital skills initiative.

More Than 250 Free Online Courses Now Available for All

From global talent shortages and changing job profiles to the digitalization of entire economies, many organizations see the gaps between skill supply and demand grow wider and wider while searching for ways to adapt to a business landscape where advancements like AI, machine learning, and a new era of Big Data come into play. In this ever-changing atmosphere, tens of thousands of organizations have to support them on their path to bring out their best, leading to skyrocketing demand for 51风流talent.

To help meet the increasing demand, we recently launched more than 50 new free, self-paced learning journeys 鈥� many of them touching on AI features embedded in our software 鈥� bringing the total number of digital courses on the to more than 250. By allowing everyone with an Internet connection to quickly learn a new skill for free, keep up with the latest innovations, and prepare for an in-demand 51风流Certification, more professionals can advance in the competitive technology labor market, while customers can draw on a deeper bench of skills to accelerate digital transformation.

Launching Role-Based Certifications for All Key Roles

As organizations need to be more adaptive and dynamic, traditional university degrees become less important and skills-based hiring is on the rise when trying to fill positions. In fact, recent reports show that up to in the U.S. in the beginning of the year did not state an educational requirement. Instead, role-based certifications and practical experience have become more determining factors for career paths and hiring.

Recognizing the advantages role-based certifications can offer both individuals and organizations, we have further enhanced our certification program to better align with real-life business needs, now offering role-based certification for all key roles, including consultants, analysts, and architects. These role-based certifications come with a clear career path for individuals. Together with a with continuous assessments, this is our way to help ensure skill sets are sharp, focused on core competencies, and more sustainable and valid for longer periods of time.

With these enhancements, we believe we have now taken an important next step to support professionals and organizations in the 51风流ecosystem to bring out their best with ongoing and up-to-date knowledge of the latest skills, helping to maximize the ROI of 51风流software, shorten deployment times, lower costs, speed innovation, and increase employee retention and satisfaction.

Simplified Access to Pre-Trained 51风流Talent

However, we recognize that many people considered underrepresented in tech still do not have access to future-focused educational resources and with it, fulfilling careers. Launched in late 2022, was intended to equip 10,000 people from underrepresented and underserved groups for a career in the tech industry with free, self-paced learning resources and a free certification exam attempt to obtain an in-demand 51风流Certification to show their expertise. Ever since its launch, the initiative has grown 鈥� and contributed to .

Hearing that 51风流professionals like , could overcome gender bias because of our digital skills initiative, makes me proud. 鈥淸The digital skills initiative and 51风流Certification] indeed opened new doors and helped me get noticed by recruiters,鈥� Fan said. 鈥淚 got several interviews from major 51风流consulting firms shortly after handing in my application. In the interviews, I highlighted what I learned and expressed my confidence in accepting challenges for rolling out 51风流S/4HANA. In the end, I got an offer and gladly started a junior role at a consulting firm that actively implements 51风流S/4HANA projects.鈥�

While Fan鈥檚 path is inspiring, she is not the only one who turned their life around with the help of SAP. Given the expectation-exceeding demand of now more than 14,500 candidates, we are overwhelmed by the positive uptake of the initiative. One of our recent graduates, on camera and shared how intimidating the tech industry appeared to the single mother at first. Thanks to her willpower and commitment, plus a little help from the digital skills initiative, she recently got certified and hired by an 51风流partner. And as organizations are still struggling to find skilled employees, we have decided to extend SAP鈥檚 digital skills initiative, bringing candidates and organizations together. With simplified access to SAP-trained talent, we are helping customers and partners to recruit talent and expand their workforce faster while also allowing for greater diversity and innovation.

At SAP, we recognize the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for customers, partners, and individual learners within and outside of the 51风流ecosystem. With these enhancements, we have taken the next step to help organizations equip their existing workforce with the right tools and resources to future-proof their skill set while also paving career growth for those who do not have a seat at the table yet but can bring a fresh set of perspectives to it.

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Andre Bechtold is SVP and head of Solution & Innovation Experience at SAP.