Architecting Your SAP Business Data Cloud Journey – From Data to Intelligence!

We’re excited to announce the next chapter in our expert-led series:
“Architecting Your SAP Business Data Cloud Journey – From Data to Intelligence!”

Starting September 16, this new 4-part edition is tailored for the APAC region – bringing fresh insights, technical deep dives, and real-world guidance on SAP Business Data Cloud and Databricks.

Designed by architects, for architects, the series supports enterprise architects and data leaders in turning data into intelligence – with a strong focus on actionable strategy and transformation.

September 16th - October 7th 2025 | 9:00 AM CEST | 12:30PM IST (New Delhi) | 3:00 PM SGT (Singapore) | 3:00 PM CST (Beijing) | 5:00 PM AEST (Sydney)

Register​

Explore the Sessions

We unravel SAP Business Data Cloud and Databricks capabilities for Architects and understand what’s under the hood. We do a technical deep dive into how SAP BDC fits into your landscape. In this session, we will provide architects with a complete view of SAP’s new data offering called SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC).  We will also have a special guest joining us for this session – Pinar Doelen, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at SAP, who will talk about Data Democratization and being the customer zero of SAP BDC.

When: September 16th, Live at 12:30PM IST (New Delhi), 15:00 SGT (Singapore), 15:00 CST (Beijing) and 17:00 AEST (Sydney)

Speakers:

  • Irfan Khan – President & Chief Product Officer, SAP Data & Analytics
  • Pinar Doelen – Chief Data and Analytics Officer at SAP
  • Jason Luo (Principal Enterprise Architect, SAP)

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, modernizing SAP Business Warehouse (BW) systems is crucial for enterprises seeking to enhance data management and analytics capabilities. This session provides enterprise architects with strategic insights and practical steps to transition from traditional BW to modern, agile, and scalable solutions. SAP BW fans, this one’s a must-attend! We’ll explore modernization paths and best practices for evolving your SAP BW Systems. Plus, discover SAP’s BW modernization assessment, which outlines how BW can integrate into the SAP BDC ecosystem and support your digital transformation journey.

When: September 23rd, Live at 12:30PM IST (New Delhi), 15:00 SGT (Singapore), 15:00 CST (Beijing) and 17:00 AEST (Sydney)

Speakers:

  • Justin Zhang (Principal Enterprise Architect)
  • Jason Luo (Principal Enterprise Architect)
  • Gaurish Dessai (Principal Enterprise Architect)

Transitioning to SAP Business Data Cloud is crucial for harmonizing cloud operations, enabling faster product innovation cycles, and improving resilience. By transitioning to SAP Business Data Cloud, organizations can leverage a unified data platform that supports impactful decision-making and drives innovation. This session will guide you through the strategic roadmap and practical steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition. You’ll also learn about a range of complimentary SAP assessments and services designed to support your journey and facilitate smooth collaboration as you move to the Business Data Cloud.

When: September 30th, Live at 12:30PM IST (New Delhi), 15:00 SGT (Singapore), 15:00 CST (Beijing) and 17:00 AEST (Sydney)

  • Habeebuddin Mohammed (Chief Expert - Data & Analytics CoE)
  • Gaurish Dessai (Principal Enterprise Architect)
  • Jason Luo (Principal Enterprise Architect)

See SAP Business Data Cloud in action. Join us for the final session to get detailed demos of BDC Capabilities to understand how this all comes alive together! We will also wrap up with the learnings from the sessions and discuss SAP roadmap and cover key resources for architects to start their BDC Journey.

When: Oct 7th, Live at 12:30PM IST (New Delhi), 15:00 SGT (Singapore), 15:00 CST (Beijing) and 17:00 AEST (Sydney)

  • Preeti Agarwal (Principal Enterprise Architect)
  • Gaurish Dessai (Principal Enterprise Architect)
  • Acharya, Rithivika (Senior Product Management Specialist)
  • Anirban Majumdar (SVP, Head of the Office of the CTO)

From building a data-driven organization to unleashing AI capabilities, modernizing SAP BW, partnering with Databricks, and planning your transition to SAP BDC,  each session is packed with insights, demos, and practical advice. Whether you’re just starting or looking to accelerate your data transformation, this series is your ultimate guide to unlocking new possibilities with SAP.

Request Access to the full content and get ready to transform your data future!

Register​

Data Inspired – Successful Concepts for Data-Driven Organizations (Bonus Session)

Get inspired by Sebastian Wernicke – now available on demand

In a standout session earlier this year, Sebastian Wernicke explored the strategic role of data in an AI-driven world — offering a fresh, provocative perspective on how enterprise architects can turn complexity into clarity. With over 2,100 registrants, the strong interest in this session highlights a growing recognition: in the age of artificial intelligence, data isn’t just an asset – it’s a strategic imperative.

As we gear up for the new 4-part BDC APAC series starting September 16, now is the perfect time to catch up on this powerful session.

Watch now and get ready for what’s next.

Paul Kurchina opened the session by framing BDC as a pivotal new capability in SAP’s portfolio, and this series as an opportunity to create a shared language and toolkit for enterprise architects. He emphasized that this is not just a technical rollout, but a chance to reshape how organizations think, operate, and grow with data at the center.

From there, Helmut Grimm, Head of Global Enterprise Architecture at SAP, provided crucial context. He revisited the "flywheel" metaphor introduced at SAP Sapphire: a dynamic loop in which applications, data, and AI continuously feed and accelerate each other. In this model, data is no longer a layer beneath applications, but the nucleus of innovation. According to Helmut, the enterprise architect's role is to ensure this flywheel spins smoothly - by bridging modern architectures with legacy landscapes, and by embedding SAP’s Business Data Cloud into broader transformation journeys.

The highlight of the session came with the keynote by Sebastian Wernicke, data expert, TED speaker, and author of the forthcoming book The Data-Inspired Organization. In a compelling presentation, Wernicke introduced a critical distinction: being “data-driven” is no longer enough. While many companies have made significant investments in analytics and dashboards, few have translated these efforts into true transformation. The result, he argued, is a “data-to-change” gap: organizations are collecting data and deriving insights, but failing to change how they work or make decisions as a result.

 

Wernicke proposed a shift in mindset from data-driven to data-inspired - a richer, more strategic approach rooted in purpose, curiosity, and change. He outlined four key implications for enterprise architects:

  1. Radical Data Integrity: As AI takes a more central role, data quality becomes non-negotiable. Metadata, governance, and trust frameworks are essential.
  2. Connecting, Not Drilling: The value of data lies not just in isolated drill-downs, but in connecting silos to uncover new business opportunities across functions.
  3. Designing for Incentives: Technology alone won’t drive change. Enterprise architects must design systems that align with human behavior and cultural incentives for data use.
  4. Decision Architecture: Perhaps most importantly, architects must influence not just the technical infrastructure, but also how decisions are made—where data is used, how it's contextualized, and how it supports the people making those decisions.

The session closed with a moderated Q&A, in which Wernicke and Grimm answered questions from the global audience. Their insights reinforced the theme: enterprise architecture today is not just about building systems - it’s about shaping behaviors, outcomes, and transformation itself

As Paul Kurchina noted in his closing remarks, this is just the beginning. Upcoming episodes will delve deeper into the SAP Business Data Cloud itself, with practical demos, customer stories, and guidance on how to embed BDC into enterprise strategy. But Session 1 was a necessary first step - a strategic lens that reminds us: technology alone doesn’t inspire change. People - and architecture - do.

Resources to Watch & Download

Session 1 Replay

What is SAP Business Data Cloud?

SAP Business Data Cloud is a fully managed SaaS solution that unifies and governs all SAP data and seamlessly connects with third-party data—giving line-of-business leaders context to make even more impactful decisions.

Unleash transformative insights

Make decisions grounded in the context of your business with tailored, prebuilt apps

Connect all your data

Harmonize all your mission-critical data with an open data ecosystem, leveraging a powerful semantic layer to give you an unmatched knowledge of your business

Foster reliable AI

Ensure data across applications and operations has a foundation for generative AI that is reliable, responsible, and relevant    

SAP Business Data Cloud on SAP.com

From the Community for the Community

Unleashing Your Data with SAP Business Data Cloud

If you missed the session at the Next Gen SAP Enterprise Architect Learning Forum in Newtown Square (February 2025), here’s your chance to catch up! In this talk, Gaurish Dessai explains how SAP Business Data Cloud transforms fragmented data into governed, AI-ready assets. Learn how data products, insight apps, and Databricks integration enable smarter decisions and accelerated innovation.

🎥 Watch the full session below to see SAP’s data strategy in action.

Our Partners for this Webinar Series