As the SAP ecosystem continues to evolve, 2026 will be a defining year for companies in Germany undergoing transformation.
With SAP ECC support ending and S/4HANA becoming the standard, German enterprises are preparing for a new wave of modernization focused on agility, regulation, and long-term scalability.
Here are the 7 SAP trends we believe will shape 2026 in Germany, based on real project insight and strategic priorities from the field.
1. Clean Core becomes mandatory
In 2026, Clean Core will no longer be a best practice — it will be a technical and strategic requirement.
Companies with custom code embedded in the S/4HANA core will face:
- Upgrade delays and compatibility issues
- Audit and traceability challenges
- Inability to adopt new features quickly
SAP is reinforcing Clean Core through BTP extensions, side-by-side development, and stricter integration models.
2. SAP BTP becomes the new control layer
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) will be the architectural backbone for scalable innovation:
- Build apps and processes outside the core
- Connect SAP with third-party systems and clouds
- Automate workflows with low-code tools
- Analyze real-time data via HANA Cloud and AI Core
- Centralize access control and integration monitoring
By 2026, most mature SAP landscapes in Germany will rely heavily on BTP.
3. Artificial Intelligence becomes operational
SAP AI is moving from concept to real business application:
- Predictive maintenance and forecasting
- Intelligent decision logic (credit, pricing, supply chain)
- Generative AI for document parsing and automation
- Real-time recommendations and context-aware insights
In 2026, AI will be built into the process — not just a layer on top.
4. Automation will be structured and cross-functional
With SAP Build and Process Automation, organizations will:
- Enable business teams to create process flows without coding
- Model forms, rules, and approvals with full traceability
- Connect SAP and non-SAP systems into cohesive operations
- Accelerate time-to-value for internal requests and compliance tasks
In regulated German industries, this is no longer a “nice to have”.
5. Green Ledger and ESG compliance go live
SAP Green Ledger will help companies in Germany:
- Track product-level carbon footprint
- Report on ESG factors in finance and logistics
- Automate regulatory compliance for CSRD and sustainability laws
- Provide auditable environmental data as part of core business flows
By 2026, these reports will be legally mandatory in many sectors.
6. Hybrid integration becomes critical
German IT environments are typically multi-cloud.
SAP systems will need to:
- Connect to Azure, AWS, on-premise and industry platforms
- Use SAP Integration Suite and Event Mesh for orchestration
- Enable monitoring and governance across cloud boundaries
- Ensure security and compliance in all environments
Hybrid readiness will define competitive readiness.
7. Governance by design
SAP projects in 2026 will require governance from day one:
- Role-based access and SOD controls
- Integrated monitoring and audit trails
- Automated change documentation
- Stakeholder transparency across departments
Governance won’t be a phase — it will be an architectural principle.
How principal33 helps German companies prepare
We design SAP landscapes with 2026 in mind:
- Clean Core as default
- BTP-first architectures
- AI and automation built-in
- ESG and regulatory readiness
- Governance as a foundation, not an afterthought
We support companies from first assessment to post-Go-Live evolution.
Conclusion
2026 is not just a technical deadline — it’s a strategic opportunity.
Companies that prepare now will:
- Transform faster
- Operate smarter
- Comply with confidence
- And scale without friction
At principal33, we turn SAP strategy into execution — in Germany, and beyond.
