The German software enterprise’s massive €250m investment in the UK that will span over five years is focused on delivering in-country SAP cloud services, 2 new offices, and internship programmes.
SAP’s cloud strategy is proving to be the software giant’s artillery in these unprecedented times as more and more companies around the world embrace cloud technology to drive strategic agility. The strong cloud growth across SAP’s portfolio, which recorded an 11{8bf2b29f36318f0ac46ab1cc03d7035abce669a1cea16c9ed62389a818fa22fd} increase in cloud revenue to €2.27 billion in this year’s second-quarter financial report, reflects the company’s healthy outlook and long-term vision for RISE with SAP, which has now signed up over 250 customers.
In a diginomica article, SAP CEO Christian Klein highlighted that Co-op, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives based in UK that adopted SAP Retail ECC Suite on HANA in 2019, have already subscribed to RISE with SAP to move to the cloud and enhance cybersecurity capabilities.
“So there are a lot of reasons to move the core to the cloud, to also re-design the way these business processes will run in the digital age. And then, of course, also making sure that you have an IT landscape where you can be way more agile and we act much faster to new business requirements coming up,” he further stressed.
Investing in SAP Cloud Services, New Offices, and Training Programmes
Drawing on its cloud power and growth strategy, SAP has recently announced a sizable investment in the UK to help organisations run better and equip them for post-pandemic recovery. Part of the strategic investment is to launch SAP UK Data Cloud, open new offices in London and Manchester, and scale up apprenticeship programmes.
“The UK is a critically strategic market for SAP, and with its highly successful vaccine rollout, it has an increasingly positive outlook for the years ahead. We are incredibly excited about this commitment, which will bring new services to market for our customers, greater support for social enterprises, as well as an even better working environment for our colleagues and new talent,” said Scott Russell, Executive Board Member, Customer Success.
Michiel Verhoeven, managing director of SAP UK & Ireland, added:
“We are working to be at the heart of change for our customers and partners across the UK and we believe today’s commitment will also drive hundreds of new jobs as our ecosystem grows with us and harnesses our technology to drive growth.”
SAP UK Data Cloud
SAP UK Data Cloud is a cloud offering designed to deliver the SAP Intelligent Enterprise cloud solutions within the UK and adhere to the local requirements for enhanced data security and protection. The highly-secured UK cloud-based cloud offering will provide SAP cloud services and solutions delivered using hyperscaler infrastructure at UK data centres to help protect the core business applications of public sector and regulated industries organisations in areas such as healthcare, central and local government, policing, utilities and financial services.
The launch of SAP UK Data Cloud will initially include SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Analytics Cloud, and SAP Business Technology Platform.
New Offices
The two new offices are directed to capture and better serve SAP’s widespread customer base in the UK as well as to accommodate new flexible working practices. The office in the City of London is poised to be a customer experience centre that would offer state-of-the-art facilities for customers and partners to drive co-innovation opportunities with SAP.
In addition, the new facility in Bruntwood, Alderley Park, near Manchester, scheduled for completion this year is anticipated to drive further engagement and collaboration between SAP and the companies across the country.
Training Programmes
Continuing on SAP’s investment in supporting the young talents in the UK, the company aims to support 250 interns by 2026 through its award-winning internship programme. Currently, SAP is developing an SAP Next-Gen Lab, in partnership with Nottingham University, as part of its Academies and University Alliances programme.
Digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman stated:
“It’s great to see SAP demonstrating its commitment to the UK and investing heavily to create new jobs and helping ensure that long-term digital prosperity is evenly spread across the entire country. Tech is at the heart of our plans to power Britain’s recovery full-speed out of the pandemic and we are backing the sector with world-class infrastructure and skills training to make sure the UK is the best place to start and grow a digital business.”
