November arrived, and just like someone marking their favorite series on the calendar, attending SAP Inside Track Barcelona became an unmissable event. Eight years and counting! What started as a simple gathering has evolved into a tradition where the global SAP community connects to exchange knowledge, fresh ideas, and engage in discussions fueled by shared passion.

This year, I marked the date in bold and with an asterisk to ensure I was there from the very first coffee (that one which tastes even better when shared with long-lost friends).

The SIT Barcelona is not merely an event; it’s that time of the year when we learn from the best, rekindle old friendships, and speculate on the future of SAP. Without further ado, here’s an overview of this edition and the sessions that made us reflect, laugh, and even reconsider our strategies. Let’s dive in!

SITBarcelona Opening

We kicked off the event with David Ruiz welcoming us once again to the event.

Antonio de Ancos Cid | SAP 2024: From A to Z

If there was one session marked with a red circle in my agenda, it was Antonio de Ancos’ session. Why? First, because of my admiration for such a great professional, and second, for the way he shares his knowledge on social media. Anyone following him knows that he always manages to keep us updated with the latest SAP news, all with his unique touch that makes learning a pleasure. And the best part? All in Spanish, of course! An inspiration for many of us!

This time was no exception: Antonio not only shared his knowledge but invited us to actively participate in his presentation with a fun icebreaker game from the very start. The game? A SAP version of Pasapalabra, where each question led us to explore concepts, trends, and novelties within the ecosystem. It was a very fun time where, amid laughter and answers (some more accurate than others), we went through new features, curiosities, and technical details. A unique way to learn and connect with the community!

Antonio Leite | Knowledge Graphs with SAP Data

Antonio introduced us to the fascinating world of Knowledge Graphs. He explained how a Knowledge Graph represents knowledge through nodes (entities) and edges (relationships), resembling the function of our own brains. Antonio didn’t stop at just the theory. He described a four-step process for building a Knowledge Graph within SAP and presented concrete examples of its use in solutions like SAP Integration Advisor and SAP Intelligent Situation Automation. In short, he demonstrated how SAP is integrating Knowledge Graphs into its ecosystem to create a smarter and more connected environment.

Josetxu Fernández | Gen AI in SAP Data and Analytics

Josetxu explained how SAP is integrating AI into its analytical tools, especially in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC). They developed Just Ask, a new SAC feature that allows users to make queries in natural language. Instead of building complex queries with technical terms, users can simply ask questions like “show me the order value by product.” Just Ask uses large language models (LLMs) to understand user intent and generate the corresponding query, also suggesting the most appropriate visualization for the data. A video showed practical examples of how to generate visualizations, filter data, and create low-code dashboards using Just Ask.

The architecture of Just Ask was also described, emphasizing that SAP’s LLM model is trained with internal data and does not use customer information, ensuring privacy. The evolution of Just Ask was presented, including future integration with SAP Data
Sphere, support for new languages, and collaboration with Joule for a more complete user experience. This collaboration with Joule will enable easier dashboard creation with a low-code approach, the ability to generate scripts to customize dashboard behavior (e.g., creating buttons with specific actions), and the option to interact with data conversationally, like a chatbot.

This initiative aims to make data analysis accessible to a broader audience, regardless of their technical expertise.

Fran Villegas | Get Business Insights from Your SAP Data with Natural Language and Develop Gen AI Solutions Integrating AWS and SAP BTP Services

In this session led by Fran Villegas – Iberia Senior SAP Specialist SA at AWS – he provided a brief introduction to the relationship between AWS services and SAP, before discussing AWS’s Gen AI services and how they can be used with SAP. He also demonstrated integrations, including with SAP BTP.

The relationship between AWS and SAP began in 2008, when SAP started using AWS for its initial developments; it was the first certified cloud platform for SAP infrastructure. Early adopters migrated systems to the cloud, resulting in automation solutions from AWS partners to implement SAP services.

He introduced AWS Bedrock, a key tool that connects SAP to advanced language models via APIs. Notably, it allows customization with customer-specific data, ensuring privacy by keeping information within AWS accounts. The Bedrock-SAP integration enhances functionalities like natural language SQL generation and data-driven decision-making based on structured HANA Cloud data. Furthermore, services like QuickSight improve analysis.

The event demonstrations provided a practical approach to exploring the integration capabilities between AWS and SAP BTP. One of the workshops focused on developing a chatbot using AWS Bedrock, integrating data from SAP HANA Cloud. In this context, Bedrock facilitated the generation of SQL commands based on natural language. A demo on data flows included extracting data from SAP to QuickSight for analysis. These workshops also highlighted the flexibility in training AI models using SageMaker.

Coffee Break

Just when the much-awaited first break arrived to recharge with coffee and a sandwich or croissant, Lluís took the stage to surprise us. He showed the SIT Barcelona logo, a representation of the city’s skyline, which led to an entertaining activity.

On X, they launched a challenge: guess as many monuments from the skyline as possible. Of course, I couldn’t resist participating, and although I was just one step away from guessing them all, luck was on my side! After revealing the logo and announcing the winner, Lluís shared the great news: I had won the monument contest! That said, the first monument in the skyline remains a mystery… Was it a pixel poorly cut? An abstract work of art? Who knows.

The important part is that I won my first prize of the day. A big thank you for that fun moment and the prize!

Alejandro Rodriguez Barea | SAP BTP Chef: The First SAP Demo Where All BTP Pillars Are Shown in a Practical Business Case

Alejandro focused on an innovative demonstration by the SAP Solution Advisory BTP team in Spain, where they showcased an app called BTP Chef, highlighting all the capabilities of SAP BTP working together.

The BTP Chef app integrates the five pillars of SAP BTP. Here’s a brief explanation of each pillar and how the app uses them:

• Application Development: Both vendors and customers interact with the app through interfaces created with SAP Build Apps, enabling no-code user interface creation.
• Automation: The workflow, from when the customer places an order to when it’s received, is managed with SAP Build Process Automation
• Integration: SAP Integration Suite connects different applications and systems, including non-SAP data systems, by exposing APIs and applying security policies, ensuring smooth and secure data flow.
• Data and Analytics: SAP Analytics Cloud is used to monitor daily operations, creating a dashboard with key insights on orders, available ingredients, and other relevant metrics for decision-making.
• Artificial Intelligence: Customer feedback analysis is carried out using the generative AI hub, accessible via SAP AI Launchpad and AI Core. The system categorizes feedback, suggests personalized responses, and even generates concise summaries to manage customer experience effectively.

The session emphasized that BTP isn’t just a collection of independent tools but a cohesive platform where each component complements others to create integrated solutions. It was definitely one of the sessions I recommend if you get the chance to see it.

Felipe Borges | Global eCompliance with SAP Document and Reporting Compliance

In this session, a general overview of electronic compliance, electronic invoicing, and the SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC) solution was provided, focusing on combating tax evasion. It was highlighted that many countries, especially in Europe, are adopting an authorization model where transactions are reported to tax authorities in real time. This model, supported by solutions like SAP Document and Reporting Compliance (DRC), aims to close the tax evasion gap by validating electronic invoices at the time of the transaction. SAP’s DRC solution allows extracting data from SAP S/4HANA, transforming it into the required format for each country, and sending it to the corresponding tax authority. The session also included specific examples from Germany and Italy, countries that have implemented or are in the process of implementing mandatory electronic invoicing.

Gregory Doukas | Technician Training Tool Powered by Apple Vision Pro and SAP S/4 HANA

Once again, Gregory Doukas amazed us with his technical solution for an aviation company, combining SAP BTP with Apple Vision Pro. This solution leverages the power of Apple Vision Pro to simulate interaction with a real-scale airplane engine. Technicians can move around the virtual engine, using tools and following step-by-step instructions to complete maintenance tasks. The application monitors their progress, tracks the time spent, and certifies that the training has been completed. On the SAP side, a side-by-side extension application of SAP CAP on SAP BTP manages training data and compliance. The architecture also uses HANA Cloud for data storage and event-driven SDI data replication to keep information synchronized, with a RAG model and GPT-based AI interaction. This innovative solution not only enhances training efficiency but also reduces the risks and costs associated with using physical machinery for practice. Additionally, the immersive experience and AI assistance help technicians better understand procedures and acquire the necessary skills to perform their jobs with greater precision and safety. Looking forward to seeing what new innovations he will present next year.

Maria Codinach | Harsh Kumar | Frit Ravich’s Success Case in the Modernization of the Sales Application: From SMP to In-house Middleware

This session focused on the modernization of Frit Ravich’s Frit Sales application. The company transitioned from using SAP’s mobile platform, which had scalability and performance limitations, to a custom middleware solution based on Spring Boot. This change allowed Frit Ravich to handle large volumes of data and transactions, improving user experience and sales team efficiency. Integration with SAP ERP was
maintained through a new gateway, ensuring synchronization of key data like orders, products, and customers. The new architecture, supported by tools such as Grafana and Nagios, offers greater flexibility, scalability, and real-time monitoring.

Lunch Break

During the lunch break at SAP Inside Track Barcelona, we had the opportunity to catch up with old colleagues, friends, and professionals from the SAP world. It was one of those moments where conversations flow between bites: we shared anecdotes, discussed the talks we had attended, how they fit into the current SAP landscape, and even ventured predictions about what the future holds for this ever-evolving ecosystem. It was a real pleasure to chat with such great professionals. There was even time for some laughs!

Niranjan Gattupalli | Implementing gCTS for Continuous Delivery in Complex SAP S/4HANA Landscapes: Branching Models, Hotfix Strategies, and 5-Tier Architecture

Niranjan’s talk focused on gCTS, a tool that combines SAP’s traditional change transport system with Git version control. gCTS offers advantages such as version control, branching, and merging code, facilitating the management of parallel versions and continuous delivery. However, it also presents challenges, such as limitations in working with feature branches and a lack of native protection against version degradation. Despite these challenges, gCTS offers greater flexibility in change management, especially in environments with multiple systems. Niranjan proposed a model for environments with limited resources, where a single system manages maintenance versions and urgent fixes, highlighting the importance of collaboration in overcoming gCTS implementation challenges.

Antonio Valladares Fernandez | Integration Suite Addon Built in SAP CAP by Code10

CI Accelerator, presented by Antonio Valladares, is a suite of tools designed to optimize and simplify integration projects in SAP Integration Suite. It combines methodologies, an add-on with additional functionalities, and intuitive applications to accelerate cloud adoption, ensure the quality and governance of integrations, and enhance the user experience.

The applications, developed with SAP CAP and UI5, allow seamless integration management, value mapping, and certifications. CI Accelerator also integrates with SAP’s pipeline concept, facilitating the creation and management of complex workflows in a structured manner. In summary, CI Accelerator is a comprehensive solution that drives efficiency and satisfaction in integration projects with SAP Integration Suite.

Bernhard Luecke | Reinventing Support with AI

Bernhard Luecke, the Global Head of Support Sales & Procure at SAP, shared insights on how SAP is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform customer support. With an impressive two million cases managed annually, AI emerges as a key tool to optimize efficiency and enhance the experience for both users and the support team.
One of the most notable aspects is using AI to provide intelligent recommendations for KBAs and notes. SAP is developing a system that utilizes AI to recommend the most appropriate communication channel based on the urgency and complexity of the issue. For cloud products, SAP plans to integrate direct access to support within the applications, making the support experience more seamless and intuitive. The ultimate goal is to use AI to predict issues and notify customers before they occur. This would involve analyzing customers’ cloud systems, identifying potential risks, and offering preventive solutions to avoid impacting users.

Before kicking off the anticipated CodeJam led by Antonio Maradiaga, SAP Inside Track Barcelona gave us one of those exciting moments (with a bit of nervousness):
the raffles! Books and a €100 SAP store gift card were up for grabs. As usual, the classic raffle tool was used, where names disappear one by one until a winner remains. The first draw started, and, as the anxious person I am, I searched for my name among the survivors. There it was! As fewer names remained, the adrenaline was rising: would I be the one? And yes, the last name standing was mine. My second prize of the day! It was epic. Then, with a big smile, we kicked off the CodeJam.

Antonio Maradiaga | CODEJAM | SAP Build Code – Generative AI-Powered Development with Joule Copilot (including SAP Build Code and SAP Build Apps)

This year’s CodeJam was an epic experience! Led by Antonio Maradiaga, whom I had the pleasure of finally meeting in person (a true inspiration and the one responsible for motivating me to sign up for Devtoberfest!), the CodeJam took us through SAP Build Code with Joule AI, demonstrating how this tool powers AI-based development. The scenario simulated a customer loyalty program, integrating data on purchases, redemptions, and products from SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

This CodeJam not only showcased the power of low-code/no-code in a SAP environment but also demonstrated how artificial intelligence can accelerate the creation of business solutions. It was a moment of learning, creativity, and fun, highlighting the impact of these technologies on the future of development.

To wrap up, I want to say that it was an unforgettable day, where I was able to reconnect with old colleagues, meet new ones, and, of course, share insights with great professionals. I also want to thank the impeccable organization. Each year they manage to outdo themselves, and this time was no exception. My sincere thanks to David, Lluis, Enric, Imma, Mireia, and Losel for their effort and dedication. See you next year; I’m already counting the days for the next edition!