SAP and Snowflake: Powering Enterprise AI with Data Fabric
▼ Summary
– Snowflake and SAP announced a collaboration to integrate Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud with SAP Business Data Cloud, enabling seamless use of semantically rich data.
– The partnership introduces the SAP Snowflake solution extension, combining SAP’s business process expertise with Snowflake’s AI and machine learning platform capabilities.
– Zero-copy data sharing between SAP BDC and Snowflake allows customers to gain richer insights and build enterprise-grade intelligent applications without data duplication.
– Customers can harmonize SAP and non-SAP data in real-time within a unified governance framework, optimizing costs and accelerating AI application development.
– The SAP Snowflake solution is planned for general availability in Q1 2026, with SAP BDC Connect for Snowflake following in H1 2026.
A new strategic partnership between SAP and Snowflake is set to transform how enterprises build and scale artificial intelligence solutions by seamlessly integrating their data ecosystems. This collaboration introduces the SAP Snowflake solution extension for SAP Business Data Cloud, combining SAP’s deep expertise in mission-critical business processes with Snowflake’s unified platform for AI and machine learning. The initiative enables organizations to unify their data landscapes and accelerate AI-driven innovation through a governed, open data fabric.
Through this integration, customers gain the ability to leverage Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud as a solution extension within the SAP Business Data Cloud environment. A cornerstone of the partnership is the implementation of bidirectional, zero-copy data sharing, which allows companies to access and utilize semantically rich SAP data in real time without duplication. This approach not only simplifies data governance but also empowers teams to develop intelligent applications grounded in trusted, contextual business information.
Christian Kleinerman, EVP of Product at Snowflake, emphasized the value of this tight integration. “Enterprises can now innovate faster by connecting their critical SAP business data with Snowflake’s scalable AI and data app development capabilities,” he stated. The seamless, governed data sharing between platforms eliminates traditional data movement overhead, enabling more agile and cost-effective operations.
The SAP Snowflake offering enriches the open data ecosystem of SAP Business Data Cloud by incorporating Snowflake’s advanced analytics, data engineering, and collaboration features. Customers can utilize Snowflake as a cloud-scale compute and storage option, extending the value of their SAP and non-SAP data within a unified governance framework. This harmonized data foundation supports everything from analytics and data engineering to enterprise AI and machine learning workflows.
Irfan Khan, President and Chief Product Officer for SAP Data and Analytics at SAP SE, highlighted the customer benefits. “Bringing Snowflake into the SAP Business Data Cloud empowers our users with greater openness and choice,” he noted. “We are merging SAP’s decades of leadership in business applications with Snowflake’s modern data platform to deliver a unified, enterprise-ready experience.”
Key capabilities delivered by the SAP Snowflake integration include building a trusted, AI-ready data foundation that harmonizes SAP and non-SAP sources. It also accelerates AI business value by simplifying governance and enabling the development of tailored, context-rich AI agents. Furthermore, organizations can develop and deploy intelligent applications faster, using semantically enriched data products that reflect real-time business conditions.
In addition to the core SAP Snowflake solution, the partnership includes SAP Business Data Cloud Connect for Snowflake. This complementary capability supports bidirectional, zero-copy data sharing for enterprises that already use Snowflake, allowing them to integrate existing Snowflake instances with SAP Business Data Cloud. This provides real-time access to semantically rich SAP data products without the need for data replication.
The collaboration is already supporting industry leaders such as AstraZeneca in their digital transformation journeys. Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca, remarked, “Data and AI are central to our mission of delivering life-changing medicines. Our work with SAP and Snowflake enhances our ability to process and analyze real-time data, accelerating breakthroughs for patients.”
General availability for the SAP Snowflake solution extension is planned for the first quarter of 2026, while SAP Business Data Cloud Connect for Snowflake is expected to launch in the first half of the same year.
(Source: ITWire Australia)
