Unlocking the power of SAP Business Data Cloud – a deep dive into SAP Analytics Cloud and Intelligent Applications

SAP can transform data into actionable insights for your business.

Many organisations are becoming familiar with SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) and its role in unifying SAP’s data and analytics portfolio. However, there’s often less clarity around how SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) fits into that picture and how it’s being extended through a growing set of Intelligent Applications.  

These pre-built, embedded applications are one of the most significant developments within BDC but are frequently overlooked in early-stage discussions. They provide a new way to deliver rapid, tangible insight across business domains. As embedded components, they reduce time to value and allow organisations to benefit from BDC’s unified data infrastructure.

Understanding BDC Architecture

BDC brings SAP’s data landscape into a single, streamlined environment. At its core are Data Products: predefined, governed data building blocks for areas such as finance or HR. These can be used directly in analytics or planning without duplication, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort.

SAP Datasphere underpins BDC as the semantic layer, providing governance and business definitions across all assets, while SAP’s integration with Databricks enables advanced analytics and machine learning without replicating data. 

On top of this clean, modern core, SAC provides the visualisation and planning layer. It enables browser-based interaction with governed data in Datasphere and BW, removing the need for fragmented tools or complex data movements.

What role does SAC play?

Within BDC, SAC is the main entry point for business users. It brings together dashboards, reporting and planning in a single environment powered by live data. Because SAC integrates actuals with plans, it supports Extended Planning and Analysis (xP&A) across finance, operations and other domains. This helps teams respond more quickly to changing conditions, using real-time inputs without manually reconciling data across systems. 

BDC enhances this by incorporating real-time operational data into planning scenarios. SAC’s AI tools, including the Joule co-pilot, provide contextual insights directly within the interface. The integration with Databricks extends access to advanced models, making data science more accessible to non-technical users.

Intelligent Applications = instant value 

Intelligent Applications (previously known as Insight Apps) are domain-specific analytical solutions that run directly within SAC. Designed for functions such as HR, finance, supply chain and procurement, they come pre-loaded with KPIs, logic and planning scenarios.

Examples include Finance Intelligence, which quick starts general operational finance reporting, and People Intelligence, where workforce management is provided in a few clicks.

These apps are activated from within the BDC workspace and appear in SAC as ready-to-use dashboards or planning environments, complete with their own data models. They consume curated Data Products from Datasphere, avoiding the need for custom data pipelines or duplication. They also inherit definitions, hierarchies and access permissions from the semantic layer.

This significantly reduces deployment friction and allows faster delivery of value. For instance, People Intelligence, due in late 2025, will support workforce planning by offering insights into skills distribution and compensation. Other upcoming apps will focus on ERP, customer intelligence and financial forecasting.

A strategic future for SAC

SAC is central to SAP’s long-term analytics vision. As BDC becomes the standard platform, SAC will be the primary interface for analytics, planning and decision support.

It does more than display data. SAC connects directly to governed sources via Datasphere, maintaining consistency and reducing duplication. It allows users to model scenarios and align plans with actuals, all within the same environment.

SAP is investing in making SAC more intelligent and more embedded. Intelligent Applications will continue to expand, offering business users structured, guided analytics aligned with best practices. With tools like Joule and a growing application layer, SAC is becoming a platform for embedded intelligence that helps automate parts of the decision-making process.

Migration and adoption: what are the challenges and opportunities?

Transitioning to BDC varies by organisation. Some are migrating from traditional BW, others already use SAC and Datasphere, and some are adopting SAP analytics for the first time. All face the same challenge: achieving a smooth transition that preserves value and sets the stage for modern analytics. 

As your business and technology transformation partner, Capgemini can help you assess your current architecture, determine BDC readiness, and design tailored migration plans. For those on BW, a common approach involves lifting content into BW PCE first, then reusing logic in Datasphere over time. Others focus on simplifying pipelines and adopting Data Products to reduce modelling overhead. 

Intelligent Applications often play a key role in these journeys. Capgemini supports clients in preparing compatible data models, identifying valuable use cases, and customising apps where required. This ensures a faster route to benefit and a solid foundation for scaling.

Strategic considerations for leadership

BDC shifts analytics from an infrastructure focus to an outcome-driven model. By embedding SAC and Intelligent Applications into daily operations, businesses reduce custom development effort, accelerate delivery, and improve agility.

BDC’s semantic layer, supported by a knowledge graph, provides trusted, explainable insights. This is essential for regulatory compliance and responsible AI. Its multi-cloud support allows organisations to adopt flexible deployment models and prepare for future innovation, including generative AI.

Licensing for Intelligent Applications is included with SAC only when licensed as part of BDC. Organisations using SAC standalone will not have access to these apps by default. Pricing is based on named users, with additional charges for planning users or advanced functionality. Understanding this model early is important for budgeting and deployment planning. Capgemini helps clients map licensing to roles and use cases, ensuring maximum return on investment.

Moving forward with confidence – how Capgemini can help

SAP BDC represents more than just a platform shift. With SAC and Intelligent Applications at its core, it changes how insight is delivered: faster, embedded, and governed from the outset.

For technical teams, it provides a reason to rationalise data models and focus on reusability. For business users, it provides consistent and actionable insight without waiting on bespoke development.

Realising this value requires early planning. As a trusted SAP Business Partner, Capgemini can help you shape your BDC roadmap in a way that aligns technical strategy with business outcomes. Whether you are modernising BW, scaling SAC, or implementing Intelligent Applications, we provide the guidance and delivery capability to make the transition successful and future-proof.

Get in touch to start the journey today.