SAP Sapphire Madrid, 2026: EMEA's Path to the Autonomous Enterprise

This IDC Perspective examines SAP's strategic repositioning at SAP Sapphire Madrid 2026, from a software company to a business AI company, anchored on the vision of the Autonomous Enterprise. The document also analyzes the new SAP Business AI Platform, the AI Agent Hub on LeanIX, Joule Work as the new app-less engagement layer, SAP's expanded sovereignty framework and pricing spectrum, and the seven AI migration assistants targeted for general availability in 4Q26. Drawing on customer evidence from Ericsson, ZF Group, Fonterra, H&M, EssilorLuxottica, and RWE, the document highlights the organizational capabilities, value realization discipline, change management, agent governance, and skills development that determine whether EMEA buyers translate SAP's AI road map into measurable enterprise value."SAP's announcements set the direction for the Autonomous Enterprise and for SAP's transformation into a business AI company. But when it comes to business AI, the customers that get the most out of it will be the ones that match technology with an AI value office; establish shared KPIs across business, finance, and IT; and maintain the discipline to measure beyond cost savings and hours saved. This is what turns AI from a technology program into an enterprise value," said Giulia Carosella, senior research manager, AI-fueled Business Strategies at IDC.