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Former Member
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Note: Since posting this, SAP Leonardo has been expanded to cover additional future-facing technologies, such as, machine learning, blockchain, analytics, artificial intelligence, and Big Data. Please read an updated SAP Leonardo overview here or visit www.sap.com/leonardo more details.

 

Business and IT leaders across industries are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to service and delight customers.

Succeeding in this environment requires:

  • A customer-centric view that focuses on the customer experience through the full engagement cycle

  • A distributed manufacturing process that leverages technologies such as automation, 3D printing, and robotics to address the “segment of one”

  • A networked economy of assets, manufacturing, logistics, partners, and, of course, people

  • A recognition of urbanization as a reality that requires smarter cities, smarter infrastructures, and smarter usage of natural resources


For organizations to achieve these goals, they must embrace the latest technologies to identify new business processes and innovate new business models.

The massive number of connected things and the explosion of data generated by connected Internet of Things-enabled devices will change the way we create these new business models.

With the emergence of smart products, assets, and always-on “things,” we now have access to unparalleled amounts of information. This – along with the evolution of connectivity, big data, analytics, and cloud technology – is enabling us to converge these operational and information technologies to make machines smarter and drive end-to-end digital transformation.

As Ronald van Loon (@Ronald_vanLoon), an expert in the IoT space recently stated, “the Internet of Things is no longer approaching, it is already here. From wearables to trains, they are all connected and capable of delivering new insights on how we interact with machines.”

The journey a company takes to get from “things” to “outcomes” is becoming a chief catalyst for digitalization.

What is SAP Leonardo?

The SAP Leonardo portfolio empowers Live Business by connecting the emerging world of intelligent devices with people and processes to achieve tangible business outcomes.

The solutions enable companies to not only realize the digital transformation of existing end-to-end business processes but also evolve new business models to run digitally and create new work environments.

SAP Leonardo innovation portfolio

SAP Leonardo combines adaptive applications, Big Data management, and connectivity in packaged solutions across lines of business and industry use cases, ranging from connected products, assets, and infrastructures to vehicle fleets, markets, and people (see figure):



  • Connected products enable end-to-end visibility into product-centric operations and offers the ability to optimize compliance visibility and service availability.

  • Connected assets link production systems and assets with manufacturing and maintenance business processes to reduce operational and maintenance costs and increase asset uptime.

  • Connected fleets track, monitor, analyze, and maintain all moving assets, wherever they are in the network.

  • Connected infrastructures deliver new forms of digital operational intelligence to transform physical-infrastructure systems to improve service, drive economic growth, and allow for more efficient and cost-effective operations, infrastructure compliance, and risk mitigation.

  • Connected markets foster local markets, cities, and urban and rural areas to optimize the utilization of natural resources and assets; reduce emissions, congestion, and energy usage; and improve the environment.

  • Connected people enables improved lives, work, and health by linking people and communities and providing better lifestyle experiences and opportunities for organizations to evolve into new business models.

  • SAP Leonardo Bridge combines real-time information from connected things with business processes to turn extended supply chains into live supply chain environments.


These end-to-end solutions are built on a technology foundation that enables SAP, our customers, and our partners to build Internet of Things solutions of a consistent framework:

  • SAP Cloud Platform is the key strategic platform-as-a-service infrastructure that provides the framework for SAP Leonardo. Additionally, SAP Cloud Platform provides end-to-end micro services for machine learning, analytics, Big Data, security, user experience, user management, and backend integration application program interfaces.

  • SAP Leonardo includes best-of-breed business services that enable users to rapidly build Internet of Things applications, allowing them to develop digital twins, create reusable application services, and apply predictive algorithms. These core technical services offer opportunities for users to process a high velocity of data, with the ability to stream analytics and run predictive scenarios. This is all delivered on the next-generation SAP Cloud Platform, which is connected to millions of devices

  • SAP Leonardo for edge computing ingests data regardless of connectivity, latency, or device protocol concerns, all while delivering intelligent edge applications.


Jump-start your SAP Leonardo initiative
SAP Leonardo will create massive business value by connecting “things” to interact directly with business processes. As a result, business processes will become transparent, real time, and proactive, enabling people to operate and manage on a new level with augmented intelligence and autonomous systems.

SAP will also introduce the SAP Leonardo jump-start program, a pre-packaged, consultative offering to help customers prioritize innovation opportunities and deliver competitive advantage with an Internet of Things-enabled digital transformation.

To help customers realize this opportunity, SAP will introduce SAP IOT labs around the globe. Here, customers can collaborate with SAP development and consulting experts to start their innovation journeys based on the SAP Leonardo innovation portfolio. SAP IOT labs will open in Palo Alto (USA), Paris (France), Shanghai (China), São Leopoldo (Brazil), Johannesburg (South Africa), as well as Berlin and Munich (Germany).

Learn more about the SAP Leonardo Innovation Portfolio and how you can get started to understand the value of IoT for your business.
35 Comments
pushkar_ranjan
Employee
Employee
Excellent write up Hans. Thank you for your insight.
Former Member
0 Kudos
Thank you Hans for the update.
ManjunathGudisi
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
Hi Hans - Could you please explain about the relationship amongst HCP IoT services, recent acquisition of Platone and SAP Leonard.

For ex: if a customers wants to implement vehicle fleet management solution, how HCP IoT, Platone and SAP Leonard will help the customer.

also, when will the 'SAP IoT lab' comes to Bangalore.

thank you, Manju
MPS4HANA
Active Contributor
0 Kudos
This is Great insight. Interested to know usecase with S4HANA CORE & SAP Leonardo, SAP  Leonardo Edge Computing
Jelena_Perfiljeva
Active Contributor
Not sure if I'm reading a different text than the other commentators or maybe I'm just stupid. But to me this just looks like a load of marketing jargon yet I still have no idea what (who?) that SAP Leonardo actually is and what / how it does.

Is it a "bridge"? "Portfolio"? "Foundation"? A multiple personality disorder sufferer?

Previously, SAP started adding SAP HANA to everything (to the point when the customers could not understand what SAP HANA really is) and now looks like SAP Leonardo is just added to everything. This seems like the opposite of Simple.

And how is SAP Cloud Platform different from SAP HANA Cloud Platform? If it's a different thing then maybe give it a different name, like SAP Julie or something? When there is really a new name needed you use the same name but then create new names for no apparent reason. Not very "delightful" to the customers, I'm afraid.

 
Former Member
Hello Hans

Congratulations on SAP Leonardo.  However each of these products like PdMS or AIN will still be sold separately right with their specific licenses etc but with better adoption programmes with the jumpstart?  However the adoption of these products will be made quicker by the Rapid prototyping etc Right? Or will all of these products together be bundled as one mega Leonardo solution? Will Dynamic Edge Processing (SAP DEP) be part of Leonardo OR will there be some ongoing work that is happening with PlatOne be used? Which offering handles the Edge piece?

Regards

Raghavendra
Former Member
Hi Manju,

Great question: the SAP Leonardo foundation consists out of 2 major components - the IoT Application Enablement and the IoT Technical Services.

IoT Application Enablement is about the things definition and includes micro-services to enable companies (customers, partners) to build there own IoT applications on top of it. Also, the plan is that all SAP applications will be built on this layer.

Then there are IoT Technical Services, which have the focus on connectivity and data management. So, Plat.One is part of this layer.

I can't answer your question when the SAP IoT Lab will come to Bangalore and I would suggest to contact Hans Joerg Stotz on that.
Former Member
0 Kudos
Hi Monika,

we have more than 100 customers who adopted SAP's IoT solutions and technology. Several of these cases are also leveraging SAP Leonardo Edge. We have already published a flip book with  many customer examples and more will be published soon. If you are interested in the flip book, just send me an e-mail to: hans.thalbauer@sap.com

Hans
Former Member
Hi Jelena,

Thank you very much for your comment. SAP Leonardo is a brand for SAP's IoT portfolio. The IoT portfolio extends the digital core with adaptive/cognitive applications, big data management and connectivity. Examples for these type of applications are predictive maintenance, connected goods and vehicle insights.

The solutions which are part of this portfolio, connect things with people and processes to enable companies to innovate their business models, business processes and the way how people work.

if you have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me (hans.thalbauer@sap.com).

Hans
Former Member
Hi Raghavendra,

yes, you are correct with your statement about PdMS and AIN. They remain separate price items on our price list. However, for the SAP Leonardo jump start program, we have "bundled" several items and offer a promotion with one price per product. This "bundles" have a fixed scope for a live pilot implementation.

In regards to connectivity we offer the SAP Leonardo Foundation (with the technology services and plat.one) and the SAP Leonardo Edge Computing solution.

Hans
Former Member
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Interesting Page.......Thanks Hans for an update..

 
0 Kudos
Thank you Hans for the great insight

 
Former Member
0 Kudos
Hi Hans,

Excellent platform and  great insights to evolve the core Practice in S4HANA using Leonardo and IoT.  Greater benefits for SCM and SCE domain which needs IoT predictive intelligent platform

 

Cheers,

Sukumar
Do we have this Platform on Trial, to explore the features and functionalities and how one can benefit by integrating with SAP modules?
james_olcott
Explorer
0 Kudos
Thank you Jelena and Hans for this thread, which serves to orient in the face of the ferocious "acronym spaghetti" that can plague SAP marketing materials.

Hans, you write that "SAP Leonardo is a brand for SAP’s IoT portfolio."  Are there other brands within the SAP eco-system that serve the IoT market (where Leonardo does not)?

Does Leonardo replace "SAP IoT Solutions?"  If not, what is the relationship between them?

 
Former Member
0 Kudos
Thanks Hans, Great insight ... Where can We see it in action?
Jelena_Perfiljeva
Active Contributor
Hans, thank you for a reply.

For example, MS Office could be also considered a "portfolio brand". Not sure if, say, Word or Excel are sold separately these days but AFAIK there is no product "Microsoft Office Word". It's Word, Excel, Access, etc. and they are part of a package called Office. There is no confusion at all. But looking at the diagram above I'm thinking if "Leonardo" is a portfolio name then who are these Bridge and Edge guys? And is there a non-Leonardo Edge? Then some products that are part of the portfolio do not have Leonardo prefix. So what's the deal?

Actually I even clicked through some information on the SAP web page you've linked to and, for example, here it just says: "Prototype and launch new IoT initiatives in 3 months or less – with the SAP Leonardo jump-start program". Oh, so now it is just a "jump-start program"?

I don't mean to troll but I hope you can see how all this can be rather confusing. I really think if SAP left the names alone and just had a clear table posted on the product overview pages to show what's included in what portfolio that would be much more effective strategy. Would make any renaming and repackaging much simpler too, I imagine.

Well, anyway, thank you - now I have something to discuss with my friend who teaches marketing at Duke. 🙂
Former Member
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Hi James,

To answer your question directly, yes, SAP Leonardo is replacing the term "SAP IoT Solutions". SAP Leonardo is the brand name, which represents SAP's IoT portfolio of solutions, products and services offered in this context. The portfolio is structured into the 6 categories as mentioned in the blog: connected products, assets, fleet, infrastructure, markets and people. As part of these categories SAP provides specific end-to-end solutions. The Leonardo foundation and edge components manages the data, connectivity and security and the Leonardo bridge is the environment which enables users to anticipate and solve issues before they even happen.

Hans

 
Former Member
Hi Jelena,

it's valid feedback and our goal is to make it as simple as possible and easy to understand. Yes, there are still some confusing elements which need to be removed.

The concept is quite simple: SAP Leonardo is the brand name, which represents SAP’s IoT portfolio of solutions, products and services offered in this context. The portfolio is structured into the 6 categories as mentioned in the blog: connected products, assets, fleet, infrastructure, markets and people. As part of these categories SAP provides specific end-to-end solutions. The Leonardo foundation and edge components manages the data, connectivity and security and the Leonardo bridge is the environment which enables users to anticipate and solve issues before they even happen

Hans
Former Member
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Johan,

there are many events taking place around the world - some of the major one's are the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the Hannover fair and CeBIT in Germany, SAP SAPPHIRE in Orlando, USA, and we will introduce a SAP Leonardo Live event in Frankfurt, Germany on July 11/12.

Hans

 
Former Member
Thanks Hans.

Excellent write-up, This clears a lot of air around SAP Leonardo. I am great admirer of Da Vinci and so excited to see that the cutting edge technology firm branding the portfolio after him.

So far with the information available, it appears that SAP is consolidating all IoT offerings under Leonardo  brand. Key question remains around the path forward are they coming up with Preconfigured solutions in the 6 categories mentioned. If yes where will the solution fit in overall Digital core strategy, Does SAP want to sell standalone IoT solutions under Leonardo brand if yes? What about the customers still on ECC.

Hopefully we get more information as we move along, Overall very excited with this development, Thanks Again

 
CarstenPuschke
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
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hi manju,

sorry for my delayed response.

we may get in touch on this particular question as me and my colleagues are product managers explicitly taking care for the SAP Cloud Platform Internet of Things services and could explain how it fits into the overall picture.

 

BR
carsten
Former Member
0 Kudos

 

Hi Hans,

 

Could you please elaborate a little bit on the simplicity and user friendliness of implementing the logic of IoT processes.

Assuming e.g. the processes of a simple bottling plant were supposed to be described, interconnected and optimized by making use of SAP Leonardo, what need of support would be necessary from part of SAP – e.g. IT or consulting support? Would I actually be able to model my own processes and information flows with some training or would I rather need a specialist? Also, once the plant “has been taken to the IoT”, how simply could any changes be made to the established system?

Additionally, I am wondering what kind of approach SAP Leonardo takes to merge all the different machine protocols and convert them into one homogeneous pool.

BR and thank you

Eric

former_member197071
Participant
0 Kudos
Hi @manjunath.gudisi,

I have demonstrated asset tracking scenarios with SAP HCP IoT at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdgNBizPynA&t=6s

In the planning and development phase, SAP Leonardo was not released. I always wanted to have a dedicated platform for IoT. HCP IoT just covers connectivity challenges but I wanted to have a Dashboard where I can drag and drop alerts, elements which is present in Leonardo

 
former_member197071
Participant
0 Kudos
Hi,

 

How can I start using Leonardo? All over the web, I see just documentation and information and no way to signup for it.
Sudhir_Lenka
Contributor
0 Kudos
Thank you so much Hans for the great blog!!

Is SAP Leonardo  an IoT product for SAP?

if yes, when/how we can try this as a partner?

Thanks,

Sudhir.
Former Member
0 Kudos
wow very exciting, from a consultant point of view.\

what skill set is best suited to start working with SAP Leo + IOT
ashwinipingle
Participant
0 Kudos
What are the technical/functional skills required to start working on Leonardo?

Or do we need only technical skills? According to my knowledge, for any IOT platform, DB/DW skills are required besides HADOOP, etc. So is there any role for functional consultants for Leonardo?

Regards,

Ashwini Pingle
former_member450822
Participant
0 Kudos
What are the technical skills or language used for Leonardo platform?
Former Member
0 Kudos
Nice article, thank you Hans.
SergioG_TX
SAP Champion
SAP Champion
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Hans,

this is a very detailed explanation. I am currently taking the open sap course on Touching IOT with SAP Leonardo (which I highly recommend) and I see your points aligning with what your thoughts were from when this blog was written.

The most interesting part of your blog as well as the open sap course is the image of the Leonardo innovation portfolio - a picture is worth a thousand words!

 

thanks again for sharing

 
Former Member
0 Kudos
Thank you Hans for useful Information.

Many thanks.
sk_kamaruzzaman
Participant
0 Kudos
Thank you Hans for the great insight
former_member183879
Active Contributor
0 Kudos
Hi Jelena,

That is the same feeling I have also had when I went through the content. In fact the Touch IOT session in open.sap.com looked to me as more of sales call than a technical course. In fact, the technical features were all tightly fed in few slides

However, I am atleast happy for seeing some terms which may not be known to many as of now.
Former Member
0 Kudos
Dear Hans,

we, Syscons, are a supply chain SAP expert partner, in particular, APO now the new IBP.

Which is the relationship towards Leonardo and IBP?

Does SAP launch some special program to address this subject?

Many thanks

Ezio