SAP Analytics Cloud
by SAP · Embedded BI
Cloud BI, planning, and dashboards built around SAP S/4HANA data.
- Works with
- SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP Datasphere
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Company size
- Mid-market, Enterprise
- Pricing
- Subscription
- Founded
- 1972
- Headquarters
- Walldorf, Germany
Overview
SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is SAP's cloud-native analytics platform that combines business intelligence, planning, and predictive analytics in a single SaaS product built on SAP Business Technology Platform. It is designed to work closely with SAP data sources, offering live connections to SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP HANA, and SAP Datasphere so that dashboards reflect real-time operational data without replicating it.
Beyond visualization, SAC includes an integrated enterprise planning capability with multidimensional modeling, supporting financial, workforce, and operational planning, forecasting, simulation, and collaborative workflows. This blend of BI and planning in one tool is a defining characteristic versus pure visualization platforms.
SAC embeds augmented-analytics features such as Smart Insights and Smart Discovery for automated explanation of data, Smart Predict for ML-based forecasting without data-science expertise, and natural-language Just Ask queries. SAP's Joule generative-AI assistant extends these capabilities. SAC content can be embedded into SAP applications and external portals via the Analytics Designer and embedding options.
Screenshots & demo
Demo video from the vendor's YouTube channel.
Features & capabilities
Business Intelligence & Dashboards
Visualization and stories.
- Stories and dashboards with interactive charts and tables
- Analytics Designer for custom analytic applications
- Geospatial and advanced visualizations
- Responsive layouts for web and mobile
- Digital boardroom for executive presentations
Enterprise Planning
Integrated planning and forecasting.
- Multidimensional planning models
- Financial, workforce, and operational planning
- Data actions, allocations, and version management
- Simulation, what-if, and forecasting
- Collaborative workflow and approval processes
Augmented & Predictive Analytics
AI-assisted insight.
- Smart Insights for automated explanation of data points
- Smart Discovery for driver and influencer analysis
- Smart Predict for ML-based forecasting (classification, regression, time series)
- Just Ask natural-language querying
- Joule generative-AI assistant integration
SAP Connectivity
Live and import access to SAP data.
- Live connections to SAP S/4HANA, BW/4HANA, and HANA
- Integration with SAP Datasphere
- Import connections for SAP and non-SAP sources
- Real-time operational dashboards without data replication
- Connections to selected non-SAP sources and databases
Embedding & Platform
Integration into SAP and apps.
- Built on SAP Business Technology Platform
- Embedding into SAP S/4HANA and SuccessFactors (embedded edition)
- Embedding SAC stories into external portals
- APIs for content and data integration
Governance & Administration
Enterprise control.
- Role-based access and data access control
- SAP identity authentication and SSO
- Content transport between systems
- Auditing and monitoring
Common use cases
- Real-time operational and financial dashboards on SAP S/4HANA via live connection
- Integrated financial planning and budgeting alongside BI in one tool
- Workforce and operational planning with collaborative workflows
- Automated insight and driver analysis with Smart Insights/Discovery
- ML-based forecasting without dedicated data scientists
- Natural-language questions over SAP data with Just Ask/Joule
- Embedding analytics directly inside SAP business applications
Strengths & considerations
Strengths
- Combines BI, planning, and predictive analytics in a single SaaS product
- Live connectivity to SAP S/4HANA and BW without data replication
- Native fit and embedding within the SAP application landscape
- Joule generative-AI assistant integrated across SAP
Considerations
- Strongest value is realized within SAP-centric landscapes
- Live-connection and modeling setup can require SAP-specific expertise
ERP integrations
Live connection for real-time analytics; planning write-back in planning scenarios
Pricing
Subscription licensing, typically per user (e.g., business intelligence vs planning capabilities) and via SAP BTP commercial models; quoted by SAP. Cost is driven by user counts and whether planning capabilities are included. Get an independent shortlist with pricing guidance below.
Technical & security
- Hosting
- SaaS (multi-tenant) on SAP Business Technology Platform
- Data residency
- US, EU, and additional SAP data center regions
- Compliance
- SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Languages
- English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, and others
About the vendor
- Founded
- 1972
- Headquarters
- Walldorf, Germany
- Employees
- ~100,000+ (SAP total)
- Ownership
- Public (NYSE: SAP, XETRA: SAP)
Alternatives to SAP Analytics Cloud in Embedded BI
SAP Analytics Cloud — frequently asked questions
Does SAP Analytics Cloud include planning?
Yes. SAC combines BI, enterprise planning, and predictive analytics in one product, with multidimensional models for financial, workforce, and operational planning.
Can SAC read S/4HANA data in real time?
Yes. Live connections to SAP S/4HANA, BW/4HANA, and HANA allow dashboards to reflect real-time data without replicating it.
What AI features does SAC offer?
Smart Insights and Smart Discovery for automated explanation, Smart Predict for ML forecasting, Just Ask natural-language querying, and integration with the Joule generative-AI assistant.
Evaluating Embedded BI?
Tell us your ERP and requirements and we'll send an independent shortlist — including SAP Analytics Cloud and the best-fit alternatives — with honest pros and cons.