SAP and Databricks recently announced a new offering—SAP Databricks, delivered through SAP’s Business Data Cloud. It’s a forward-looking partnership that acknowledges what many companies are already facing: data lives in multiple systems, and unifying it is key to making AI work.
This integration is a promising signal that SAP is leaning into openness and coexistence. But for many organizations, particularly mid-market teams with limited resources, it also introduces a complex journey with many checkpoints along the way.
Think of it like this: SAP is offering you a bridge. But it’s a long, expensive one, with tolls at every level.
The SAP-Databricks Experience: Like a Theme Park, But With More SKUs
If you’ve ever been to an amusement park like Universal Studios, you know the drill. You buy the base ticket, but if you want express lanes, VIP lounges, or access to the really cool rides, there’s a ladder of upgrades.
That’s what this new SAP-Databricks journey resembles. Want to get your SAP data into Databricks? First, you’ll need to climb through:
SAP ECC and S/4HANA → SAP Datasphere → SAP Business Data Cloud → Databricks
Each layer adds cost, complexity, and coordination. Each one is its own product with its own SKU. And when you finally reach the top, you unlock access to Databricks—but only for a limited number of curated datasets (at least initially).
It’s a game of Shoots and Ladders. Or more accurately, Climbs and Paywalls.
Incorta Is the Bridge Without the Games
Now let’s look at a different path.
From day one, Incorta was built to cut through this complexity—to provide a clean, fast, and governed route to AI and analytics-ready data, from SAP and beyond. We don’t ask you to upgrade your pass for more rides before you can access your own data. You don’t need to climb the SAP ladder just to “unlock” AI-ready datasets.
Here’s how we simplify the journey:
In short, Incorta gives you the insights, not the obstacle course.
What Makes Incorta Different
- Direct data mapping from SAP ECC and S/4HANA: No need for SAP BDC, as Incorta provides the semantic layer with pre-built business views
- Lakehouse-native architecture: No after-the-fact patchwork—built to unify and land data where you need it.
- Lower TCO and faster deployment: Especially valuable for companies under $2B in revenue, where time and resources are tight.
- Rich data applications and governance: With our built-in data catalog, you get prebuilt accelerators and full data control.
- Clear, auditable lineage: No mystery paths. No stitching required. Just clarity from source to insight.
Helping SAP Customers Based on Where They Are
We’ve seen this play out with a range of customers, and here’s where Incorta shines:
• Mid-market SAP ECC and S/4HANA customers: You don’t need all the upgrades. Incorta delivers what you need without the climb—direct data access, unified insights, and a solution your internal team can run.
• Larger enterprises already using Databricks: Use Incorta as the “business data fabric” that delivers harmonized, governed datasets into your lakehouse faster.
• Google Cloud customers: Combine Incorta with BigQuery and Dataplex to get a mature, simplified pipeline without vendor lock-in or SAP complexity.
The Destination Is the Same—The Journey Doesn’t Have to Be
We’re aligned with SAP and Databricks on the end goal: harmonized data to power AI and analytics. But at Incorta, we believe customers shouldn’t have to play a game to get there. No climbing ladders. No maze of licenses. Just a direct bridge to insight—fast, secure, and governed.
And if you’re a small or mid-sized business? Even better. You don’t need an elite pass to ride. We’ll get you to the lakehouse—without the theme park markup.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re navigating a complex SAP environment or weighing Databricks integration, let’s talk. Schedule a live demo.
Don’t climb another ladder just to unlock access to your own data. Take the bridge that gets you there faster—with Incorta.
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