SAP Business AI: It’s *Probably* Useful
Let’s face it—AI is everywhere, and SAP has been rolling out AI-driven features across its products faster than TikTok trends come and go (or so I am told by our younger/cooler employees). While it can be easy to see Generative AI products like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and SAP Joule as world-beating, all-encompassing solutions there’s an important factor to understand: AI systems are probabilistic in nature.
AI-powered solutions, like SAP Business AI, make decisions based on probabilities—meaning they’re great at handling ambiguity but not always 100% predictable. On the other hand, deterministic automation follows strict rules, ensuring the same outcome every time. Knowing when to use AI and when to stick with traditional automation can save your business time, money, and a lot of headaches.
AI: The Power of Probably
AI shines when dealing with complex, unpredictable scenarios where strict rules just don’t cut it. The SAP Business AI suite brings machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics into SAP systems, helping businesses make better decisions based on patterns in massive datasets and allowing users to interact with their systems like never before.
Examples include:
✅ Chatbots & Virtual Assistants – AI can interpret customer questions (even the weirdly phrased ones) and provide relevant answers.
✅ Predictive Maintenance – AI can analyze sensor data to say, “This machine will probably fail soon—better fix it now!”
✅ Personalized Recommendations – AI can suggest the right product, discount, or service based on a customer’s browsing history.
But here’s the catch—AI doesn’t guarantee perfect results. Sometimes, it guesses wrong, which is why it’s not ideal for processes that demand absolute precision or strict compliance. Improving a system accuracy from 99% to 99.9% may sound trivial - but it's the difference between 1 in 100 vs. 1 in 1,000. Deterministic systems are (basically) 100% accurate - when given the same input 1,000 times you will get the same output 1,000 times.
Deterministic Automation: If This, Then That
Deterministic automation isn’t just about reliability—it’s about following clear, logical steps to achieve the same result every time. Unlike AI, which adapts to new information and probabilities, deterministic automation is rule-based: If X happens, do Y. If condition A is met, trigger action B.
Examples include:
✅ Order Processing – A predefined workflow ensures every order goes through the same pricing, discounting, and approval steps.
✅ Access & Security Controls – If an employee needs permission, their role determines whether they get it—no AI guessing involved.
✅ Business Partner Onboarding– For financial and regulatory compliance, certain information must be captured when onboarding business partners into an SAP system. Utilizing a product like Redfig Partnerflow ensures the necessary information is captured every time.
If a process follows a clear, repeatable sequence, deterministic automation is usually faster, simpler, and more cost-effective than AI.
The Smartest Approach? A Mix of Both.
The best automation strategies don’t choose between AI and rule-based workflows—they use both where they make sense.
For example, you might:
How Redfig Can Help
At Redfig, we don’t just throw AI at problems and hope for the best. We help businesses strategically implement the right mix of AI-driven and rule-based automation to maximize efficiency while avoiding unnecessary risks. Whether you’re looking to harness the power of SAP Business AI or optimize your existing processes using SAP Build Process Automation, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Want to make smarter automation choices? Let’s talk.