Top 5 SAP Conversational AI (Joule) Use Cases
As of January 2023, SAP Conversational AI, the chatbot-building platform, has been discontinued and is now in maintenance mode. There is no direct replacement, as SAP has refocused on more advanced AI features; however, current enterprise clients can continue using it until their contracts expire.
To meet modern business needs, SAP has introduced Joule, a new AI solution. We examined Joule and provided 5 use cases for businesses.
Joule: SAP’s AI Copilot
Joule is the copilot that incorporates advanced AI technologies, including AI agents that can be directly embedded into SAP applications. While Joule is not a successor to Conversational AI, it can perform nearly all the functions that Conversational AI could. The key features of SAP Conversational AI and SAP Joule are:
SAP Conversational AI:
- Requires the development of unique content and chatbot construction.
- Framework for crafting tailored chatbots from the ground up.
- Requires technical skills for execution.
SAP Joule:
- AI copilot based on your business data and enhanced with AI agents.
- Includes a conversational user interface that integrates with SAP applications, utilizing SAP Fiori-compliant UI controls.
- Offers ready-made integration with SAP backend systems.
- Upholds AI ethics, GDPR, and privacy regulations while ensuring SOC-II compliance.
Rather than functioning as a stand-alone chatbot builder, SAP Joule serves as an AI assistant integrated into applications; it cannot create autonomous customer-facing bots for external websites or specific deployment scenarios.
If you want to build your chatbot from scratch with complete flexibility, check out conversational AI companies and open-source chatbot frameworks.
Top 5 SAP Joule Solutions
Multi-application integration
Joule offers proactive support to enhance business users’ productivity by integrating with both SAP and non-SAP applications. It also supports 11 languages, including English, German, French, Chinese, Greek, and Polish and more.
Joule can be used with multiple SAP solutions such as:
- SAP SuccessFactors
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud
- SAP Ariba and SAP Analytics Cloud
- SAP Mobile Start
Integrated AI agents
Joule Agents collaborate through multi-step workflows and execute independent activities across various departments within your company, including finance, procurement, and supply chain, to achieve integrated, enterprise-wide business outcomes.
Joule Studio in SAP Build enables developers to create and deploy customized Joule agents. For example, you can build a dispute management agent that uses autonomous AI to resolve issues like incorrect invoices or denied payments. Additionally, a financial accounting agent can streamline processes by automating bill payments and updating ledgers while correcting errors.
SAP Joule use cases with real-life examples
Joule can be used to enhance efficiency and productivity across various SAP modules.
Human resources
HR staff members deal with a vast volume of employee data, to which they may need immediate access. Joule can do AI-assisted HR operations and retrieve employee data. This feature allows Joule to be used for:
- Respond to frequently asked questions about HR policies.
- Process HR requests, such as approving time-off and updating employee details.
- Assist users with onboarding procedures.
- Offer data-driven insights for managing performance.
Real-life example
Gainwell utilizes AI features in SAP SuccessFactors alongside Joule to reduce expenses, enhance productivity, and accommodate a growing workforce. This AI support enables HR teams to accomplish tasks up to 90% more quickly while ensuring data accuracy and compliance.1
Sales & marketing
Joule can be utilized by marketing and sales teams to automate specific processes and measure campaign results. In SAP sales applications, Joule can:
- Create and qualify leads through AI-enhanced interactions.
- Schedule appointments and update opportunities.
- Provide contextual support to improve customer interactions.
- Retrieve relevant client data from all SAP systems.
Real-life example
Bosch Power Tools manages millions of service tickets each year with Joule Agents integrated into SAP Service Cloud, enhancing first-touch accuracy and minimizing manual effort in case classification and resolution.2
Supply chain & procurement
Joule improves comprehensive visibility in supply chain management and enhances procurement insights.
- Immediate access to inventory, demand forecasts, and logistics information.
- AI-powered supplier research and RFP creation.
- Automatic recommendations for restocking and optimizing routes.
Real-life example
Covestro, the German materials producer, laid the groundwork for sustainability reporting and carbon budgeting by piloting SAP’s Green Ledger carbon-tracking solution, powered by Joule AI Agents, to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions throughout its business units.3
Manufacturing & operations
Joule integrates AI into your shop floor systems to enable more intelligent and accurate production.
- AI-driven visual inspection and quality control
- Predictive maintenance and real-time equipment monitoring
- Resource optimization and dynamic production scheduling
- Automated process modifications and flaw detection
Real-life example
Smart Press Shop GmbH combines Joule’s AI-powered visual inspection with SAP Digital Manufacturing to automatically identify flaws on the press line. Smart Press Shop’s real-time anomaly detection has increased production accuracy and reduced scrap rates, enabling engineers to focus on ongoing process improvements instead of manual inspections.4
Finance & accounting
Joule simplifies complicated reporting and reconciliations by integrating AI into its basic finance modules.
- Application for automated invoice matching and payment processing.
- Utilizing machine learning for bank statement analysis.
- Predictably forecasting cash flow and identifying anomalies.
- Streamlined compliance checks and financial closing.
Real-life example
Wieland Group employs Joule’s machine-learning agents alongside SAP S/4HANA Finance to automate the reconciliation of bank statements. Consequently, Wieland enhanced accuracy across its international operations and expedited its financial close by minimizing manual matching and identifying customer-specific payment trends.5
What to expect in the future?
- SAP announced the integration of Joule into SAP SuccessFactors Mobile, SAP Sales Cloud mobile apps, SAP Analytics Cloud, and SAP Fieldglass solutions by the end of 2025.
- Additionally, by integrating Joule and Microsoft 365 Copilot, SAP and Microsoft are working together to enhance office productivity. Employees can use Joule or Microsoft 365 Copilot to complete tasks and access data in both SAP and Microsoft environments.
- SAP Joule is directly integrating Perplexity’s response engine.
FAQ
Further reading
- Top RPA SAP Use Cases & Examples
- Top SAP BTP Automation Platforms
- Ways SAP Job Scheduling Optimizes IT Operations
Reference Links
Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.
Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.
He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.
Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
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