NEC Embraces SAP and AI in Landmark Move to the Cloud
In a groundbreaking move, NEC Corporation, a Japan-based multinational leader in IT and network technologies, has selected SAP S/4HANA Cloud through the RISE with SAP solution, running on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This strategic decision to migrate to the cloud marks a significant step in NEC’s digital transformation journey, leveraging the power of SAP and AI to optimize costs, streamline data systems, and increase integration across its lines of business.
SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, has been at the forefront of helping businesses undergo digital transformations. With its comprehensive suite of solutions, including SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP enables organizations to streamline their processes, gain real-time insights, and drive innovation. On the other hand, NEC Corporation, with a history spanning over 120 years, has been a pioneer in integrating cutting-edge IT and network technologies to create value for businesses and society.
NEC’s Generative AI and SAP Joule Copilot
NEC’s migration to SAP S/4HANA Cloud is not just a simple transition but a transformative journey that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence. NEC will utilize its own generative AI technology in conjunction with SAP’s natural language, generative AI Joule copilot, to facilitate a clean-core transformation. This approach emphasizes standard offerings and extends them while reducing future upgrade and operational costs.
Currently operating a large-scale system with 1,200 add-ons and more than 200 external interfaces, NEC faces the challenge of streamlining its migration to the cloud. To overcome this, NEC will leverage generative AI to automate critical processes such as add-on analysis, report interpretation, code generation from specifications, and test automation. By harnessing the power of AI, NEC aims to streamline migration costs and improve operational efficiency.
Driving Societal and Industry Transformations
The migration to SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a key component of NEC’s 2025 mid-term management plan, which focuses on internal, customer, and societal digital transformations. By adopting innovative technologies like AI, NEC seeks to drive societal and industry transformations, positioning itself as a leader in technological adoption and societal contributions.
Through the migration to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, NEC anticipates more efficient system operations by leveraging AI to support version upgrades and reduce future operation-related costs. This agility will enable NEC to quickly respond to market changes and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving business landscape.
NEC President and CEO Takayuki Morita emphasizes the company’s commitment to being the first customer of its own innovations. By applying cutting-edge technologies internally and sharing the gained insights and know-how with customers and society, NEC also aims to create a new industry blueprint for businesses looking to migrate to the cloud.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Digital Transformation
Christian Klein, CEO and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, highlights the shared vision between SAP and NEC of creating a sustainable society through digital transformation. This project marks a milestone in their long-term partnership, with SAP excited to support NEC on their continued transformation journey.
The collaboration between SAP and NEC, leveraging AI and cloud technologies, sets a new standard for digital transformation in the industry. By embracing innovative solutions like SAP S/4HANA Cloud and harnessing the power of generative AI, NEC is not only optimizing its own operations but also paving the way for other businesses to follow suit. As NEC continues to drive societal and industry transformations through its cutting-edge technologies, the partnership with SAP also serves as a testament to the transformative potential of SAP and AI in shaping the future of business and society.
