Does SAP Mako Cloud work with our existing SAP system?

Yes. SAP Mako Cloud is designed to integrate with common SAP systems such as ECC and S/4HANA. In an initial assessment you analyse your current architecture and define an integration strategy that minimizes risk.

Do we need to move SAP to the cloud first?

No. You can use SAP Mako Cloud with both on-premise and cloud variants of SAP. The platform provides a cloud layer while your SAP core continues to run, so you can decouple innovation speed from migration timelines.

How long does a first SAP Mako Cloud pilot usually take?

For a clearly scoped pilot use case - for example a webshop or logistics integration - you typically plan between 6 and 12 weeks. The exact duration depends on complexity, your system landscape and internal decision processes.

Visualization of a modern SAP Mako Cloud integration layer above a digital cityscape

SAP Mako Cloud - the smart cloud layer for your SAP ecosystem

Modernize your SAP landscape step by step without putting your core at risk. SAP Mako Cloud connects systems, automates processes and helps you launch new digital services faster.

If SAP is the heart of your business processes, you need a flexible cloud layer that orchestrates integrations, workflows and data flows - instead of building yet another point solution. This is exactly where SAP Mako Cloud comes in.

Summary

SAP Mako Cloud is a separate cloud-native integration and automation layer that sits on top of your existing SAP systems instead of embedding every integration inside SAP. It connects to SAP ECC and S/4HANA through prebuilt connectors, APIs, events and a visual workflow engine, and it keeps working whether your SAP core runs on-premise or in the cloud. By decoupling orchestration from the SAP core, it lets the core stay stable during upgrades while integration logic and new use cases move to the cloud layer. Governance, logging, audit trails and role models are aligned with GDPR and the EU AI Act. The article reports lead times for new integration projects shortened by 30 to 50 percent, manual effort in critical processes reduced by 20 to 40 percent, and a typical payback period of 12 to 24 months, with a scoped pilot usually planned for 6 to 12 weeks.

Why traditional SAP landscapes slow you down

Many SAP landscapes in European enterprises have grown over decades. Custom code, point-to-point integrations and one-off projects have created complex structures. Every change becomes risky, expensive and slow.

70 %

of integration effort is often spent on old interfaces and workarounds

3-6 months

until new digital services are fully integrated into SAP processes

> 50

custom interfaces are common in larger SAP landscapes

"Without a clear integration layer every new application becomes yet another special case - and your SAP system becomes harder to control."

New webshop, logistics provider, reporting tool or cloud app - every integration requires deep SAP expertise, new interfaces and ongoing maintenance. This increases dependency on a few key people, leads to long release cycles and makes end-to-end transparency across systems difficult.

What SAP Mako Cloud does differently

SAP Mako Cloud adds a separate, cloud-native integration and automation layer on top of your existing SAP systems. Instead of embedding every integration directly into SAP, you move it to a flexible layer that connects to SAP via APIs , events and workflows.

Core capabilities of SAP Mako Cloud

Prebuilt connectors and APIs for SAP ECC and S/4HANA
Visual workflow engine for end-to-end processes across systems
Event-driven architecture for near real-time reactions to SAP events
Governance and security features aligned with GDPR and the EU AI Act

Technically, SAP Mako Cloud decouples orchestration from the SAP core. Your core remains stable while integration logic moves to the cloud. This simplifies upgrades, reduces side effects and lets you test new use cases without heavy changes in SAP customizing.

Why SAP Mako Cloud fits the European market

Across Europe, complex SAP landscapes meet strict data protection and sector-specific regulation. At the same time, you need to innovate faster, integrate cloud services and experiment with AI. A dedicated cloud layer for SAP is a pragmatic way to balance innovation with control and compliance.

> 70 %

of large European enterprises rely on SAP as a core system

> 60 %

see integration complexity as a key barrier to digital transformation

Top

priorities include GDPR, the EU AI Act and sector regulations

Regulatory alignment in practice

From GDPR to the EU AI Act

Transparent data flows and clear responsibilities across systems
Support for classifying AI use cases under the EU AI Act
Logging, audit trails and role models as a basis for audits
Technical guardrails for privacy-by-design workflows

Your benefits with SAP Mako Cloud

With SAP Mako Cloud you create tangible value: faster time-to-market, lower integration cost, higher process quality and better decision support.

30-50 %

shorter lead times for new integration projects

20-40 %

less manual effort in critical processes

12-24 months

typical payback period for modernization investments

Conclusion: The logical next step for your SAP ecosystem

SAP Mako Cloud does not replace SAP. It adds the missing layer that makes your SAP landscape ready for the next years - from cloud integrations and AI use cases to new digital business models.

Frequently asked questions about SAP Mako Cloud

Does SAP Mako Cloud work with our existing SAP ECC or only with S/4HANA? +

SAP Mako Cloud works with both SAP ECC and S/4HANA. The important part is a clear integration design with defined data flows so your SAP core remains stable and maintainable.

Do we have to replace all existing interfaces immediately? +

No. In reality you start with one or two priority use cases and migrate only selected interfaces. Once patterns and governance are in place, you move additional integrations step by step.

How does SAP Mako Cloud help with GDPR and the EU AI Act? +

SAP Mako Cloud supports you with transparent data flows, logging, role-based access control and region-aware data handling. This gives you a technical basis to implement GDPR, the EU AI Act and other European regulations in a practical way.