The competition between SAP and Salesforce over AI-data platforms lies not in specific capabilities but in who can build the ultimate AI-data platform that will be trusted, explainable and scalable. Both vendors are working toward that end by revamping their entire stacks – Salesforce revamping its CRM to take advantage of new technologies like deep integration and AI-powered insights while SAP investing heavily into its Business Data Cloud to connect disparate datasets from disparate environments.

Both vendors are reevaluating their product roadmaps to optimize value delivery to businesses. Salesforce is taking on customer service through its user-friendly CRM platform to empower its customers to act as their own support agents, quickly and gracefully resolving issues promptly and gracefully. SAP on the other hand is modernizing its Business Intelligence suite so as to take full advantage of emerging technologies like natural language processing and machine learning.

Salesforce stands as the undisputed leader of CRM solutions, yet it does have some drawbacks. First and foremost is pricing. Smaller companies may find its pricing prohibitive while its management requires both human and IT resources for optimization purposes. Furthermore, its platform may not support highly dynamic workflows or large amounts of data storage needs.

Salesforce stands out by being user-friendly and boasting an expansive app ecosystem, making its platform easy for startups as well as established enterprises with diverse needs to use and operate efficiently. Furthermore, IT leaders particularly value its seamless integration and scalability capabilities.

As each vendor pursues its own strategic agenda, competition among these giants will increase exponentially. Your business must carefully weigh the benefits and risks of deep integration against vendor lock-in, scrutinize claims of openness and interoperability and determine what AI-driven capabilities you require to reach your business goals and have lasting impacts on the bottom line. To assist in making an informed decision between Salesforce vs SAP solutions download our complimentary comparison guide today!