Procurement is evolving rapidly. What began as simple chatbot automation is now maturing into intelligent copilots and autonomous AI agents that can understand context, make decisions, and act.
This shift represents more than just a technology upgrade — it’s a strategic transformation that’s redefining how procurement teams operate and deliver value.
For SAP-centric organisations, the opportunity lies in embedding AI directly into core platforms such as SAP S/4HANA, or SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). At On Device Solutions, we support this evolution by helping organisations connect data, systems, and AI to create intelligent, agile procurement ecosystems.
Moving Beyond Automation: AI That Thinks and Acts
AI is no longer a future concept — it’s already embedded in sourcing, supplier management, and contract workflows. From automating repetitive queries with chatbots to deploying AI copilots that guide users through complex tasks, procurement teams are beginning to unlock new levels of efficiency and insight.
The next step is agentic AI — intelligent agents that not only interpret data but act on it. Built on advanced models like GPT-4 and integrated with enterprise systems, these agents are capable of learning from experience, adapting to context, and executing procurement processes with minimal manual input.
Why Now? Rising Pressures, Bigger Expectations
Procurement leaders are navigating a complex landscape: inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, cybersecurity threats, and growing ESG demands. According to the Conference Board CEO Survey (2025), over 70% of US CEOs plan to reshape their supply chains in the next five years.
AI is seen as key to enabling that shift. However, “45% of CEOs globally say lack of expertise is the top challenge to implementing AI.” This and other reports highlight the need for structured implementation, especially within platforms like SAP where integration, data governance, and business alignment are critical.
AI Agents vs. Chatbots and Copilots: What’s the Difference?
It’s essential to understand the spectrum of AI capability in procurement:
- Chatbots answer simple queries using scripts or keyword logic.
- AI Copilots support users across applications with guided help, drawing on enterprise data and models like RAG or GraphRAG.
- AI Agents go a step further. They reason, plan, and take autonomous action. They can monitor supplier risk, launch sourcing events, or manage compliance — all without waiting for human prompts.
In SAP-led environments, this matters. Embedding AI agents into BTP or S/4HANA allows enterprises to automate cross-functional procurement workflows with intelligence and flexibility.
Real-World Impact: Orchestrating Procurement at Scale
Agentic AI supports everything from supplier onboarding and contract generation to spend classification and risk detection. These systems unify fragmented workflows across sourcing, SRM, TPRM, and analytics — creating a dynamic, connected procurement process.
With tools like SAP Agent Builder in Joule Studio, organisations can design tailored agents to fit specific needs — for example, one that tracks contract milestones, another that assesses supplier performance, and a third that flags ESG compliance issues.
Building a Future-Ready Architecture
To enable agentic AI at scale, organisations need more than smart tools — they need smart architecture. This means:
- Orchestrators to plan and route tasks between agents
- Workflow studios to model procurement processes
- Knowledge graphs and data models to ensure accurate, relevant decisions
- Access controls and governance to protect sensitive data
At On Device Solutions, we work with clients to build this architecture on SAP — integrating LLMs, APIs, and orchestration tools into a secure, scalable environment.
Ask the Right Questions Before You Invest
Before adopting a copilot or agentic AI platform, ask your providers:
- How do you manage API integration with SAP tools?
- What security measures are in place?
- Do you support modular workflows and orchestration?
- How do you use RAG/GraphRAG or structured knowledge models?
Choosing the right partner is essential. We help our enterprise clients assess, implement, and optimise enterprise digitisation solutions that align with their procurement goals — and their SAP landscape.
Start Smart, Scale Fast
Agentic AI represents a new operating model for procurement — one that is data-driven, knowledge-based, and continuously evolving. It’s not about replacing teams; it’s about enhancing them with tools that think, learn, and act.
Start by piloting small agents in high-impact areas like supplier intake or contract review. Collaborate with IT and SAP partner teams to build the right infrastructure. Use process orchestration as a foundation for more intelligent automation.
As the AI landscape evolves, your best investment is in capability. Build internal understanding. Focus on integration. And partner with specialists who understand how to align AI with SAP-native workflows. The shift from chatbots to intelligent agents is already underway — and procurement leaders can’t afford to stand still.
At On Device Solutions, we help SAP-led organisations maximise the benefits of Architecture-as-a-Service (AaaS) within their SAP systems. Get in touch to explore how our SAP experts can help you lead the next wave of procurement innovation.
