Amazon Web Services (AWS) and SAP have announced a significant expansion of their partnership, focusing on enhancing digital sovereignty in Europe through the introduction of SAP Sovereign Cloud capabilities within the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. This initiative is part of Amazon’s €7.8 billion investment plan aimed at establishing an independent cloud infrastructure tailored for European markets.
Digital sovereignty: Strengthening the AWS and SAP Collaboration
The relationship between AWS and SAP has been a longstanding one, with both companies working closely for over 16 years. This new venture builds on their combined experience and operational expertise to address the growing demand for digital sovereignty among European customers. In light of SAP’s new strategic focus on digital sovereignty and artificial intelligence, the partnership aims to empower organisations in regulated industries to innovate securely.
Introducing the SAP Sovereign Cloud
The SAP Sovereign Cloud is designed to provide enhanced cloud solutions with robust security standards, specifically tailored for government bodies and sectors that require stringent regulatory compliance. This new offering will be integrated into the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, providing organisations with more choices to meet their digital sovereignty requirements.
Key Features of the Collaboration
- Local Data Residency: The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will ensure that data is stored and processed within the EU, helping organisations comply with local regulations.
- Operational Autonomy: Customers will have greater control over their data and operations, minimising dependencies on external infrastructure.
- Enhanced Security: The cloud services will be equipped with strict technical controls and legal safeguards to ensure a high level of security and resilience.
Upcoming Launch in Germany
The AWS European Sovereign Cloud is set to launch its first region in Brandenburg, Germany, by the end of 2025. This will be a significant milestone in providing public sector entities and organisations in highly regulated industries with the necessary infrastructure to operate securely and efficiently.
Expanding Service Capabilities
Initially, the SAP Sovereign Cloud capabilities available through the AWS European Sovereign Cloud will include the SAP Business Technology Platform and SAP Cloud ERP. These solutions are designed to provide customers with a secure foundation for managing critical business processes and sensitive data, supporting compliance with relevant regulations.
Statements from AWS and SAP Leaders
David Brown, Vice President of Compute and Machine Learning at AWS, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are excited that SAP Sovereign Cloud capabilities will be available on the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. This way, organisations will have more options for how to meet digital sovereignty requirements while leveraging leading cloud technologies.”
Similarly, Thomas Saueressig, Member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, emphasised the partnership’s value: “Providing the full suite of SAP Sovereign Cloud services on the AWS European Sovereign Cloud gives customers access to a complete digital sovereignty solution, further strengthened by our long-standing collaboration with Amazon Web Services.”
Benefits for European Customers
The integration of SAP Sovereign Cloud capabilities into the AWS European Sovereign Cloud is a pivotal step for customers across Europe. It allows organisations to innovate more securely while ensuring compliance with local regulations, thereby fostering growth on their own terms.
Maximising Innovation
With the expanded capabilities of SAP Sovereign Cloud, customers across various sectors are encouraged to maximise the potential of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence. The partnership is committed to ensuring that clients can focus on innovation and achieving measurable results without the burden of regulatory concerns.
A New Era of Cloud Services in Europe
The AWS European Sovereign Cloud is designed to be an independent entity, separate from existing AWS Regions, ensuring that it operates without significant dependencies on non-EU infrastructure. This independence is crucial for meeting the specific needs of European customers, particularly in terms of digital sovereignty.
As the demand for secure cloud solutions continues to rise, the collaboration between AWS and SAP is poised to play a key role in shaping the landscape of digital sovereignty in Europe. With an emphasis on security, regulatory compliance, and operational autonomy, this partnership is expected to drive innovation and growth across the continent.
