Financial services firms are missing the point on AI. The real barrier is not AI readiness but structural complexity, according to a conversation between SAP CFO Dominik Asam and SAP Fioneer CEO Matthias Tomann. Decades of patchwork architecture make it nearly impossible to run AI at scale, they said, and the winners will be those who simplify their data foundations first.
Partnership delivers on simplification
Since SAP and SAP Fioneer joined forces in 2021, they have doubled annual software sales and increased R&D investment by 120%. Major customers have moved to SAP Cloud ERP, and the platform has become more scalable. The collaboration combines SAP's cloud infrastructure with SAP Fioneer's financial services expertise to help institutions modernize core systems.
Data integration comes before AI
AI can only create value from integrated data, real-time access, and standardized processes. Most financial institutions still operate on fragmented foundations. Tomann said the emphasis must be on simplification rather than adding more complexity. The organizations that establish unified, trusted, real-time enterprise data with strong governance will gain the real competitive advantage. This theme is a recurring focus in AI for Finance resources.
Real-time finance is now a strategic requirement
Real-time capability is becoming foundational for risk management, regulatory reporting, fraud prevention, and AI-driven decision making. Institutions that can act on integrated data instantly will outperform those still moving information between disconnected systems overnight. SAP is already seeing 10x performance improvements from AI-driven process improvements, Asam said.
The role of finance is shifting from reporting on the business to steering the business in real time. AI assistants and agents are taking over execution of finance processes-from planning and risk management to invoicing and financial close-under strict governance. Forecasting becomes dynamic, risk is detected in real time, and closing processes are increasingly automated.
Why this matters for finance professionals
For CFOs and finance leaders, the message is clear: AI will reward those who standardize their data and processes. The infrastructure decisions you make today-about cloud platforms, data integration, and core systems-will determine whether your organization can deploy AI at scale. The conversation between Asam and Tomann underscores that modernization is no longer just an IT project; it is a business strategy discussion. Finance professionals can explore the AI Learning Path for CFOs to understand how AI is transforming the finance function and what it means for leadership.
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