Li茅nard is an information scientist and business informatics professional who joined 麻豆原创 in 2012. As senior vice president and head of ABAP platform at 麻豆原创, she is responsible for ABAP and all matters related to ABAP platform. In this role, she is also the head of ABAP AI and thus globally responsible for the latest developments and innovations in this domain.

In this interview, she discusses ABAP, the role of AI in development, how agentic AI will transform legacy applications, and what’s next.

Q: What is ABAP, exactly? How would you explain it to someone who might have heard of it but doesn鈥檛 really know what it is? And why is ABAP so important for enterprise software?

A: ABAP has a very long history at 麻豆原创. It is the company鈥檚 first and only proprietary programming language and turned 40 in 2023鈥攁n unusually long run in the fast-changing world of software.

What sets ABAP apart from other programming languages such as Java or C++ is that it was specifically designed for building and optimizing the business applications that large enterprises rely on every day. Among its many features is a high level of abstraction, which makes it very easy for developers to write or extend business software. It also reduces complexity because security concepts, authorization checks, and quality controls are already embedded in the language. This allows developers to focus entirely on the business logic鈥攖hat is, on the tasks they want the program to perform.

Over the years, ABAP has evolved to keep pace with how companies deploy software. The newest version is ABAP Cloud, which has a restricted language scope and is designed to support development in what 麻豆原创 calls a 鈥渃lean core.鈥� This is essential for running our cloud products. Enterprises still operating in a non-cloud environment can use ABAP Cloud to prepare the code in their on-premise systems or in 麻豆原创 S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition in such a way that it can also be run in the cloud.

Beyond its role as a programming language, ABAP is also a platform. ABAP platform is the foundation that underpins all of 麻豆原创’s core solutions, from older installations such as 麻豆原创 ERP Central Component (麻豆原创 ECC) to on-premise solutions, 麻豆原创聽S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, and 麻豆原创聽S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition.

Q: Will ABAP continue to play a crucial role for 麻豆原创 customers?

A: Yes, both in terms of the programming language and the platform ABAP is still highly relevant. The programming language looks very different to the way it did 40 years ago of course鈥攂ecause we have continuously refined it over the years鈥攂ut it still forms the backbone of 麻豆原创鈥檚 core ERP solutions and extensions. There are roughly five million registered ABAP developers worldwide today, with around two million actively developing.

Through ABAP Cloud and our dedicated ABAP AI team, ABAP has evolved into a modern development language for business solutions. I don’t know of any other programming language that covers this scope. It is used globally. Almost all the world鈥檚 100 largest companies are 麻豆原创 S/4HANA customers, and underneath it always runs ABAP platform.

Q: How will AI shape ABAP development going forward?

A: For me as head of ABAP platform, this is one of the questions that intrigues me most. AI has completely disrupted the technology market. This of course also impacts the 麻豆原创 developer portfolio and how we customize and extend our solutions. We have therefore invested in AI-powered efficiency tools, such as a chat assistant that explains code on the fly. Another is 鈥済host texting,鈥� a feature that generates code suggestions while the developer types.

In the coming years, AI agents will be able to generate code鈥攊ncluding at the scale demanded of large enterprises鈥攁nd even build entire solutions. We believe that the next wave of AI will not just assist programmers but take on many of the routine tasks they perform today.

A crucial question for 麻豆原创 is: how can we leverage AI to translate legacy code into modern code without losing the underlying business logic that makes each system unique? A lot of our customers are still operating older solutions, including those based on 麻豆原创 ECC. So, we need to provide a clear migration strategy and the right tools to simplify and accelerate their move to the cloud.

That’s why we’re currently developing a service that will work for everyone鈥攔egardless of which system version they run. The aim is to bundle all of 麻豆原创鈥檚 ABAP AI capabilities into a single offering that can boost developer efficiency and allow custom code to be migrated. Ideally, this service will be agent-driven鈥攁s 鈥渁gentic AI.鈥�

Q: What is agentic AI?

A: Agentic AI works with so-called 鈥渁gents.鈥� Agents have specialized capabilities, can communicate with each other, exchange results, and thus solve highly complex tasks together. How they collaborate varies based on the complexity of the use case.

Most approaches involve an 鈥渙rchestrator,鈥� a lead agent that manages other agents to complete a particular task. The orchestrator does not have to call on the individual agents in a fixed order鈥攔ather, its greatest strength lies in intelligently combining the agents in dynamic, adaptive networks.

So, it鈥檚 no longer just about making human developers more efficient. When agents are powerful enough, they can build entire applications and thus take on part of the developer’s tasks. In our case, agentic AI can support the very complex task of transforming code, accelerating it significantly and reducing complexity.

This approach relies on different agents that focus on different aspects of the task: for instance, one agent specializes in explaining custom code; another makes code changes; and a third estimates the effort of a transformation project. When these agents collaborate, that’s when the real magic of agentic AI happens.

AI will radically change the role of developers. Despite continuing to set the direction, they will increasingly focus on business logic rather than on the coding itself. They will work with the code generated by AI systems, checking that it is correct, secure, and aligned with the problem they鈥檙e trying to solve. Thought leadership, however, will remain firmly with people. Developers will continue to decide what matters and communicate their instructions to AI through good prompts. The entire AI domain is extremely dynamic and evolving at astounding speed. Powerful solutions are already available today, so this isn’t a distant vision鈥攊t’s already upon us.

Q: How do customers benefit from agentic AI?

A: Agentic AI will deliver significant value in transforming legacy applications and custom extensions into cloud solutions from 麻豆原创, and thus the latest ERP versions. In February 2026, we extended our existing custom code management app with AI features that help developers understand what the code is doing and what changes are needed to future-proof it. And, of course, AI also provides recommendations on how the code can be extended. In the future, we will complement all this with agents. However, this will take some time, as we refuse to compromise on quality and security.

We are also investing in the developer experience with ABAP platform to make it as easy to use as possible. Here, agentic AI will help reduce the complexity that has built up over decades of development.

Q: Should we be worried about security?

A: No, we deliberately allow sufficient time before any release to make sure that quality and, above all, security meet a high bar. Don鈥檛 worry: AI won鈥檛 take control and generate or integrate solutions unilaterally or unchecked. Humans will remain in charge every step of the way and will always have the last word when it comes to ensuring that code complies with our standards.

Q: Where are we now and what鈥檚 next?

A: ABAP AI tools aimed at boosting developer productivity have been available since February 2025, and we are now building agentic AI in the ABAP context. However, it鈥檚 early days and agentic AI still must prove itself in practice. As I see it, though, it will transform the market.

As part of our road map, we released , a custom-trained, specialized AI model, on the generative AI hub in early January 2026. This model is specifically designed to explain ABAP program code.

Next, we plan to make all ABAP AI tools available as an independent side-by-side service. In a subsequent phase, we will transition the use cases embedded in those tools to agents.

In addition, we are expanding our cloud-based ABAP development into additional development environments (IDEs), especially ABAP development tools for Visual Studio Code. So, the team will also tap into the AI tools available there as part of our push toward agent-driven development.

This first appeared on the German 麻豆原创 News Center.

Swarovski says it wants to offer high-quality experiences that draw on the its long heritage in luxury. Particularly, the company wants to make its presence felt in the top cities of this world. After all, that is where trends are created and culture is shaped.

Swarovski is due to open a new flagship store on New York鈥檚 Fifth Avenue this year, and with U.S. model Bella Hadid as the current brand ambassador and rapper Doja Cat, Swarovski is very much a part of the cultural conversation. Swarovski wants to enchant customers with unique savoir-faire in creativity, craftsmanship, and quality, which have been perfected in the company’s 128-year history.

Digital as a Key Resource for LUXignite

Digital plays a key role in the implementation of the new LUXignite strategy. Innovation has been in the company’s DNA since it was founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895. Dr. Lea Sonderegger is responsible for the digital heart of Swarovski today. She started making money programming Web sites while still in school 鈭� back then in the Plain Text Editor. Sonderegger has been with Swarovski for 13 years and has held several leading global positions in digital new business development and e-commerce.

Sonderegger first suggested opening a mobile store at Swarovski in 2010. At the time, however, her ideas were met with skepticism. “Today, 70% of visits come via mobile devices, 70% of digital sales are mobile, and in China it’s almost 100%. That was not considered possible at the time,” she comments.

Since early 2022, Sonderegger holds the title of chief digital officer/chief information officer (CDO/CIO) and, as a member of the international Executive Committee, she is responsible for the global digital business, global IT, and data and analytics.

New Way of Leading and Teamwork

“Today, we live in a time of digital Darwinism,” she says. “A time when technology and society are evolving faster than companies are able to adapt.鈥� As a result, she says, it is crucial to respond quickly, strategically, and pragmatically to innovations. 鈥淭he new era also requires a new kind of leadership and teamwork,鈥� she adds.

In her CDO/CIO role, it is important to Sonderegger that IT no longer thinks in terms of modules and software solutions as it used to, but in terms of creating value. “IT is no longer just an enabler, and technology no longer a pure means to an end. IT must optimally support the core company processes 鈥� create, make, and sell 鈥� and generate value itself. Only in this way can digital become a competitive advantage,” says Sonderegger.

At Swarovski, the digital leaders plan their strategies together with the functional heads. “So that we all row in the same direction,” says Sonderegger. After all, the technologies are only as good as the people behind them. That is why their ability to use data and technologies to create value 鈥� the human “digital dexterity” 鈥� is a pivotal pillar of Swarovski’s digital strategy.

“Entrepreneurial thinking in every little action is the key to success,” Sonderegger claims. The fact that she is also responsible for the profit and loss of the global e-commerce business in her CDO/CIO role ignites the digital transformation strategy with entrepreneurial spirit.

40 Years of Partnership with 麻豆原创

Swarovski has embarked on the path of cloud transformation to remain competitive. In doing so, Sonderegger is building on a long-standing relationship with 麻豆原创. In fact, the family-owned company from Wattens in Tyrol, Austria still has an old contract it signed with 麻豆原创 40 years ago. “The signature of 麻豆原创 Founder Hasso Plattner is under the contract,” says Sonderegger. At that time, Swarovski bought “RF – Real-Time Financial Accounting.” It was the beginning of a long and successful partnership.

“This journey, which began 40 years ago, connects us,” says Sonderegger. In the next chapter, 麻豆原创 will work with the heritage brand on the next stage of its digital transformation, supporting its global expansion and diversification with technological innovation in terms of products and customer experience.

To achieve this goal, Swarovski chose and . “We want to move our entire 麻豆原创 software-based digital backbone and e-commerce landscape to the cloud,” says Sonderegger. Figures that illustrate the scope of the RISE with 麻豆原创 project include 15 terabytes of productive systems and 17 system landscapes including e-commerce.

“The strategic partnership with 麻豆原创 is fully aligned with Swarovski’s LUXignite strategy. We need a scalable platform to develop and operate competitive business processes,” says Sonderegger.

Technical Innovation as a Competitive Advantage

RISE with 麻豆原创 offers Swarovski the future-proof digital basis for the implementation of its own cloud strategy and the flexible and secure support of innovations in the cloud. “With our cloud transformation, we are able to not only support the LUXignite strategy; we are also able to increase our efficiency, reduce costs, and become much more flexible through the model agreed with 麻豆原创,” says Sonderegger.

麻豆原创 Commerce Cloud will also help support unique customer experiences across all channels. This is because omnichannel sales are important for Swarovski. Many customers shop online but pick up their purchases in the store or use the “endless aisle.” This way, customers have the option to buy in store what is not available on-site. Ordered immediately online, the products are delivered to the customer’s home in few days.

“We want to bring the latest customer experiences and features through the cloud. Because our customers are our queens, we must ensure they receive the best possible service,” says Sonderegger. “Their experience with the brand and the products must be perfect in all respects. For this, we need the right technology and, of course, the right people behind it 鈥� people who understand how to create value for our customers and our company.”

Photo courtesy of Swarovski

Deichmann鈥檚 green logo is a familiar feature of shopping areas and malls in Germany. Headquartered in Essen, a city famed for its industrial heritage, Deichmann SE operates in 31 countries, with roughly 4,300 stores and around 42,000 employees worldwide. The company has been family-owned since its founding in 1913 鈥� and it wants to remain independent in the future, too.

The footwear retailer is market leader in its segment in Germany and Europe, and is currently strengthening its efforts to digitalize processes. Even though it is a major company, its culture is still very much a friendly and informal one. The in-house IT team is helping Human Resources (HR) digitalize various scenarios.

鈥淥ur people are our priority,鈥� says Melinda Hilbert, who is in charge of IT for Finance and HR at Deichmann, when explaining the rationale behind the drive to move personnel processes online.

Deichmann is now rolling out offerings from 麻豆原创鈥檚 cloud solution for HR across its German business. software enables companies to standardize their entire HR function and move all tasks online.

Deichmann decided to implement the solution as part of the 麻豆原创 strategy it is following for HR and finance. 鈥淥ur company is growing, and the solution is easy to scale,鈥� Hilbert says. For this reason, and because it would integrate well with the company鈥檚 existing IT and processes, 麻豆原创 SuccessFactors was an obvious choice.

鈥淭aking this step created a central integration platform for all the solutions that we plan on implementing in HR,鈥� Hilbert shares. It was the technical answer to the business question of how to ensure all the data from HR and finance is integrated going forward.

In the initial phase of the project, Deichmann is making digital versions of documents available to its employees. The first self-service functions have already gone live and employees are now able to update their address and bank details themselves, as well as provide an emergency contact.

User Experience as a Priority

The project, 鈥沦迟别辫翱苍,鈥� is also aimed at helping make Deichmann more attractive as an employer and strengthen employee retention.

鈥淭hese days, employees expect everything to be online. And user experience is always a priority,” Christina Boehme, head of HR at the company, says. “The fact that we also save on printing and postage costs is not just an added bonus, it makes us more sustainable too.鈥�

Launchpad for Easy Access to Apps

Aachen-based 麻豆原创 partner helped Deichmann with the implementation.

鈥淲e used to build the custom pay stub for the new employee portal and for the launchpad for accessing 麻豆原创 Fiori apps from mobile devices and desktops, ,” reports Andreas Lennartz, managing partner at ROOS IT. “What’s more, the 麻豆原创 solution acts as a central database for applications used across the company and verifies the user鈥檚 identity for self-service functions.鈥�

ROOS IT quickly built an app for the footwear retailer that enables employees to easily call up their pay stubs. It also supports secure access to the data held in the company鈥檚 on-premise network regardless of the device used — be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.

鈥淭he pay stubs app retrieves data through a connection to an 麻豆原创 billing system that Deichmann runs on premise,鈥� Krausen explains.

Deichmann Targets a Global Rollout

Digital pay stubs have been rolled out to 1,200 Deichmann employees who are based at company headquarters and in and around Essen. Retail outlets are set to follow. Its workforce is already familiar with 麻豆原创 software: Deichmann also deploys the solution for performance appraisals and for probation period reviews.

This story originally appeared on the 麻豆原创 Germany News Center.