News

We are excited to share the successful implementation and go-live of SmartRecruiters for SAP SuccessFactors at VERBUND!

Over the past months, we have worked closely together to implement a modern recruiting platform designed to simplify hiring for everyone involved. As a result, candidates benefit from a faster and more user-friendly application process, while recruiters can streamline job posting and reduce administrative effort through fewer interfaces and a more integrated setup.

More than a successful go-live, this project establishes a strong foundation for the future of recruiting at VERBUND. SmartRecruiters for SAP SuccessFactors provides a platform that enables continuous optimization and lays the groundwork for future AI-powered capabilities.

Throughout the project, close collaboration, transparent communication, careful planning and a critical review of existing recruiting processes proved essential for success.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. We are proud of what we achieved together and look forward to the next steps of the recruiting journey.

Are you interested in modernizing your recruiting processes? Get in touch with us.

We’re excited to be part of SAP NOW AI Tour Zurich 2026 as a Silver Partner. Together with business leaders, innovators, and SAP experts, we’ll explore how AI is transforming the way organizations work and grow.

We’re looking forward to connecting with customers, partners, and peers from across the SAP community, sharing ideas, and discussing what’s next for the future of business.

For many growing companies, fragmented systems and inconsistent processes make it difficult to scale efficiently. Establishing a global HR platform is often a key step toward creating transparency, standardization, and a reliable foundation for future growth.

Learn how BELIMO approached this challenge and established a global HR foundation that enables consistent processes, reliable workforce data, and informed workforce decisions worldwide.

You can find more information about this success story here.

With its vision of the “Autonomous Enterprise,” SAP aims to redefine enterprise software. Systems are expected to do more than simply support processes. Instead, they will actively manage HR processes and, in some cases, execute them autonomously.
For SAP SuccessFactors, this represents a significant evolution. Systems will be able to identify patterns in data, prepare decisions, and increasingly take over operational tasks. While accountability remains with people, execution is shifting more towards AI-driven automation.

Joule as the New Interface
At the center of this development is Joule, SAP’s AI assistant. It is set to become the central interface for HR processes. Tasks can be requested directly, while Joule coordinates AI agents in the background and executes processes.
This new way of interacting with HR systems will have a direct impact on key HR processes. The greatest potential can be seen in workforce planning, recruiting, and skills management. Processes become more automated, decisions are increasingly data-driven, and outcomes can be achieved much faster. The goal is to reduce the administrative burden on HR teams and allow them to focus more on strategic initiatives.
However, the actual value depends heavily on the starting point. Without high-quality data, standardized processes, and a sustainable cloud strategy, the potential remains limited.

Outlook
The “Autonomous Enterprise” is not a short-term project but a long-term direction of development. Many capabilities are still emerging, but the overall trajectory is clear: SAP is gradually shifting core HR processes toward AI-supported and increasingly automated workflows. The key is to ensure that your systems, data, and processes are ready, enabling you to take advantage of new capabilities as they become available.

Would you like to understand what technologies such as Joule, AI agents, and the “Autonomous Enterprise” will mean for your SAP HR landscape? We can help you assess the impact on your HR processes and build the right foundation for future developments. Get in touch with us without obligation.

In September 2025, SAP completed the acquisition of SmartRecruiters, a leading provider of AI-powered recruiting solutions. With this move, SAP is sending a clear signal: talent acquisition is set to become more modern, efficient, and highly automated. SmartRecruiters will initially remain an independent platform but will be gradually integrated into the SAP SuccessFactors suite.

Greater Efficiency and Transparency in Recruiting
The acquisition brings tangible benefits for customers. Integrating SmartRecruiters into SAP SuccessFactors opens up new opportunities:

• Intelligent candidate search: AI-powered matching functions help identify the best talent more quickly.
• Automated processes: From job posting to hiring, workflows are optimized, saving time and costs.
• Improved candidate experience: Applicants benefit from a smooth and transparent process.

Next Steps in the Integration Process
The acquisition was finalized in September 2025. A transition phase will now follow, expected to last three to five years. During this period, SAP plans to gradually integrate SmartRecruiters into the SuccessFactors suite. Details on migration paths, licensing models, and technical tools are expected to be published by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Companies can also look forward to initial demos of the integrated solution, announced for Q1 2026.

What Does This Mean for Existing Customers?
Existing customers do not need to prepare for an immediate switch. SAP guarantees support and maintenance for SuccessFactors Recruiting throughout the entire transition phase and will provide clear migration paths. Those who migrate early will benefit from SmartRecruiters’ expanded functionality and can modernize their recruiting strategy step by step.

As an implementation partner, we are happy to support you in transitioning to the new solution. We look forward to hearing from you!

Dipl.-Ing. Marc Kaiblinger
Managing Consultant
T: +43 1 236 4312
marc.kaiblinger@hcm-advice.com

With SAP Joule, working with SAP SuccessFactors becomes as easy as having a conversation. The powerful AI understands natural language, provides precise answers, and completes tasks within seconds, from vacation requests to team performance analyses to creating job postings.

Find out more on our website or contact us without obligation!

We are proud and impressed by our CEO Michael Berthold, who has successfully reached the summit of Manaslu (8163m)! This remarkable achievement reflects the values that drive us at HCM ADVICE: Trust in oneself and the team, passion for what we do, the pursuit of excellence, the determination to always go the extra mile, and the power of friendliness, which fosters strong relationships and teamwork.

Whether on the mountain or in the office, these values push us forward every day and help us reach new heights together. We congratulate our CEO on this extraordinary accomplishment!

Want to rewatch the full expedition? Check out all the highlights and key moments in our Instagram Story Highlight “Expedition”.

The maintenance period for the SAP Business Suite 7 (ECC) and the previous SAP ERP HCM system as an On-Premise solution ends on 31.12.2027 (extended maintenance period until 31.12.2030 subject to corresponding fees). Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions in the Cloud, such as SAP SuccessFactors Suite, offer numerous advantages, such as reduced costs, greater flexibility, and an improved employee experience. But what about the customers who already use an SAP ERP Human Capital Management solution and wish to continue doing so, or who are not yet ready to completely move to the Cloud? Should they continue to invest in On-Premise solutions that have an expiration date, or should they plan long-term and switch to SAP SuccessFactors? Since the new release of SAP Human Capital Management for SAP S/4HANA (H4S4) many customers are facing decisions concerning the direction of their future investments.

What is SAP Human Capital Management for SAP S/4HANA?

SAP HCM for SAP S/4HANA is a successor solution for SAP ERP HCM and has been available since Q4 2022. Customers can choose between two variants of the new SAP HCM for SAP S/4HANA solution: On-Premise or Private Cloud Edition.

• On-Premise
  The On-Premise Edition supports the known solutions for human resource management, such as, for example, personnel administration, organizational management, employer benefits, corporate compensation management, personnel cost planning and simulation, MSS; solutions for talent management, such as, for example, SAP Learning Solution, SAP E-Recruiting, Talent Management, and Talent Development, solutions for time accounting, such as time management, shift planning, worktime entry (CATS), and public sector, such as, for example, budget planning and management, job management, and resource planning.
  However, some of the functions are no longer part of the solution, including: in the area of human resource management: Employee Interaction Center, Shared Service Framework for HCM Integration, HCM P&F with Adobe forms, Manager’s Desktop, Workforce Viewer, cPA-CM-CP); in the area of Talent Management: Recruiting, Compensation Management (PA-CM), evaluation systems, career and successor planning, development plans, training courses, and event management.
• Private Cloud Edition
  The Private Cloud Edition includes solutions for Personnel Management (incl. ESS/MSS), such as, for example, employee management, global task management, management of the organizational structure, job management, service management, work plan management, and absence management. Solutions for time entry (incl. ESS/MSS), such as:  Work plan management, absence ­management, time entry for employees, time accounting, personnel resource planning, as well as solutions for Wage and Salary Accounting (incl. ESS).

Talent Management incl. Learning and Recruiting is not included in the solution.

All SAP HCM functions that are not named here and were previously available in the On-Premise and Private Cloud Edition are alternatively available via SAP SuccessFactors.

Why is this such an important topic right now?

According to SAP, SAP ERP HCM Suite will only be maintained until 2027. After that, system maintenance can be extended for a maximum of three years (until 2030) for an additional charge. Furthermore, all customers who have already been using an S/4HANA Compatibility Pack (HCM) for some time should make the switch by the end of 2025, as the system will no longer be supported after that. Switching to the new On-Premise transitional solution or to the Cloud is therefore unavoidable.

Facts about SAP Human Capital Management for SAP S/4HANA

• On price list / available since Q4 2022
• Maintenance until at least 31.12.2040
• Must be operated on an SAP HANA database
• Can be operated as an integrated SAP landscape with S/4HANA or as “H4S4“ stand-alone system
• Migration tools & services (ALE interface to SAP S/4HANA) are provided by SAP
• Functions from SAP ERP HCM will largely be retained (see above)
• License/contract conversion with SAP necessary

Options for your SAP HCM Landscape:

Currently, most customers are within one of the four scenarios displayed on the left. The time period beyond 01.01.2028 gives rise to a system landscape consisting of an S/4HANA system (for the ERP area), SAP HCM for S/4HANA (integrated / stand-alone) and potentially SAP SuccessFactors as an enhancement, for example for a talent hybrid or even a core hybrid approach. You must migrate to “H4S4“ between now and 31.12.2027.

If you are currently faced with making a decision on how your SAP HCM landscape should look in the future, and which solution would make the best economic sense for you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to discuss your current situation in a joint consultation and develop a made-to-measure solution approach together with you.

We look forward to you contacting us!

Dipl.-Ing. Bernd Hareter
Managing Consultant
T: +43 1 236 4312
bernd.hareter@hcm-advice.com