Tools keep evolving, just like your organization. The Q4 2025 release of SAC isn't just a list of bug fixes; it represents a significant step toward unified, real-time planning. For finance teams, this update offers concrete opportunities to reduce manual work and improve data flow without launching a massive new project.
What is new in SAC Q4 2025?
This quarter focuses on three strategic pillars: Automation, Integration, and Seamless Planning. Below are the practical highlights and how they impact your day-to-day operations.
1. Automated Reporting on Real-Time Data
Until now, scheduling stories often meant moving data around. A long-requested enhancement has finally arrived: the ability to schedule SAC stories based on a live SAP Datasphere connection.
- The Benefit: You can now automatically deliver reports powered by real-time data via email in both SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) and SAC tenants.
- The Impact: This eliminates the need to import data just for distribution, streamlining operationalization. Note that setting this up requires a UCL formation and a specific DSP tunnel connection.
- Tip: Review your current manual distribution lists. Which reports can now be automated to free up your team's time?
2. Simplified Data Integration
Connectivity is the backbone of a strong finance architecture. SAC now introduces a native import connection for SAP HANA Cloud.
- The Benefit: Replicate fact and master data directly into SAC without complex workarounds.
- The Impact: Use this to simplify your load processes, especially for hybrid planning scenarios where data sits in multiple environments.
3. Advanced Planning with Compass & Datasphere
The gap between high-level analysis and detailed planning continues to close. The Compass module now extends to Seamless Planning models persisted in SAP Datasphere.
- The Benefit: You can run complex Monte Carlo simulations directly on your Datasphere-based planning models.
- The Impact: This increases flexibility and drastically reduces the need to maintain duplicate data structures for simulation purposes.
Architectural Insight: The Move Toward Unified Planning
While these features offer immediate improvements, they also signal a shift in Digital Finance Architecture. The Q4 update introduces the ability to consume live Datasphere fact views and SQL source views (like Google BigQuery) directly within planning models.
Why does this matter?
- Less Redundancy: You can reference live versions in stories or data actions without moving the data.
- Better Alignment: It strengthens cross-system scenarios , ensuring your planning model reflects the reality of your data sources—a core principle of a sound Digital Finance Architecture.
Summary: Your Q4 Action Plan
The Q4 2025 release allows you to move further toward unified, real-time planning, which reduces replication and accelerates decision-making.
To get the best out of this release, consider these three steps:
- Audit your scheduled reports: Can you switch to live Datasphere connections to save maintenance effort?
- Review data loads: Does the new HANA Cloud import connection offer a simpler route for your master data?
- Test Compass: If you use simulations, try running them on Datasphere models to test the performance gains.
Keep Improving with Finext
Technology only creates value when it is actually used well. The new automation capabilities in SAC Q4 are powerful, but only if they translate into time saved for your team. We look beyond the hype of new releases to find the specific features that solve real bottlenecks in your daily operations. Whether it is automating a report to free up an analyst or simplifying a data load to reduce errors, the goal remains the same: ensuring your investment delivers visible results, every single day. If you have any question regarding the SAC Q4 update, please get in touch.
