New SAP^® options for automation integration of AeroBot and Co

KNAPP expands its SAP^® solution portfolio. With a custom-developed solution on the SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP BTP for short, for integrating the innovative warehouse robotics system AeroBot, KNAPP IT Solutions – the SAP^® competence center of the KNAPP group – unlocks new possibilities for automation integration in SAP^® systems. Hosted on the open, cloud-based SAP^® integration platform, this SAP BTP service enables fast, low-risk implementation without major system modifications during ongoing operations.

SAP BTP, short for SAP Business Technology Platform, is the central, cross-cloud SAP^® innovation platform for creating, testing, and ultimately integrating new applications. Following the Platform as a Service (PaaS) model, SAP BTP enables seamless integration of various solutions – including custom applications – for development, automation, data analysis, integration, and AI, all using standard interfaces with SAP^® system. “Maintaining a clean core and minimizing risks in software architecture are always key challenges in today’s IT environments. SAP BTP allows us to connect standard automation quickly, flexibly, and with minimal risk,” says Thomas Furthmayr, Managing Director of KNAPP IT Solutions. “Our AeroBot system stands out technologically due to its easy integration, high flexibility, and scalability. In this respect, it was our aim to continue this program regarding the SAP^® integration options. Accordingly, taking advantage of SAP BTP for our solution was the obvious choice.”

Low-risk SAP^® integration of the AeroBot thanks to the Clean Core approach

One major advantage of the KNAPP AeroBot App is the clean core approach. This means the extension for the AeroBot system is not embedded as additional code in the SAP^® software module. Instead, it is encapsulated as an SAP BTP app on the multi-cloud platform. The app ensures communication between the AeroBot system’s machine controller (KiSoft) and the existing SAP^® system. Toward the SAP^® system, existing SAP^® standard interfaces (APIs) are used. This allows for easy execution of storage and picking processes monitored via SAP Fiori dashboards also provided within the SAP BTP app. As a result, the KNAPP AeroBot App enables automation integration with minimal impact on the existing software architecture, significantly reducing the risk to ongoing operations. This allows for fast implementation and predictable project execution – supported by simplified regression testing within the existing SAP^® system.

Growing portfolio of SAP BTP services from KNAPP

In addition to the KNAPP AeroBot App for integrating the AeroBot system, similar SAP BTP services are already available for other KNAPP automation solutions. These include AMR systems such as the entire Open Shuttle fleet, as well as picking machines such as the UnitBot and KNAPP Store. “Our current services on SAP BTP for automation technologies, but also for other logistics services in the future, complement our SAP^® EWM expertise in a meaningful way. If you have specific requirements and are unsure whether SAP BTP or SAP^® EWM MFS is the right approach, please consult us to find the optimal solution,” adds Thomas Furthmayr.

The KNAPP AeroBot App built with SAP BTP is now available in the SAP Store.

About KNAPP

KNAPP is your technology partner for intelligent value chain management. Headquartered in Austria, the KNAPP group provides all-in-one solutions for automation and digitalization, from production and distribution to the point of sale. Excellent service and long-term collaboration make KNAPP the strong partner behind the success of their customers in the sectors healthcare, retail, food retail, fashion, wholesale and industry.

KNAPP IT Solutions is the competence center for SAP® software solutions within the KNAPP group. As a long-standing SAP partner, KNAPP offers all services related to the logistics software SAP^® Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), as well as SAP^® Yard Logistics (YL) and SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) with SAP^® by KNAPP. You can find more information at knapp.com/kis