Unlocking New Possibilities for Automation Integration within the SAP® Environment

KNAPP North America, the reliable technology partner for value chain innovation, has announced a new integration of its award-winning AeroBot system—robots that navigate in three dimensions to maximize storage density and provide operational flexibility—into SAP® systems. Built entirely on the open, cloud-based SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), the KNAPP AeroBot App facilitates a rapid, low-risk implementation process, minimizing disruption to ongoing warehouse operations.

SAP BTP, short for SAP Business Technology Platform, serves as the central innovation hub across all SAP® cloud instances for developing, testing and integrating new applications. Embracing the Platform as a Service (PaaS) model, SAP BTP allows for the seamless connection of diverse solutions—including custom, purpose-built applications—for development, automation, data analytics, integration and AI, all utilizing standard SAP® interfaces.

A key benefit of the new KNAPP AeroBot App is the adherence to a "clean core" philosophy. The extension for the AeroBot system is not embedded as custom code directly within the SAP® software module. Instead, it operates as an encapsulated SAP BTP app hosted on a multi-cloud platform.

Thomas Furthmayr, Managing Director of KNAPP IT Solutions, explains, "Maintaining a clean core and minimizing architectural risk are critical challenges in today's demanding IT landscapes. SAP BTP empowers us to connect autonomously operating automation solutions quickly, flexibly and with minimal exposure to risk. Our AeroBot system is known for its ease of integration and scalability, and using SAP BTP was the clear choice to continue this simple integration path for our SAP® clients."

This app manages all communication between the AeroBot's machine controller (KiSoft) and the existing SAP® system using established, standard SAP® interfaces (APIs). This separation allows warehouse associates to easily execute and monitor storage and picking processes via intuitive SAP® Fiori dashboards, which are also part of the SAP BTP app suite.

The result is automation integration with minimal impact on the existing software architecture, significantly reducing operational risk. This approach ensures faster implementation times and predictable project execution, supported by simplified regression testing within the existing SAP® system environment.

The AeroBot app is just one part of a growing suite of SAP BTP services from KNAPP. Similar integration services are already available for other KNAPP automation solutions, including AMR Systems: The full Open Shuttle fleet of Autonomous Mobile Robots and Picking Technologies.

"Our current services on SAP BTP for automation technologies, and for future logistics services, meaningfully enhance our deep SAP® Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) expertise," added Furthmayr. "We provide flexible options to meet unique client needs across North America."

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

KNAPP is the reliable technology partner for value‑chain innovation. With its global headquarters in Graz, Austria, and North American headquarters in Kennesaw, Georgia, KNAPP operates 54 global subsidiaries. KNAPP provides proven software and hardware solutions for intelligent logistics automation, from production and distribution to point of sale and last mile delivery. A collaborative approach and intelligent, data‑driven services position KNAPP as a trusted, stable partner for success in healthcare, pharmacy, retail, fashion and apparel, food and grocery, wholesale, manufacturing and ecommerce.

KNAPP IT Solutions, the company’s SAP^® competence center, provides comprehensive services for SAP^® Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), SAP^® Yard Logistics (YL), and SAP BTP-based solutions under the SAP^® by KNAPP portfolio.

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Our AeroBot system is known for its ease of integration and scalability, and using SAP BTP was the clear choice to continue this simple integration path for our SAP® clients