Chris Salis — What to Learn in SAP CX in 2025
SAP is enormous. So much so that even I, as a seasoned SAP expert, sometimes feel a bit daunted when deciding which SAP product to focus on, work with, or recommend to clients. But that’s part of being a specialist — embracing the depth and breadth of expertise required.
As we’ve discussed before, SAP has an array of products tailored to meet different business needs. One standout is the SAP Customer Experience (CX) Suite — or as I like to think of it, “the future of customer relationship management.” And let’s be clear, it’s not just a CRM; it’s a complete suite of tools.
SAP Customer Experience Suite runs on SAP HANA, which is where the “C/4HANA” name comes from: “C” for customer, “4” for fourth-generation CRM, and “HANA” as the data powerhouse behind it. The suite’s automation capabilities are powered by SAP’s advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, driving features like routine task automation, predictive analytics, advanced forecasting, and automated marketing.
Since its launch, SAP CX has evolved considerably, with frequent updates and new features. It can be challenging to keep up, but staying current is crucial for making the most of SAP CX’s potential for your organization.
So, if I were starting from scratch or looking to refamiliarize myself with SAP CX, here are the core areas I’d focus on:
SAP Commerce Cloud
Previously known as SAP Hybris, this is an essential tool for mastering SAP CX. It’s a comprehensive solution designed to support B2B, B2C, and B2B2C businesses in achieving rapid growth and operational excellence. Its features include:
- Product management
- Order management
- Industry-specific accelerators
- Omnichannel commerce capabilities
SAP Sales Cloud
This is one of the world’s leading sales applications for enterprises. Its powerful functionalities include:
- Sales performance management
- In-depth metric and KPI tracking
- Real-time client engagement
- Customer response management
- Predictive analytics
- Integration with SAP and third-party applications
SAP Marketing Cloud
Having worked with it firsthand, I can say that it simplifies the entire marketing process. It enables you to understand customer personas, analyze buying behavior, and plan effective marketing strategies. Key capabilities include:
- Unified customer insights
- Audience segmentation
- Personalized marketing experiences
- Multichannel campaign management
While I’d also recommend learning SAP Service Cloud and SAP Client Information Cloud within the SAP CX Suite, I’d focus primarily on these three.
SAP has built an impressive digital ecosystem that connects every aspect of customer experience — sales, marketing, business operations, and customer service. It’s precisely this integration that makes SAP and products like SAP Customer Experience Suite a joy to work with.
Resources Related to SAP’s Chris Salis
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissalis
https://irobinmilton.medium.com/saps-chris-salis-life-career-time-at-sap-b89a83e4027f
https://vocal.media/motivation/christopher-salis-biography-work-and-sap-experience