What is the difference between per-user-per-month and consumption-based models?

The per-user-per-month model applies when Premium AI capabilities are assigned to specific users who access and use them regularly. It provides predictable pricing based on the number of users. In some cases, however, a per-user model does not fit the usage pattern — for example, when AI features are triggered by system events or used irregularly across large volumes of data. In these scenarios, a consumption-based model is applied, where AI Units are measured and billed according to predefined usage metrics, such as documents or records processed. Both approaches work together within SAP’s AI commercial model to ensure flexibility and fairness, aligning pricing with actual usage.

What is an SAP AI Unit?

SAP AI Units are a form of virtual currency that customers purchase to activate and use premium AI capabilities within SAP Cloud Services. They are consumption-based credits that can be used flexibly across multiple SAP solutions and are not tied to a specific product or line of business. This allows customers to draw from a central pool of AI Units as they use AI-powered features across their SAP landscape. AI Units are purchased annually and expire after 12 months if not used.

How are AI Units measured and tracked?

Most commonly, AI Units are measured on a per-user-per-month basis — for example, Joule Premium packages (e.g., Supply Chain, Finance) use tiered pricing based on volume, ranging from 8 to 1 AI Units per user/month. In other cases, where a per-user model does not apply, AI Units follow consumption-based pricing — for instance, Document Grounding consumes 0.005 AI Units per record. Customers can track their usage and remaining balance in real time via SAP for Me.

How do I know how many units I should purchase?

The number of AI Units you need depends on how your organisation plans to use SAP Business AI — for example, the number of users, business areas adopting AI features, and the expected usage volume. SAP provides guidance and estimation tools to help determine the right amount of AI Units based on your planned use cases. Your SAP Account Executive or Partner can support you in defining the appropriate quantity and help model different usage scenarios. You can also use the SAP AI Estimator to estimate your AI Unit needs and request a quote directly.

Where do I get help activating them once I purchase?

Joule Base is included at no additional cost in all SAP Cloud subscriptions and can be obtained either via self-service through the SAP Store (Joule Base Entitlement) or through your SAP Account Executive. Once the AI Terms & Conditions are accepted, Joule is automatically provisioned in your BTP global account and ready for activation. Step-by-step guides are available in the SAP Help Portal. Premium AI activation begins after purchasing AI Units (SKU 8019164). SAP completes the package activation, and customers then assign named users in SAP Cloud Identity Services (IAS). For assistance, customers can contact their SAP Account Executive or follow the detailed instructions in the SAP Help Portal.

How is AI Foundation priced?

AI Foundation is the AI operating system at the core of SAP Business AI, empowering developers and enterprises to build, run, and integrate custom AI solutions at scale. Capabilities such as Joule Studio and SAP Document AI can be accessed through SAP BTP using credits available in the SAP Discovery Center.

SAP Business AI packages and pricing

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Base AI provides the foundational AI capabilities included in all SAP Cloud applications. These everyday AI features support core business processes—for example, generating insights, recommendations, or automating simple tasks across SAP solutions. Base AI is included in standard cloud subscriptions and can be used without limits or additional cost.

Premium AI packages

Premium AI includes advanced and specialised AI services powered by AI Units. It enables more complex and scalable use cases such as Joule Premium and Document Grounding, helping organisations extend AI into higher-value scenarios across departments and workflows.

Joule Premium for financial management

Joule Premium for financial management includes financial business insights, smart summarization, and other features that incorporate agentic capabilities and Joule’s premium functions, including both transactional and analytical skills.

Joule Premium for spend management

Joule Premium for Spend Management offers powerful features such as Category Segmentation and SOW Description Creation, helping procurement and finance teams increase efficiency.

Joule Premium for supply chain management

Joule Premium for Supply Chain Management offers powerful capabilities such as Equipment Insights and ESG Report Generation, designed to enhance operational transparency.

Joule Premium for human capital management

Joule Premium for Human Capital Management includes advanced features such as AI-Assisted Writing and Interview Feedback Insights, along with a range of other intelligent tools.

Joule Premium for customer experience

Joule Premium for Customer Experience includes innovative features such as Image Generation and Lead Booster, designed to elevate engagement and drive stronger customer relationships.

SAP Joule for Consultants

SAP Joule for Consultants accelerates SAP cloud transformations and increases implementation quality by making consultants more productive with exclusive expert-level guidance.

Joule for Developers

Joule for Developers is the trusted AI Assistant for SAP Developers, providing real-time explanations of development objects, streamlining learning and finding answers to questions.

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Frequently asked questions

: Base AI provides the foundational AI capabilities included in all SAP Cloud applications. These everyday AI features support core business processes—for example, generating insights, recommendations, or automating simple tasks across SAP solutions. Base AI is included in standard cloud subscriptions and can be used without limits or additional cost.

Premium AI, in contrast, includes advanced and specialised AI services powered by AI Units. It enables more complex and scalable use cases such as Joule Premium and Document Grounding, helping organisations extend AI into higher-value scenarios across departments and workflows.

While Base AI is always included, Premium AI is priced flexibly — either per user/per month or based on consumption, depending on the feature. Together, Base and Premium AI create a comprehensive and scalable model: Base AI delivers seamless, always-on intelligence, while Premium AI adds the flexibility and power to grow with your business.
: The per-user-per-month model applies when Premium AI capabilities are assigned to specific users who access and use them regularly. It provides predictable pricing based on the number of users.

In some cases, however, a per-user model does not fit the usage pattern — for example, when AI features are triggered by system events or used irregularly across large volumes of data. In these scenarios, a consumption-based model is applied, where AI Units are measured and billed according to predefined usage metrics, such as documents or records processed.

Both approaches work together within SAP’s AI commercial model to ensure flexibility and fairness, aligning pricing with actual usage.
: SAP AI Units are a form of virtual currency that customers purchase to activate and use premium AI capabilities within SAP Cloud Services.

They are consumption-based credits that can be used flexibly across multiple SAP solutions and are not tied to a specific product or line of business. This allows customers to draw from a central pool of AI Units as they use AI-powered features across their SAP landscape.

AI Units are purchased annually and expire after 12 months if not used.
: Most commonly, AI Units are measured on a per-user-per-month basis — for example, Joule Premium packages (e.g., Supply Chain, Finance) use tiered pricing based on volume, ranging from 8 to 1 AI Units per user/month.

In other cases, where a per-user model does not apply, AI Units follow consumption-based pricing — for instance, Document Grounding consumes 0.005 AI Units per record.

Customers can track their usage and remaining balance in real time via SAP for Me.
: The number of AI Units you need depends on how your organisation plans to use SAP Business AI — for example, the number of users, business areas adopting AI features, and the expected usage volume.

SAP provides guidance and estimation tools to help determine the right amount of AI Units based on your planned use cases. Your SAP Account Executive or Partner can support you in defining the appropriate quantity and help model different usage scenarios.

You can also use the SAP AI Estimator to estimate your AI Unit needs and request a quote directly.
: Joule Base is included at no additional cost in all SAP Cloud subscriptions and can be obtained either via self-service through the SAP Store (Joule Base Entitlement) or through your SAP Account Executive. Once the AI Terms & Conditions are accepted, Joule is automatically provisioned in your BTP global account and ready for activation. Step-by-step guides are available in the SAP Help Portal.

Premium AI activation begins after purchasing AI Units (SKU 8019164). SAP completes the package activation, and customers then assign named users in SAP Cloud Identity Services (IAS). For assistance, customers can contact their SAP Account Executive or follow the detailed instructions in the SAP Help Portal.
: AI Foundation is the AI operating system at the core of SAP Business AI, empowering developers and enterprises to build, run, and integrate custom AI solutions at scale. Capabilities such as Joule Studio and SAP Document AI can be accessed through SAP BTP using credits available in the SAP Discovery Center.

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