German software company SAP plans to increase hiring in India at a faster rate compared to other regions, with India expected to soon host the company’s largest workforce globally, Reuters news report said.
SAP Labs India currently employs 15,000 engineers, making it the company’s most significant engineering hub and second-largest location by headcount.
The total number of employees at SAP was 106,043 at the end of December 2023. SAP has employees 48,222 in EMEA, 28,239 in Americas and 29,582 in Asia Pacific. SAP annual report did not reveal the number of employees in Germany, its headquarter.
SAP in January said its job cut will affect 9,000-10,000 positions. Later, SAP said it expects to exit 2024 at a headcount slightly ahead of year-end 2023 reflecting re-investments into strategic growth areas and the acquisition of WalkMe.
While restructuring expenses recorded in the first nine months of 2024 total €2.8 billion, the overall expenses associated with the program are estimated to be approximately €3 billion, SAP said.
SAP CEO Christian Klein announced that India will receive a substantial share of SAP’s future investments in research and development (R&D) and customer success.
SAP is building a second office in Bengaluru, capable of housing an additional 15,000 employees.
The primary team for SAP’s artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives is based in India, indicating the country’s role in shaping the company’s tech strategy.
Christian Klein assured that as SAP’s business expands, hiring will continue, albeit at a slightly reduced rate compared to growth, addressing concerns over potential job losses due to generative AI.
SAP has reported 9 percent rise in revenue to €8.47 billion in third-quarter of 2024. SAP did not reveal its revenue from AI business. SAP, in its annual report 2023, said it will make an investment of almost €1 billion in two-years to develop powerful AI use cases for customers.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
