In this episode, Niklas Siemer is joined by Thomas Hammer, the lead product manager for SAP HANA Cloud, to discuss the newly introduced vector engine feature.  

Thomas explains its evolution and multi-model data processing capabilities and focuses on how the new vector engine enhances generative AI applications by improving context awareness. Thomas details its technical features, including new data types and SQL commands, and explores use cases in real estate and audio/image recognition. The conversation also touches on the operational impact, commercial aspects, and upcoming SAP HANA Cloud updates, such as increased storage and cost management tools. 

Also in this episode:  

• SAP BTP is continuously releasing new roadmap updates, including improvements to the API Management user interface, enhanced HTML5 application integration in SAP Build Work Zone, and a namespace concept in SAP Datasphere. 

• SAP HANA Cloud is the latest evolution of SAP HANA, offering a managed database-as-a-service with a focus on in-memory, real-time data analytics and multi-model data processing capabilities. 

• The vector engine is the newest addition to SAP HANA Cloud’s multi-model data processing features, providing the ability to store and process vector data, which is crucial for generative AI scenarios. 

• The vector engine helps address limitations of large language models by infusing business-specific context and more up-to-date information into AI applications, leading to more accurate and relevant responses. 

• Technically, the vector engine introduces a new “real vector” data type and integrates with SQL and Python, allowing customers to leverage vector data processing within the core of the SAP HANA Cloud platform. 

• The vector engine can be used for a variety of use cases, such as similarity search in real estate and audio/image recognition, leveraging the semantic relationships captured in the vector data. 

• While the vector engine may increase data storage requirements and CPU usage for analytics, there is no additional licensing cost for customers to use this feature, which is included as part of the SAP HANA Cloud offering. 

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• Monthly SAP Business Technology Platform Newsletter

Links of “What’s New” section:

• SAP Community #whatsnewinsaphanacloud link
• Youtube Playlist
• News release: SAP HANA Cloud Vector Engine
• SAP HANA Cloud’s Vector Engine Announcement
• From Developer’s Desk: SAP HANA Cloud Vector Engine
• Vectorize your Data : SAP HANA Cloud’s Vector Engine for Unified Data Excellence

About Thomas Hammer:

Thomas Hammer is the Lead Product Manager for SAP HANA Cloud, located in Walldorf, Germany and with SAP for 10 years.

Follow on: LinkedIn

Links of “What’s New” section:

• SAP Community #whatsnewinsaphanacloud link
• Youtube Playlist
• News release: SAP HANA Cloud Vector Engine
• SAP HANA Cloud’s Vector Engine Announcement
• From Developer’s Desk: SAP HANA Cloud Vector Engine
• Vectorize your Data : SAP HANA Cloud’s Vector Engine for Unified Data Excellence

More about SAP HANA Cloud:

• www.sap.com/hanacloud
• Youtube Playlist
• https://help.sap.com/docs/r/p/HANA_CLOUD

Hosted by Niklas Siemer – Product Specialist SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP SE

Social Media:

Follow on: LinkedIn