SAP IBP 2605 has just landed, with some valuable updates that will make life easier for planners.
We spoke to SAP IBP consultant Rich Bevan to get his perspective on what really matters.
While SAP IBP 2605 might not be the loudest release we’ve seen, there are still plenty of improvements for planners. The focus is on strengthening the Harmonised Planning Area and real-time integration (RTI), alongside enhancing the overall user experience, particularly in Planner Workspaces.
For me, that makes this release less about big new features, and more about making day-to-day planning simpler, more connected and easier to execute.
One workspace, less work
Planner Workspaces (PWS) continue to evolve as the UI of choice for IBP users, with this latest release accelerating that shift.
Being able to copy workspaces across planning areas is a major time saver. Combined with enhanced filtering, in-app master data maintenance and more flexible formula building, planners can do more without switching tools or rebuilding views.
Bottom line:
Less time configuring, navigating and duplicating effort. More time actually planning.
A major step forward for demand planning
A longstanding gap has finally been closed: statistical forecasting simulations are now also available directly in PWS.
Up to now, planners had to jump back into Excel to do this. That’s no longer the case, making the process far more seamless and consistent, and strengthening ‘what-if’ scenario planning across all UIs.
At the same time, improvements to new product forecasting; where external variables can now be used in machine learning regression models; will make a real difference to forecast quality where it’s traditionally been most challenging.
Bottom line:
More accurate forecasts, especially for new products, delivered in a simpler, more unified workflow.
Make inventory decisions with financial context
One of the more interesting additions is the introduction of AI-driven insight into the working capital impact of safety stock decisions.
In many organisations, supply chain and finance objectives pull in different directions. This update helps bring them together by giving planners and decision-makers clearer visibility of the financial impact behind inventory decisions.
Bottom line:
Better-balanced decisions, with service and cost considered together, not separately.
Supply planning gets more collaborative
Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) being supported within order-based planning is a big step forward in the evolution of the Harmonised Planning Area (HPA).
It’s fully integrated across supply, deployment and transport planning, meaning it opens up more collaborative ways of working with suppliers and improves responsiveness across the supply chain.
Bottom line:
A more connected supply chain, with collaboration built into the planning process, not just bolted on.
Better aligned data, more confidence
Some of the subtler improvements are just as important.
Enhancements in real-time integration (RTI) – like automatically removing deleted transportation lanes, validating deleted orders and improving alignment of pegging data – will reduce manual effort and help improve data integrity between planning and execution systems.
Bottom line:
Planning you can trust, with less time spent managing inconsistencies.
Integration that keeps up with your business
Something a bit different here, but still worth knowing: the existing Cloud Integration for Data Services (CI-DS) platform will no longer be available for new IBP customers.
There’s no action needed if you’re already using it, but it does signal the direction of travel for integration between IBP and S/4HANA, shifting towards RTI and HPA.
Bottom line:
A move towards more real-time, connected planning, with fewer delays between decisions and execution.
Final thoughts
Overall, this isn’t about one standout feature. It’s about a series of practical improvements that make planning simpler, faster and more effective.
And ultimately, that’s where the real value lies. The easier IBP is to use day to day, the more likely it is to be adopted consistently across the organisation.
Want to understand what these updates mean for your IBP environment? Get in touch with our team to talk it through.