Hasso Plattner, born on January 21, 1944, in Berlin, is one of the iconic co-founders of the software publisher SAP AG. A visionary in the tech industry, he steered the company through several strategic turns since its founding in 1972. His influence extends beyond SAP; he also founded the Hasso Plattner Institute in Berlin, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneer of innovation. As he prepares to depart in May 2024, his legacy remains deeply embedded in the evolution of SAP, still inspired by tech giants like Google and Microsoft.
Hasso Plattner, born on January 21, 1944, in Berlin, is one of the emblematic figures in the modern computing world. In April 1972, he made a bold decision to leave his job to found a company in Mannheim that would revolutionize the software industry. This startup, now known as SAP, gradually established itself as the global leader in enterprise resource planning software.
Plattner was at the helm of SAP, brilliantly orchestrating every strategic turn. Under his leadership, the company not only survived multiple crises but also thrived, marking history with innovations like SAP HANA, a next-generation software architecture. Plattner’s forward-thinking vision materialized not only through SAP products but also within the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), which he founded in Berlin to promote continuous innovation.
In May 2024, after more than fifty years of visionary leadership, Hasso Plattner is stepping down as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of SAP. His remarkable career has been acknowledged by many figures, including the German Chancellor. His legacy as a pioneer of technological innovation continues to inspire generations of leaders and innovators around the world.
The Beginnings and the Creation of SAP
Hasso Plattner was born on January 21, 1944, in Berlin. From a young age, Plattner showed a keen interest in science and technology. After studying communication engineering, he began his career at IBM, where he gained solid experience in computing and project management. It was within this company that he met the future co-founders of SAP, with whom he shared a common vision: to transform the enterprise software sector.
In 1972, Plattner and his colleagues left IBM to found SAP in Mannheim. Their mission was clear: to create real-time enterprise applications. Plattner played a crucial role in leading the development team and establishing the technical foundations of what would become one of the largest software publishers in the world. The focus on specific customer needs and continuous innovation quickly led SAP to become a leader in the integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) market.
The Era of Innovation and Leadership
Plattner did not settle for SAP’s initial success. Always seeking new ideas to push the boundaries of technology, he was one of the first to understand the importance of real-time systems integration. His work resulted in the creation of SAP HANA, a next-generation data platform. Designed to analyze large volumes of data in real-time, SAP HANA revolutionized the sector and positioned SAP as a pioneer of technological innovation.
At the same time, Plattner established the HPI in Berlin to promote education and research in computer science. This center plays a key role in developing new technologies and serves as a model for innovation initiatives within SAP itself. Under his leadership, SAP multiplied collaborations with companies like Google and Facebook, always seeking to draw inspiration from the best to remain at the forefront.
A Lasting Legacy
In May 2024, after more than five decades at the helm of SAP, Hasso Plattner announces his departure from the chairmanship of the Supervisory Board. His tenure was marked by a series of innovations and achievements, leaving a lasting legacy not only for SAP but for the tech sector as a whole. Plattner succeeded in transforming a small startup into a global giant.
His impact extends far beyond SAP. Plattner is recognized for successfully integrating technological innovation and strategic vision into business management. His approach has inspired many leaders and entrepreneurs, making him an iconic figure in the tech industry. Upon leaving SAP, Plattner leaves not only a solid and thriving company but also a model of leadership based on continuous innovation.
