The energy and utilities sector is evolving rapidly as companies invest in digital transformation. Mindset, with over a decade of experience, is at the forefront of delivering solutions that address both energy challenges and utility needs. In our work, we support major utilities and energy companies such as Xcel Energy, NPPD, Metropolitan Utilities District, and Merit Energy (representing our oil and gas expertise). Our approach combines SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), Business Data Cloud, and a suite of advanced tools including Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), a robust Knowledge Graph, and AI to deliver tangible results.
Key Trends in Energy and Utilities for 2025
Breaking Down Data Silos with BTP and Business Data Cloud
Utilities and energy companies are unifying data from diverse sources using SAP BTP. By combining operational data from SAP S/4HANA with external information such as IoT sensor readings and weather data, companies gain a single, trusted source of real-time insights.
- New Business Data Cloud: BDC is a new offering announced just a week ago. Mindset is ready for it, with baseline work already in motion and our consultants actively being trained. Our solid foundation in Datasphere, SAC, Knowledge Graph, and AI sets us up to be the best partner for BDC.
- Multiple data sources are integrated into one trusted platform, enabling faster and smarter decision making.
- Our solutions reduce manual integration work and accelerate operational insights.
AI and SAP’s Joule: From Analytics to Intelligent Assistance
Artificial intelligence is now a practical tool in energy and utilities. SAP’s generative AI assistant, Joule, functions as an embedded copilot that supports natural language queries and provides clear recommendations. This means planners can ask Joule to explain forecast variances while customer service teams and developers benefit from real-time insights and integrated coding assistance.
- Joule delivers actionable answers quickly, improving operational responsiveness.
- Its integration with tools such as SAP Build and ABAP helps development teams receive timely coding and automation support.
- Mindset embeds AI across solutions—from predictive outage models to conversational chatbots—that drive efficiency and streamline processes.
Mobile Workforce and Real-Time Operations
Field employees in both energy and utilities require mobile, user-friendly tools to access and update real-time data. With increasing amounts of data generated from IoT and advanced metering infrastructure, a mobile-first approach is essential.
- Mobile applications for outage work orders and time entry eliminate the need for desktop-based processes.
- Real-time data access ensures that critical alerts and performance updates are delivered instantly.
- SAP BTP supports custom Fiori app development, and Mindset designs these solutions with a strong emphasis on user experience through on-site Design Thinking sessions.
Human-Centered Design and the AppHaus Approach
Technology is only effective when users adopt it. Mindset places a high priority on human-centered design. Through Design Thinking workshops and collaborative sessions, we work closely with clients to uncover pain points and prototype solutions that are both intuitive and effective.
- Detailed user personas and comprehensive journey mapping ensure that every solution meets real operational needs.
- Our AppHaus approach emphasizes creative collaboration and rapid prototyping, resulting in solutions that function well and deliver a superior user experience.
- This method leads to better adoption of digital tools, reduced training requirements, and overall improved satisfaction.
Customer Success Highlights: Energy and Utilities Transforming with Mindset
Our case studies demonstrate the real-world impact of our solutions. Here are a few examples from our recent work:
- Xcel Energy – Mobile Field Time Entry
Xcel Energy modernized how field crews log their hours by adopting a Fiori mobile time entry app on SAP Cloud Platform (SAP BTP). Field workers now log time directly from mobile devices, leading to improved productivity and significant cost savings. This solution is part of a broader digital transformation effort that includes outage restoration and work manager enhancements.
Read the full Xcel Energy case study. - NPPD – Streamlined Purchasing Process and UX Enhancements
NPPD partnered with Mindset to simplify a cumbersome purchase requisition process through UX advisory and targeted Design Thinking sessions. The self-service application improved data quality, ensured compliance, and reduced training time. This project is part of a series of enhancements including Fiori app analyzer installations and optimized security resources. - Metropolitan Utilities District – Improving Internal User Experience
MUD benefited from a complete overhaul of their internal SAP access request system. Mindset transformed a slow, manual process into a modern, user-friendly workflow that increased efficiency and provided better transparency in approvals. Ongoing efforts continue to optimize Fiori and enhance user experience further. - Merit Energy – Clean Core S/4HANA Transformation
Merit Energy, an oil and gas company, successfully transitioned to S/4HANA by replacing custom legacy functionality with standard processes built on a clean core philosophy. Mindset adapted complex journal entry workflows into S/4 standard capabilities, enabling easier future upgrades and process improvements.
Read the full Merit Energy case study.
Looking Ahead
The digital transformation journey for energy and utilities will continue to accelerate in 2025. Companies will increasingly use SAP solutions to drive real-time analytics and AI-powered decisions while seamlessly integrating operational technology with IT systems. Utilities will play a pivotal role in powering AI data centers and meeting the surging demand from electric vehicles and emerging energy sources. A unified business data fabric will connect ERP systems, IoT data, and external information to create smarter, more agile networks.
- AI copilots will be embedded in daily workflows, assisting with tasks from financial forecasting to asset management.
- Our investments in advanced tools such as Datasphere, SAC, and the Knowledge Graph are already laying the groundwork for BDC, positioning us as the best partner when it arrives.
- Ongoing projects span outage restoration, work manager improvements, and comprehensive UX enhancements.
For more details on SAP Business Data Cloud, please check out the
BDC Announcement Press Release.
By partnering with Mindset and SAP, energy and utility companies are powering up for the future. Our technical expertise and human-centered approach ensure that we deliver solutions that are both innovative and practical.
