SAP Digital Manufacturing Release 25.05: Key Updates and What They Mean for the Paper Industry an expert interview with Daniel Madl, T.CON
The latest update to SAP Digital Manufacturing (DM), Release 25.05, has been eagerly anticipated by ERP professionals across industries—especially those in the paper sector. Now live since May, the cloud-based MES (Manufacturing Execution System) brings a wealth of new features. But with SAP’s release notes spanning 44 pages, pinpointing the most relevant updates for manufacturers can be daunting. Fortunately, experts like Daniel Madl at T.CON have already taken a close look.
We spoke to Daniel to explore what this release means—particularly for the paper industry—and what features stand out.
Daniel, Release 25.05 has been in use since the end of May. How significant is it for SAP DM?
This release marks a strong step forward in SAP DM’s evolution toward a more integrated and context-aware MES. It’s far more than a routine update. The new features are clearly aligned with real-world production needs and SAP’s strategic roadmap. Most notably, there are important enhancements in materials management and in how the system supports end-to-end supply chain integration.
What features stand out to you—especially for companies in the paper industry?
One thing I really appreciate about Release 25.05 is its practical focus. SAP has clearly listened to feedback from partners like T.CON and from end users. For example, a new “Sequence” column in the parts list now shows the correct assembly order for components—an especially helpful feature for manufacturers working with complex or layered products, like paper rolls or composites.
Another major improvement: users can now post goods receipt entries for multiple line items sharing the same material number. This is particularly relevant for the paper industry, where by-products and co-products are common, and production often involves varied roll dimensions stored in characteristics rather than as separate materials.
AI has been a big theme for SAP lately. Has this release added anything on that front?
Definitely. Release 25.05 brings deeper integration of generative AI into SAP DM through Joule, SAP’s AI co-pilot. Joule can now search SAP product documentation in a natural, conversational way. You simply type in your question, and Joule returns a summarized answer along with the top three matching resources. If you need more detail, you can click through to the SAP Help Portal for full documentation. It’s a huge time-saver and a smart way to deliver AI-driven support directly to end users.
Are there any other standout features in this release?
Yes—one of the most promising additions is SFC-based dispatching. Instead of relying on production orders or operations, this feature lets planners schedule based on individual production lots (SFCs). This allows for much finer control and flexibility when assigning production volumes to machines. It also makes it easier to adjust on the fly when there are unexpected issues in production.
You mentioned custom plug-ins in a previous interview. Has anything changed there?
Yes—and it’s one of the most exciting developments in this release. Custom plug-ins (used in Production Operator Dashboards or PODs) can now be more deeply integrated into production process design. These function modules make it possible to tailor SAP DM to specific customer requirements—proving once again that public cloud solutions can be customized. It’s a powerful tool for meeting industry-specific needs and adapting to unique workflows.
Thanks, Daniel, for the insights!
My pleasure. It’s always great to talk about these developments. I really enjoyed it.
About the Expert
Daniel Madl is a Manufacturing Execution Consultant at T.CON and a recognized expert in SAP Digital Manufacturing. Contact: daniel.madl@team-con.de Website: T.Con
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