Celonis Sues SAP Over Data Access Restrictions and Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices

Celonis vs. SAP: The Battle for Control Over Enterprise Data Access

A High-Stakes Legal Clash in the Process Mining Industry

A major legal showdown is unfolding in the enterprise software industry. Celonis, a leading process mining company valued at $13 billion, has filed a lawsuit against SAP, accusing the German tech giant of anti-competitive behavior and unfair market restrictions. Filed in the Northern District of California on March 17, 2025, the lawsuit raises concerns about data access, vendor lock-in, and fair competition in a rapidly growing market.

What’s at the Core of Celonis’s Lawsuit Against SAP?

Celonis alleges that SAP is deliberately restricting third-party access to customer data stored in its business software, making it difficult and costly for competitors to operate. The key accusations include:

Anti-Competitive Conduct: Celonis claims that SAP has implemented technical restrictions, additional charges, and restrictive policies to push out competitors from its ecosystem.
Self-Preferencing: The lawsuit argues that SAP is favoring its own process mining software, Signavio (acquired in 2021), while disadvantaging independent competitors like Celonis.
Broken Commitments: Celonis asserts that SAP has reneged on promises made to antitrust regulators in 2021, when it assured authorities that its ERP ecosystem would remain open to third-party software without additional fees.

SAP’s enterprise resource planning software serves as the backbone for thousands of corporations worldwide, handling financial transactions, supply chains, and logistics. With SAP applications embedded into critical business operations, third-party software providers like Celonis argue that limited data access creates an unfair monopoly.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Lawsuit Matters for the Industry

This legal dispute isn't just about two companies—it’s about the future of enterprise software and whether customers will have control over their own data.

1. The Growing Demand for Open Software Ecosystems

Major corporations such as BMW have voiced concerns about closed software environments, arguing that businesses should have unrestricted access to their operational data. Companies rely on process mining software to optimize workflows, detect inefficiencies, and improve performance, but restrictive ERP policies could hinder those efforts.

If Celonis prevails, it could set a precedent that forces SAP—and potentially other enterprise software providers—to open their platforms, fostering greater interoperability and competition.

Process mining is one of the fastest-growing sectors in enterprise software, with some reports projecting a 40% compound annual growth rate . Celonis dominates the market, but SAP’s acquisition of Signavio signals its intent to capture a larger share. By controlling data access within its ERP systems, SAP could effectively push customers toward its own solution, limiting competition.

A favorable ruling for Celonis could boost the broader process mining industry, giving independent vendors a stronger foothold against large ERP providers.

Investment and Financial Implications: Who Stands to Gain or Lose?

This lawsuit has far-reaching consequences for investors, as both Celonis and SAP face potential risks and opportunities.

For Celonis:

✅ A legal win could unlock SAP’s vast customer base, fueling Celonis’s expansion and market share growth. ✅ The lawsuit highlights the importance of vendor-neutral solutions, potentially driving more businesses toward independent process mining providers. ❌ Legal battles are costly and time-consuming, and a prolonged fight could drain resources and slow growth.

For SAP:

✅ If the company successfully defends its position, it could reinforce its dominance in ERP-integrated process mining. ✅ Diversified revenue streams and its strong enterprise presence mitigate short-term financial risks. ❌ A loss or regulatory intervention could force SAP to change its business model, reducing its control over data access. ❌ The lawsuit may fuel customer concerns about vendor lock-in, pushing enterprises toward alternative solutions.

A Broader Regulatory Wake-Up Call?

Governments worldwide are cracking down on monopolistic practices in the tech industry. This lawsuit could prompt regulators in both the U.S. and Europe to scrutinize ERP vendors and their data policies more closely. If SAP faces regulatory pressure, other software giants—including Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce—could also be forced to reevaluate their platform openness.

What Comes Next?

With so much at stake, the outcome of this legal battle will shape the enterprise software landscape for years to come. Whether through a courtroom decision, a settlement, or increased regulatory scrutiny, the fight between Celonis and SAP could redefine the rules of competition in business technology.

For investors, enterprise customers, and industry observers, this case is a must-watch. The question now is: will enterprise software vendors be forced to embrace greater openness, or will SAP’s approach become the industry standard?