SAP SE has acquired intellectual property of SwoopTalent, a leader in talent data intelligence, in an asset acquisition.

The stated goal is to embed SwoopTalent’s data and machine learning technology across SAP SuccessFactors solutions to further SAP’s vision of human experience management (HXM). SAP defines HXM as prioritizing individualized employee experiences and dynamic opportunities in order to boost engagement, improve organizational agility, and ultimately fuel business transformation.

Ideally, the platform’s talent and AI algorithms will build profiles of employees by gathering information from different sources, keeping in mind local regulations and employees’ consent and preferences around the kinds of information they’d like to share. Later this year, the profiles will power a new solution that will serve up opportunities like recommendations for learning content and assignments, becoming more individualized as the profiles develop.

“Delivering individualization at scale requires a sophisticated, powerful data platform that extends across multiple systems,” said Meg Bear, SAP SuccessFactors chief product officer. “By making workforce data more reliable and accessible, we can help our customers gain powerful insights about their people to effectively upskill, reskill and redeploy talent and future-proof their business. The founders of SwoopTalent are industry thought leaders with proven expertise using data, machine learning and analytics to elevate HR and make organizations more competitive.”

Founded in 2012, SwoopTalent developed an AI-powered platform that combines, analyzes and trains data from disparate HR systems and workflows. SAP plans to use SwoopTalent’s technology to strengthen its AI capabilities and provide customers with a holistic and continuously updated view of their people - from skills and capabilities to interests and learning preferences - so they can match employees to internal jobs, projects, learning courses, mentors and more. Several SwoopTalent engineering employees will also join the SAP SuccessFactors team.

“Organizations are at a pivotal moment as work is being redefined around agility, purpose and culture,” said Stacy Chapman, SwoopTalent CEO and founder. “With HXM, SAP has the right vision and strategy to deliver technology that enables individuals to upskill and create a career that aligns to their interests and skills. SAP and SwoopTalent are a great cultural fit and share the same values.”

Chapman said it was a "pivotal moment" because the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an upheaval in how work is viewed and handled by companies.

SAP has been making a series of acquisitions recently. In March 2021, it acquired Signavio, a process intelligence company, for close to $1 billion. In November 2020, the company acquired Emarsys, an omnichannel customer engagement platform.  In November 2018, SAP bought Qualtrics, an experience management company, for $8 billion, as well as Contextor, a European provider of robotic process automation (RPA) for an undisclosed amount.

SAP and SwoopTalent have not disclosed the purchase price or other financial details of this transaction.

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