SAP Architecture


What is SAP Architecture?

SAP Architecture is the technical requirements of your system landscape and the applications that you need for that. SAP’s major step forward in architecture came when it introduced SAP R/3 — the three references a three-layer architecture — in the late 1990s. SAP ERP applications ever since, including SAP S/4HANA, still follow these basic architectural layers:

  1. The Presentation Layer is the component specialized in interacting with end-users, the user interface. SAP GUI is the traditional SAP interface, but newer SAP applications utilize SAP Fiori design principles.
  2. The Application Layer is the component that specializes in processing the SAP application — such as SAP S/4HANA. Development at the SAP application layer has been done traditionally with the ABAP coding language. The HTML5-based UI5 is growing in importance as a language for building applications that can run on a variety of devices.
  3. The Database Layer is the software component that specializes in the management, storage, and retrieval of data. The key difference in SAP S/4HANA vs. previous ERPs at this level is a simplified data model that is specifically designed to run on the SAP HANA in-memory database.

What is SAP Architecture?

SAP Architecture is the technical requirements of your system landscape and the applications that you need for that. SAP’s major step forward in architecture came when it introduced SAP R/3 — the three references a three-layer architecture — in the late 1990s. SAP ERP applications ever since, including SAP S/4HANA, still follow these basic architectural layers:

  1. The Presentation Layer is the component specialized in interacting with end-users, the user interface. SAP GUI is the traditional SAP interface, but newer SAP applications utilize SAP Fiori design principles.
  2. The Application Layer is the component that specializes in processing the SAP application — such as SAP S/4HANA. Development at the SAP application layer has been done traditionally with the ABAP coding language. The HTML5-based UI5 is growing in importance as a language for building applications that can run on a variety of devices.
  3. The Database Layer is the software component that specializes in the management, storage, and retrieval of data. The key difference in SAP S/4HANA vs. previous ERPs at this level is a simplified data model that is specifically designed to run on the SAP HANA in-memory database.

There’s a wide range of vendors that support at least part of the SAP Architecture. Red Hat and SUSE specialize in the Linux operating system, on which the SAP HANA database runs. SAP architecture needs a foundation, and a vendor such as Dell Technologies can provide on-premise hardware such as servers. Microsoft is one of the hyperscalers that can set up cloud environments for SAP applications. Companies like Deloitte offer consulting services to assist companies in building out their SAP Architecture.

Key Considerations for SAPinsiders:

  • ABAP coders are still important to SAP Architecture. If your company is looking to adopt SAP S/4HANA and other SAP applications with consumer-grade user experiences, then you will likely need UI5 and SAP Fiori skillsets.
  • Legacy SAP ERP systems typically have heavy customization at the application layer and potentially complex data models. Many customers that are adopting SAP S/4HANA are choosing to eschew customization and instead are adapting their processes to the technology to provide cleaner data and easier upgrades.
  • SAP HANA’s in-memory capabilities are meant to speed up data retrieval significantly. However, with the rise of low-cost and open-source data storage, many companies are storing their data in “hot” and “cold” locations. Hot, or frequently accessed, data may be stored in-memory, but cold, or sporadically accessed, data may be stored in a Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) or cloud storage.

936 results

  1. SAP S/4HANA on Your Own Terms: Shaping the Right Migration Strategy

    August 27, 2025

    With SAP ECC support ending soon, many organisations are under pressure to plan a well-informed transition to SAP S/4HANA. While Brownfield and Greenfield remain the traditional approaches, a third path called Selective Data Transition (SDT) is increasingly being considered, particularly for businesses with complex system landscapes. This approach is supported by Enterprise Transformer, a software developed…

  2. Microservices in SAP Commerce Cloud: Key features and how to Move Beyond Monolithic Architecture

    Reading time: 6 mins

    Scalability and faster time-to-market are important considerations that have compelled many firms to choose microservices design for handling operations in SAP Commerce Cloud. Microservices Architecture in SAP Commerce Cloud is helping ecommerce businesses to effectively manage multiple aspects of operations by maintaining cost-efficiency and flexibility. With constant evaluation of technical architecture patterns, CTOs have found…

  3. Get the Most Out of SAPSprint for Server-Based Printing in Microsoft Windows

    Published: 22/April/2009

    Reading time: 19 mins

    SAPSprint is the latest service for server-based printing on Windows. Learn how to install and configure this service with its default options. Drill down into the technical implementation to learn how to manage print requests, restart print processes, configure front-end printing, and include barcodes. Key Concept Processing in SAPSprint means generating print data via the...…

  4. Selective Data Transition vs. Full Migration: Choosing the Right Approach for SAP S/4HANA

    Reading time: 17 mins

    Migrating from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA involves choosing between Selective Data Transition, which allows for flexible and tailored data migration, and Full Migration, which fully integrates existing systems but requires significant reconfiguration, with specific strategies and thorough preparations critical for successful execution.

  5. How to Select the Right Mobile Solution Architecture for Your Use Case

    Published: 12/October/2012

    Reading time: 24 mins

    Understand the main mobility architecture paradigms currently supported by the Sybase Unwired Platform, and the advantages and drawbacks of each. Get a high-level view of the architecture and basic steps for implementing each. Key Concept A mobile business object is a method of encapsulating business data so that it can be used across multiple kinds...…

  6. Technical Considerations for Executing an SAPUI5 Project

    Published: 05/April/2016

    Reading time: 22 mins

    Follow these best practices and tips outlined by Ameya Pimpalgaonkar if you are planning to execute an SAPUI5 project. See how an SAPUI5 project differs from a traditional project and why the design process is essential if you want to avoid technical errors. Key Concept It is essential that all SAPUI5 projects begin with a...…

  7. Why Your E-Commerce Architecture Needs SAP Commerce Cloud at Its Core

    Reading time: 4 mins

    Businesses in digital trade must constantly innovate to stay ahead of the competition and provide the greatest consumer experiences. This modification involves SAP Commerce Cloud and modern e-commerce architecture. SAP Commerce Cloud’s cloud-native technology allows organisations to develop, leverage multiple platforms, and acquire customised data. Modern enterprise e-commerce with SAP uses microservices, headless commerce, and API-first to adapt…

  8. SAP HANA Administration Chat: Kurt Hollis on Architecture, Monitoring, and More

    Published: 01/January/2017

    Reading time: 40 mins

    SAP HANA is an in-memory database engine and application platform that offers unique advantages for reporting and high-performance operations. Customers have to answer many questions in their path to running on SAP HANA. How can architect your SAP HANA solution to fit your needs? Once you are up and running, how can administrators monitor the…

  9. cloud architecture_450

    Understanding Your SAP System Architecture Before Migrating to the Cloud

    Published: 12/June/2020

    Reading time: 11 mins

    Before migrating your existing SAP systems to the cloud—an initiative that many businesses are undertaking to remain relevant and redefine their IT landscape—it’s important that SAP customers understand their system architecture. Knowing where the connection points are between different pieces of architecture, where you’re putting them from an infrastructure perspective, and what sort of information…

  10. Configure SAPSprint for Secure Server-Based Printing on Windows

    Published: 17/June/2009

    Reading time: 146 mins

    You can have as wide and varied a range of printing needs as you have business needs. Learn about the available SAPSprint options — what they are and what they do — so you can help your organization meet its specific printing needs. Key Concept Secure Network Communications (SNC) integrates an external security product with...…