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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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SAP EPM Big Data Use Cases
This article explores the concept of using Enterprise Performance Management—EPM—to drive big data use cases, primarily focused on integrated strategic, financial, and operational reporting, and analytic capabilities. These big data use cases demonstrate both the business and technical value necessary to justify investments in big data platforms such as SAP HANA. Key Concept Enterprise Performance...…
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Enable Real-Time Integration with Manufacturing Automation Using SAP MII
Learn how to integrate SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP MII) with manufacturing automation systems using SAP Plant Connectivity (PCo) by query and notification agents for real-time process visibility in manufacturing operations. Understand the use cases of process event management by connecting to different types of manufacturing automation source systems and SAP MII as the...…
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How to Reduce the Bullwhip Effect by Following a Demand-Driven Supply Chain Strategy
Learn how to integrate consumer demand signals to achieve a demand-driven supply chain that is used to optimize short-term forecasts and increase demand network visibility. From a demand planning perspective, planners can now compare the traditional consensus demand forecasts with a point-of-sale (POS) statistical forecast and therefore apply corrections based on true consumer demand. From...…
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Learn to Adapt SAP ERP HCM Programs for the SAP HANA Platform
Learn to adapt SAP ERP HCM programs so that they function without any problems after migration to the SAP HANA platform. Key Concept SAP HANA is an extremely fast, in-memory, column-based relational database management system that allows applications to store and retrieve data as well as to perform complex analytical calculations. Many companies are planning to...…
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21 Tips for Managing a Multi-Project BW Implementation
/Project ManagementAt some point, your BW project team may be faced with several implementation projects occurring at the same time. Because of the highly shared nature of objects in the BW architecture, this scenario can cause significant problems for the project management team. The authors share their expertise in coping with such situations and offer...…
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UDConnect in SAP BW 3.5 Enhances Native Data Acquisition
The SAP BW ETL services layer in BW 3.5 features UDConnect, which allows users to extract data from a variety of sources. The authors introduce this new functionality and examine its advantages. They also provide an example of a common use scenario. Since the launch of SAP BW, users have demanded the ability to...…
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Mobile Device Management with Sybase Afaria
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Implement a Compliant Identity Management Solution for Effective Provisioning, Reporting, and Role Management
Learn how to achieve efficient, compliant, and secure management of user accounts and identities with SAP NetWeaver Identity Management (SAP NetWeaver IDM). Step through an overview of SAP NetWeaver IDM, including the product’s architecture and integration capabilities. Key Concept SAP NetWeaver Identity Management (SAP NetWeaver IDM) provides provisioning capabilities for SAP and third-party applications. You...…
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How to Handle Complex SAP Pricing with HANA
See how HANA can speed up complex pricing calculations for online Web-based order entry, which is becoming a prime channel of engagement. Key Concept In a sidecar setup (also known as a secondary database), the SAP application server still uses its classical database as its primary persistence, but it is also connected to a HANA...…
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A New ABAP Programming Model for Digital Business
With digitization a top priority, many organizations are preparing to transition to SAP S/4HANA and its built-in support for business operations in the digital age. To meet the needs of this new type of deployment — which requires cloud qualities at large scale and full support for SAP HANA and SAP Fiori — SAP has…
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