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.
934 results
-
How to Enhance the SAP CRM 7.0 Mass Change Tool in SAP CRM-IPM
Learn how to enhance the Mass Change Tool in SAP CRM Intellectual Property Management that is delivered with SAP CRM 7.0 enhancement package 1. Get step-by-step instructions to enhance various areas in the standard Mass Change Tool to support mass updates of custom fields and enable search help, drop-downs, and search capabilities for custom and...…
-
Getting Started with SAP UI HTML5 Toolkit Application Development
SAPexpert/ITDiscover how to integrate the SAP user interface (UI) HTML5 toolkit into SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio for application development. Learn how to implement functions in views and controllers and how to perform data manipulation. You can use this instruction as a base to develop complex applications and explore more UI functionalities. Key Concept The SAP...…
-
How to Prepare for a Comprehensive System Audit and Technical Review of SAP Access Control 10.0
Learn invaluable tricks and tips for overcoming top auditing issues specific to an SAP Access Control 10.0 system. Key Concept A system audit is an exercise performed to gain assurance that defined controls work as intended, thereby eliminating the likelihood of fraudulent or malicious activities in the enterprise system. It involves the verification of conformance...…
-
Integrate Access and Process Controls in the Latest Releases of SAP BusinessObjects Solutions for GRC
SAP BusinessObjects Access Control’s Risk Analysis and Remediation (RAR) capability generates the rule library for segregation of duties and performs the access risk analysis for the user. SAP BusinessObjects Process Control manages the controls for each business process. Integrating the two applications allows you to control both of these functions from SAP BusinessObjects Process Control....…
-
Understanding SAP NetWeaver BW Near-Line Storage (NLS) Based on Sybase IQ
BISAP Professional JournalImplementing SAP NetWeaver BW on HANA typically requires a substantial hardware investment. One way to mitigate this expense is to offload some of the data into near-line storage (NLS). In this article, discover why and how to set up NLS. Also learn the functionality of NLS, its setup, and the process for moving...…
-
SAP HANA Studio-Based Modeling of BW Objects Without Transaction Code RSA1
Learn the steps needed to set up an SAP HANA studio user interface to access some of the BW modeling tasks normally done in BW transaction code RSA1. As SAP HANA and BW modelers merge and overlap tasks, the ability to model windows into each type of modelers’ worlds becomes more and more important. Key...…
-
Why We Keep Making the Same Mistakes: Systemic Issues and Cultural Challenges
George Anderson explains several systemic issues behind why SAP project and support teams keep re-living the same mistakes year after year and then provides several measures and actionable next steps you can take to remedy the problem. Key Concept Several systemic issues help explain why our SAP organizations are often destined to repeat past mistakes....…
-
Advanced Demand Planning with S&OP and SAP HANA
Learn how to meet the challenges of integrating SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO) statistical forecasting with SAP Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and SAP HANA. Key Concept SAP Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is a solution powered by SAP HANA that supports an organization’s end-to-end sales and operations planning business process. In SAP S&OP,...…
-
How to Leverage Query Designer Features in the EPM Add-In on SAP BW InfoProviders
Hone your ability to view financial data in an SAP system by using the SAP Business Explorer (BEx) Query Designer features and functionality in the SAP Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) add-in. Then view several financial reports to see the functionality in action. Key Concept The Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) add-in is known for its ability...…
-
Improve Visibility of Critical Components Planning with SAP Integrated Business Planning for Sales and Operations
Learn how to meet the challenges of visibility and planning of critical components by leveraging SAP Integrated Business Planning for sales and operations. Key Concept SAP Integrated Business Planning for sales and operations is a solution powered by SAP HANA that supports an organization’s end-to-end sales and operations planning business process. In SAP Integrated Business...…
Your request has been successfully sent