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?

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.

- SAP BW/4HANA
How to Use Synonyms and Dynamic Parameters in Procedures with SAP BW Powered by SAP HANA 7.5 Support Package 4 to Compensate for Missing OLAP Variables

Published: 16/August/2017

Reading time: 11 mins

Get a detailed guide (including SAP HANA SQL code snippets) for how to speed up your SAP HANA calculation views by avoiding obsolete data at the database level. (The code in this article can be used as a reference for building your own procedure library for later use.) Learn about a dynamic method for reading...…
- SAP BW
Cascading Prompts: The Next Generation of F4 Value Help Filtering

Published: 20/September/2017

Reading time: 28 mins

Use native SAP HANA modelling techniques and enhancements to provide end users with a user-friendly, real-time variable selection process across massive amounts of data. Key Concept Achieving consistent and relevant user prompt selections across multiple BI front-end tools has been a key area for many BI implementations. Value help and the cascading filtering of a...…
- SAP BW
Use a Generic RFC Function to Call Functions in Another SAP System with Serialized Parameters

Published: 10/October/2017

Reading time: 6 mins

The integration of data and processes among different SAP systems has always been challenging and expensive in development. You can dramatically reduce the development effort in system integration by exploring the generic presentation of functions/methods and the generic presentation of parameters in a generic Remote Function Call (RFC). Key Concept A Remote Function Call (RFC)-enabled...…
- SAP Analytics
Develop Custom Core Data Services in SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics

Published: 20/November/2017

Reading time: 7 mins

Understand the concept of SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics for core data services (CDS) views and develop custom CDS views in SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics. Key Concept In the past operational reporting was done by standard reports and Report Builder. The reports were then migrated to SAP HANA Live on SAP Business Suite powered by SAP...…
6 Ways to Troubleshoot Common Issues with SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation Configuration

Published: 07/July/2009

Reading time: 10 mins

Discover how using a well-planned approach for configuring SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation, version for SAP NetWeaver can also serve as the starting point for troubleshooting system-related problems that can arise. Key Concept Troubleshooting consists of the ability to apply debugging and logging techniques to technical problems caused by inconsistent configuration. If you understand common...…
Automate SAP Testing with HP QuickTest Professional

Published: 25/March/2011

Reading time: 20 mins

Most organizations using SAP systems are looking forward to implementing or upgrading key business applications in less time. If these applications are not thoroughly tested before the release, then it can have a huge impact on the business. Under such circumstances test automation using HP QuickTest Professional can help an organization achieve quality objectives within...…
Getting Started with SAP BusinessObjects Data Migration to an SAP CRM System

Published: 16/March/2012

Reading time: 14 mins

Data migration is a major task, and crucial for a successful SAP CRM implementation. Learn about using SAP BusinessObjects Data Migration to move your data into SAP CRM, ensuring that it can be trusted by users and is ready for business process execution. Key Concept Enterprise Information Management (EIM) is the discipline of managing, governing,...…
SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation: Use Data Manager Effectively

Published: 23/August/2010

Reading time: 10 mins

Data Manager in SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation enables you to import and export data as well as execute background tasks and planning logic. Discover best practices for setting up Data Manager, including setting up packages, working with transformation files, and working with conversion files. Key Concept A Data Manager package is an object you...…
SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation: An Introduction to Data Manager

Published: 26/July/2010

Reading time: 10 mins

Find out about the Data Manager component in SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation, which is used for importing and exporting data as well as executing background tasks. See how using dynamic process chains in Data Manager helps you complete planning tasks more quickly. Key Concept All functionality in SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation is designed...…
An Introduction to SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation: The Planning and Consolidation Features

Published: 19/January/2009

Reading time: 16 mins

Learn some of the different features and functions to support planning and consolidation requirements in SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC). This includes creating input schedules for planning, posting journal entries, and using script logic for creating planning functions and consolidation logic in BPC. Key Concept Different clients are available to users in SAP Business...…