SAP Platform and Technology

What is SAP Platform and Technology?

SAP Platform and Technology history started with mainframe-based applications, with the first official release being the SAP R/2 solution. This was eventually replaced by SAP R/3 which was the first application running a 3-tier client/server architecture. A client/server architecture continues to be the model for on-premise applications sold by SAP, even when those applications are often running on some form of cloud infrastructure. The newest SAP applications use a purely cloud-based infrastructure and are often software-as-a-service solutions.

What is SAP Platform and Technology?

While these represented the infrastructure on which SAP solutions were built, SAP customers also needed platforms on which to build and develop applications. The first solution that SAP released was the SAP NetWeaver platform which was a software stack for many of SAP’s applications. First released in 2004, SAP NetWeaver consisted of an ABAP software stack as well as a Java development stack. This allowed organizations to build and deploy applications using business APIs and integration capabilities to other SAP solutions.

Building on the success of SAP NetWeaver, SAP released the SAP Cloud Platform as a similar resource for organizations looking to build cloud-based applications. More recently, SAP brought the SAP Cloud Platform together with other services and technologies to release the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). Key capabilities of SAP BTP include database and data management, analytics, application development and integration, and intelligent technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

One of the most important capabilities of SAP solutions has been the ability to enhance them by creating customizations and extensions. Implementations of SAP ERP systems like SAP ECC frequently involved thousands or even hundreds of thousands of lines of customized code based on SAP ABAP and written using platforms like SAP NetWeaver. New solutions like SAP S/4HANA focus on extensions which provide additional functionality without requiring underlying code changes using SAP BTP as the means for achieving these extensions.

SAP BTP is also the technology solution that SAP organizations are looking to use to leverage to build on their investments in SAP S/4HANA.

From a technology and infrastructure perspective, nearly nine in ten SAP customers are now running at least some SAP workloads in the cloud. Underlying data repositories are also more likely to be moving to cloud-based infrastructure.

SAP has many implementation partners that will either provide a technology platform on which SAP solutions can run or will assist with the development of applications that leverage technologies like SAP BTP. Examples of partners providing infrastructure include Dell Technologies, HPE, and Intel. Cloud providers for SAP services include AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft. Implementation partners also assist organizations with building on this SAP Platform and Technology.

- SAP Cloud
How AGIG Achieved An Award-Winning Customer Transformation with SAP and DXC

Reading time: 3 mins

AGIG’s transformation with DXC Technology, implementing SAP Service Cloud, has streamlined its operations, significantly enhanced customer care for vulnerable populations by increasing registrations by 300% and achieving a 9.8 CSAT score.
- SAP Data Quality
Managing Data with SAP Data Replication and Transformation Tools

Published: 18/December/2017

Reading time: 30 mins

Data and solution integration is becoming one of the most important aspects in enterprise architecture. Learn about the functionalities provided by SAP data replication and transformation solutions and their proper use. Key Concept Modern business solutions often run in a complex enterprise landscape that requires extensive use of data replication and transformation functionality. Tools such...…
Best Practices for mySAP CRM-to-CTI Integration Testing

Published: 15/October/2005

Reading time: 11 mins

Desktop load testing is not the same as testing the integration between mySAP Interaction Center (IC) and the computer-telephony interface (CTI). Learn why and what constitutes an effective mySAP IC-CTI approach. Key Concept The computer-telephony interface (CTI) allows computer systems to act as a call center by linking them to the telephone system. It ensures that calls...…
Quickly Resolve SAP Interactive Form Issues for Seamless Printing Workflow

Published: 21/May/2010

Reading time: 16 mins

The SAP Interactive Forms software by Adobe (SAP Interactive Forms) offers an enhanced look and interaction capabilities. However, using SAP Interactive Forms can cause obstacles within the printing workflow. Understanding the issues that may arise helps you set up your printing environment for SAP Interactive Forms. Key Concept The SAP Interactive Forms software by Adobe...…
- SAP ERP
Optimize Inventory Using Product Interchangeability in SAP APO SNP

Published: 28/December/2015

Reading time: 23 mins

Learn how to carry out product interchangeability in SAP Advanced Planning and Optimization (SAP APO) Supply Network Planning (SNP) when one product needs to be replaced with another from a particular date or when you need to plan a set of interchangeable products with the same technical properties. Key Concept There are two major interchangeability...…
- SAP ERP
Julia White Appointed CMO at AWS

Published: 20/November/2024

Reading time: 2 mins

Amazon has appointed Julia White as its new Chief Marketing Officer for AWS, bringing extensive experience from her previous roles at SAP and Microsoft to enhance AWS’s cloud and AI capabilities while navigating competition with Microsoft Azure.
- SAP Web IDE
IC WinClient or IC WebClient? How to Choose a Call Center Interface

Published: 15/June/2006

Reading time: 16 mins

Are you trying to decide between using Interaction Center (IC) WinClient or IC WebClient? With all the variations of interfaces, methods, and terminology, the limited information available to support these choices further complicates an already tricky situation. Find out about the differences between IC WinClient and IC WebClient for a mySAP CRM call center and...…
- SAP S/4HANA
Customer Success Story: Ingevity

Reading time: 3 mins

Ingevity, a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, partnered with Westernacher Consulting to optimize its SAP Transportation Management (SAP TM) landscape and strengthen integration with SAP S/4HANA. Through a structured SAP TM health check, Ingevity automated transportation planning, carrier selection, and cost allocation while improving data integrity and governance. The result was 100% automatic planning,…
Improve Visibility of Critical Components Planning with SAP Integrated Business Planning for Sales and Operations

Published: 19/May/2015

Reading time: 44 mins

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...…
- SAP Netweaver
SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation for SAP NetWeaver or Microsoft: How They Differ

Published: 20/June/2011

Reading time: 21 mins

Compare the SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation, version for Microsoft and the SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation, version for SAP NetWeaver environments, and examine the strategies associated with this technology. Review the concept of the platform as the main issue behind a company’s reason for implementing one of these versions because of data integration issues,...…