Clean Core Roundtable at the SAP BTP Executive Summit

⇨ Clean core is a concept that applies to each element of the core not just extensibility

⇨ Data should be a central part of any clean core strategy

⇨ Learn about how the clean core concept can be applied to operations, processes, and integration

SAP has extensively used the “clean core” concept over the last few years. However, because SAP has not always explain it clearly, the concept remains somewhat misunderstood by its customers. To understand and learn more about what “clean core” really means, SAPinsider attended a customer roundtable on achieving a clean core in relation to SAP S/4HANA data management, during the SAP BTP Executive Summit in Philadelphia. This was one of several roundtable discussions available at the summit, and other topics included integration, extended planning and analysis, application development, data and analytics, and generative AI.

“Clean core” is often understood as reducing or eliminating customizations within a system like SAP S/4HANA and using extensions using, for example, SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), ABAP environment, or SAP Build’s low-code/no-code development capabilities. But the “clean core” concept applies to more than just customizations or extensibility. For example, the concept can be applied to data, integrations, processes, operations, and even the version of software being used. While its meaning and applicability will vary in each of these elements, the idea is to have a system that adheres to standardized guidelines for each element of the core. In the case of the software version, this might mean running a version close to the latest release or using partner solutions that are clean core compliant.

Following clean core guidelines for data is always relevant, but the move to SAP S/4HANA is the perfect opportunity to evaluate the data stored in the system. Is it necessary to keep all data from the existing ERP system? How will data consolidated from multiple ERP instances be managed? What will be the cost of storage? During this evaluation period, organizations should evaluate data retention policies and determine what really needs to be stored, and when data can be destroyed or removed from the system.

Considering that achieving a “clean core” is a goal for many organizations moving to SAP S/4HANA, what are some of the steps that SAPinsiders should take?
- Dedicate time to evaluating and defining an objective.
- Understand what “clean core” means in different elements of the core.
- Remember that data is central to “clean core”.