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What is SAP BW/4HANA?
SAP BW/4HANA is SAP’s next-generation packaged data warehouse solution and is built on SAP HANA. Many users of SAP’s on-premise data warehouse solution, SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW), are moving to SAP BW/4HANA as mainstream maintenance is set to end for SAP BW 7.5 in 2027.
What is SAP BW/4HANA?
SAP BW/4HANA is SAP’s next-generation packaged data warehouse solution and is built on SAP HANA. Many users of SAP’s on-premise data warehouse solution, SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW), are moving to SAP BW/4HANA as mainstream maintenance is set to end for SAP BW 7.5 in 2027.
SAP BW/4HANA can be deployed on-premise and in the Cloud and can work with both SAP and non-SAP data.
BW/4HANA generates real-time insights into data from various IT systems and gives a unified and accurate view of the data. It reduces data movement within the data warehouse layers and simplifies connectivity with external data sources. Through its revamped Layered Scalable Architecture (LSA++), it presents a new framework for transforming the data warehouse into an optimized version for BW on HANA. BW/4HANA takes advantage of the in-memory capabilities of the HANA database and delivers a high-performance analytics solution capable of handling large data volumes, such as those found in IoT and Big Data scenarios. SAP BW/4HANA is a comprehensive data warehousing solution that meets organizational needs by consolidating both internal and external data that can be further analyzed to facilitate decision-making processes and drive innovative product development.
Key Capabilities
SAP BW/4HANA with SAP S/4HANA and the SAP HANA platform, offers a comprehensive data warehousing solution and supports conventional operational reporting and historical analysis while accommodating technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and data lakes. SAP S/4HANA and BW/4HANA integration ensure that operational and historical analytics leverage up-to-date data used by applications. It eliminates data duplication and the need for costly data movement with its logical data warehouse approach and smart data integration.
Key capabilities include:
- Simplified modeling and administration: Enhances the efficiency of change requests and expedites implementation time while minimizing development costs through streamlined modeling and administration functionalities.
- Integration with SAP and non-SAP applications: Enables cost savings in data integration, extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, and on-premises infrastructure by establishing connections with both SAP and non-SAP applications and data sources. This allows for streamlined integration and eliminates the need for duplicative efforts, resulting in reduced expenses.
- Intuitive user experience and modern interface: Enhances user productivity, minimizes shadow analytics, and boosts user adoption through an intuitive user experience and a contemporary interface, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced reliance on unofficial data analysis methods.
- High-volume, real-time data processing: Minimizes data processing delays and enables intelligent automation by efficiently handling large volumes of data and changes in real time.
Benefits of SAP BW/4HANA
The key benefits of SAP BW/4HANA are:
Quick access and timely business insights: SAP BW/4HANA streamlines the process of obtaining timely business insights by transforming data practices, allowing for efficient and agile deployment of real-time insights at a large scale, whether it be on-premises or in the cloud.
What is SAP BW/4HANA?
SAP BW/4HANA is SAP’s next-generation packaged data warehouse solution and is built on SAP HANA. Many users of SAP’s on-premise data warehouse solution, SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW), are moving to SAP BW/4HANA as mainstream maintenance is set to end for SAP BW 7.5 in 2027. SAP BW/4HANA can be deployed on-premise and in the Cloud and can work with both SAP and non-SAP data.
BW/4HANA generates real-time insights into data from various IT systems and gives a unified and accurate view of the data. It reduces data movement within the data warehouse layers and simplifies connectivity with external data sources. Through its revamped Layered Scalable Architecture (LSA++), it presents a new framework for transforming the data warehouse into an optimized version for BW on HANA. BW/4HANA takes advantage of the in-memory capabilities of the HANA database and delivers a high-performance analytics solution capable of handling large data volumes, such as those found in IoT and Big Data scenarios. SAP BW/4HANA is a comprehensive data warehousing solution that meets organizational needs by consolidating both internal and external data that can be further analyzed to facilitate decision-making processes and drive innovative product development.
Key Capabilities
SAP BW/4HANA with SAP S/4HANA and the SAP HANA platform, offers a comprehensive data warehousing solution and supports conventional operational reporting and historical analysis while accommodating technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and data lakes. SAP S/4HANA and BW/4HANA integration ensures that operational and historical analytics leverage up-to-date data used by applications. It eliminates data duplication and the need for costly data movement with its logical data warehouse approach and smart data integration.
Key capabilities include:
- Simplified modeling and administration: Enhances the efficiency of change requests and expedites implementation time while minimizing development costs through streamlined modeling and administration functionalities.
- Integration with SAP and non-SAP applications: Enables cost savings in data integration, extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, and on-premises infrastructure by establishing connections with both SAP and non-SAP applications and data sources. This allows for streamlined integration and eliminates the need for duplicative efforts, resulting in reduced expenses.
- Intuitive user experience and modern interface: Enhances user productivity, minimize shadow analytics, and boost user adoption through an intuitive user experience and a contemporary interface, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced reliance on unofficial data analysis methods.
- High-volume, real-time data processing: Minimizes data processing delays and enable intelligent automation by efficiently handling large volumes of data and changes in real-time.
Benefits of SAP BW/4HANA
The key benefits of SAP BW/4HANA are:
Quick access and timely business insights: SAP BW/4HANA streamlines the process of obtaining timely business insights by transforming data practices, allowing for efficient and agile deployment of real-time insights at a large scale, whether it be on-premises or in the cloud.
Data-drive digitalization: SAP BW/4HANA accelerates digital transformation through a Big Data warehouse while leveraging SAP’s digital business platform solutions.
Single source for all insights: SAP BW/4HANA drives widespread business adoption through advanced analytics adoption, customizing applications to suit specific requirements and seamless integration of machine learning capabilities.
Key Considerations for SAPinsiders
Integrate SAP BW/4HANA with SAP Analytics Cloud: Ingo Hilgefort, SAP’s Global Product Evangelist, SAP Data Warehouse Cloud, outlines the best practices that can help organizations get the most from this integration. For example, the benefits of the integration include sophisticated dashboards and visualizations, data enrichment capabilities, and self-service functionality. Keeping SAP BW/4HANA up to date and selecting the right type of connection for the integration are critical first steps, he explains. Read the full article and take SAP BW/4HANA to the next level.
Use the data collected by SAP BW/4HANA to evaluate what has happened in the past and enable effective planning: A primary central data warehouse solution such as SAP BW/4HANA can lay the foundation for an insights-driven culture and can help in analyzing and translating disparate data sources into intelligent, actionable information the business can use for their operations and increase performance.
Consider a test run before fully converting a large SAP BW instance to SAP BW/4HANA: To fulfill a dedication to simplifying complex insurance and pension topics for its customers, Swiss-based company Helvetia Group needed to improve its data warehousing platform. The larger of its two existing SAP BW systems managed the company’s financial data. And, it had many dependencies on other projects and SAP and non-SAP systems. So, the company completed a test run on its smaller SAP BW system, which contained the company’s human resources data. Learn how the conversion team completed its pilot project following a cookbook created by Helvetia’s Deputy Lead for Business Intelligence, Clemens Groetz. The smaller conversion, says Groetz, “has given us a chance to extend our knowledge about how an existing SAP BW system can be moved to SAP BW/4HANA.”
Join SAPinsider Today
Join SAPinsider to access opportunities for networking and engagement in the dynamic SAP ecosystem. As a member, you will have access to a wealth of valuable resources and content tailored to SAP technologies and best practices like the latest research reports, articles, webinars, and events that will keep you informed and ahead of the curve.SAPinsider membership grants you exclusive access to in-depth analyses, expert insights, and practical guidance that will empower you to navigate the ever-evolving SAP landscape with ease. SAPinsider membership will enable you to remain one step ahead and harness the latest trends, innovations, and strategies to drive your own powerful digital transformations, optimize your SAP investments, and unlock business success.
Join SAPinsider to access opportunities for networking and engagement in the dynamic SAP ecosystem. As a member, you will have access to a wealth of valuable resources and content tailored to SAP technologies and best practices like the latest research reports, articles, webinars, and events that will keep you informed and ahead of the curve.SAPinsider membership grants you exclusive access to in-depth analyses, expert insights, and practical guidance that will empower you to navigate the ever-evolving SAP landscape with ease. SAPinsider membership will enable you to remain one step ahead and harness the latest trends, innovations, and strategies to drive your own powerful digital transformations, optimize your SAP investments, and unlock business success.
15 results
Clean Core Invoice Workflows for SAP S/4HANA CloudFeb 11 — This free white paper demonstrates how finance and IT teams can automate invoice processing in SAP S/4HANA Cloud through a Clean Core approach, utilizing SAP BTP, standardized workflows, and intelligent automation to ensure compliance and scalability.
1 minute read
The Future of Data Management: Connecting SAP and Beyond with Business Data CloudAug 4, 2025 — SAP Business Data Cloud streamlines data integration by unifying SAP and non-SAP data in the cloud, enhancing access to reliable business insights and supporting analytics and AI while minimizing complexity.
1 minute read
Boomi Boosts Secure MFT and Context Aware Integration with Thru Inc.’s AcquisitionMay 15, 2025 — Boomi has acquired Thru Inc. to enhance its file-based integration capabilities, providing SAP users with secure, scalable, and compliant Managed File Transfer (MFT) technology integrated into a single cloud-native platform, streamlining operations and improving data exchange efficiency.
3 minute read
Handling Analysis Process Designer (APD) in BW/4HANA ConversionMar 12, 2025 — The article outlines the conversion process of Analysis Process Designers (APD) to process chains during the BW/4HANA migration, emphasizing the use of the APD Conversion Tool in BW 7.X to analyze, modify, and transfer APD processes efficiently.
5 minute read
Key considerations for an SAP BW/4HANA or SAP HANA native data warehouseMay 12, 2021 — SAP offers two ways of data warehousing using SAP HANA; the data warehouse application approach using SAP BW or SAP BW/4HANA or the SAP HANA Native Data Warehouse This session will outline the methodology used by two different companies on how one chose the SAP BW/4HANA solution, while the other one used SAP HANA Native Data Warehouse approach. We will also review the SAP HANA and S4 upgrade migration thoughts. Each solution has put into their company’s roadmap so they can run their business more efficiently by utilizing newer technologies such as SAP Analytics Cloud.
1 minute read
Key Considerations when Migrating to SAP BW/4HANA or SAP HANA Native Data WarehouseOct 20, 2020 — SAP offers two ways of data warehousing using SAP HANA - the data warehouse application approach using SAP BW or SAP BW/4HANA or the SAP HANA Native Data Warehouse. This session will outline the methodology used by two different companies on how one chose the SAP BW/4HANA solution, while the other one used SAP HANA Native Data Warehouse approach. Each solution has put into their companies roadmap so they can run their business more efficiently by utilizing newer technologies such as SAP Analytics Cloud. Attendees will gain an understanding of:
- How each company weighted the pros and cons each data warehousing solution to help them arrived at decide which option to use
- How they setup their organization to support self-service reporting and analytics with the optional SAP Data Warehouse solution for their company
- Reviewing the road map on how tools such as SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Predictive Analytics and SAP Artificial Intelligence with Machine Learning will change how they do business
1 minute read
SAP Extends Maintenance for SAP NetWeaver 7.5 and SAP BW/4HANAApr 9, 2020 — In early February 2020, SAP announced that it would extend the end of mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP 6.0 and the core applications of SAP Business Suite 7 until the end of 2027. In the same announcement, SAP also indicated it would provide optional extended maintenance for these solutions until 2030. This gave many ERP customers breathing room around their SAP S/4HANA migrations, which previously needed to be complete by the end of 2025.
6 minute read
Bridging the Data-Driven to Insights-Driven Gap with SAP BW/4HANAApr 25, 2018 —
Discover how SAP BW/4HANA integrated with SAP Analytics can help your organization distill data into actionable insights that can spur the growth of your business. Learn about three challenges related to data and analytics and how SAP BW/4HANA enables your business to take three strategic steps toward evolving into an insights-driven organization.
6 minute read
Transition to Real-Time Analytics on SAP S/4HANA 1610 and SAP BW/4HANADec 1, 2017 — Many companies are planning to make the move to SAP S/4HANA and/or SAP BW/4HANA to take advantage of improved capabilities for real-time reporting. How can you best prepare and execute your transition?
Read the Q&A transcript from BI & HANA 2018 speakers and consultants Bill Faison and Colin Hart from Method360 to gain real-world insight into what you need to be thinking about now for your SAP S/4HANA and/or SAP BW/4HANA deployment.
15 minute read