SAP Platform Architecture
What is SAP Platform Architecture?
There are two components to any SAP Platform Architecture. The first is the platform, which is a set of solutions and components that provide the functionality that a business needs. The second is the platform architecture, which brings together the business architecture with the technology landscape in a comprehensive design. An example of a platform architecture includes business processes, or a business value chain, that is supported by different parts of the business, which rely on technology platforms or components that provide the functionality needed for those processes. Note that this is different than a data architecture which focuses exclusively on data.
What is SAP Platform Architecture?
There are two components to any SAP Platform Architecture. The first is the platform, which is a set of solutions and components that provide the functionality that a business needs. The second is the platform architecture, which brings together the business architecture with the technology landscape in a comprehensive design. An example of a platform architecture includes business processes, or a business value chain, that is supported by different parts of the business, which rely on technology platforms or components that provide the functionality needed for those processes. Note that this is different than a data architecture which focuses exclusively on data.
The advantage of taking a platform architecture approach is that clearly defines the key services that can then be used for integration with other parts of the business. It also allows business teams to take ownership of the applications and systems that they use and directly manage their technology investments. An SAP Platform Architecture allows organizations, and the various business teams within those organizations, the ability to evolve and adapt existing services while providing new services. Implementing an SAP Platform Architecture involves aligning architecture, technology, integration, and business skills.
SAP Platform Architecture Key Capabilities:
- Integrated design architecture. Without a platform architecture you can end up with a series of data and solution silos, with each part of the business running their own solutions in a way that does not interact. SAP Platform Architecture provides an overarching design at the platform, data, and process levels.
- Global design. Many organizations perform data modeling, or perhaps at a broader level have a data architecture which needs to be global. But SAP Platform Architecture must provide a global interaction between multiple, distributed data structures, data sets, databases, data platforms, and the business systems that utilize them.
- Flexibility through modular design. The layers of an SAP Platform Architecture provide modularization into the platform, where the components and design remain stable, and a complementary set of services and processes that can be updated to support new and changing business needs and requirements.
SAP solutions such as SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud all offer reference architectures for their system, but these must be integrated into a broader SAP Platform Architecture that includes not only the technical architecture but also the way that processes interact with data and the business value chain.
887 results
-
Best Practices for Achieving High Performance and Scalability in Your System Landscape
Companies are looking to IT for much more than internal back-office services — IT must become a strategic partner of the business, providing innovative solutions in customer and partner interactions as well as product and service development. This article provides guidance in specific areas that are fundamental to performing IT processes optimally, including key performance…
-
Take Finance into the Digital Age
In this Q&A, Martin Naraschewski, Vice President of Finance Solutions at SAP, provides insights as to what the digital economy really means for the finance organization and addresses what finance needs to do in order to prepare for a digital platform. He also lays out his vision for the finance function of the future, and…
-
Public, Private, or Both?
SAP HANA and cloud computing both promise to deliver flexibility, simplification, and cost reductions to IT. When the two technologies are combined by deploying SAP HANA in the cloud, the promise grows even greater. Before taking advantage of that promise, though, organizations need to wade through the wide variety of options for a cloud-based SAP…
-
Digitization Is Not on the Horizon: It’s Already Here
Digitization is no longer just on the horizon: It’s here. But for many companies, the transition can be overwhelming. According to a recent survey of 346 DSAG members, many organizations seek support as they review their current capabilities and their goals for their digital transformation. Discover how these companies are preparing for the digital transformation…
-
Deploying SAP HANA in the Cloud
Want the benefits of SAP HANA but don't have the resources to maintain the database on site? Then you're not alone: Many companies are considering deploying SAP HANA in the cloud to leverage real-time capabilities without expending resources to manage the system. Through Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), SAP customers have the benefit of an integrated…
-
“Printing Money” with Operational Machine Learning
Companies are turning their data into revenue generators by using machine learning and analytics. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here
-
Keeping the Focus on the Customer in the Midst of Digital Transformation
SAPinsider interviews SAP Chief Operating Officer (COO) Christian Klein in this exclusive Q&A. Klein touches on his background, his start with SAP, SAP's own digital transformation journey, and the harmonization of the customer experience as one of the key objectives of the Intelligent Enterprise. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View…
-
How a Queensland Government Agency in Australia Leverages SAP Screen Personas for Improving the User Experience of HR Resources
Discover how you can improve the user experience of your on-premise SAP system using SAP Screen Personas. Get an inside look at three real-life HR use cases designed and built for HR professional users at the Department of Transport and Main Roads, part of the Queensland Government – Australia. Membership Required You must be a…
-
SAP Data Services: Integrating with SAP Business Suite Sources
Gain an overview of SAP Data Services and how to extract data by leveraging SAP Business Suite extractors. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here
-
Premium
Lion Improves Levels of Integration and Automation with SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP MII)
This research brief examines how Lion improved automation and IT/OT integration in its manufacturing plants. In Lion’s case, the company digitized and automated a manufacturing plant in New Zealand, but a best of-breed strategy for all their enterprise solutions had left them with dozens of different IT solutions and a complicated organic IT architecture that…
Your request has been successfully sent