How to Explain SAP Business Technology Platform to a Beginner?
Let’s take a closer look at SAP BTP, a new thing SAP introduced in 2021. But did you know SAP has been doing platform business for a while? About seven years ago, they started with something called SAP HANA Cloud platform, which later became SAP Business Technology Platform.
In this blog, we’ll break down SAP BTP for beginners.
What is SAP Business Technology Platform?
There are mainly 2 scenarios we can use SAP BTP. Let me explain it to you with examples.
Example 1: You’re not an SAP Customer
You are a startup or a company with a need to build an app in the cloud. You’ve the requirements to integrate the app with different applications and also need to use the latest technologies like AI, Analytics, Automation etc.
Example 2: You’re an SAP Customer
You’re an SAP customer using one or more products of SAP. And your business has a requirement to build new business process which is not available in SAP as a standard functionality. But it’s a critical custom requirement for your business. It should be scalable, independent and should not impact the underlying SAP processes.
In both examples, you can use SAP BTP to build your applications. So, what does SAP BTP offers to let you build the apps?
5 Pillars of SAP BTP
What Makes SAP BTP Unique from Other Platform Vendors like Azure, AWS?
There are 3 main reasons that make SAP BTP unique from other vendors:
Built by SAP for SAP Customers
If you look at each service on SAP BTP it was built with SAP Customers in mind. SAP knows its customer’s industry better than any other vendors. Hence, each service is tailored to meet the custom requirements of SAP customers. Seamless integration with existing SAP systems is one good example.
Multi Cloud Environment (Open Platform)
SAP BTP is an open platform that allows businesses to run their applications and processes on various cloud infrastructures like Azure, AWS or Google. That means you have more flexibility and options for where you want to deploy your apps.
Business Centric
SAP BTP is designed with a strong focus on business applications, particularly for enterprises using SAP software. Application development tools and services are tailored for building SAP-specific applications. While other platforms offer more generalized cloud services.
Keeping the Core Clean
Keeping the core clean means minimizing customization and modification of the core SAP ERP.
In the cloud, customization comes with a big price. Because cloud infrastructure is maintained by SAP and customers don’t have control over it. Regular updates in the cloud will impact the customization.
Instead, customers can leverage SAP BTP to build customizations. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t touch the core and use SAP BTP for your extensions:
Easier Upgrades
When the core system is kept as close to the standard, it becomes much easier for upgrades. This reduces the risk of breaking customizations during an upgrade.
Lower TCO
Customizations often require more effort to develop, test, and maintain. By leveraging the SAP BTP for custom solutions, you can potentially reduce the TCO compared to heavily customizing the core system.
Better Security
Customizations can sometimes introduce security vulnerabilities. Keeping the core clean and using the SAP BTP for custom applications allows you to ensure that all your solutions adhere to security standards.
Overall, keeping the core clean by utilizing SAP BTP enables you to maintain an efficient SAP landscape, and you get easier SAP support!
SAP BTP Job Opportunities are Immense
SAP BTP consists of many services and no single person can handle it. You can become an architect if you’ve vast experience in designing and building apps or you can become a consultant for a particular service(integration, SAPUI5 etc). Lastly, if you were a Basis Admin you can choose SAP BTP Administration as your next career path.
