Before we look into what is SAP S/4HANA overview ? latest versions, modules list, and Deployment options available let’s first try to understand few basic concepts of sap such as “what is sap”? “what is sap full form”?” what is sap ERP & why”? and “what are the phases in sap implementation”?
1) What is SAP? & what is SAP full form?
Systems, Applications, and Products in data processing is the full form of SAP. It is one of the leading Enterprise Resource Planning software till date, with fully integrated modules to address every aspect of the business processes. SAP software suite provides end-to-end solutions for almost every industry existed under the sun.
In 1972, SAP software has released its first version called R/1, R stands for real-time data processing. It is a one-tier architecture in which all the three layers (Presentation, Application, and Database) are installed in one system.
In 1979, SAP released the second version called R/2, to handle different currencies and languages. It is a two-tier architecture in which Presentation is installed in one system and Application + Database are installed in another system.
In 1992, SAP released an upgraded version of R/2 called R/3 and it is also known as client version of the software. It is a three-tier architecture in which all the three layers (Presentation, Application & Database) are installed in three different systems. This business suite is designed to run on multiple database platforms such as IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft.
what is SAP ERP & why?
With the success of R/3 version, SAP has released SAP ERP Central Component (ECC). Till date enhanced package (EHP8) for SAP ERP 6.0 is the latest release.
Why?
The SAP ERP (centralized systems) addressed the major drawbacks with decentralized systems. SAP software is the most commonly used Enterprise Resource Planning software and type of centralized system. With this centralized ERP systems, entire organization’s data is maintained at a single location and shared access with each department of the organization.
Benefits:
- Prevents data duplication, redundancy, and discontinuity.
- It controls various day-day business activities.
- It provides access to real-time data across various departments.
- Effective human resources and inventory management, eliminates necessary costs, the rapid increase in productivity and quality.
- Better customer service and interaction.
Thus, a centralized system is a must for any business. SAP software is so far the best-centralized enterprise management system, which also known as Enterprise Resource Planning.
What are the different types of SAP project?
- Implementation
- Rollout
- Upgrade
- Support
- Advisory & Audit
what are the Phases in sap implementation?
- Phase 1: – Project Preparation
- Phase 2: – Business Blueprint
- Phase 3: – Realization
- Phase 4: – Final Preparation
- Phase 5: – Go-Live & Support
For More on SAP Methodologies – SAP Activate – ASAP.
2) What is SAP S/4HANA?
SAP S/4HANA is the abbreviation for SAP Business Suite 4 SAP HANA, which means it is the 4th version of SAP Business Suite and designed to run only on SAP HANA. It is a completely new product with a new code line the next generation business suite is built on SAP HANA (advanced in-memory platform), operational database system and uses modern design principles called SAP Fiori UI. S/4HANA address each and every functionality of SAP ECC and provides simplified data models to decrease the overall system size, increased performance, better real-time analysis & simplified reporting. Compared to any other ERP, SAP is the best option for any business to choose. The massive innovations like IoT, Big Data, Mobile-First and simplified features like UI, decision making, data model and customer adoption and SAP solution for engineering and construction.
Benefits: –
The 5 key business benefits of SAP S/4HANA, that should be considered while choosing the ERP system that best fits for your business needs.
- Performance.
- Agility.
- Simplicity.
- Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
- Innovation.
Modules List: –
SAP S/4HANA consists of 8 major modules
- Sales Management.
- Human Resources.
- Manufacturing Management.
- Product Technology.
- Purchasing Management.
- Quality Management.
- Finance.
- Inventory Management.
3) Why SAP S/4HANA?
With s/4hana business can make more accurate decisions with real-time analytics, faster business process, better user experience with SAP Fiori.
1) Business Transformation: –
S/4HANA is the right solution for businesses looking for digital transformation. There are “N” no. of baselines and objectives, when the organization will approach S/4HANA.
2) Simplified Data Model: –
The new data model of S/4HANA drastically reduces the size of the database which in turn helps in reducing hardware cost and better performance. This simplified data model provides simplified reporting with reduced number of tables and processes can be performed in a less complex manner.
3) Improved user experience: –
SAP Fiori within S/4HANA improves your user experience. It comprises commonly used s/4hana functions that are displayed with simple and customer friendly design, which can be accessed across devices (mobile, tablets, desktop). S/4HANA uses SAP Fiori rather than traditional SAP GUI.
4) Real-time analytics: –
Embedded analytics within S/4HANA helps organizations to perform real-time analysis of live transactions data. These analytical functions come with SAP S/4HANA software, doesn’t require any separate installation. This real-time reporting helps to make right decisions at right time, this, in turn, remove the necessity of manually generating reports and employing third-party analytical tools.
5) SAP HANA: –
It is an advanced in-memory, column-oriented, and relational database management platform enables organizations to run jobs and transactions within the timeframe.
Combining these 4 key areas in your organization’s day-day business activities will really benefit.
4) What are the available deployment options for SAP S/4HANA?
Currently, SAP is offering 3 types of deployment options for its customers to choose. they are
They are: –
- On-Premise
- Cloud (Public & Managed)
- Hybrid
The choice is yours: –
Depending upon your needs and requirements – Deployment Options may vary
On-Premise: –
If your organization is looking for a high degree of flexibility and control, then go with this version.
Cloud: –
If your organization wants faster deployment and to reduce TCO (total cost of Ownership), then opt for this version.
Hybrid: –
If your organization has sensitive areas, which cannot be deployed in public clouds and few areas where you can deploy in public clouds, then opt for this version.
For more on Deployment options.
5) Find the Right Path to SAP S/4HANA?
We have 3 Transition Scenarios
- New Implementation
- System Conversion
- Landscape Transformation
The choice is yours: –
1) New Implementation (Greenfield): –
This is the right option for you if your organization has a complex environment with plenty of unused custom code and data. And willing to install new functionalities & has a tight downtime window.
2) System Conversion (Brownfield): –
This is the right option for you, if your organization has a reasonable downtime window, do not require any additional functionalities within SAP S/4HANA and also has clean ECC environment.
3) Landscape Transformation (Greenfield & Brownfield:
This is the right option for you if your organization has more than one enters environment.
For more on S/4HANA Transition Scenarios.
6) what are the requirements for moving to SAP S/4HANA?
The initial step is to move to SAP Business Suite on SAP HANA, then implement the simplification packages. SAP also offers Rapid Deployment Solutions that enables the customers to migrate faster to the SAP HANA in-memory database.
7) what is the basic difference between old SAP Business Suite code line and new SAP S/4HANA product code line?
- S/4HANA enables organizations for digital transformation and the new architecture design to deliver real-time analytics on live transactions with most advanced in-memory computing platform – SAP HANA.
- The SAP HANA database stores data in rows and columns. With this combination of storage, the SAP HANA database produces huge speed, flexibility, and high performance.
- The new S/4HANA product combines standard SAP ERP functionalities & industry features in the modern software stack.
- The SAP HANA in-memory eliminates all artefacts for classical row-based RDBMS. These aggregates and programmed indexes are provided only fast access to sums & data.
8) Is SAP S/4HANA cloud edition offers public cloud offering?
Yes, S/4HANA cloud edition includes all the characteristics of public clouds and it also provides required broader extensions and configuration capabilities.
9) What is SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics & Architecture?
S/4HANA Embedded Analytics is a set of analytical features and predefined virtual data models to deliver real-time actionable insights from the data. It can be directly built into transition business processes. Embedded Analytics is part of S/4HANA installation and used to perform real-time reporting and analysis on live data.
Architecture: –
The key architecture components of SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics: –
- SAP HANA Database.
- Virtual Data Model based on CDS views.
- Analytical Engine.
- OData Service.
- Interfaces.
Based on the provisioned content and reuse option, Core Data Services views of the Virtual Data Model is classified as consumption views.
- Private views.
- Interface views.
- Consumption views.
- Extension Include views.
10) What is the roadmap & when is the next release update?
At present, SAP S/4HANA On-premise is released once per year and additional corrections in the form of Service Pack Stacks and functionalities are released quarterly.
The S/4HANA cloud is released quarterly. S/4HANA is available for On-premise customers. With strong customers demand in the logistics area, SAP is planning to simplify supply chain management, inventory management, and valuation.
Version coding for On-premise & Cloud editions: YYMM (E.g.: – SAP S/4HANA Cloud 1809 – September 2018).
Latest Version: –
- SAP S/4HANA On-Premise 1809.
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud 1811.
These are the most frequently asked questions on SAP S/4HANA.