Blueskyx – SAP Cloud Platform vs On Premise

Webinar Overview

Join us for a Webinar on comparing the SAP Cloud Platform and on-premise systems.

We investigate what the cloud platform is, how it works and how it compares to on-premise systems.

The cloud platform- now known as SAP BTP is a gateway to a multitude of tools and services including our own Cloud Suite and additional features with Fiori.

Learn more about the Cloud Platform from our other webinars- like busting the myths around SAP BTP

What is SAP Cloud platform?

The SAP Cloud Platform is the older version of the SAP Business Technology Platform. It’s a platform designed for intelligent enterprises. The platform’s purpose is to extend existing applications and create new applications related to SAP. This is all on a Cloud server, managed by SAP.

The aim of the platform is to provide a foundation from which businesses can gain agility and digital advantage over competitors via moving away from reliance on resources- heavy on-premises solutions and instead becoming more agile and streamlined through the cloud.

 

Why Cloud Platform?

The IT landscape of business is changing across the board. Businesses need the ability to run in uncertainty and attain extra agility by being able to operate anywhere at any time. In that spirit, SAP created the Cloud Platform (Now known as the Business Technology Platform). But why is the Cloud Platform suited for the modern enterprise?

  • It’s fairly simple to set up.
  • Integration between cloud services (SAP and Non-SAP) and core systems.
  • Rapid deployment of preconfigured applications and services
  • Consistent User experience Across systems
  • Ease of use for interfaces such as APIs
  • All new technology available

 

What is Partner Managed Cloud on the Cloud Platform?

Our services and apps are on top of the cloud platforms in the form of a monthly subscription. The customer chooses the apps they need, and they only pay for those.  If that app is not available, we can build it for you!

 

On premises Vs Cloud Platform side-by-side

On Premises Cloud Platform
Licensing Has traditional licensing Different options- customer can go either subscription-based or consumption-based
Time, cost and effort Requires more time, cost and effort Implementation is faster and cost effective
Maintenance Additional server maintenance is required SAP handles maintenance
Customisation More customisable as the organisation manages the system Customisation possible to some extent
BASIS More complex skill required Cloud set up is very easy (not as much technical skill required)
Scalability It’s a bit difficult as it requires long term planning Easy, fast & cost effective to scale according to organisational requirements
Versioning Organisation has more control over the version upgrades SAP provides periodical version upgrades automatically
Fiori Configuration Too many steps to perform a tile configuration Easy and quick configuration- Portal services

 

 

 

Why Design thinking when developing Cloud Platform applications?

We adopt design thinking for a lot of the projects we run in the cloud platform- whether it’s an app or an integration project, we always use this methodology as it’s the key to unlocking good User Experience. When it comes down to building new or enhancing existing applications, we will spend a lot of time observing the user to try and unlock their mindset and ask how they are feeling and what their frustrations and blockages are when they use the platform.

 

We discuss design thinking steps in more detail in our ultimate guide to design thinking, but it’s important to reiterate that when we have prototypes in place, we do a lot of usability testing- which could be tracking their eyes or facial expression to understand what they can’t convey audibly. This means when an SAP Cloud Platform app is created by us, it’s always going to be tailored for purpose and relieve those pain points which are hindering digital transformation- another reason to consider moving to the Cloud Platform.

 

For more information, check out our full guide on design thinking here.

Why SAP Cloud Platform Workflow?

The SAP Cloud Platform Workflow is a cockpit for any system user to view a digital version of an organisation’s workflow and decisions. It enables organisations a high-level view of the end-to-end process. Users can also configure these processes at will. Better still, Workflow is a low-code application, which requires fewer skills and knowledge to be usable.

 

SAP Cloud Platform Workflow is:

  • Fully integrated via out-of-the-box standard Fiori applications (my inbox, monitor workflow instances & monitor workflow definitions)
  • In-built error handling framework and logging
  • Business process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) elements for rapid development
  • Easy and Flexible usage of REST services that connects any backend system
  • Ready to use APIs to initiate a workflow from even a 3rd party system

 

Workflows can be designed within the web ID. Quickly open the feature and begin to design your own workflows in a low-code, fully configurable way.

 

 

Why HANA DB services on Cloud Platform

 

HANA DB is an in-memory database management system by SAP. It’s a cloud program, meaning all storage and running is done on the cloud. HANA DB streamlines databases and data collection. This gives organisations the opportunity to strip out 3rd party databases resulting in a large cost saving. HANA DB also allows for UI creation on top of any database making it a great program to build data recording applications from. For example, our own Visitor recording application in our UK office building is built on these principles and makes recording the comings and goings of staff and visitors easy, which has subsequently made adhering to fire regulations extremely easy.

 

HANA DB Cloud Platform services in a nutshell:

  • The most advanced in-memory database
  • Not just a database, it has various tools, offers self-service.
  • SAP provides operations infrastructure and a database platform.
  • Helps you accelerate innovation using advanced data platform technologies.

 

SAP cloud platform trial

There’s a lot of potential for the Cloud Platform- as covered in this webinar, but it’s impossible to cover it’s full capabilities in under an hour. Because of this, we provide free demos for anyone more curious on how the Cloud Platform can help transform their company. To book your free demo of the Cloud Platform, click here.