SAP S/4 HANA Cloud is the SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) edition of the SAP S/4HANA ERP system, specifically designed for the SAP HANA in-memory database. The Cloud platform enables users to leverage the full power of S/4 HANA and enjoy all the other benefits of the Cloud, without having to manage their IT infrastructure.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud opens up an important opportunity for companies still using the old ECC6 ERP. In order to take full advantage of benefits such as accessibility, agility and improved business processes, it is essential to migrate to S/4 HANA Cloud.
Different models of the “Cloud ERPs” exist : private, public and hybrid. Each model offers specific features and capabilities tailored to the varied needs of businesses. It’s therefore important to evaluate carefully which is the best option for you, and your business objectives.
In this article, we will highlight the main benefits of S/4 HANA Cloud and the differences between the various cloud editions : Public, Private, and Hybrid.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud : The Main Advantages of Migrating to the Cloud
Flexible Subscription
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud offers the flexibility of scalable subscription, where monthly fees are adjusted according to the number of users accessing the SAP cloud platform. This approach allows users to efficiently manage their subscription by adding or removing users according to their needs, thus offering a personalized solution to meet the changing demands of their business.
Rapid implementation and roll-out
Thanks to SAP S/4 HANA Cloud, businesses can benefit from a rapid and efficient implementation of their ERP system.
Unlike on-premise deployments, cloud migration significantly is much quicker process. Software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers take care of the technical aspects, such as hardware and software installations, making the process easier for businesses. This seamless transition to the cloud allows companies to quickly leverage the power of SAP S/4 HANA Cloud, reducing both the time and costs associated with implementing an ERP system.
Improved Efficiency
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud ensures increased efficiency through the use of SAP best practices. Users can implement proven, standardised processes and procedures for resource management. The platform makes analysis processes & business operations simpler and faster. In addition, it incorporates industry-specific features that are available in the form of individual roadmaps, enabling companies to respond more effectively to their particular needs and challenges.
Simplified Support and Maintenance
Maintenance and support are greatly simplified with the SAP Cloud platform, freeing clients from concerns related to server capacity and software maintenance. In addition, the built-in analysis tools and configuration, pricing and bidding capabilities make it easy to develop and support new products and services with minimal effort. This combination of features allows businesses to remain agile and competitive by quickly responding to changing market needs while minimizing costs and efforts related to software maintenance and development.
Benefit from the Latest Technological Advances
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud offers a quarterly innovation cycle, which allows users to benefit from the latest technological advances such as machine learning and predictive analytics. This dynamic cycle ensures continuous alignment with changing market needs and offers businesses a constant opportunity for improvement and optimization of their business processes.
Interconnect Different Tools Simply
This approach involves linking different applications through the Cloud, notably through SAP BTP, thus promoting synergy between them. This interconnection simplifies information sharing, thereby enhancing the operational agility of the business. Moreover, this approach helps to reduce both long-term IT investments and costs, thus offering an efficient and economical solution for the diverse technological needs of businesses.
Generate Real-Time Insights
Modern cloud ERP systems are designed to leverage the full potential of Big Data, enabling real-time analysis of large and complex data sets to generate valuable insights. This dynamic approach optimizes resource use and improves customer service through real-time market trend analysis and the ability to predict changes. Furthermore, businesses can respond agilely to market developments, making informed decisions to maintain their competitiveness in an ever-changing environment.
Delegate the Management of Your Infrastructure to an External Provider
Delegating the management of infrastructure to an external provider ensures system security through their investment in cutting-edge security measures aimed at protecting sensitive data. This approach also frees internal teams from time-consuming tasks related to maintenance and infrastructure management, optimizing time management and allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities. Additionally, having maintenance handled by specialized professionals simplifies the process and ensures continuous, reliable system operation. The regular, automatic updates performed by SAP ensure that the Cloud infrastructure remains constantly up-to-date, further enhancing its reliability and security.
Enjoy the Benefits of SaaS
The SaaS version of S/4 HANA guarantees significant benefits for businesses. SaaS, or Software as a Service, is an economic model distinguished by its subscription flexibility. Moreover, this model ensures rapid implementation without allocating resources to hardware, databases, or the IT team. S/4 HANA, through its SaaS version, offers regular and real-time updates for a continual evolution of SAP’s functional and technical innovations.
The benefits of different Cloud deployment models for S/4 HANA : Private, Public, or Hybrid ?
S/4 HANA Cloud offers flexible integration into three wo versions of the cloud : private, public, and hybrid. Each of these options presents distinct advantages for businesses.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud Public Edition :
The public edition of SAP S/4 HANA Cloud offers a ready-to-use ERP, that combines the latest industry best practices and focusing on continuous innovation. Based on a shared public cloud model and managed by subscription, this edition is fully hosted, operated, and maintained by SAP, with quarterly updates provided by the publisher.
The main advantages include short deployment times (maximum 30 days, according to SAP) and reduced implementation costs. However, this approach limits flexibility in terms of ERP customization, as key features as well as data storage are standardized, which allows for better system and maintenance control by SAP. It is still possible to integrate SAP BTP to S/4 HANA Cloud, in order to incorporate and develop additional solutions.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud Private Edition :
The Private Cloud in S/4 HANA Cloud offers greater flexibility compared to the Public Cloud edition. This model provides cloud services that are not shared with other organizations, thus offering increased isolation and security. It allows customers to customize their ERP according to their specific needs and maintain control over their infrastructure, while being managed by cloud hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud primarily. This approach gives businesses greater freedom to tailor their ERP to their unique business processes while benefiting from the scalability and reliability of cloud infrastructures managed by major market players.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud Hybrid :
Integrating SAP S/4 HANA on a hybrid cloud model combines the benefits offered by public and private cloud environments, thus capitalizing on the distinctive advantages of both models. Designed specifically to meet the needs of businesses with large volumes of data and complex systems, this solution offers a lot of flexibility. It allows businesses to precisely select the system components to modernize and overhaul while preserving essential functionalities. Indeed, the hybrid cloud model enables data migration to the new system while retaining existing functional parts. This ensures a smooth transition to a more agile and efficient cloud infrastructure. It is worth noting that this hybridization of the cloud is possible outside the Rise with SAP program.
Adopting SAP S/4 HANA Cloud offers a multitude of advantages for businesses considering a migration to the cloud. These advantages include increased flexibility during the subscription phase, rapid implementation, seamless integration of different applications, and many more. SAP S/4 HANA Cloud is offered in several cloud versions, namely public, private, and hybrid, thus providing adaptable solutions to various needs, from the standard to the most specific.
