Maintaining a clean core with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)​

This journey is not merely about adopting modern technology; it is a quest to deliver unique value to customers while maintaining high availability. To assist organizations in achieving these objectives, SAP has introduced its clean core strategy. This strategy is designed for those running legacy ERP systems who are planning to transition to a next-generation ERP like S/4HANA, as well as for those who are ready to adopt S/4HANA directly. 

Follow these strategies to get a clean core:

1. Retire the code which is not being used. 
2. Leverage SAP standard processes wherever possible by adhering to Fit-to-Standard. 
3. Use APIs to leverage BTP application development and integration. 
4. Document technical debt in case making clean core extension is not possible. 
5. Leverage tools like the SAP custom code Migration App. 
   

Why is maintaining a clean core important? 

Maintaining a clean core is essential for making a business future-proof. A clean core ensures that operations are both stable and dependable, while also allowing the organization to remain agile and capable of innovating at the speed of the market. 

Since business processes differ from one organization to another, customers need ERP systems that cater to their specific and unique scenarios through customization. This capability for customization is referred to as extensibility. 

Getting to a clean core – extending SAP Solutions

Achieving a clean core with SAP Business Technology Platform 

To achieve a clean core, consider leveraging Side-by-Side Extensibility on the SAP Business Technology Platform. 

While the S/4HANA Core offers predictability through In-App Extensibility, the SAP Business Technology Platform provides opportunities for exploration and innovation. This platform offers cloud services that integrate seamlessly with the SAP Core, helping businesses gain the unique value they need. It serves as a unified and open Platform as a Service (PaaS) that combines several capabilities on a single public cloud platform, allowing customers to deploy extensions while minimizing reliance on classic extensibility. 

The SAP Business Technology Platform encompasses a broad set of services built around five key areas: 

1. Application development: Services designed to build applications and create powerful digital experiences.
2. Automation: Services that automate repetitive tasks and optimize processes.
3. Integration: Services that simplify connections across cloud and hybrid environments.
4. Data and analytics: Services that provide data with purpose.
5. Artificial Intelligence: Services that integrate machine learning and AI into business processes.
   

By utilizing these capabilities, organizations can enhance their systems while maintaining clean core business processes.

Benefits of keeping the core system clean with SAP BTP 

1. Enhanced agility: By minimizing modifications to the core system, organizations can upgrade their ERP systems more easily and frequently. This allows them to benefit from the latest innovations and bug fixes provided by SAP, resulting in a faster time-to-market for new features and capabilities.
2. Reduced complexity: Maintaining a clean core system helps reduce the complexity involved in managing and maintaining customizations. Organizations can leverage pre-built integration scenarios, extensions, and applications available on SAP BTP, which eliminates the need for extensive custom development within the core system.
3. Scalable and future-proof architecture: SAP BTP offers a scalable cloud platform equipped with a wide range of services, such as SAP Cloud Platform Integration, API Management, and Workflow. These can be seamlessly integrated with the core system, enabling organizations to adapt to evolving business needs without compromising system performance or stability.
4. Innovation enablement: By utilizing SAP BTP, businesses can access a rich ecosystem of ready-to-use applications, industry-specific solutions, and partner offerings. They can leverage these innovations to extend the functionality of their core systems and drive digital transformation initiatives without jeopardizing the stability of core processes.
   

Examples of keeping the core system clean with SAP BTP

1. Customer experience: Organizations can utilize SAP BTP services, such as SAP Commerce Cloud or SAP Marketing Cloud, to enhance customer engagement and deliver personalized experiences without heavily customizing the core ERP system.
2. Integration and connectivity: SAP BTP provides robust integration capabilities, allowing organizations to connect their core systems with external systems, suppliers, and customers. This enables seamless data exchange and process automation while keeping the core system lightweight and efficient.
3. Advanced analytics: By leveraging SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP Data Warehouse Cloud on SAP BTP, organizations can perform advanced analytics and reporting on data from multiple sources, gaining valuable insights without overburdening the core ERP system.