Why infrastructure really matters for SAP
You can't just think about the SAP system itself - you also have to think about where it's running. Infrastructure is a big deal when it comes to performance. Scalability. Cost. Flexibility. And being able to adapt to change on the fly.
That's why a lot of organisations are now looking at SAP on AWS and SAP on Azure as alternatives to traditional on-premise setups. But the main question isn't just "which cloud is better?" It's “how do we actually set up SAP in a way that supports the business?”
Let's break it down.
What SAP on AWS and Azure cloud really entails
When we talk about SAP on AWS cloud and SAP Azure cloud, we're talking about running SAP systems on external cloud infrastructure - not on your own internal servers. This means organisations get to:
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Scrap the hassle of maintaining hardware
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Ditch the headache of managing their own data centres
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Forget about handling infrastructure internally
Instead, they use:
to host and manage their SAP environments. This includes:
SAP becomes a lot more flexible. Scalable. And easier to maintain all round.
Why organisations move SAP workloads to AWS or Azure
Traditional SAP environments often have a few major problems:
Cloud platforms like AWS and Azure address these by offering:
Scalability
You can scale up or down as needed - no need to worry about being caught out by a sudden spike in demand.
Flexibility
Deploy new environments fast - and easily.
Cost control
Only pay for what you use - rather than owning all the hardware upfront. This is a big win for cost efficiency and saving cash.
Reliability and high availability
Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery mean you don't have to worry about losing access to your data.
This makes it a lot easier for SAP to operate more dynamically.
SAP AWS cloud: what it offers
SAP on AWS is designed to deliver top-notch performance and scalability. And with AWS, you get a global data centre presence - with 25 regions and 80 availability zones to support SAP deployments across the board.
The key strengths include:
A really strong global infrastructure
AWS has an extensive network of data centres around the world. And in the cloud market, that global reach is a huge plus - because it helps you to scale, stay available, set up disaster recovery, and cover distributed SAP solutions.
High scalability
Ideal for organisations running SAP workloads on AWS at scale - with variable demand. Plus AWS supports SAP HANA through SAP-certified instances like X1 and R5 - and both AWS and Azure keep their certification up to date for new HANA versions - which is a big plus for long-term SAP workloads.
Performance optimisation
Supports large-scale SAP environments - which means you can improve operational efficiency and make life easier for SAP applications on AWS infrastructure.
Flexibility
You've got a wide range of services and configurations to choose from.
AWS is often the choice for organisations that need:
And with its broad portfolio of AWS services, you get secure, flexible operations for SAP applications across hybrid and regional deployments.
This includes compliance monitoring support - backed by 90 security standards and compliance certifications - plus automated updates for SAP applications.
SAP Azure cloud: what it offers
SAP on Azure integrates beautifully with the Microsoft ecosystem. And Azure services support SAP workloads as part of a unified enterprise platform. Azure boasts over 100 compliance certifications - the largest portfolio - plus a 99.9% availability SLA for SAP workloads.
The key strengths include:
Integration with Microsoft tools
Seamless connection with Microsoft Teams, Office and Dynamics - plus Power BI for business intelligence on SAP data.
A strong enterprise focus
It's mostly used by large organisations.
Simplified management
If you're already an IT team that's used to Microsoft, you'll find it's a lot easier to manage SAP with Azure - and tools like Azure Monitor for real-time visibility and performance tracking - plus Azure Security Centre working alongside Azure Active Directory for better identity management.
Hybrid capability
Strong support for combining on-premise and cloud systems - with Azure Arc helping extend governance and management across environments.
For hybrid deployment scenarios - Azure Stack can extend Azure capabilities on-premise - and Azure Migrate is available for SAP migrations.
Azure is often the preferred choice for organisations that:
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Already use Microsoft platforms
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Need tight integration across systems
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Prefer a unified ecosystem
SAP AWS vs Azure: the key differences
Both platforms are strong. Each cloud provider supports SAP in different ways - and both AWS and Azure comply with ISO 27001 and HIPAA standards. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what your priorities are.
AWS focuses on:
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Scalability
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Flexibility
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Global reach
Azure focuses on:
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Integrating with Microsoft Tools
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Working comfortably in recognised Enterprise Environments
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Clouds that can support either Public, Private or Hybrid setups
In all honesty, the difference is less about capability and more about:
SAP cloud architecture - getting all the pieces to fit together
When you run SAP on AWS or Azure, it's part of a bigger Architecture that includes:
Core ERP
The cloud infrastructure
The integration layer
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That's SAP BTP - Business Technology Platform - which helps you extend, integrate and get the most out of your SAP apps
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Plus - it can also help you run a multi-cloud setup with seamless integration across AWS, Azure and other platforms - that's a big plus
It's estimated that over 85% of companies will be using a multi-cloud strategy by 2026.
Data analysis and reporting
This all comes together to:
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Create a connected system
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Keep data flowing in real-time
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Give you a much clearer view of what's going on
For SAP data, cloud services also come with more advanced analytics and predictive analytics too - and with Microsoft Fabric on Azure you can get real-time predictive insights
The Cloud infrastructure becomes the bedrock of everything
The benefits of running SAP on AWS or Azure
When done right - both platforms deliver some pretty clear benefits.
Scalability
Speedy deployment
Reduced IT burden
Resilience
Global access
SAP just becomes easier to work with and maintain
Challenges with SAP cloud platforms
Despite all the benefits - there are still some challenges to navigate.
Integration complexity
Data governance
Cost management
Skill gaps
Cloud simplifies infrastructure complexity - but not system complexity
Why SAP cloud environments drift over time
Even if you've got a well-designed environment - over time it will start to degrade.
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Systems change
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Integrations increase
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Data grows
Without some management -
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business processes become harder to control as complexity builds
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Performance starts to slip
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Complexity just keeps building
Cloud doesn't remove responsibility - it just changes how you manage it
The role of AMS in AWS and Azure SAP environments
Application Management Services (AMS) are a must in cloud environments.
They help with
AWS Migration Hub can also help with migration planning and transition governance as part of AMS.
AMS makes sure:
Without AMS, cloud benefits are just reduced
How SAP consultancy supports cloud decisions
Choosing between AWS and Azure isn't just a technical decision
SAP consultancy helps you:
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Define a cloud strategy that fits your business needs
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Pick the right platform to help with a multi-cloud strategy
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Design your system architecture around business outcomes
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Avoid unnecessary complexity
This ensures:
SAP AWS and Azure cloud - what success looks like
When cloud-based SAP is working smoothly:
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Systems scale and respond well to load
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Data flows across the organisation
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Integration is seamless
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Costs are under control
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Performance is consistent
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Teams are running more efficiently
Infrastructure fades into the background - and the business just runs more smoothly
Glossary - SAP cloud terms
SAP on AWS cloud Running SAP systems on Amazon Web Services infrastructure
SAP Azure cloud Running SAP systems on Microsoft Azure infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure Hosting on external servers instead of internal ones - delivered by a cloud provider through cloud services
Hybrid cloud A mix of cloud and on-premise systems - with multi-cloud as a related model
SAP BTP Platform for integration and extension
AMS (Application Management Services) Ongoing support and optimisation for SAP systems
Frequently asked questions
What is SAP on AWS cloud? Running SAP systems on Amazon Web Services infrastructureWhat is SAP on Azure cloud? Running SAP on Azure basically means you're plugging your SAP systems into Microsoft's cloud infrastructure.
Which is better: AWS or Azure for SAP? Well that's a tough one. Ultimately, whether you choose one over the other comes down to what you already have set up, what you're trying to integrate with, and where your company is headed long term. The answer also has a lot to do with the specifics of your workload, how you need your systems to talk to each other, and what your compliance requirements are.
Can SAP run on both platforms? Yep, SAP is certified to run on both AWS and Azure, so you've got two solid options to pick from. And as an added bonus, Azure has got some SAP-certified VM sizes available, while AWS has certified instances for SAP HANA to boot.
Do cloud environments reduce SAP complexity? They can do a lot to simplify things at the infrastructure level, but they're still going to require you to manage them, so that's not going to just go away.
Choosing the right cloud foundation
SAP on Azure or SAP on AWS isn't just a decision about infrastructure - it shapes the whole way your SAP environment performs out of the box. We're talking scalable systems, flexible platforms, and connected data.
Getting that right makes SAP so much easier to run, scale and evolve for some better business results. That's where we come in.
