SAP has always been a powerful tool. But running it has never been the easiest thing to do.
Infrastructure, upgrades, maintenance, integration - managing an SAP environment can be a real challenge, requiring a lot of resources and cash over time. That's why more and more companies are turning to SAP as a Service.
It completely changes the way SAP is delivered, managed and supported. Instead of owning it, you get access to it. And instead of complexity, you get flexibility. If you're looking for a way to run SAP more efficiently, the goal is simple:
Reduce the hassle. Increase flexibility. Keep SAP in line with the business.
Let's break it down.
SAP as a Service means delivering SAP systems through a managed service model rather than the traditional on-premise ownership.
Instead of:
Hosting SAP on your own servers
Managing the infrastructure yourself
Doing those upgrades manually
You get:
A cloud-based service
Managed by a third-party provider
Access to it on demand
This includes:
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
Managed private cloud environments
Application Management Services (AMS)
With SAP as a Service, SAP is a service - not something you have to spend all your time and money maintaining.
SAP as a Service combines a number of different elements.
Cloud infrastructure
SAP as a Service typically delivers enterprise resource planning through a cloud-based solution, rather than on-premise systems. Providers use global data centres and cloud services to make it more cost-effective and to meet the security standards you need.
Managed services
The provider takes care of:
System maintenance
Upgrades and updates
Performance monitoring
Moving your data over to the new system so you don't lose anything and so it's all seamless with the other systems you use
Application support
The delivered SAP systems, from SAP themselves, support all the core business functions in one system, and ongoing support keeps the solution up to date and aligned with your business needs. That's also important when you're dealing with large volumes of data from all the different operations - you need to be able to connect it all up and get real time insights for day-to-day decision-making.
Access model
Users access SAP via:
Web interfaces
Role-based applications (e.g. Fiori)
SAP S/4HANA, the next-gen ERP suite they launched in 2015, including mobile access on your phone
Platforms built on SAP HANA support real time processing through in-memory computing, which helps deliver real time insights in a service model.
This creates a much simpler operating model.
Traditional SAP environments can be a bit of a pain:
High infrastructure costs
Complex upgrades
Limited flexibility
Heavy IT overhead
SAP as a Service sorts all these out with a managed solution that gives you:
A lighter technical load
Infrastructure and maintenance are done for you through cloud services hosted in local data centres that meet your security needs, saving you cash and giving you more bang for your buck.
Scalability
The system can grow with your business across different industries.
Faster innovation
New features and updates come out regularly.
More focus on the business
Your internal teams can focus on business priorities instead of messing around with system management, helping them support customers and meet customer expectations.
Application support also benefits from seamless integration with other systems you use and careful data migration that helps preserve your existing data quality. After go-live, SAP HANA enables real time processing and helps provide real time insights from the data coming out of all the connected applications. These are key levers for long-term efficiency.
SAP becomes a lot easier to run and a lot easier to evolve.
The difference is not just technical; it also makes it more cost-effective.
Traditional SAP
On-premise infrastructure
Big upgrade projects
Internal IT has to deal with it all
SAP as a Service
Cloud-based environments in one system
Continuous updates for real time visibility
Managed by external providers
Scales across enterprise resource planning needs without adding internal complexity
Modernises legacy ERP systems with a simpler delivery model
The shift is from:
Ownership
To:
Consumption
This fundamentally changes how SAP is managed, with flexibility and simplicity as key levers for added value.
Traditional ERP systems vs cloud-based enterprise resource planning
Traditional ERP systems often require:
On-premise infrastructure
Manual upgrades
Siloed business functions
Cloud-based enterprise resource planning offers:
A subscription-based solution
Faster deployment of SAP products
Better real time visibility through a more unified system in SAP S/4HANA
Support for customer relationship management and related solutions
SAP cloud platforms
Including:
S/4HANA Cloud
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)
SAP service cloud
These are the key benefits of SAP as a Service
Core ERP functions
Integration and extension capabilities
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
This is where the cloud providers take control of:
Servers
Storage
Networking
That means you don't have to worry about:
Managing hardware
Application Management Services (AMS)
AMS covers:
Ongoing support
System optimisation
Fixing any issues that come up
This all means that:
Your systems stay aligned
Performance stays consistent
Integration and extensions
With cloud-based tools, you can:
Seamlessly integrate with third party systems
Develop new applications
This means you get flexibility without the complexity becoming too much to handle.
When done right, SAP as a Service gives you some clear advantages.
Flexibility
Your systems can adapt to changing business needs, while still keeping your core business functions and related solutions ticking over.
Scalability
Your capacity can go up or down as needed, without any hassle.
Less to worry about
You've got less internal effort to manage systems, and integration into other systems and third-party systems is all taken care of.
Faster updates
You get new features without having to launch any massive projects and all the fuss that comes with them, including SAP Service Cloud as a CRM solution as part of the wider SAP platform.
Easier accessibility
Users and customers can access SAP from anywhere, using friendly tools, helping teams act on real time insights, apply advanced analytics, improve customer experience, boost customer satisfaction and strengthen customer loyalty.
SAP just gets easier to manage.
Despite all the benefits, there are some challenges to be aware of.
Integration complexity
Connecting cloud and legacy systems can be tricky, especially when you're working with third-party systems and you need it to be seamless.
Data governance
You need to make sure any existing data stays secure and consistent while you're migrating.
Change management
Your users have to get used to new ways of working, which can include a more user-friendly way of accessing SAP from anywhere.
Standardisation
Cloud systems might limit your customisation options, but you still need to meet the required security standards.
These challenges all require a bit of planning and a structured approach, including advanced analytics for real-time insights to help you make faster decisions and have more responsive operations which improve customer experience and customer satisfaction.
Modern SAP strategies are all about a clean core.
This means:
Keeping your core SAP systems standard
Reducing customisation
Using external extensions where you need to, including related solutions
SAP as a Service helps with this by:
Giving you a standardised solution
Letting you integrate with third party systems smoothly during the transition on cloud platforms
This all means you get:
Easier upgrades
Lower long-term costs
Less system complexity
Stronger data governance, with migration protecting existing data quality while meeting security standards
SAP as a Service is particularly valuable in operational settings.
It helps with:
Real time visibility across inventory and operations
Integrated supply chain processes, with SAP HANA giving you real time processing and insights from data generated in the flow of work
Faster planning and execution
External extensions and related solutions while keeping the core clean and linking existing data where needed.
This lets you:
Respond to change quickly
Improve efficiency
Stay in control across operations
Cloud-based SAP becomes a real platform for agility.
Even with managed services, your systems still need a bit of care.
Over time:
Business needs change
Data grows
Integrations increase
If you don't keep an eye on things:
Complexity starts to creep back in
Performance starts to decline
The value starts to reduce.
SAP as a Service does make management a bit simpler, but it doesn't get rid of the need for it entirely.
Application Management Services (AMS) are super important in this model.
They provide:
Continuous support
Performance optimisation
Keeping systems aligned with business needs
AMS ensures:
Systems stay reliable
Updates are handled smoothly
As processes get more complex, active management helps with service requests, strengthens case management, supports service teams with relevant information and keeps service efficiency on track with customer expectations
SAP as a Service really does work best when it's supported properly.
SAP consultancy helps organisations:
Define the right service model so AMS can help service teams manage service requests more consistently
Design cloud architecture around the right SAP product for their business
Align systems with business processes, including data migration and seamless integration
Come up with a practical solution for specific industries
Avoid unnecessary complexity
This ensures:
The transition is structured
Risk is reduced
Faster access to relevant information supports stronger case management* You can quickly tell how valuable SAP as a Service can be
SAP as a Service is a decision that combines both technical and strategic considerations.
When it's working well, you get to see:
Consultants will help you pick the right SAP product and service plan to suit your business and industry - and create a unified system that works for you
Infrastructure stops being a burden, and consultants will help shape the right service approach for your business with some genuine added value
Your data is consistent and easily accessible
Processes stay aligned because solution design takes into account seamless integration and data migration
Your business is free to adapt quickly whenever it needs to
SAP feels lighter and less hassle to deal with.
SAP as a Service – this is all about delivering SAP systems from the cloud in a managed and seamless way, connecting all your different applications together.
S/4HANA Cloud – This is SAP’s cloud-based system for enterprise resource planning built on SAP HANA.
Cloud infrastructure – this is what happens when you host your systems on outside services, instead of running them all on your own servers.
Clean core – This is all about keeping your SAP systems simple and not all mucked about with customisation, which helps when you're moving data around
AMS (Application Management Services) – these are the ongoing support services to make the most of your SAP systems – and that includes things like SAP Service Cloud to add even more value.
What is SAP as a Service, anyway? – basically, it's SAP delivering enterprise resource planning systems through cloud services.
How is it different from the traditional SAP set-up? – for a start, it lets you offload some of the internal management, which can be a real cost-saver.
Is SAP as a Service only available in the cloud? – yep, it needs cloud infrastructure and managed services to work.
Does SAP as a Service cut down costs? – over time, yes – you can reduce your infrastructure and operational costs.
Do I still need ongoing support? – yes, you do – continuous management is pretty much essential for making it run smoothly.
What is SAP HANA? – this is SAP’s in-memory database that lets you handle real-time data processing with ease.
What is SAP Service Cloud? – this is SAP’s customer service platform for managing customer service interactions.
What is data migration? – it’s the process of moving data from one system to another – yes, it sounds a bit dull, but it’s a bit of a nightmare if you don’t get it right.
What is seamless integration? – this is when you can connect up all your systems and processes without any fuss or disruption.
SAP as a Service isn't just about the tech – it's about making things simpler. Less infrastructure to worry about. More flexibility to do what you want. It's a cost-effective way to manage SAP, with lower costs for infrastructure and operational. Plus, with managed cloud services to support you, it's a no-brainer.
Getting continuous improvement right is key. Do that, and SAP becomes a breeze to run, easy to scale up or down, and easy to keep aligned with your business goals. That's where we come in – we can help you make it work.