Running SAP isn't just about the system itself, it's just as much about where it's running from. And we all know that infrastructure makes a big difference.
Think about it - infrastructure affects how well your SAP system performs, its scalability, how much it costs to run and how flexible it is. And let's not forget about how quickly you can adapt to change.
That's why more and more organisations are starting to look at SAP on the AWS cloud and SAP on Azure cloud as alternatives to traditional on-premise environments. But the real question isn't just which cloud is better? It's - How do we run SAP in a way that actually supports the business and makes it tick?
Let's break it down.
When we talk about SAP on AWS cloud and SAP on Azure cloud we're talking about running SAP systems on external cloud infrastructure rather than on internal servers. So instead of:
Maintaining your own hardware
Managing your own data centres
Handling your own infrastructure internally
You use either Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure to host and manage your SAP environments. This includes SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, SAP analytics platforms and all the related integration and extension tools. As a result you get SAP that's more flexible and more scalable and much easier to maintain
Traditional SAP environments often come with some big challenges:
High infrastructure costs
Complex upgrades
Limited scalability
Slow response to business change
Cloud platforms like AWS and Azure address these issues by offering better Scalability, allowing you to expand or reduce system capacity based on demand.
Flexibility, so you can deploy new environments quickly.
Cost control because you only pay for what you use, rather than owning it outright.
Reliability, thanks to built-in redundancy and disaster recovery.
This all means that SAP can operate in a much more dynamic way.
SAP on AWS is all about performance and scalability.
Its key strengths include a Strong global infrastructure - AWS has a wide network of data centres around the world.
High scalability - ideal for organisations with variable workloads.
Performance optimisation - designed to support large-scale SAP environments.
Flexibility - a wide range of services and configurations to choose from.
AWS is often chosen by organisations that need:
High performance
Large scale deployments
Flexibility across regions
SAP on Azure cloud integrates closely with the Microsoft ecosystem. So its key strengths include:
Integration with Microsoft tools, so everything works smoothly with Teams, Office and Dynamics.
Strong enterprise focus - it's widely used in large organisations.
Simplified management - familiar tools for many IT teams.
Hybrid capability - strong support for combining on-premise and cloud systems.
Azure is often chosen by organisations that already use Microsoft platforms, want tight integration across systems and prefer a unified ecosystem
Both platforms are strong, but the choice will depend on your organisation's priorities.
AWS focuses on:
Scalability
Flexibility
Global reach
Azure focuses on:
Integration with Microsoft tools
Familiar enterprise environments
Hybrid cloud support
In practice the difference is less about capability and more about:
Your existing technology landscape
Your business requirements
Your long-term strategy
Running SAP on AWS or Azure is part of a broader architecture. SAP ERP sits within a wider enterprise resource planning architecture.
This typically includes:
Core ERP
SAP S/4HANA
Cloud infrastructure
AWS or Azure
Integration layer
SAP BTP
Analytics and reporting
SAP Analytics Cloud
This creates a connected system with real-time data flow and improved visibility.
Through the integration layer, SAP business processes can also connect with non-SAP systems.
Cloud infrastructure becomes the foundation.
When implemented properly, both platforms deliver clear benefits.
The benefits of SAP automation in cloud-hosted environments include less manual effort, faster execution and fewer issues caused by human error.
Improved scalability - systems grow with the business.
Faster deployment - new environments can be created quickly.
Reduced infrastructure burden - less internal IT management required.
Process automation also helps handle repetitive tasks more efficiently and with fewer errors.
Better resilience - built-in backup and recovery capabilities.
Global access - systems available across locations.
SAP becomes easier to adapt and maintain, while scalable cloud platforms can also lower operational costs and support business growth.
Despite the benefits, challenges still exist.
Integration complexity - connecting SAP with other systems can be tricky.
Data governance - ensuring data remains consistent and secure.
Cost management - cloud costs must be actively managed.Teams may need to bring in new cloud expertise to automate away repetitive tasks, boost efficiency and cut down on errors.
Integrating SAP and non-SAP systems makes the complexity of workflow automation go up and demands a stronger workflow management game.
Cloud does make infrastructure complexity less of a problem but system complexity is still a challenge. Automation needs to be properly governed to keep on top of regulatory compliance standards.
Even with well-designed environments things can go south over time.
Its a story of:
Systems changing
More and more integrations popping up
As SAP processes grow and expand, automated processes can slowly start to drift if nobody's keeping an eye on them.
Data just keeps growing and growing
Unless you've got someone watching the show:
Costs start to creep up
Performance starts to slip
Complexity builds up
Using cloud doesn't get rid of the responsibility for managing your SAP environment, it just changes how you do it, and things get a whole lot harder when workflows start to span across systems and into non-SAP environments, while automation also helps with complying with regulations like GDPR.
Application Management Services (AMS) are a really big deal in cloud environments, including keeping a close eye on SAP workload automation as it goes on across cloud operations.
They offer:
System monitoring
Cost optimization
Performance tuning
Integration management
Real-time analytics come in handy for giving you a better view of how your automations are working and how you can make improvements.
AMS makes sure that:
Systems stay aligned
Issues are sorted out fast
Improvements just keep on coming
Without AMS, you're basically left high and dry and the benefits of cloud just don't materialize, and business teams lose sight of what's going on as automation scales up.
Choosing between AWS and Azure is not just a technical decision.
SAP consultancy can help organisations:
Get a clear cloud strategy going, and process discovery helps identify the best places to automate away inefficiencies before you even start.
Pick the right platform
Design system architecture, and using low-code tools to speed up delivery when business users are involved.
Avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary complexity
This ensures that:
Decisions are all about aligning with business needs
Risk is reduced
Value is delivered and automations are monitored with real-time analytics for continuous improvement.
Consultancy also helps tie together automation efforts with business requirements across different business functions.
When cloud-based SAP is firing on all cylinders, some of the things that often happen are that business process automation works across SAP applications and into connected business systems:
Systems scale up and down easily and stay responsive
Data just flows across the organisation
Integration feels seamless
Costs are kept under control
Performance is rock solid
Use cases can take things like purchase orders and invoice automation to the next level when automating SAP processes, and process discovery helps spot high-value opportunities while low-code tools just speed up the development process.
The infrastructure fades into the background and the business just runs a lot smoother. A strong automation platform supports reliable workflow automation across the SAP ecosystem.
SAP AWS cloud
Running SAP on Amazon Web Services infrastructure.
SAP Azure cloud
Running SAP on Microsoft Azure infrastructure.
Cloud infrastructure
Hosting systems externally on servers you don't own.
Hybrid cloud
Mix of cloud and on-premise systems.
SAP BTP
Platform for integration and extension.
Process automation
Using tech to streamline SAP business processes and reduce manual effort, including tasks like purchase orders and invoice automation.
Robotic process automation (RPA)
Using software robots to handle repetitive, rule-based work in SAP systems.
Intelligent automation
Combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation in SAP-related workflows.
AMS (Application Management Services)
Ongoing support and optimization for SAP systems.
What is SAP on AWS cloud?
Running SAP on Amazon Web Services infrastructure.
What is SAP on Azure cloud?
Running SAP on Microsoft Azure infrastructure.
Which is better: AWS or Azure for SAP?
It all depends on your existing systems, integration needs and overall strategy.
Can SAP run on both platforms?
Yes, SAP is certified for both AWS and Azure.
Do cloud environments reduce SAP complexity?
They reduce infrastructure complexity but system complexity still needs tackling.
How can SAP automation improve operations?
By automating away manual effort, reducing data entry errors and speeding up routine workflows.
What tools are commonly used for automating SAP?
You'll often come across UiPath, Automation Anywhere, robotic process automation (RPA), and SAP Build Process Automation are all common options.
Does SAP automation work across SAP and non-SAP systems?
Yes, it can support integrated workflows across SAP and non-SAP systems.
SAP AWS and SAP Azure are not just infrastructure choices, they set the tone for how your SAP environment performs and form the right cloud foundation for digital transformation and broader automation of SAP business processes. Scalable systems. Flexible platforms. Connected data.
Get it right, and SAP becomes much easier to run, much easier to scale and much easier to evolve. The goal is a comprehensive solution across SAP and non-SAP systems, not just a choice of infrastructure. That's where we can help.