SAP HANA

SAP HANA, an in-memory database and application development platform for processing high volumes of data in real time, is SAP's highest profile product. Read the latest news and expert advice about the SAP HANA platform as the architecture evolves. Also, independent case studies detail lessons learned from peers about their implementation of the SAP HANA architecture.

Top Stories

Answer 30 Sep 2022
What are some SAP HANA backup options available today?

When backing up SAP HANA databases, having the right tools for the organization is critical. Data snapshots are one option, but not the only one available. Continue Reading
News 15 Jul 2022
SAP exec talks new opportunities S/4HANA Cloud provides

In this Q&A, Thomas Saueressig, SAP's head of product engineering, discusses the advantages of S/4HANA Cloud, along with the complexities that customers face in making the move. Continue Reading

News 23 May 2022

Faced with growing demand, 3 companies turn to S/4HANA Cloud

Three companies explain why they selected S/4HANA Cloud as a core system for digital transformation. One key takeaway: Good change management is required. Continue Reading
Feature 10 Mar 2022

SAP S/4HANA migration: A definitive guide

Implementing S/4HANA comes with significant risk -- yet it also offers a real opportunity for digital transformation. Here's the information and best practices to ensure success. Continue Reading
Tip 10 Mar 2022

Compare SAP greenfield vs. brownfield approach for S/4HANA

Here's an explanation of the key differences between SAP greenfield vs. brownfield, what a third, hybrid approach can do for an S/4HANA migration and questions to help you decide. Continue Reading
Tip 02 Mar 2022

A short guide to primary SAP S/4HANA modules and LOBs

SAP groups S/4HANA modules around lines of business. Here's a quick overview of modules and features for finance, HCM, procurement, manufacturing and more. Continue Reading
Feature 01 Mar 2022

9 top SAP S/4HANA benefits for businesses

For today's highly nimble business models, SAP S/4HANA can provide speed, flexibility, simplicity, faster analytics, lower costs and the strength of HANA's in-memory database. Continue Reading
News 11 Feb 2022

IBM Breakthrough targets Rise with SAP, deepening ties

IBM's new Breakthrough, a bundle of IaaS and consulting services, is aimed at giving SAP customers one-stop shopping for S/4HANA cloud transformations. v Continue Reading
Feature 20 Jan 2022

Rise with SAP will continue to evolve in 2022

Experts see Rise with SAP as a mixed bag. The program has the tools to provide a path to S/4HANA, but SAP still needs to show the value of an S/4HANA cloud migration. Continue Reading
Answer 10 Jan 2022

How can SAP IBP help address supply chain challenges?

As supply chain issues continue to affect companies, SAP's Integrated Business Planning could help improve users' supply chain management. Learn how. Continue Reading
Answer 23 Dec 2021

Should SAP users move from APO to IBP?

SAP is emphasizing its Integrated Business Planning product and moving its Advanced Planning and Optimization tools out of the spotlight. Learn whether users should transition to IBP. Continue Reading
News 16 Dec 2021

Security initiatives can accelerate an S/4HANA migration

In this Q&A, Juan Pablo Perez-Etchegoyen, CTO at Onapsis, discusses why it's important for companies to include security measures at the beginning of an S/4HANA migration project. Continue Reading
News 07 Dec 2021

A year in, Rise with SAP sees traction, but messaging still muddy

After a year, the returns on Rise with SAP are mixed. For some, it's just the right package to spur a move to S/4HANA, while for others, the simplified cloud model is not needed. Continue Reading
Answer 01 Dec 2021

Is Rise with SAP a good fit for you?

The service Rise with SAP is likely a good fit for some organizations but not for others. Learn how to decide if SAP's new offering is right for your company. Continue Reading
News 17 Nov 2021

SAP TechEd sets sights on hyperscalers with developer tools

SAP launched a series of developer products at SAP TechEd, including free tier access for the SAP Business Technology Platform and the low-code/no-code platform SAP AppGyver. Continue Reading
Answer 08 Nov 2021

Rise with SAP vs. S/4HANA Cloud: What are the differences?

Learn more about Rise with SAP vs. S/4HANA Cloud and SAP's vision for Rise with SAP. Continue Reading
Guest Post 21 Sep 2021

What's next for SAP HANA 1.0 users

SAP HANA 1.0 is now out of mainstream maintenance. Here's how that pertains to an SAP HANA 2.0 upgrade and what happens if users don't make the move. Continue Reading
News 01 Sep 2021

Google Cloud and SAP forge ahead with Rise offerings

As SAP moves away from Microsoft Azure as its preferred public cloud provider, Google looks to fill the void. Customers should benefit from the competition. Continue Reading
News 20 Aug 2021

IBM touts hybrid cloud for S/4HANA transformations

IBM's hybrid cloud presents a strong alternative to the public cloud hyperscalers for S/4HANA deployments, but many don't see the legacy vendor as an innovation leader. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Jul 2021

IT complexity slows S/4HANA migration pace

Most S/4HANA projects are being held up by the complexity of SAP system environments, and organizations need to fully understand the systems and align IT and business to succeed. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Jul 2021

Rise with SAP won't move S/4HANA needle for large customers

Rise with SAP is good for smaller companies, but if Rise is going to be a success, SAP will need to figure out how to attract its largest customers, according to two experts. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Jun 2021

A buyer's guide to S/4HANA Any Premise on HEC

S/4HANA Any Premise on HEC is best for companies with a complex environment that are upgrading from an existing SAP system. Learn whether it's the best choice for your company. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Jun 2021

SAP makes play to be core of corporate sustainability efforts

SAP debuted sustainability products so that companies can measure and manage carbon emissions and participate in the circular economy. But are customers ready? Continue Reading
Feature 16 Jun 2021

A buyer's guide to customer-managed S/4HANA Any Premise

Customer-managed S/4HANA Any Premise is best for users who prefer to use a different set of tools and processes than HEC and have more control over the environment. Continue Reading
Feature 11 Jun 2021

SAP wants to own intelligent enterprise, but firms have options

SAP customers Paragon 28 and Merit Energy extoll the value of an S/4HANA-based intelligent enterprise, but an S/4HANA migration might not be needed to achieve the same benefits. Continue Reading
News 04 Jun 2021

SAP Business Network major focus at Sapphire Now 2021

SAP announced new initiatives such as the SAP Business Network to help companies become intelligent enterprises. Experts described the messaging as impressive but lacking in detail. Continue Reading
News 28 May 2021

Sapphire Now should elicit more details on Rise with SAP

At Sapphire Now, the SAP community is hoping for clarity on Rise with SAP and an honest look at the challenges facing SAP customers. Continue Reading
Feature 11 May 2021

A buyer's guide to S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition

S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition is best for users who need greater flexibility and are willing to pay a bit more for it. Learn whether it's right for your company. Continue Reading
News 03 May 2021

Celonis process mining aids Hager's S/4HANA journey

A successful SAP S/4HANA migration depends on companies fully understanding business processes. Here's how the Hager Group uses Celonis process mining to analyze and optimize processes. Continue Reading
Feature 28 Apr 2021

A buyer's guide to S/4HANA Cloud extended edition (EX)

S/4HANA Cloud EX offers much of the multi-tenant version's simplicity and standardization but with much greater environment control. Learn more to see if it's a good fit for your company. Continue Reading
Feature 15 Apr 2021

A buyer's guide to S/4HANA Cloud SaaS ERP

SAP's multi-tenant SaaS ERP, S/4HANA Cloud, is a viable choice for companies that need ease in their infrastructure management. Learn what it offers and what it requires of IT. Continue Reading
News 14 Apr 2021

SAP forms financial services partnership with Dediq

SAP and financial industry investment firm Dediq are forming a new business unit to develop applications that help banks and insurance firms with changing processes. Continue Reading
Tip 30 Mar 2021

Understand your S/4HANA deployment options

SAP deployment options can be confusing, particularly with name changes. Learn which SAP program is right for your company based on your organization's goals and needs. Continue Reading
Feature 22 Mar 2021

MSC Industrial Supply transforms to SAP S/4HANA private cloud

MSC Industrial Supply needed to cut costs and modernize its ERP system, so it first moved to S/4HANA on a hybrid cloud and has recently completed a transformation to a SaaS model. Continue Reading
News 18 Mar 2021

SAP tools analyze usage, help ease S/4HANA migration

ODTH First Class Logistics and TGS lean on SAP tools to analyze SAP remote access and user experience and speed up an S/4HANA migration project. Continue Reading
Feature 08 Mar 2021

SAP partners sound off on Rise with SAP program

SAP customers considering a move to S/4HANA may be attracted to the simplicity of Rise with SAP, a recently launched program that may also be a boon for SAP partners. Continue Reading
Guest Post 05 Mar 2021

Consider moving from ECC to S/4HANA sooner rather than later

Reinventing your business processes and revamping your ERP system is not as simple as pushing a button, but an S/4HANA conversion may not be as risky as you think. Here's why. Continue Reading
News 23 Feb 2021

Security top of mind for digital transformation projects

Like the transformation of their IT systems, SAP customers will need to modernize their security strategies as they move to the cloud, according to a new ASUG and Onapsis survey. Continue Reading
News 01 Feb 2021

SAP earnings strong in Q4, but cloud growth questionable

SAP had a strong Q4 in 2020, but long-term growth prospects are unclear as they depend on SAP's transition to a true cloud-first company. Continue Reading
News 27 Jan 2021

SAP acquires process mining software vendor Signavio

Process mining and business process intelligence capabilities are a core part of SAP's new Rise with SAP subscription services and will be delivered through SAP's acquisition of Signavio. Continue Reading
News 27 Jan 2021

Rise with SAP streamlines business transformation

SAP debuted Rise with SAP, a new offering designed to help customers transform business models and processes so that they can become more flexible, resilient, data-driven enterprises. Continue Reading
Feature 26 Jan 2021

Google's SAP on GCP investments may pay off

Investing in data centers and bringing on former SAP executives, Google is hoping to turn its cloud platform into a public cloud destination for SAP customers. Continue Reading
Guest Post 25 Jan 2021

Compare SAP S/4HANA vs. SAP ECC: Five main differences

As ECC users consider their options for the future, understanding how their current SAP ERP system compares to S/4HANA is critical. Here are some important differences. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Jan 2021

SAP Business Network, S/4HANA critical for SAP in 2021

SAP's 2021 will be a mix of familiar challenges such as moving customers off legacy systems to S/4HANA and new opportunities such as its SAP Business Network, according to experts. Continue Reading
News 29 Dec 2020

SAP in 2020: COVID-19, Klein takes command and Qualtrics IPO

From leadership changes to the massive disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a year like no other for SAP. Here are some of the most important SAP 2020 stories. Continue Reading
Answer 10 Dec 2020

Why are some SAP customers resisting S/4HANA?

SAP has touted S/4HANA as the natural successor to ECC, but many customers are resisting the move. Here are some of the reasons why. Continue Reading
Feature 03 Dec 2020

SAP systems integrators' strengths align with project success

Accenture, Deloitte and IBM approach SAP implementation projects differently. Knowing those differences could help companies save on costs and time. Continue Reading
Feature 12 Nov 2020

Customer input drives S/4HANA Cloud development

In this Q&A, SAP executive Jan Gilg discusses how customer feedback played a role in the development of new features in S/4HANA Cloud 2011. Continue Reading
News 30 Oct 2020

Syniti platform helps enable better data quality management

FrieslandCampina uses Syniti Knowledge Platform for data governance and data quality to improve its SAP ERP and other enterprise systems. Continue Reading
Feature 13 Oct 2020

Decide on SAP S/4HANA Cloud: Single-tenant vs. multi-tenant edition

Understanding the benefits and limitations of S/4HANA Cloud versions is essential to making the right choice. Here are some factors for consideration. Continue Reading
News 09 Oct 2020

How 2 S/4HANA projects wrapped up remotely due to COVID-19

Here's how two SAP S/4HANA migration projects by De Nora Group and Vistaprint were completed on time after the COVID-19 crisis forced the implementation teams to work remotely. Continue Reading
Feature 29 Sep 2020

In a time of crisis, S/4HANA implementation strategies shift

During a pandemic, organizations may consider pausing a major project like an S/4HANA migration, but experts believe they can use the disruption to their advantage. Continue Reading
Feature 10 Sep 2020

AWS: Cloud migration doesn't require a move to S/4HANA

The AWS approach for migrating SAP systems to the public cloud doesn't emphasize a move to S/4HANA but enables customers to go at their own pace. Continue Reading
Feature 26 Aug 2020

S/4HANA helps Queen of Raw improve textile sustainability

Queen of Raw's S/4HANA-based textile marketplace app is helping suppliers of the fashion industry reduce waste by keeping unused inventory out of landfills. Continue Reading
News 14 Aug 2020

SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, HPE to provide SaaS-like option

A new partnership between SAP and HPE enables SAP systems to run on HPE GreenLake, providing a way for customers to have public, cloud-like deployments in their own data centers. Continue Reading
Feature 07 Aug 2020

SAP S/4HANA Cloud interest increasing

In this Q&A, Jan Gilg, president of SAP S/4HANA, discusses the current state of S/4HANA Cloud and how interest in the SaaS version of SAP's ERP has grown during the pandemic. Continue Reading
Feature 05 Aug 2020

Penn State graduates from legacy ERP to SAP S/4HANA

Penn State University recently completed a greenfield SAP S/4HANA implementation to replace an old COBOL-based system with a modern, transformative ERP. Continue Reading
News 31 Jul 2020

ASUG/DSAG members like S/4HANA, but implementations still lag

S/4HANA is viewed positively by most SAP customers, according to a new survey of ASUG and DSAG members, but complexity of an S/4HANA move may be delaying implementation projects. Continue Reading
News 25 Jun 2020

Current crisis clarifies value of SAP intelligent enterprise

In this Q&A, ASUG CEO Geoff Scott discusses what SAP customers say about the intelligent enterprise and how companies that are moving to it have an advantage in uncertain times. Continue Reading
News 16 Jun 2020

Despite glitches, SAP shines light on intelligent enterprise at Sapphire

Technical troubles marred the start of SAP Sapphire Now Reimagined, but CEO Christian Klein was largely successful in defining the SAP intelligent enterprise, according to experts. Continue Reading
Answer 16 Jun 2020

What do SAP leadership changes signify for company strategy?

SAP recently announced that Jennifer Morgan was no longer co-CEO and that Christian Klein would take the helm. Learn what that means for the company's strategy. Continue Reading
News 21 May 2020

SAP S/4HANA Cloud 2005 focuses on supply chain

The latest version of S/4HANA Cloud has functions for supply chain, finance and SuccessFactors integration that will likely appeal to companies dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. Continue Reading
Feature 15 May 2020

SAP HANA database turns 10

In this Q&A, SAP's Gerrit Kazmaier discusses how the SAP HANA database has become the platform to enable the intelligent enterprise by combining transactional and analytical data. Continue Reading
News 23 Apr 2020

SAP Q1 earnings solid, but long-term danger lurks

SAP reports first-quarter growth in cloud revenue but a drop in license revenue as the COVID-19 crisis threatens to delay IT infrastructure projects; analysts warn about overly rosy projections. Continue Reading
News 21 Apr 2020

SAP co-CEO Morgan departs, leaving Klein to fly solo

Jennifer Morgan will step down as SAP co-CEO after six months in the position. Christian Klein will become sole CEO as the ERP vendor continues to face an uncertain time. Continue Reading
Tip 13 Apr 2020

How Concur AP automation streamlines accounts payable

Some finance departments are turning to SAP Concur for accounts payable automation to manage processes and increase accuracy. Here's what the automated process looks like. Continue Reading
Feature 31 Mar 2020

Floating the possibilities of SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration

When weighing the advantages of abandoning legacy ERP systems for SAP S/4HANA Cloud, factors include implementation and support costs, functionality, flexibility and security. Continue Reading
Feature 30 Mar 2020

SAP S/4HANA migration: Critical advice for moving off ECC

With the end of SAP ECC support looming in 2027, organizations must make some tough decisions. Here's a look at your choices. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Mar 2020

6 critical steps of a successful SAP S/4HANA migration

A successful S/4HANA project starts with knowing why your organization should even make the move, then nailing down whether S/4 will do what you need. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Feb 2020

Understand SAP ECC vs. HANA vs. S/4HANA vs. R/3

SAP ECC, HANA, S/4HANA and R/3 are all valuable tools in the IT world, but it's easy to get them confused. Learn about their similarities and differences. Continue Reading
Tip 21 Feb 2020

5 tips for a successful S/4HANA Cloud implementation

Moving to S/4HANA public cloud can help you save on IT maintenance and simplify real-time analysis. Here's a look at what you can do to make the migration as successful as possible. Continue Reading
Feature 17 Feb 2020

Take care of data before SAP S/4HANA migration

In this Q&A, Rajesh Rengarethinam of ERP security vendor Appsian discusses why reviewing data security and business processes are important when planning a move to SAP S/4HANA. Continue Reading
News 04 Feb 2020

Deadline extended for SAP Business Suite 7

Business Suite 7 will receive mainstream maintenance until 2027, a decision industry observers say reflects the difficulty of an S/4HANA migration. Continue Reading
News 03 Feb 2020

SAP cloud revenue up, S/4HANA adoption still slow

Although SAP reported impressive revenue and cloud growth for 2019, it remains challenged to get the majority of its installed customer base onto S/4HANA. Continue Reading
Feature 31 Jan 2020

SAP ECC to S/4HANA migration: 4 essential issues

The ERP landscape is transforming and SAP customers in particular are dealing with decision overload related to ECC to S/4HANA migration. Here's some top advice. Continue Reading
Feature 24 Jan 2020

SAP S/4HANA migration should be business-driven

In this Q&A, Ekrem Hatip of Syntax Systems discusses what SAP customers need to consider as they embark on an SAP S/4HANA migration. It should be driven by business, not IT needs. Continue Reading
Feature 20 Dec 2019

SAP leadership changes and S/4HANA were top 2019 SAP stories

The resignation of CEO Bill McDermott and veteran executives was the top SAP story of 2019, along with the company's push for S/4HANA migrations, intelligent enterprise adoption and Qualtrics integration. Continue Reading
News 27 Nov 2019

Partners need to target SAP SMB market for cloud transition

In this Q&A, SAP executive Claus Gruenewald discusses how SAP partners are instrumental in servicing the SMB market and how they can help sell customers on moving to the cloud. Continue Reading
Answer 20 Nov 2019

What should CIOs do with SAP ECC support ending in 2025?

SAP customers are faced with a tough decision: Move to S/4HANA or figure out how to extend support. Here's some expert advice on how to determine the right path forward. Continue Reading
News 20 Nov 2019

S/4HANA Cloud integrates Qualtrics for continuous improvement

The latest version of SAP S/4HANA Cloud embeds Qualtrics XM capabilities that provide a way for users to give direct feedback about the product. Analysts say it could be a differentiator but may take time. Continue Reading
News 08 Nov 2019

SMBs focus on future with S/4HANA and SAP intelligent enterprise

Medical device startup Enable Injections is small now but intends to be big soon, so it's implementing SAP S/4HANA in phases to future-proof its company. Continue Reading
Answer 08 Nov 2019

What are some SAP public cloud benefits for IT teams?

Some companies are facing decisions about whether to move to an SAP cloud and if so, which one. Here's a look at the SAP public cloud option and what it offers. Continue Reading
News 04 Nov 2019

SAP sees S/4HANA migration as its future, but do customers?

SAP S/4HANA is seen as an ideal platform for companies to build the intelligent enterprise, but SAP still faces problems getting customers to implement the 'next-generation ERP.' Continue Reading
News 22 Oct 2019

President of SAP Customer Experience departs

Alex Atzberger is leaving his post as president of SAP Customer Experience. He will be replaced by industry veteran Bob Stutz. The news comes two weeks after Bill McDermott announced he was stepping down as SAP CEO. Continue Reading
News 16 Oct 2019

Road ahead for new SAP leadership team isn't an easy one

New SAP co-CEOs Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein must clarify SAP's products strategy, explain the experience economy and help customers build the intelligent enterprise. Continue Reading
News 11 Oct 2019

CEO of SAP Bill McDermott abruptly resigns

Bill McDermott, CEO of longtime ERP, CRM and BI software vendor SAP, resigned Thursday triggering a succession plan that promotes Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein to co-CEOs. Continue Reading
Feature 23 Sep 2019

SAP HANA database pivotal to SAP's past -- and future

In the last 20 years, SAP has gone from an ERP software vendor to a modern-day technology powerhouse. Analysts point to SAP HANA as the linchpin to its transformation. Continue Reading
Answer 18 Sep 2019

Is SAP Cloud Platform architecture the same as SAP cloud migration?

With so many SAP products using the term 'cloud,' understanding what Cloud Platform is -- and isn't -- can be confusing. Here's a quick intro to help bring clarity to the issue. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Aug 2019

SAP third-party support saves money but may stifle innovation

Third-party support providers like Rimini Street offer SAP customers a way to stay on legacy platforms, but some say this may prevent them from using the most advanced versions. Continue Reading
News 20 Aug 2019

SAP S/4HANA Cloud 1908 gets more RPA, embedded analytics

The quarterly release of SAP S/4HANA Cloud includes new RPA and embedded analytics capabilities. One analyst was blunt about his take: He called the additions 'bells and whistles.' Continue Reading
News 15 Aug 2019

S/4HANA migration concerns lead SAP 2019 stories so far

Industry observers believe that if SAP is to remain competitive, S/4HANA migrations need to pick up, and new leadership needs to convince customers of the intelligent enterprise's value. Continue Reading
Feature 31 Jul 2019

S/4HANA migration needs strong project management

Vinci Energies Group shows that an SAP S/4HANA migration is a difficult project that requires strong management, but the new functions have real business value. Continue Reading
Feature 29 Jul 2019

SAP digital core is the heart of the intelligent enterprise

Steve Niesman, CEO at Itelligence, believes customers who make the move from ECC to S/4HANA and C/4HAHA now are in a good position to reap competitive advantage. Continue Reading
News 22 Jul 2019

S/4HANA migration fears are overblown

Most SAP customers should not be afraid of going through an S/4HANA implementation, but they need to understand the benefits first, according to Approyo CEO Chris Carter. Continue Reading
News 12 Jul 2019

SAP PartnerEdge initiative offers free S/4HANA Cloud resources

SAP now offers free access to S/4HANA and C/4HANA test and demonstration systems to qualified partners. The new partner program is being met with enthusiasm, as SAP tries to keep pace with other cloud providers. Continue Reading
Tip 27 Jun 2019

What's new in SAP HANA Cloud Services and why it matters

Access to HANA in-memory data processing from a scalable elastic cloud and new options for balancing cost and speed are the main benefits of SAP's important new HANA offering. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Jun 2019

Prepare for SAP S/4HANA 2025 by building your business case first

Organizations that are still considering the move from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA have six years left to build a viable business case and establish a sourcing process. Continue Reading
Feature 27 Jun 2019

'SAP Nation 3.0' examines the state of the SAP economy

In this Q&A, analyst Vinnie Mirchandani discusses his book, 'SAP Nation 3.0,' the third in a series that examines the expansion of the SAP software empire and how companies manage it. Continue Reading
News 21 Jun 2019

SAP customers plan to stay on ECC6 beyond 2025 deadline

A new survey suggests SAP customers will stay on SAP ECC6, despite SAP's plan to pull support by 2025. One analyst said reports like this should be taken with a grain of salt. Continue Reading
News 15 May 2019

Plattner: Cloud is the way forward for S/4HANA systems

In this Q&A, SAP's Hasso Plattner explains why the cloud is the best option for SAP S/4HANA systems and why companies must know their customers' feelings in order to succeed. Continue Reading
Feature 14 May 2019

Hasso Plattner discusses the state of the SAP HANA database

In this Q&A, SAP co-founder Hasso Plattner explains why SAP HANA is now more accessible with the new HANA Cloud Services and can handle new enterprise database requirements. Continue Reading
News 09 May 2019

SAP HANA Cloud Services breaks in-memory database out of SAP ERP

SAP announced at Sapphire Now 2019 it is taking its flagship in-memory database platform to the cloud, pushing it beyond enterprise applications and making the technology more accessible. Continue Reading