Building Cloud-Based SAP Solutions with BTP

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In boardrooms across the US and Europe, the conversation has shifted from “Should we move to cloud?” to “How do we maximize value from cloud adoption?”.

Organizations are under pressure to modernize ERP, optimize operations, and prepare for SAP digital transformation at a scale.

The challenge is clear: legacy ERP systems such as ECC create bottlenecks in agility, compliance, and cost efficiency.
Enterprises planning SAP migration are asking critical questions – what SAP BTP is, how does it fit into modernization strategies, and how does it compare to approaches like RISE with SAP vs S/4HANA or SAP HEC vs RISE.

This is where the SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) becomes central to building a cloud-first, future-ready enterprise.

The SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is SAP’s unified offering that brings together data management, analytics, integration, and AI capabilities into a single ecosystem.

Unlike traditional ERP upgrades, SAP BTP platform provides flexibility for innovation without disrupting core ERP processes. For enterprises evaluating SAP rise vs SAP HANA or comparing grow with SAP vs rise with SAP, BTP acts as the glue-connecting applications, enabling real-time data access, and driving digital transformation with SAP.

Related Resource: SAP Business Technology Platform Services

Legacy systems present three recurring challenges:

Without transformation, enterprises risk being outpaced by more agile competitors already adopting cloud ERP strategies like RISE with SAP S/4HANA cloud.

When enterprises compare SAP rise vs S/4HANA, the conversation often misses the role of BTP as the innovation layer.

BTP allows enterprises to:

  • Modernize ERP and data: Through SAP data archiving solutions, businesses streamline storage and compliance.
  • Integrate new capabilities: From SAP Fiori solutions for UX to SAP Datasphere use cases for analytics.
  • Enable migration pathways: Whether it’s SAP migration to Azure cloud or RISE with SAP managed services, BTP enables a hybrid approach.
  • Industry-specific extensions: For example, manufacturers leverage warehouse management with SAP S/4HANA to digitize supply chains.

Explore more: SAP Data Archiving Consulting

  • SAP Roadmaps suggest that most ECC clients must transition by 2027. The role of BTP is pivotal in ensuring smoother migration paths.
  • Gartner research shows that over 45% of CIOs consider ERP modernization one of the top three strategic priorities.
  • Nsight client projects demonstrate cost savings of 30–40% within 12 months when leveraging BTP + Rise with SAP services.

Together, these insights confirm that cloud-based SAP BTP adoption is not optional-it’s becoming an enterprise mandate.

For executives planning SAP transformations, a three-step framework provides clarity:

  • Cloud Readiness Assessment – Define whether your enterprise should adopt rise with SAP solutions or a hybrid model with SAP on Azure migration.
  • Data Management and Archiving – Implement SAP archiving strategy and SAP data archiving process for compliance and optimized storage.
  • Innovation Layer Deployment – Use SAP BTP services for AI, analytics, and industry-specific apps to extend S/4HANA.

Learn more: SAP Application Support Services

As enterprises explore the future of SAP, one trend is clear:
BTP is evolving from a “nice-to-have” extension to a strategic core of cloud transformation.

At events like SAP Sapphire 2024, SAP highlighted its commitment to RISE with SAP migration and modernization, positioning BTP as the enabler of AI-driven, industry-specific cloud solutions.

See insights: SAP Sapphire 2024 Highlights

SAP BTP is a unified platform that brings together data, AI, analytics, and integration to extend and innovate SAP ERP systems in the cloud.

RISE with SAP is a subscription-based transformation offering that includes S/4HANA, BTP, and managed services. S/4HANA is the core ERP solution, while RISE is the packaged business transformation approach.

SAP HEC (HANA Enterprise Cloud) is an infrastructure service, while RISE with SAP is a broader business transformation-as-a-service.

Archiving ensures compliance, reduces costs, and optimizes ERP performance – especially critical during migration to S/4HANA.

BTP will increasingly become the foundation for enterprise innovation, enabling AI-driven decision-making, seamless integration, and industry-specific cloud extensions.

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About the Author

Praveen Sharma is a distinguished digital and SAP S/4HANA techno-functional transformation expert with over 25 years of experience. As a Delivery Lead, he excels in project planning, execution, and governance, while building and maintaining robust customer relationships. Praveen leverages the latest SAP technologies, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), and SAP Analytics Cloud, to help clients improve operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs.

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