Clean Core = End-of-Life

SAP R/3, not without Abap modifications

The Abap tables of an R/3 system were like a half-finished suit. R/3 was perfectly tailored, but of course standardized and half-finished. However, it was precisely the option of customizing and modifications that made R/3 the best ERP in the world. This is how SAP became the world leader in ERP.

ABAP modifications were popular because SAP's own programming language was adapted to ERP requirements. It was very tempting to build custom solutions with a few lines of ABAP code. This turned standard business software into a customized ERP solution.

However, Abap customization also had its disadvantages. Of course, it was possible to manipulate an SAP R/3 system with Abap in such a way as to make a controlled release change nearly impossible. Either the import of the new version failed right from the start, or it took days or even weeks to test the new version.

Back to the release capacity of ERP

SAP analyzed the situation and recognized the additional costs for customers as well as the innovation blockade. After almost ten years of unsuccessful S/4 release changes, the idea of a clean core was born, which can also be translated as "back to the standard".

In theory, the clean core approach means that all system modifications must be removed from the S/4 system. In particular, ABAP modifications should be replaced by standard functions or deleted. The core system should conform to the ERP standard, making it easier to update.

Space for modifications on the BTP

Of course, no S/4 system can do without individual customizations. With the Clean Core idea, SAP was forced to build a second system that would allow said customizations. In addition to S/4 Hana, this system is SAP BTP, the Business Technology Platform.

In the future, there will be a clean core ERP and ERP modifications on SAP BTP in the SAP universe—two ERP systems with different characteristics. Whether SAP's dual strategy will be well received by customers remains to be seen, but the fact remains that SAP depends on the success of the Business Technology Platform.

Earlier this year, E3 magazine held a summit to kick off a discourse on ABAP, steampunk, and BTP. The BTP information exchange will continue with E3 magazine's participation in the Leveredge executive event in Miami, Florida, USA, in early October—registration is still open at leverx.com/events/leveredge-2024. And SAP partner LeverX is one of the main sponsors of the Steampunk and BTP Summit 2025 in Heidelberg, Germany, on March 5 and 6 at e3mag.com/en/steampunk-summit/. leverx.com/events/leveredge-2024 still possible. And SAP partner LeverX is one of the main sponsors of the Steampunk and BTP Summit 2025 in Heidelberg on March 5 and 6. e3mag.com/en/steampunk-summit/ the early bird registration.

The importance of SAP S/4 Clean Core

The SAP community continues debating the pros and cons of SAP's clean core policy. The concept sounds logical, but is clean core just a harbinger of the end of S/4? In the future, an independent ERP could also be developed on SAP BTP.

If clean core is the end-of-life of ERP as the SAP community has known it, then it will be difficult for S/4 to continue existing. SAP is playing a dangerous game because the ERP company is silent about the future of ERP. The Business Technology Platform could be the answer, but SAP has only vaguely positioned this ERP platform. An end-of-life for S/4 in 2040 with a clean core is a scenario that has not yet been discussed.