Using migration as an opportunity for optimization
There is no question that migration processes in SAP modernization are a complex matter - if only with regard to Abap custom code. Quite a few SAP users have a large amount of such custom code.
In many cases, it is outdated, no longer designed for today's requirements in terms of security, performance or maintainability, and often no longer executable in the new S/4 environments. A like-to-like migration is therefore hardly possible and also offers no added value.
When it comes to the necessary migrations, however, companies should not only see the difficulties, but also the new opportunities for consolidation, modernization and optimization - with a consistent focus on future requirements.
Migration projects can therefore not only be about moving applications and data from A to B, but must simultaneously address the digital transformation, which requires the use of new architectures, platforms, frameworks, applications and technologies. Important aspects here are integrated hybrid multi-cloud platforms, cloud-native applications and service-based architectures.
For example, modern applications in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, Industry 4.0, IoT, data analytics, RPA, or virtual and augmented reality are often developed and operated cloud-natively. Cloud-native application development is therefore also an indispensable component for SAP users on the path to the intelligent, integrated enterprise.
This SAP vision aims to automate business processes, introduce new business models quickly and flexibly, and ultimately establish intelligent end-to-end workflows.
In this context, SAP landscapes must no longer be viewed in isolation, but in consideration of SAP's side-by-side extensibility concept. This involves linking SAP data, processes and user interface with state-of-the-art programming environments, continuous integration and continuous delivery or other DevOps methods.
In addition, according to market researcher IDC, two other important developments will shape future SAP landscapes: containerization and the use of local and cloud environments. This outlook corresponds with Red Hat's strategies and solutions. A core component here is Red Hat OpenShift as a Kubernetes platform.
Without a doubt, SAP is also heading in the direction of containerization. SAP business applications are increasingly being containerized. Examples include Ariba, Concur, and SuccessFactors, but also Hana and S/4. Red Hat has already been actively working on the development of containerization for SAP since 2019 in a joint team with SAP.
Among the applications that have already been containerized is SAP Data Intelligence. The data management and orchestration solution runs on Red Hat OpenShift and offers companies the possibility to integrate data from outside the SAP landscape into an SAP application.
There is also a trend in the SAP ecosystem toward hybrid cloud architecture. In the future, SAP users will increasingly use a mix of on-premises, private, and public cloud services - not only for SAP workloads, but also for non-SAP workloads. With regard to SAP, in addition to S/4 they will be able to obtain further SAP applications in the future both as SaaS and in containerized form for on-premises deployment.
In light of these upcoming developments, SAP users should leverage a platform that supports unified cloud-native application development and delivery for today's and tomorrow's workloads on any infrastructure - from multi-cloud environments to on-premises deployments. This is the only way to ensure maximum flexibility and future-proofing. And a solution for these requirements is available with Red Hat OpenShift.
