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S/4 coding

Cloud computing severely restricts individualization because it is determined by standards. SAP's demand to "Keep the Core Clean" is therefore logical. However, the added value of ERP only comes from modifications and coding.
Peter M. Färbinger, E3 Magazine
May 25, 2023
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This text has been automatically translated from German to English.

SAP Build or Clean Core

It's not easy for existing SAP customers to find their way through SAP's numerous offerings, roadmaps, software products and recommendations. With the advent of the cloud computing era, the call for immutable standards and Clean Core quickly became loud. But SAP also offers the Business Technology Platform with Embedded Abap, Steampunk, as a solution for individual tasks. Both, of course, have their justification. However, existing SAP customers must find their own way through the jungle of offerings.

Clean Public Cloud

SAP's public cloud has to get by with almost no modifications because it is a standardized offering that thrives on being unchanging and the same everywhere. This naturally results in the advantages of automated testing and relatively low operating costs.

Build and steampunk

But because sustainable added value is often only created through modifications, Abap programming naturally has a long tradition in the SAP community. For a long time, customization in the Z namespace was a real competitive advantage. However, in the transition to S/4, the many Abap modifications present themselves as a stumbling block. Nevertheless, SAP will continue to promote custom problem solving with the Build program and the new Embedded Abap, or Steampunk. Abap RESTful Application Programming (RAP), Cloud Application Programming (CAP), Low-Code/No-Code with SAP Build and Steampunk as Embedded Abap are just a small selection of the possibilities for how an existing SAP customer will be able to modify his ERP system in the future.

Documentation and processes

Well-written Abap code does not need to be documented, is a statement of the E-3 Round Table at YouTube on the subject of coding. But what absolutely needs to be documented is the function of the modifications. Florian Schnitzhofer, CEO at Sysparency and a speaker at the SAP Competence Center Summit 2023 at June 1 and 2 in Salzburgemphasized in the E-3 Round Table that the knowledge of what the algorithm is supposed to do is often lost due to poor or missing documentation. He thus calls for stringent documentation of algorithms from the user's point of view.

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Steampunk

A major achievement of the SAP community is the continuation of the Abap programming tradition with Embedded Abap on the Business Technology Platform. The name for the new Abap is Steampunk, and some experts are predicting nothing less than a revolution in the SAP community for this framework: With Steampunk and other components from the SAP Build program, existing customers should be able to plan and implement the further development of their ERP system in a much more autonomous and detailed way in the future. Some insiders claim that Steampunk could be a liberating blow for users. However, the fact is that there will continue to be many Abap modifications and enhancements in the future.

To consolidate this current development, there is on February 29 and March 1 next year in Heidelberg the first Steampunk Summit - Save the Date!

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Peter M. Färbinger, E3 Magazine

Peter M. Färbinger, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief E3 Magazine DE, US and ES (e3mag.com), B4Bmedia.net AG, Freilassing (DE), E-Mail: pmf@b4bmedia.net and Tel. +49(0)8654/77130-21


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Working on the SAP basis is crucial for successful S/4 conversion. 

This gives the Competence Center strategic importance for existing SAP customers. Regardless of the S/4 Hana operating model, topics such as Automation, Monitoring, Security, Application Lifecycle Management and Data Management the basis for S/4 operations.

For the second time, E3 magazine is organizing a summit for the SAP community in Salzburg to provide comprehensive information on all aspects of S/4 Hana groundwork.

Venue

More information will follow shortly.

Event date

Wednesday, May 21, and
Thursday, May 22, 2025

Early Bird Ticket

Available until Friday, January 24, 2025
EUR 390 excl. VAT

Regular ticket

EUR 590 excl. VAT

Venue

Hotel Hilton Heidelberg
Kurfürstenanlage 1
D-69115 Heidelberg

Event date

Wednesday, March 5, and
Thursday, March 6, 2025

Tickets

Regular ticket
EUR 590 excl. VAT
Early Bird Ticket

Available until December 20, 2024

EUR 390 excl. VAT
The event is organized by the E3 magazine of the publishing house B4Bmedia.net AG. The presentations will be accompanied by an exhibition of selected SAP partners. The ticket price includes attendance at all presentations of the Steampunk and BTP Summit 2025, a visit to the exhibition area, participation in the evening event and catering during the official program. The lecture program and the list of exhibitors and sponsors (SAP partners) will be published on this website in due course.