SAP Clean Core Deal

Clean Core is the key to S/4 success

Whether S/4 as a whole will still be a success is uncertain. With SAP Business Technology Platform and Business Data Cloud as well as the Hana database platform at its side, S/4 can become a productive part of a composable ERP if the clean core concept is implemented stringently and efficiently.

SAP Clean Core could become the seal of quality for S/4 Hana

The SAP community should set up a "clean core deal" because this concept can become a roadmap to an S/4 successor - i.e. a composable ERP. ERP needs a strategy for the coming years. The triumvirate of BTP, BDC and Hana can provide a basis for SAP applications. But the world of applications among IT users is more heterogeneous and agile. In order for an ERP from SAP to find its way in the new IT world, it must implement the clean core concept. This paves the way for interoperability and orchestration with other platforms, AI apps and data tools.

The Clean Core Deal aims to bring the black box SAP back into the megatrends of the IT industry and thus make SAP systems more compatible for open source, AI and data management. SAP has already taken the first steps, but it is also clear that efforts such as the Business Data Cloud may be a step in the right direction, but they fall far too short, are too hesitant and offer no added value compared to competitors' products.

Platform architecture with BTP and BDC

The entire IT industry has entered into a deal; Platform Economy! SAP has a long tradition with platforms, has gained a lot of experience, but has not always had success on its side. The starting signal was probably SAP NetWeaver, followed by many other attempts up to BTP and BDC.

Where is Hana? At the Steampunk and BTP Summit 2025, the Hana database platform was repeatedly mentioned and praised. This platform is currently barely mentioned in SAP's language. However, the triumvirate of BTP, BDC and Hana can also be a good starting point for existing ECC systems. Numerous existing SAP customers with SAP Business Suite 7 use SAP BTP for proof-of-concepts in the areas of AI and data management.

Lack of information and concepts in the SAP community

The SAP community currently seems to value the design and strategy of platforms more highly than a technical release change to S/4. Platform architectures form the starting point for the Composable Enterprise. In retrospect, S/4 could prove to be an unnecessary intermediate step in the future.

A key driver for a composable ERP based on SAP and non-SAP platforms would be the "clean core deal". However, it is failing due to the information and education work and the lack of concept at SAP itself. Only hesitantly is an educational program for existing SAP customers and partners being developed to help them understand the implications of Clean Core, BTP and BDC. SAP still has a long way to go in communicating the knowledge and power of platforms and Clean Core.