The Steampunk Revolution—Seamless End-to-End Scenarios With BTP


For more than 40 years, Abap has enabled the development and operation of business-critical applications in SAP. A large number of programmers (including myself) have learned Advanced Business Application Programming (actually, in my day, the "General Report Preparation Processor") and have contributed to the fact that today around 80 percent of all business transactions run on Abap.
Thanks to consistent further development, the success story continued even when other object-oriented programming languages such as Java or Python came onto the market and cloud computing became established. With Steampunk—or the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) Abap Environment, as it is officially known—SAP subsequently built the bridge between the original technology and the cloud. At the same time, SAP integrated modern design principles with the Hana in-memory database and ultimately S/4 Hana, significantly increasing performance.
Another game changer followed in 2021 with the Business Technology Platform. The free choice of programming language ("bring your own language") and openness for hyperscalers (hosting on infrastructure from providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud is possible) increased flexibility and investment security for SAP customers. The seamless integration of ERP systems, the consistent adherence to the Clean Core philosophy and the implementation of extensions with the new SAP RAP and SAP CAP development standards further increased efficiency. By integrating open source tools such as Cloud Foundry and Kyma, BTP also integrates global industry standards and thus offers ideal conditions for designing modern IT landscapes.
Abap remains and runs in the cloud
Walldorf, Germany, has a clear cloud strategy, supported by initiatives such as RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP. SAP Steampunk plays a key role in this, enabling companies to leverage their existing Abap expertise while taking advantage of the benefits of the cloud.
Despite the possibility of other programming languages being available, Abap remains an essential part of the SAP ecosystem. With the introduction of Steampunk (on-stack or side-by-side), SAP has created a cloud-ready Abap environment that disables problematic elements (in the sense of a clean core) and focuses on modern, service-oriented development.
The RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP) enables the development of applications based on REST principles, while the Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP) provides a framework for creating cloud applications that can be used by non-Abap developers. This two-pronged strategy ensures that both long-time SAP customers and new users can work flexibly.
Driving innovation in practice
As experienced technology consultants and software developers in the SAP environment, we have been early adopters of these technologies. Steampunk and BTP have proven to be extremely useful innovation drivers, both for our own products and for specific customer applications. For example, we have completely redesigned our already well-established digital signature folder with SAP CAP. In a recent customer project, we used agile methods with BTP services such as SAP Work Zone and SAP CI/CD to implement a highly flexible solution that adheres to clean-core principles.
Agrana case study
For Agrana, a leading global food and industrial goods group, we developed a global quality management solution with CAP on BTP. Using state-of-the-art technologies such as PostgresSQL, Cloud Foundry, SAP Workzone and automated translations in 16 languages, we implemented a cost-effective, agile solution and flexibly integrated it into the existing Microsoft Azure AD environment. In just eight months, we were able to deploy scalable sub-applications in 55 locations around the world. SAP recognized us with an SAP Quality Award in 2024.
Seamless MSV3 integration
Finally, we launched a new software product, SnapMSV3service. Implemented as a cloud solution on the BTP using SAP Workzone and SAP Integration Suite, the program improves the supply of medicines in hospital pharmacies. It enables seamless integration of MSV3 with existing SAP systems, automates ordering processes and provides access to up-to-date ABDATA Pharma data. Pharmacists benefit from efficient availability checks, can search for alternative products and easily place orders. Time-consuming reconciliations are eliminated, and GDPR-compliant data processing in the SAP European Cloud ensures the highest level of security.
The easy way to the future
On-stack RAP development is a valid option to prepare for an upcoming S/4 Cloud scenario. It is an option that many of our customers are already using because the benefits are obvious: you learn the "Abap Cloud Syntax", enable the more rigorous on-stack testing, use RAP (Fiori, CDS) and still stay close to your own comfort zone as an enthusiastic Abap developer.
Our experience and that of our customers has shown that SAP BTP adds value to almost every role. The new knowledge in CAP and RAP enables developers to build modern cloud applications that interact perfectly with existing systems.
The strategies for integrating third-party systems and orchestrating composable ERP help software architects more efficiently transform existing IT landscapes. The event provides IT managers with clear roadmaps on how to migrate to SAP BTP in a step-by-step, low-risk process. And finally, business decision makers will gain a better understanding of the strategic importance of SAP BTP and how the platform can drive business success.
Yes, we learn! Steampunk Summit
There are many reasons why Steampunk and SAP BTP are important for managers in a variety of roles. The Steampunk and BTP Summit 2025 provides an ideal opportunity to learn about the key issues: Attendees will learn how to evolve their existing Abap developments and Z namespace innovations with SAP BTP or on-stack, or move them to a cloud-based environment.
They will learn how to eliminate media disruptions and realize seamless end-to-end scenarios with SAP BTP. Best-practice examples of clean-core strategies show how SAP systems can be kept "clean" and how customization is still possible. Technological innovations such as AI, IoT, and analytics based on SAP BTP will be presented to open up new business opportunities and provide inspiration. Last but not least, the keynotes and presentations will provide strategic orientation and answers to questions such as what comes after S/4 Hana, what the ERP world will look like after 2040, and how current investments can be secured for future requirements.
The disruptions and opportunities offered by SAP Steampunk and SAP BTP are numerous and exciting. All the more reason for me to wear my steampunk hat again at the 2025 event. See you in Heidelberg!
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