Transformation engine

APIs are the foundation for any digitization project. However, if they are built using on-premises products, such as SAP XI/PI or Gateway, this severely limits their future cloud capability. They cannot therefore be transferred to the cloud without additional effort.

APIs in the cloud

Although it is not impossible to create APIs in the cloud using new integration products, it requires a steep learning curve. To make such projects a success, customers must either already be using a cloud-based SAP system (S/4) or moving their on-prem systems to the cloud. The latter is a complex undertaking, and most companies are nowhere near ready.

One way to quickly build APIs that requires no programming and is supported both on-prem and in the cloud is API-as-a-Service. It's an API generation model with little programming required. It works like a subscription to a stock photo website, where customers have access to a huge inventory of images that they can either use as is or customize.

API-as-a-Service eliminates the complex, time-consuming processes inherent in most SAP integration projects, removing obstacles to digital success and turning APIs into transformational engines.

Maximized business success

In many companies, SAP ERP is the heart of the processes. When the system is connected to the rest of the enterprise ecosystem via APIs, entirely new possibilities open up. Because SAP ERP has been established in companies for so many years, there are all kinds of ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) products that attempt to couple ERP with other systems.

iDocs are still a common choice for data exchange. But more and more companies are finding that ESBs are increasingly unsuitable for the rapidly changing digital landscape. Instead, they are turning to agile, modern API-based solutions that give them the flexibility and adaptability they need to stay competitive.

It is possible to build APIs with different on-premises products such as SAP XI/PI or SAP Gateway. However, these require multiple handoffs between separate development teams, making the process lengthy and error-prone. It can take three to six weeks to develop APIs this way.

Moreover, APIs developed in this way for on-prem use cannot be transferred one-to-one to the cloud. With so many considerations and limitations, it's understandable that many companies are losing their appetite for innovation. It's time to remove the complexity associated with API tools and make them as accessible as SaaS solutions to accelerate the innovation process.

APIs drive innovation

API-as-a-Service can be thought of as a huge online catalog of standard SAP RFCs, ready to use as REST APIs. Like traditional SaaS solutions, they come complete with built-in authentication, real-time monitoring and testing tools. Features can be easily enabled or disabled as needed. With a single click, the APIs are deployed in the cloud or can be downloaded for on-premises use.

It's called API-as-a-Service because they can be accessed on demand, just like any other as-a-service option. It doesn't require any special internal resources such as SAP Basis or Gateway Abap expertise, or any external experts, because the APIs are already created and ready to use.

An automotive manufacturer was able to generate 14 APIs to connect its SAP HCM system to an internal mobile application (without using Fiori). The preparation for the project was completed within eleven days without the need for external coding resources.

The customer comments: "We currently have 30 API integration projects. We typically use SAP PI and Gateway, but with API-as-a-Service we've been able to innovate faster."

Many companies need a way to connect SAP ERP-
systems, but their current options are too expensive and time-consuming, result in long latency periods, or require too much cross-team coordination.