What’s the meaning of SAP S/4Hana?
The name SAP is globally recognized in the field of software solutions, but you may not yet be familiar with S/4Hana. However, this solution could significantly transform your business operations.
Indeed, S/4Hana is a next-generation ERP solution designed to meet modern business needs with intelligent tools that support decision-making.
Launched in 2015, SAP S/4HANA succeeds SAP R/3 and SAP ECC.
What does S/4HANA mean? The “S” stands for simplicity, the “4” indicates the fourth generation, and “HANA” refers to the database technology that powers this solution.
What are the advantages over SAP ECC?
If you are already using SAP solutions, you are probably familiar with the SAP ECC ERP. It is a powerful tool, but S/4Hana stands out with its user-friendly interface and advanced capabilities.
The main difference between SAP ECC and SAP S/4Hana is that ECC is the standard ERP product of the SAP Business Suite, while HANA is a database optimized for handling transactions and analytics simultaneously.
The goal? Maximizing performance. It is no coincidence that HANA stands for “High-performance Analytic Appliance.”
Cloud or On-Premise: Which option to choose?
S/4Hana can be deployed via the cloud or as an On-Premise solution. What’s the difference?
The On-Premise model, often favored by large enterprises, provides complete control and extensive customization options. The ERP is hosted on the company’s servers, ensuring internal data management.
Conversely, with S/4Hana Cloud, data is hosted in secure data centers without requiring internal infrastructure.
The cloud offers the advantage of automatic updates and simplified maintenance, whereas the On-Premise model requires investment in hardware and expertise.
Can S/4Hana Cloud and On-Premise be combined?
It is entirely possible to adopt a hybrid approach combining Cloud and On-Premise. Secure communication channels can be established between your website, servers, and the cloud, allowing businesses to leverage the best of both solutions.
Why migrate to S/4Hana now?
S/4Hana is not only an innovative solution that leverages cloud computing, but it is also set to fully replace SAP ECC, which will no longer be supported after 2027.
Transitioning to S/4Hana takes time, potentially several months depending on your company’s data complexity. It is therefore advisable to conduct a preliminary assessment to define the best migration strategy and ensure a successful transition to S/4Hana.
