SAP

Why SAP BTP? Best practices and use cases

Publish Date: June 26, 2024

In a world where SAP customers generate a significant chunk of global commerce, it is clear that SAP is at the forefront of creating tech platforms that enable rapid business value creation.

In only about three years of its inception, SAP BTP or Business Technology Platform has over 15,500 live customers and an ecosystem of over 1500 tech partners working on it. This unified platform integrates data and analytics, artificial intelligence, application development, automation, and integration, providing companies with a comprehensive toolkit to address and resolve intricate business problems. It comes with so many extensions, pre-built business content packages, integration flows, process automation packages, bots, business rules, data models, and more:

it helps take businesses to 80% of where they want to be in their digital transformation & evolution journey
this integration creates a harmonious environment where data flows smoothly, processes are automated, and innovation can thrive effortlessly

It is no wonder that IDC’s study on the platform revealed annual benefits averaging $195,000 per 100 SAP users – essentially resulting in a three-year ROI of 495% within an average breakeven period of just six months![1] It is also unsurprising that businesses worldwide are embracing BTP’s speed to value. That said, it is essential to note that BTP contextualizes the business data as needed by use cases. This means BTP’s best practices and applications are as varied as its benefits.

Therefore, in this first blog of the SAP BTP series, I would like to explore best practices and use cases—vital to capitalizing on this incredible technology.

The problem: Navigating complexities in digital transformation

The journey of digital transformation is fraught with obstacles. Businesses often struggle with disparate data systems, inefficient processes, and the need for rapid innovation to stay competitive. Traditional methods of integrating new technologies with existing systems can be cumbersome, leading to delays and increased costs. Furthermore, the pressure to deliver seamless customer experiences and data-driven insights adds another layer of complexity. SAP BTP stands out as a robust solution to these pressing challenges.

Let us explore the battle-tested best practices with some use cases to help understand how SAP BTP solves the above challenges.

Six mustn’t-miss best practices for SAP BTP

1. Integration and data management

One of the core strengths of SAP BTP is its ability to integrate diverse data sources and manage data effectively. Businesses should focus on creating a seamless data flow across all their applications and systems. Leveraging SAP BTP’s integration capabilities, such as pre-built integrations, APIs, and event-driven architectures, can significantly enhance data accessibility and accuracy. For instance, companies can integrate their SAP ERP systems with external e-commerce platforms to ensure real-time orders, inventory, and customer data synchronization. This reduces manual interventions and errors, leading to more efficient operations.

2. Automation of business processes

Automation is a crucial driver of efficiency and productivity. SAP BTP provides tools for automating various business processes, from procurement to finance to human resources. Implementing robotic process automation (RPA) and leveraging AI capabilities can help businesses automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and free up staff to focus on higher-value activities. With the support of YASH Technologies, for instance, a global chemicals manufacturer used SAP BTP to automate 90% of its manual order management processes. This resulted in a 15% reduction in order cycle time and significantly reduced errors and redundant data exchange.

3. Custom application development

SAP BTP offers robust tools for developing custom applications tailored to specific business needs. Utilizing SAP Business Application Studio and low-code/no-code environments, businesses can quickly develop and deploy applications that extend their existing SAP solutions. This capability helps create unique customer experiences or optimize internal workflows. For example, a packaged food manufacturer used SAP BTP to develop custom extensions for their supplier management and procurement applications, resulting in a 30% reduction in purchase order cycle time and a 15% increase in supplier compliance.

4. Analytics and data-driven decision-making

Effective use of analytics is crucial for informed decision-making. SAP BTP integrates with SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP HANA to provide powerful analytics and predictive capabilities. Businesses should create intuitive dashboards and reports that offer real-time insights into their operations. For instance, the study conducted by IDC revealed that companies using SAP BTP saw a 47% reduction in reports with poor data quality and a 29% increase in data accuracy. This enhanced data quality allows for more reliable and timely business decisions.

5. Security and Compliance

As businesses handle vast amounts of data, ensuring security and compliance with regulations is paramount. SAP BTP provides comprehensive security features, including data encryption, access control, and compliance with industry standards. By establishing a central source of truth for data and automating data management processes, businesses have achieved higher data accuracy and reduced the time required for data audits by 28%. One company reported an 80% reduction in process steps for finance operations and carbon reporting by automating these processes with SAP BTP. This not only saves time but also ensures more accurate and timely reporting.

6. Continuous innovation and improvement

Adopting a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation is essential for maximizing the benefits of SAP BTP. Businesses should regularly review their processes and systems, identify areas for enhancement, and leverage SAP BTP’s capabilities to implement innovative solutions. This approach helps companies stay competitive and adapt to changing market demands. For example, companies have developed mobile applications and digital solutions using BTP to access real-time data and enhance customer experiences. These innovations have led to faster delivery of new functionalities and improved user satisfaction.

YASH Technologies’ Differentiators

The value of our solutions lies not just in the technology itself but in how we help our clients understand and meet their customers’ needs. At YASH Technologies, we embrace a design thinking approach, focusing on solution-driven and experience-oriented transformation. Our agile methodologies enable us to accelerate the delivery of innovative applications tailored to specific industry needs, thereby addressing our clients’ unique challenges. By focusing on creating seamless, integrated experiences, we enable businesses to deliver superior value to their end-users.

Our capabilities extend across SAP, digital transformation, infrastructure, and cloud solutions. We have a proven track record in designing micro-apps and microservices that provide business-specific functionalities and enhance existing applications. Our lifecycle management of APIs and connectors ensures seamless integration and operation, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. Notably, our clients experience a 65% reduction in DevOps cycle time and a 50% reduction in overall application development efforts. We can expedite your digital transformation journey with over 50+ pre-designed SAP BTP accelerators.

Harnessing the power of SAP BTP for future-ready enterprises

Leveraging SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) is about enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability. By integrating advanced technologies, businesses can seamlessly transition into the digital future, ensuring they remain competitive and resilient.

One key consideration that stands out is the concept of ‘digital symbiosis’—where the integration of AI and automation within SAP BTP creates a synergistic relationship between human expertise and machine intelligence. This collaboration can drive unprecedented productivity and creativity, empowering organizations to unlock new value streams and reimagine their business processes. Looking ahead, our future blogs will delve deeper into ways to create robust, future-proof extensions that enhance the core capabilities of your SAP environment and how automation can free up valuable human resources. We will also examine the cutting-edge AI functionalities within SAP BTP and how they can drive intelligent decision-making and innovation.

Stay tuned!