Experts, before getting into the topic, let's understand the motivation and purpose of the new modern extensibility options defined by the SAP for SAP S/4HANA Public, On-premise, and PCE editions.
A cloud-first approach is becoming the new normal powered by software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications with AI/ML, digital assistants, automating routine tasks, better user experience, flexible and agile operating model. SAP is bringing innovation into the core ERP business processes with frequent product release updates. SAP is also providing freedom to go beyond standard ABAP language with a BTP side-by-side extensibility approach using BTP ABAP Cloud, Java, node.js, BYOL, etc. to build full-stack applications which will run in parallel with ERP which is challenging with the classic extension options. The extensibility option is a key capability of an ERP application that enables customers to customize their business processes with a competitive advantage in the industry and allows partners to enrich ERP with tailor-made solutions. The importance of extensibility has been confirmed by the legacy ERP flagship product SAP ECC and will remain valid for the current and future cloud ERP transformation.
SAP S/4HANA is a front-runner product providing intelligent ERP in the cloud and on-premise. The goal is to shift from the classic ABAP extensibility model to an SAP S/4HANA modern extensibility model that allows customers to consume SAP innovations, building future-proof extensions that are ready for the cloud ERP. For all, it is important to understand and know how SAP is shifting away from a monolithic architecture (SAP ECC era) to a microservices architecture that is modular, flexible, continuous deployment, and agile (SAP S/4HANA era with BTP).
There is chaos in the developer's community, how do we connect the dots for customers that are on traditional ABAP so they can take advantage of modern innovations? What is a new extension model? What is Embedded Steampunk, BTP ABAP environment? SAP CAP (Java, node.js)? What is Side-by-side BTP Extension? How it is different from standard ABAP? Where can we use SAP Build Apps with ERP? And more questions.
Our business is doing fine with the classic ABAP extensions. We have spent a huge amount of effort in building the custom processes as per the business demands. Our system has become complex over time due to customizations and enhancements. Classic extensibility is extremely powerful and flexible to meet every single requirement of the business and keep them happy regardless of the system that has become over time inefficacious and substandard performance. We are facing challenges in terms of high maintenance IT cost and lack of innovation. Our goal is to become Intelligent Enterprise with digital ERP transformation. Reduce the costs, modernize to keep up with the competition, and bring value from our operational data.
ERP Extensibility
Let's understand the meaning behind the Clean + Core.
Clean... up-to-date, transparent, unmodified, consistent, efficient, and cloud compliant.
Core... the main aspects of an ERP system are extensibility, processes, data, and integration.
The clean core is an extension methodology concept with the basic goal i.e. Extensions should not break an upgrade and upgrades should not break an extension. Follow the rules:
How to plan and adopt a clean core strategy for an SAP S/4HANA ERP transformation project?
Understood! Tell me the benefits of it:
Learn more, Get your organization in shape: Keep a Clean Core with SAP Business Technology Platform.
Now you have clarity clean core concept and benefits. Let's get into the main topic.
This new SAP S/4HANA Cloud extensibility model, first introduced in SAP S/4HANA Cloud public edition, is now available and recommended in all SAP S/4HANA editions, to achieve the following:
Let's understand the various new options/tools available to create stable extensions in the SAP S/4HANA ERP system by following the clean core principle, even when the classic extensibility model is still available for the on-premise, private editions and recommendations are NOT to adopt it.
SAP S/4HANA New Extensibility Model Options
SAP Fiori extensibility apps(tools) help you to customize user interfaces, processes, email templates, or forms using a low-code/no-code(LCNC) paradigm. It empowers business experts or citizen developers (typically a user from the business department) to add extensions to SAP solutions without the need to dive deeply into the implementation details. They typically have deep knowledge of business processes and configuration with no or only limited coding or debugging skills. Some development skills are recommended for developing custom business objects and adding business logic using the cloud ABAP web editor.
Scenario | Simple low-code/no-code tool features for the S/4HANA extension |
Use-cases |
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Benefits |
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User Personas | Business expert, implementation consultant, citizen developer, key user |
Tools | Extensibility Fiori Apps, ABAP web editor |
Clean Core Index | High |
Learn More |
The main argument for using key user extensibility is that simple extensions can be realized quicker than with developer extensibility because of the communication overhead between the business expert (responsible for the specification of the extension, and later for testing and approval) and the developer (responsible for development and developer test) is avoided.
Find other Key User Extensibility apps:
Key user Extensibility Pattern Architecture
Key User Extensibility Tools
This option bridges the gap between the key user and side-by-side extensibility options. On-stack developer extensibility enables you to develop custom ABAP code, and partner extension developments requiring coupling with SAP S/4HANA data, transactions, or apps using a restricted ABAP version. The requirements of the extension project go beyond the scope of key user extensions.
Scenario | Custom ABAP development projects that need tight coupling to SAP S/4HANA data, transactions, or apps that require full access to development capabilities like debugging, refactoring support, version control, etc. |
Use-cases |
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Benefits |
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User Personas | ABAP developer, Fiori (UI5) developer |
Tools | Eclipse-based IDE (ABAP Development Tools) SAP Business Application Studio (SAPUI5 Adaptation Project) |
Clean Core Index | High |
Learn More |
In contrast to side-by-side extensions, on-stack developer, and key user extensions are developed and run on the same software stack as the underlying SAP S/4HANA system. This allows extensions to direct access SAP S/4HANA logic and data via SAP extension points(BAdis), local public CDS views, SAP-released APIs, or SQL queries.
Developer Extensibility Pattern Architecture
ABAP for Cloud Development
Adaptation projects are currently only supported on the S/4 HANA on-premise ABAP system or the Cloud Foundry environment, for the S/4HANA cloud it may be supported in the future, refer to the product roadmap for more details. SAP S/4HANA cloud extensibility explorer.
Extensions running on the separated (side-by-side) SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) for all other loosely-coupled extension scenarios integrating with the extended SAP S/4HANA system. This model is the preferred option for developing loosely coupled but seamlessly integrated extensions to SAP S/4HANA data, transactions, or apps.
Scenario | Loosely-coupled extensions, process automation, and applications, such as partner SaaS solutions or custom applications targeting a different end-user group. |
Use-cases |
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Benefit |
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User Personas | ABAP developer, BTP full-stack developer, Citizen developer |
Tools | PRO-CODE: - Eclipse-based IDE (ABAP Development Tools) - SAP Business Application Studio LOW-CODE: -SAP Build Apps -SAP Build Process Automation -SAP Build Work Zone |
Clean Core Index | Medium |
Learn More |
Develop custom code side-by-side extension and SaaS solutions using ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP) and SAP Cloud Application Programming Model using Java, or Node.js. Use no-code/low-code applications like SAP Build Apps, Process Automation, and Build Workzone to build custom applications, process automation, and workflow management. One main difference compared to the on-stack extensibility model is that accessing business objects of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is only possible using remote APIs which are published in the SAP API Hub.
Side-by-side Extensibility Pattern Architecture
New ABAP programming model for efficiently building cloud-ready enterprise apps and upgrade-stable extensions on SAP BTP ABAP environment, SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP S/4HANA Cloud ABAP environment, and SAP S/4HANA 1909 and higher.
High-level RAP Programming Model
An open and opinionated framework of languages, libraries, and tools for building enterprise-grade services and applications. The CAP framework features a mix of broadly adopted open-source and SAP technologies
High-level CAP Programming Model
SAP CAP Vs RAP model, which one to choose? The choice of the programming language for your extension – ABAP, Java, or JavaScript is decisive.
Common | ABAP RAP Model | SAP CAP Model |
• RESTful OData services • Core data services (CDS) • Built-in extensibility capabilities, enabling users to extend both SAP Cloud Application Programming Model and ABAP RESTful application programming model in a similar way as with the key user (in-app) extensibility of SAP S/4HANA | • ABAP programming language • Git-enabled lifecycle management • Offers a service consumption model for easy remote OData service calls • Enables the possibility to reuse selected custom code in the cloud with SAP BTP, and ABAP environment, while rebuilding the UI and backend access • Eclipse IDE | • Supports Java or JavaScript (node.js) • Enables applications originally written as a single-tenant applications to be turned into multitenant ones through configuration • Leverages event-based communication using the SAP Event Mesh capability • Wraps the REST service calls to the underlying back-end system to Java or JavaScript functions using SAP Cloud SDK |
Evolution of SAP AppGyver is a professional application development solution designed for anyone to quickly create apps without code regardless of role or skill level.
Note: SAP Build Apps is still evolving and due to limitations on the availability of different hyper scalers, other low code and pro code solutions become equally important.
This is the traditional way of the SAP ECC or S/4HANA on-prem enhancement for RICEFW ABAP custom object development like user-exits, customer-exits, classic BAdis, implicit/explicit enhancements, BTE, module-pool, etc using transaction code SE38, SE80, SE11 (SAP GUI, Eclipse ADT).
Scenario | Requirements that are critical for lifecycle management or business operations and NOT possible using 3 modern extensibility options(Key user, developer, or side-by-side) |
Use-cases |
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Benefit |
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User Personas | ABAP developer |
Tools | SAP GUI - Tcodes Eclipse-based IDE (ABAP Development Tools) |
Clean Core Index | Low |
Learn more |
Basically using non-released objects from S/4HANA and an ABAP standard version (non-restricted). No restriction on the extension, it even allows you to modify the standard SAP code itself. Hence, upgrade effort increases and agility/innovation speed decreases.
Classic Extensibility Pattern Architecture
In S/4HANA On-Premise –The classical extensibility option is available but not recommended.
Key user, developer, and side-by-side extensibility are available for public and on-premise editions while the classic extensibility model is available only for an on-premise edition.
Refer official guide Chapter 5: EXTENDING A NEW SAP S/4HANA CLOUD PRIVATE EDITION OR SAP S/4HANA ON-PREMISE SYSTEM
3-tier extensibility model
Learn more: ABAP Testing and Analysis
Refer official guide: ABAP Cloud - Technical Use Cases and Recommended Technologies
Classic RICEFW | Modern Technology/Extensibility |
Reports | •SAP Fiori Analytical Apps •SAP Custom Fiori Apps •Decoupled from the core on BTP using released APIs, Integration Suite •SAP Analytics Cloud |
Interfaces | • Extension of standard OData services or creation of new ones based on custom core data services (CDS) views with SAP S/4HANA key user (in-app) extensibility • SAP Integration Suite • SAP Application Interface Framework tool (part of SAP S/4HANA) • Event brokering using SAP Event Mesh |
Enhancements | •Custom business logic with SAP S/4HANA in-app extensibility and Developer Extensibility •BTP Cloud Foundry Runtime, Event Mesh - Business Events / Workflow |
Custom Tables | •Custom business objects with generated UI with SAP S/4HANA in-app extensibility and Embedded ABAP |
Modifications | •Key user (in-app) extensibility in SAP S/4HANA covers a wide range of business requirements for UI adaptation and business logic. •On-stack Developer Extensibility •Developer Adaptation Project |
Conversions | • SAP S/4HANA migration cockpit to load data |
Forms | • SAP S/4HANA output management: custom forms with Adobe LiveCycle Designer with OData as a data source • Forms as Service on BTP |
Workflows | •SAP S/4HANA flexible workflow •SAP Build Apps. |
User Interface | •SAP Mobile Services, SAP Build Work zone. •SAP Fiori, UI5 |
Data-Marts | • Embedded BW with CDS views, Table Functions, and AMDP or SAP Datasphere, BW/4HANA, HANA cloud |
Machine Learning | •Embedded ML based on SAP Analytics cloud. •Side-by-Side ML is used for Complex ML scenarios based on the SAP BTP (Data Intelligence, SAP HANA PAL, AI Business Services, AI Core). •Intelligent Scenario Lifecycle Management (ISLM) scenarios in SAP S/4HANA |
Refer official guide Chapter 3: WHEN TO USE WHICH CLOUD EXTENSIBILITY OPTION
Requirements | Key User Extension | On-Stack Extension | Classic Extension | Side-by-side Extension | |
Users & UX | Involve consumers of the corporate products and services (B2C) (for example, service orders, master data self-services, catalogs, Webshops, mobile access) | X | |||
Involve business partners (B2B) to enable direct collaboration (for example, order review and approval, service or good receipt, quality control, and delivery checkpoints). Purchase order approval workflow. | X | ||||
Involve employees (B2E) who otherwise have no access to the business solution (for example, outsourced workers, leased workers, mobile workers) | X | ||||
SaaS solution, that integrates it to SAP and third-party on-premise, cloud, and hybrid products based on standard and custom APIs. | X | ||||
Adapt existing UIs based on the SAP Fiori UX – Add, hide, move, or regroup fields on the screen, add custom fields, and change label texts. | X | ||||
Improve UX by redesigning the UI for existing applications (for example, simplifying data-entry screens, dropping screens that are not required, auto-filling fields, and enabling speech-to-text, translation, and localization functionality) | X | ||||
Open-source components and freestyle UI (non-SAPUI5/SAP Fiori) | X | ||||
Mobile native capabilities (for example, access to the microphone, camera, GEO location, and so on) | X | ||||
Data / Process | An extension to a standard business process or an application with an extensive use of data in SAP S/4HANA | X | *X | ||
Stand-alone application based on own data model with occasional consumption of standard data in SAP S/4HANA | X | X | |||
Extensions that store custom data in the same logical unit of work as the extended SAP S/4HANA app | X | ||||
Analytical Key User Use Cases | X | ||||
Analytical application consuming standard and custom data residing in SAP S/4HANA | X | ||||
Analytical application consuming data distributed across multiple SAP and third-party systems (for example, data lake) | X | ||||
Transactional data consistency – Custom data changed in a single database transaction with core data in the back end | X | X | *X | ||
Non-released BAdis, classic user exits business-critical logic or Anything that is not possible to accomplish using modern extensibility options for must-have type business application requirements in the ERP core. | *X | ||||
Features | Agility and independence on the back-end lifecycle | X | |||
Reactive (event-based) process extensions and custom workflows | X | ||||
Use of SAP and third-party cloud services (for example, machine learning solutions from SAP, SAP Localization Hub services, tax services, Google Maps, and so on) | X | ||||
Application with unpredictable or largely varying usage and resource consumption (scalability and elasticity) | X |
The clean core is a journey to be agile, reliable, and more efficient. You can not just switch it on overnight. 😉
Questions?, Please use the blog comment feature or reach out to me on Linkedin.
Credits: This blog has been put together by combining the incredible efforts, suggestions, and feedback from the ABAP platform PM team (Olga Dolinskaja), CoE expert (Subit Benny), and Solution advisory expert (Ruhi Naaz Quadari) when deciding on the extensibility of S/4HANA using the Clean Core concepts.
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