SAP S4 Hana Technology Stack Overview

SAP S4 Hana Technology Stack

Below is the detailed breakdown of the sub-components for each of the 10 key components of the SAP S/4HANA technology stack.

1. SAP HANA Database

  • In-Memory Computing: Stores data in RAM instead of on disk, enabling rapid access and processing.
  • Columnar Storage: Organizes data in columns rather than rows, optimizing analytical queries and compression.
  • Data Compression: Reduces memory footprint by compressing redundant data, improving performance.
  • Multi-Core Processing: Leverages parallel processing across multiple CPU cores for faster execution.
  • Delta Store: Temporarily holds new data before merging it into the main columnar store, balancing write and read performance.
  • Persistence Layer: Ensures data durability with logs and snapshots saved to disk.
  • SQL Engine: Processes standard SQL queries alongside HANA-specific extensions.
  • Calculation Engine: Executes complex calculations and business logic natively in the database.

2. Fiori User Interface

  • SAPUI5 Framework: A JavaScript-based library for building responsive, HTML5 applications.
  • HTML5: Provides the foundation for modern, browser-based UIs with broad compatibility.
  • CSS: Handles styling and theming (e.g., SAP’s Quartz or Belize themes).
  • OData Services: Connects the front-end to back-end data via RESTful APIs.
  • Fiori Launchpad: A central hub for accessing apps, customizable with tiles and role-based layouts.
  • Fiori Elements: Pre-built templates (e.g., List Report, Object Page) for rapid app development.
  • Smart Controls: UI components with built-in logic for dynamic behavior (e.g., Smart Tables, Smart Filters).

3. ABAP Programming Language

  • ABAP Runtime Environment: Executes ABAP code on the SAP NetWeaver Application Server.
  • Core Data Services (CDS) Views: Defines data models and exposes them as reusable entities.
  • ABAP Managed Database Procedures (AMDP): Allows ABAP developers to write database procedures executed in HANA.
  • ABAP Development Tools (ADT): Eclipse-based IDE for coding, debugging, and testing.
  • Open SQL: A subset of SQL optimized for database-agnostic queries in ABAP.
  • Business Object Processing Framework (BOPF): Manages business objects and their lifecycle.
  • ABAP Test Cockpit: Ensures code quality with static checks and unit testing.

4. Core Data Services (CDS)

  • CDS Views: Virtual data models for simplified data access and aggregation.
  • Annotations: Metadata tags (e.g., @Analytics, @UI) to define behavior and presentation.
  • Associations: Links between entities for relational data modeling.
  • Expressions: Supports calculated fields and aggregations (e.g., SUM, AVG).
  • Access Control: Data Control Language (DCL) for role-based authorization.
  • Extensibility: Allows custom extensions without modifying core views.
  • HANA Integration: Executes directly in the database for optimized performance.

5. SAP NetWeaver

  • Application Server ABAP (AS ABAP): Hosts ABAP applications and business logic.
  • Application Server Java (AS Java): Supports Java-based extensions (less common in S/4HANA).
  • Web Dispatcher: Load balancer for distributing HTTP/HTTPS requests.
  • Gateway: Facilitates OData and RESTful service exposure for Fiori and external integration.
  • Business Warehouse (BW): Embedded BW for reporting (simplified in S/4HANA).
  • Process Integration (PI): Middleware for connecting SAP and non-SAP systems (evolving into SAP Integration Suite).
  • System Administration Tools: Includes tools like SAP Solution Manager for monitoring and maintenance.

6. OData and RESTful APIs

  • OData Protocol: A standardized REST-based protocol for data exchange (v2 and v4 supported).
  • Service Definition: ABAP-based definitions for exposing entities as OData services.
  • Gateway Service Builder (SEGW): Tool for creating and managing OData services.
  • Entity Data Model (EDM): Defines the structure of data exposed via OData.
  • HTTP Methods: Supports GET, POST, PUT, DELETE for CRUD operations.
  • JSON/XML Support: Data interchange formats for compatibility with external systems.
  • SAP Gateway Client: Testing tool for OData services within SAP.

7. Cloud, On-Premise, or Hybrid Deployment

  • SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC): Managed cloud hosting for on-premise-like control.
  • SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Cloud platform with Kubernetes, microservices, and serverless computing.
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Runs on providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud with HANA-optimized VMs.
  • Multi-Tenant Architecture: Shared infrastructure for cloud editions (e.g., SAP S/4HANA Cloud).
  • Hybrid Integration: Combines on-premise and cloud via SAP Cloud Connector.
  • Side-by-Side Extensions: Custom apps deployed on BTP alongside core S/4HANA.
  • High Availability (HA) Setup: Clustering and failover mechanisms for uptime.

8. Embedded Analytics

  • Analytical Engine: HANA’s built-in engine for real-time data processing.
  • CDS Analytical Views: Specialized views for multidimensional reporting.
  • SAP Fiori Analytical Apps: Pre-built dashboards and KPIs (e.g., Cash Flow Analysis).
  • SAP Analytics Cloud Integration: Extends analytics with advanced visualization and planning.
  • Query Designer: Tool for building custom analytical queries.
  • Embedded BW Objects: Simplified data models (e.g., InfoProviders) for reporting.
  • Predictive Analytics: Basic predictive capabilities using HANA’s PAL (Predictive Analysis Library).

9. Machine Learning and AI

  • SAP Leonardo: Framework for AI, ML, and IoT (now part of SAP BTP).
  • HANA Predictive Analysis Library (PAL): Algorithms for regression, clustering, etc.
  • Automated Predictive Library (APL): Simplifies ML model creation with automation.
  • Embedded ML: Pre-trained models for scenarios like demand forecasting.
  • Python/R Integration: Executes scripts via HANA’s external ML interfaces.
  • TensorFlow Support: Integration for deep learning models.
  • Intelligent Scenario Lifecycle Management: Tools to manage AI use cases in S/4HANA.

10. Middleware and Integration

  • SAP Integration Suite: Cloud-based integration with API management, event brokering, and process orchestration.
  • SAP Cloud Connector: Secure tunnel for hybrid integration with on-premise systems.
  • Apache Kafka: Event streaming for real-time data flows (via SAP BTP).
  • SOAP Web Services: Legacy integration for older SAP and non-SAP systems.
  • REST Adapters: Lightweight integration for modern applications.
  • ALE/IDoc: Traditional SAP middleware for EDI and data exchange.
  • Process Orchestration: Combines PI/PO capabilities for workflow automation.
  1. SAP HANA Database:
  2. Fiori User Interface:
  3. ABAP Programming Language:
  4. Core Data Services (CDS):
  5. SAP NetWeaver:
  6. OData and RESTful APIs:
  7. Cloud, On-Premise, or Hybrid Deployment:
  8. Embedded Analytics:
  9. Machine Learning and AI:
  10. Middleware and Integration: