SAP S/4HANA is the Next generation solution provided by SAP
This version represents the biggest evolution of SAP in the ERP range since the release of SAP R/3 in 1992. SAP S/4HANA is based on state-of-the-art technologies such as in-memory databases and columnar storage, which allow for more efficient use of data in a big data and real-time manner.
SAP S/4HANA does not only offer drastically improved performance with its new database. The ERP also offers a completely new user experience with SAP Fiori. The SAP GUI has long been subject to criticism because of its interface. In comparison, SAP Fiori is a completely redesigned web interface that allows for a much more intuitive, ergonomic experience and is closer to today’s GUI standards.
SAP S4 HANA On Premise
One of the radically different features of SAP S/4HANA compared to SAP ECC is its DBMS (database management system). Whereas the database of the previous ERP versions was managed by third-party DBMSs (Oracle in 70% of cases), SAP wanted to develop its own database for S/4HANA: SAP HANA.
The special feature of the HANA database is that it operates in memory. This technology allows real-time access to data at an unrivalled speed.
The performance of the database is also due to the new storage mode: columnar storage SAP HANA (acronym for High performance Analytic Appliance) is an Appliance, a combination of hardware and software, optimised to take advantage of the latest technology in multi-core processors and RAM memory, all in a non-relational compressed data format.
This makes it possible to manage and analyse data of various types of data on a very large scale and in real time. SAP HANA was developed around in-memory and columnar storage technologies.
The term “in-memory” denotes to the principle that data is no longer stored on disk but in RAM. This technology allows for highly efficient read and write speeds than with conventional database systems
The objective of this technology is to bring the input/output as close as possible to the processor by limiting disk accesses to reduce calculation times, unlike traditional database runs in hard disks, RAM caters the need and flexibility of next generation.
Please note that SAP HANA is only compatible with the “SUSE enterprise” and “Red Hat enterprise” and Oracle versions of Linux and Windows. In addition, the hardware must be certified by SAP, a list of supported configurations is available at this address : https://www.sap.com/dmc/exp/2014-09-02-hana-hardware/enEN
Software Optimisation
Another specificity is that the development of applications based on HANA tends to move the calculations as much as possible to the database level and no longer to the application layer.
Thanks to this “code to data” principle, it is possible to take full advantage of the performance provided by this new database system and thus offer high-performance applications.
SAP HANA has different engines for processing the calculations and executing the programming code. This allows the application layer to focus on orchestrating and triggering the processing, rather than on the calculations. Complex logic can therefore be processed in a very short time.
The two main concepts related to software optimisation can be summarised as follows :
- Bring the logic to where the data is (database layer, not application layer)
- Calculate first and move only the results.