How SAP-certified Infrastructure works

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, SAP certification for infrastructure refers to a validation process where hardware and cloud service providers undergo testing and verification to ensure their solutions meet the performance, scalability, and reliability requirements for running SAP applications effectively. This certification gives customers confidence that the infrastructure they are using is suitable for hosting SAP applications and can deliver optimal performance.

Here's how SAP-certified infrastructure generally works:

  • Requirements:Before seeking certification, infrastructure providers must meet certain prerequisites set by SAP. These prerequisites might include hardware specifications, networking capabilities, storage configurations, and security features.
  • Testing and Validation:The infrastructure provider submits their solution to SAP for testing. SAP performs various tests and benchmarks to evaluate the infrastructure's performance under different scenarios, such as different workloads and user loads. The testing also covers aspects like scalability, high availability, disaster recovery, and security.
  • Performance Optimization:During the testing phase, providers work with SAP to fine-tune their infrastructure to achieve optimal performance for SAP applications. This might involve adjusting hardware configurations, network settings, and other parameters to ensure compatibility and efficiency.
  • Certification:Once the infrastructure passes SAP's testing criteria and requirements, it receives SAP certification. This certification assures customers that the infrastructure has been thoroughly tested and verified by SAP to meet the necessary standards for running SAP applications.
  • Marketplace Listing:After certification, the infrastructure provider's solution is typically listed on SAP's marketplace or partner directory as a certified solution. This helps customers find and choose infrastructure providers that are officially endorsed by SAP.
  • Customer Adoption:Customers who are planning to deploy or migrate their SAP applications can then choose from the list of certified infrastructure providers. This choice gives them the confidence that the infrastructure has been vetted and is compatible with SAP software, which can lead to a smoother implementation.

It's important to note that specific details of the certification process and the criteria for each type of SAP application (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business Suite, SAP BW/4HANA) might vary. Additionally, as technology evolves, the certification process and requirements may have changed since my last update in September 2021. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I recommend visiting the official SAP website or contacting SAP directly for details about their current certification process for infrastructure.

Deploying SAP Business Suite or SAP S/4HANA in the cloud offers numerous benefits, including scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and simplified management. Here's a general overview of the steps involved in deploying these SAP solutions in the cloud:

Assessment and Planning:

  • Understand your business requirements and the specific SAP solution you want to deploy (SAP Business Suite or SAP S/4HANA).
  • Evaluate different cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) to determine which one aligns best with your needs.
  • Assess your current IT landscape, data, and infrastructure to plan the migration strategy.

Cloud Provider Selection:

  • Choose a cloud provider that offers SAP-certified infrastructure for hosting your chosen SAP solution. These providers have been tested and verified by SAP to meet the performance and reliability standards.

Networking and Security:

  • Set up networking configurations, including subnets, firewalls, and security groups, to ensure proper communication between the SAP components and any external systems.

Instance Configuration:

  • Provision the required virtual machines or instances with the appropriate resources (CPU, memory, storage) based on SAP's recommendations for your SAP version and usage scenario.

Database Setup:

  • Configure the database instance that will host the SAP application's data. This could be a database service provided by the cloud provider or a managed database service.

SAP Installation and Configuration:

  • Install the SAP software on the cloud instances, following SAP's installation guides and best practices.
  • Configure the SAP application components, such as application servers, web servers, and database connections.

Data Migration:

  • Migrate your existing SAP data and configurations to the cloud environment. This might involve exporting data from your on-premises systems and importing it into the cloud-based SAP instances.

Testing and Validation:

  • Thoroughly test the SAP solution in the cloud environment to ensure that it performs as expected. This includes testing different scenarios, workloads, and user activities.

Performance Optimization:

  • Fine-tune the cloud infrastructure and SAP configurations to optimize performance and resource utilization.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery (Optional):

  • Implement high availability and disaster recovery solutions to ensure minimal downtime and data loss in case of system failures.

Monitoring and Maintenance:

  • Set up monitoring tools to track the performance, health, and security of your SAP deployment in the cloud.
  • Perform regular maintenance tasks, such as applying updates, patches, and security fixes.

Backup and Restore Procedures:

  • Establish regular backup procedures to safeguard your SAP data and configurations. Define the process for restoring data in case of data loss or corruption.

User Training and Adoption:

  • Provide training for your team on using the cloud-based SAP solution.
  • Communicate changes to users and ensure a smooth transition to the cloud environment.

Go-Live:

  • Once all testing and preparations are complete, plan the go-live date for your cloud-based SAP deployment.

Ongoing Optimization:

  • Continuously monitor and optimize your SAP deployment in the cloud based on performance insights and changing business needs.

Remember that the specifics of deploying SAP solutions in the cloud can vary based on factors such as the cloud provider, SAP version, and your organization's requirements. It's crucial to refer to the official documentation from both SAP and your chosen cloud provider for detailed deployment guides and best practices. Additionally, consider working with experienced consultants or partners who specialize in SAP cloud deployments to ensure a successful migration.