SAP landscapes have come a long way from the heavily customized, monolithic systems of the past. Today, businesses aiming for agility and seamless upgrades need to move away from deep core modifications. Enter Clean Core Extensibility—an approach that prioritizes keeping the SAP S/4HANA system clean by externalizing custom functionality. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is side-by-side extensibility, where extensions run outside the core but remain tightly integrated via APIs and events.
What is Side-by-Side Extensibility?
Side-by-side extensibility is the practice of developing and running custom applications on external platforms like SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) while keeping the SAP S/4HANA core clean and upgradeable. These applications interact with the SAP system via APIs, event-driven architectures, or other integration methods.
This is exactly what we at Kumulon do: instead of modifying the core SAP system directly, we develop cloud-based extensions that leverage SAP BTP’s services, ensuring businesses can innovate without jeopardizing system stability. Whether it’s integrating third-party solutions, building custom workflows, or extending SAP functionalities with AI-driven insights, side-by-side extensibility allows us to provide scalable and flexible solutions for our clients.
Benefits of Side-by-Side Extensibility
- Upgrade-Friendly: By keeping customizations separate, the core system remains untouched, simplifying the upgrade process and reducing associated risks.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Developers can utilize various programming languages and services on SAP BTP, such as Java, Node.js, or the ABAP environment, to build and deploy extensions that meet specific business needs.
- Integration Capabilities: Side-by-side extensions can seamlessly integrate with both SAP and non-SAP systems, enabling comprehensive solutions that span multiple platforms.
- Performance Optimization: Offloading custom applications to SAP BTP can reduce the load on your core SAP S/4HANA system, enhancing overall performance.
Use Cases for Side-by-Side Extensibility
- Custom Applications: Develop unique applications that require access to SAP S/4HANA data but don’t need to reside within the core system.
- Integration Projects: Bridge SAP S/4HANA with other systems, whether on-premise or cloud-based, to create unified processes and data flows.
- Advanced Technologies: Leverage SAP BTP services like machine learning and AI to build intelligent applications that enhance your business operations.
Implementing Side-by-Side Extensibility
To embark on this journey, start by identifying business requirements that necessitate customization. Evaluate whether these needs can be met through side-by-side extensions. Utilize SAP BTP to develop and deploy these extensions, ensuring they communicate effectively with your SAP S/4HANA system via secure and reliable APIs.
By adopting side-by-side extensibility within the Clean Core framework, businesses can remain agile, drive innovation, and future-proof their SAP landscapes without the burden of technical debt. At Kumulon, we help companies make this transition seamlessly, ensuring that their SAP environment stays clean while continuously evolving to meet new business challenges.
Tobias Többens
Meet Tobias Többens, our Managing Partner at Kumulon GmbH. With a career spanning roles from Junior SAP Developer to Head of Product and Project Development, Tobias has been the driving force behind our innovative solutions. His journey reflects a blend of technical expertise and leadership prowess.
Beyond the office, Tobias is known for his enthusiasm for technology events like SAP Connect or DSAG Technologietage where he delved into the latest in SAP Business Technology Platform advancements. This commitment to staying ahead of industry trends ensures that Kumulon remains at the forefront of tech innovation.
Feel free to reach out to Tobias at [email protected]
