The shift to SAP S/4HANA Cloud is inevitable for businesses aiming to stay agile and competitive. But choosing between Private and Public Cloud isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Here’s a clear breakdown to guide your choice.
Public Cloud: The Agile Solution
Public Cloud offers a straightforward, SaaS-based approach managed entirely by SAP. It’s ideal for businesses seeking quick deployment, standardized processes, and lower costs. The trade-off? Limited customization and less control over infrastructure. Yet, it’s perfect for companies aiming to innovate fast without heavy IT overhead.
Private Cloud: Tailored to Your Needs
If your business has complex processes or legacy systems, Private Cloud is the way to go. It provides more flexibility, deeper customization, and control over your environment. While costlier and more complex to manage, it ensures seamless integration with existing systems and tailored operations.
Clean Core Strategy: The Role of Public and Private Cloud
A Clean Core strategy aims to keep the SAP core system standardized and free of custom modifications, making regular updates easier and reducing maintenance efforts.
- The Public Cloud naturally supports this approach by limiting customizations and encouraging cloud-native extensions.
- The Private Cloud, while more flexible, can still maintain a Clean Core by leveraging ABAP Cloud for external extensions, preserving the core system’s integrity.
SAP BTP: Enabling a Clean Core
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) plays a vital role, offering a space to build extensions and integrations without altering the core system. Regardless of cloud choice, BTP ensures innovation while safeguarding core stability.
Key Considerations
- Budget: Public Cloud is more cost-effective upfront; Private Cloud requires higher investment but offers long-term adaptability.
- Control: Public Cloud is SAP-managed; Private Cloud allows for internal or partner management.
- Customization: Public Cloud has standardized processes; Private Cloud supports bespoke configurations.
Which to Choose?
Consider your business size, growth plans, and IT resources. Public Cloud suits startups and agile teams, while Private Cloud fits enterprises with unique needs. A Clean Core strategy, supported by SAP BTP, is essential for both, ensuring future-proof operations and seamless upgrades.
Sandra Spönemann
is a tech enthusiast and content creator at Kumulon, where she breaks down the complexities of SAP BTP into bite-sized, practical insights. With a passion for making tech accessible, Sandra blends deep knowledge with a friendly tone to help readers navigate the SAP universe. When she's not writing or exploring new tech trends, you'll probably find her brainstorming creative projects or planning her next adventure.
