SAP BTP ADMINISTRATION

SAP BTP ADMINISTRATION

In the next part of our BTP mini series, we will focus on the administration of this platform.

Since we are not talking about a simple stand-alone service at BTP, but a platform combining a whole range of separate as well as associated services, applications and connections, the administration of this platform is extensive and has several tools and methods for administration.

IT ALL STARTS WITH A NEW ACCOUNT

For us at FPT, administration does not only mean entering a "heated match", and thus taking over the management of existing accounts and services (we can handle this flexibly, of course), but we start with the customer from the very beginning - creating a primary account from the provider (SAP), defining necessary attributes and planning of the whole structure.

This so-called Onboarding of new customers includes:

  • setting a global account,
  • creating and adjusting sub-accounts,
  • securing of accounts,
  • user and member administration,
  • business-oriented needs - quotes.
EVERY ADMIN MUST HAVE HIS OWN TOOL

In BTP we use several of them, but the main tool of the BTP administrator is SAP BTP Cockpit.

We use this tool for our "daily operation". Because it uses a web interface and includes a sophisticated GUI, working with it is simple and really intuitive (saying this after three years of getting used to and a lot of major functionality updates ?).

In Cockpit, we create accounts / sub-accounts / premises, add new users and then assign them permissions, set up verifications, create backend links (whether on-premise systems or databases stored in the cloud), assign services and install instances and applications, update and add certificates.

Another most used tool is CLI – Command Line Interface.

The command line interface can be used to create or update sub-accounts, manage authorization, and work with services. It is an alternative to the SAP BTP Cockpit for all users who like to work in a terminal or want to automate operations using scripts.

For interactive users, there is SSO login, automatic completion of commands, as well as several interactive commands with prompts.

Version for BTP global account:

Version for specific environment within BTP – Cloud Foundry CLI:

Lastly, I will mention the possibility of using the API by means of SAP API Management:

An application programming interface or API is an interface provided by an application to interact with other applications. API interfaces specify how software programs can exchange information with each other, even if designed and operated by different organizations..

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

As I mentioned at the beginning, other "sections" are linked to the BTP platform, such as:

  • Cloud Connector,
  • S/4 HANA cloud,
  • on-premise SAP HCM System,
  • SAP Analytics Cloud,
  • Succesfactors,
  • Integration Suite (SAP CPI – PI/PO).

Therefore, we communicate on a daily basis, cooperating with other departments managing components and services that are not directly part of the BTP (that is the administration within one console - cockpit). However, since everything falls under one platform, the sections are connected through different connectors and interfaces, which create coexistence.

Previous article: Introduction to SAP BTP.

SAP Business Technology Platform

SAP Business Technology Platform

A FULLY-FLEDGED CLOUD-PLATFORM SOLUTION FROM SAP? YES, SAP BTP PROVES IT RIGHT!

The SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is nothing new. It has been available for several years. From the beginning, an ordinary cloud service is undergoing a major transformation this year into an integrated platform, as the core for a smart enterprise.

We have prepared a "mini series" for you, in which we will present this platform for enterprise SAP solutions. We will gradually analyze Administration, Development, Architecture and DevOps in SAP BTP.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN SAP BTP

SAP BTP is a collection of assets. It enables customers to achieve agility, business value, and continuous innovation through the integration, data to value, and scalability of all SAP and third-party applications and data assets.

It is based on a database component in the form of SAP HANA with predictive analysis. Other components include intelligent technologies such as robotic process automation RPA, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Finally, integration and application development along with multi-extensibility.

DATABASE AND DATA MANAGEMENT

A wide range of in-memory database management systems are available in this section ensuring compliance and optimizing storage and analysis. The in-memory database provides real-time access to data and offers support for various data types and models.

  • SAP HANA is a column-oriented in-memory database that runs advanced analytics along with high-speed transactions in one system. It enables to process huge amounts of data with almost zero latency. SAP HANA offers:
    • online analytical processing (OLAP)
    • online transaction processing (OLTP)
    • on-premise
  • SAP HANA Cloud is fully managed in-memory cloud database as a service (Database as a Service) The service offers:
    • Cloud data base for SAP BTP
    • SAP HANA engine
    • Cloud or hybrid deployment

Fig: Comparison of management of both platforms

  •  
  • SAP ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) service offers:
    • High performance SQL database server
    • High and reliable online transaction processing (OLTP)
  • SAP IQ is a system of relational database management that also:
    •  serves for analytical tasks of big data files
    •  is SQL standardized
  • SAP Data Intelligence is a complex solution for data management that offers:
    • connection to any data across whole enterprise structure
    • transformation and extension of data between data types
    • robust, searchable data catalogue
ANALYTICS

Analysis solutions help create real-time reports through machine learning, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and advanced analysis. Reports allow you to analyze past and present situations and simulate future scenarios. For example, the Analytics section offers:

  • SAP Analytics Cloud
    • unified BI
    • extended analyse
    • business planning
  • SAP Data Warehouse Cloud - analytically and personally managed modern data warehouse as a service, adapted to business and IT.
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION
  • SAP Integration Suite – integration platform as a service (iPaaS), allows users to implement projects integration of data, applications, API and processes involving any combination of cloud and local end points.
  • SAP Extension Suite – preconfigured services and tools to simplify development, management and automation of applications without interrupting core applications
    • Ready-to-use services and templates and faster development
    • Low-code and pro-code development tools
    • Easy application lifecycle management by separating their extensions
INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES
  • SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) – automation of repeate manual processes by creating, planning, managing and monitoring of intelligent robots.
    • Visual design of work flows supported by robots
    • API intended for improvement of performance and continuity of robots
    • Automation of robots prepared in advance for SAP software
  • SAP Internet of Things (IoT)
    • IoT application development service and integration into enterprise applications
    • big data built in and managed
    • IoT data enriched with business context, rules and integration frame based on events
    • analytical services with live integration into SAP Analytics Cloud
SAP IS NO LONGER A CLOSED SYSTEM

SAP has moved to the cloud and offers extensive options not only for new, but especially for its existing customers.

It is no longer a closed system with narrow boundaries, but an available online platform coexisting with third parties, using an open-source basis.

You will find here: integration, scalability, extensive real-time data processing and analysis, visualization evaluation, intelligent planning and, of course, artificial intelligence.

Thanks to SAP BTP, there is no need to move everything immediately to the cloud, there is the possibility of a hybrid service, where the customer can continue to use their on-premise solutions and connect them with new intelligent and high-performance cloud services.

All connected in one platform - Business Technology Platform.

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