This article explores how SAP S/4HANA’s modular architecture and the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) can be enhanced byconnectorx, a low-code solution certified by SAP.
In today’s fast-paced market, In today’s fast-paced market, uncertainty is constant , prompting the need for more dynamic and adaptable systems. The concept of "Composable ERP" a modular and flexible architecture that allows businesses to reconfigure processes and solutions on demand— emerged from this need.
The concept of "compostable" was clarified byGartner: in 2020 , defining composable business as "architecting your business for real-time adaptability and resilience in the face of uncertainty”. This modular approach enables companies to rapidly, adjust their systems while maintaining flexibility and agility.
It is precisely this ability to adapt that has led many to associate the concept of 'composable' with the -MACH architecture(Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless). This architecture, in fact, represents a set of design principles that promote the creation of modular and easily scalable systems, perfect for supporting a dynamic and resilient business.
SAP actively promoted theComposable ERP concept with the introduction ofit strong for integrating SAP, particularly in recent years with the expansion of the SAP’s core Business Technology Platform (BTP).
Traditionally, ERP systems like SAP were monolithic, managing all business processes in one centralized platform. This approach, while comprehensive, often proved to be inflexible, with long, expensive implementations and updates. Customizations required custom code, leading to scalability challenges and increased complexity for future updates and maintenance.
The Composable ERP model allows businesses to breaktheir infrastructure, into reusable modules that integrate seamlessly with external applications and services.scalability of the applicationssupports independent updates or replacements without disrupting the entire system.
The new model, on the other hand, , enables the infrastructure to be divided intoreusable and integrable moduleswith other applications and external services. As a result, the various modules that manage business processes (such as accounting, supply chain management, or human resources) are implemented as, microservices or modular components and their update or replacement can occur independently, without affecting the rest of the system.
The goal is to keep the "core clean", meaning to keep the core of the ERP system free from complex customizations that are difficult to manage.
The “keep your core clean" a core principle in SAP’s composable ERP philosophy, encouraging companies to leverage tools likeWhile SAP Buildto extend functionality without modifying the ERP core, simplifying maintenance and updates.
The composable approach aligns perfectly with low-code and no-code technologies, enabling companies to rapidly develop applications and automations with minimal coding.
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), offers a comprehensive suite of tools for building , extending, and integrating applications at scale. BTP supportslow-code development throughtools likeWhile SAP Build, which allows even non-technical users to create customized applications,automate processesand design workflows that integrate seamlessly with the existing ERP system.
While SAP Buildis powerful forlow-code development, it has limitations when integrating with non-SAP systems . The new coupled with the SAP ecosystem.
This makesit strong for integrating SAP, modulesbut can complicate connections with legacy or non-SAP applications, requiring additional connectors or APIs, which can increase cost and complexity.
Given the high reduce technical debtpresent in many companies, especially with legacy systems and customizations—according to McKinsey, up to 40% of IT budgetsare consumed by managing this debt—relying solely on SAP solutions may limit the flexibility required to manage an already fragmented IT infrastructure.
AtWEGG, as experts in digital process transformation, we recognize the importance offlexible integrationsto support business growth. We recommend agnostic technologiesthat can integrate easily with various systems and help reduce technical debt.
Our technology scouting identified connectoran advanced low-code platform with robust multi-system integration capabilities. Mendix is also the only low-code provider certified as anSAP Endorsed Appand has passedSAP Premium Certification. This means SAP officially approves and certifies Mendix for use alongside its solutions, either as an addition to or a replacement for its low-code tools (SAP Build).
We can replace SAP customizations with low-code apps developed on Mendix, keeping the ERP core clean and easily upgradable, and, if planned, simplify the migration to SAP S/4 HANA and the cloud.
The benefits of integrating Mendix with SAP include:
But Cost reduction: Since customizations are external to SAP’s core, maintenance and update costs are lower, further deploying reducing technical debt.
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