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SAP in the Hybrid Cloud with SUSE

Numerous customers usually prefer hybrid cloud operation for SAP S/4HANA deployment. This requires software support that covers a comprehensive technology stack and supports sophisticated SAP Landscape Lifecycle Management.
Friedrich Krey, Suse
August 30, 2021
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This text has been automatically translated from German to English.

The transformation from the classic SAP ERP ECC to the ERP technology successor SAP S/4HANA is noticeably picking up speed and continues to climb steadily in the five-digit range. At the same time, SAP HANA-based applications are on the rise. This is primarily associated with process-related or application-oriented topics. At the same time, the modern use of SAP always means a reorientation of the IT infrastructure and the IT technologies used.

The focus here is particularly on the database, operating system or operating system platform and server usage. In addition, the SAP changeover to SAP HANA or SAP S/4HANA requires a suitable hybrid cloud computing and operating concepts for the IT infrastructure.

Numerous SAP customers have already had positive experiences with the use of infrastructure as a service, for example outsourcing DEV or QA systems to a public cloud such as Microsoft Azure, Google GCP and Amazon AWS. The next step is now to outsource larger or SAP-
large systems not only on-premises, but also via the cloud, namely various mission-critical high-availability systems based on cluster systems with corresponding cluster software. 

Larger systems now

Such SAP IT systems are subject to a landscape lifecycle. And it is imperative to ensure that they are underpinned by appropriate technologies or software systems that guarantee a concept and simple, fast and secure implementation - both on-premises and in the cloud.

This involves the implementation of tasks such as provisioning, deployment as well as operating, optimization, transformation, monitoring and reporting. And all of this is highly automated. SUSE provides a blueprint or a usable step-by-step project plan including solutions for practical infrastructure technology mapping in order to offer support for setting up and using an SAP Landscape Lifecycle in the hybrid cloud.

In other words, this initiative makes it easier for SAP customers and system inte-
This significantly facilitates the transformation to the hybrid cloud, as concrete instructions for action are preconceived or predefined, so to speak. There is no need to consolidate or evaluate individual solutions and their technological usability and security. Which in turn saves time and money.    

The two solution packages SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications (SLES for SAP) (15.2) and SUSE Manager (4.2), both of which are used by thousands of SAP customers, will be contributed by the open source specialist and long-standing SAP partner SUSE. 

The special feature of SLES for SAP, for example, is that it contains open source standard tools or can be seamlessly integrated. For example, Salt for the deployment automation of SAP IT infrastructures. As well as SUSE High Availability for the use of SAP HANA cluster systems both on-premises and in the cloud. Or MS Cloud Wizard, Live Patching, SAPtune, SAP Exporters, Prometheus, Grafana and many more.  

A quick look at Terraform and Salt: Terraform is simply the most widely used tool and is considered the standard for provisioning defined infrastructures, which are then implemented by IaaS providers; available via GitHub. All cloud SAP partners (Microsoft, Google, AWS or Alibaba) take Terraform into account. This also allows setups to be saved so that they can be used again at any time. With Terraform, provisioning and deployment costs can be significantly minimized. Later adjustments are also possible.

The latter is not insignificant in the context of an SAP S/4HANA transformation. This is because some SAP customers initially prefer an almost one-to-one conversion for an S/4 transformation compared to the ERP ECC they are currently using.

Process optimizations or innovations based on S/4, for example in sales and logistics, only take place later. They then generally have an impact on the IT infrastructure or cloud usage, which may need to be redefined or set up again. 

Salt, which is included in SLES for SAP, focuses on automated deployment and configurations. One highlight: Salt can also be used to install, configure and deploy complete software packages. 

Enabler for S/4 applications

As already mentioned, with the offer outlined above, SUSE provides a blueprint or a usable step-by-step project plan including solutions or solution recommendations for a practical infrastructure technology allocation.

This means that SAP
S/4HANA customers with valuable support for setting up and using an SAP Landscape Lifecycle in the hybrid cloud.

This SAP Landscape Lifecycle initiative draws on years of expertise and the wealth of experience gained from thousands of SAP installations as a close SAP partner. Both in the use of SAP infrastructures on-premises and in the public cloud or hybrid cloud deployment. This applies to the use of SAP in SMEs as well as in large and largest companies from all industries worldwide. 

With its "For SAP" open source solutions, SUSE sees itself as the preferred "enabler for SAP HANA S/4 deployment". It is accompanied by solutions that focus on simplicity, flexibility, security and reliability. SUSE is also committed to supporting the SAP offensive to become an "intelligent enterprise".

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Friedrich Krey, Suse

Friedrich Krey is Head of SAP Alliances and Partners EMEA Central SUSE Linux GmbH and one of our esteemed E3 SAP Community Magazine columnists.


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Work on SAP Basis is crucial for successful S/4 conversion. This gives the so-called Competence Center strategic importance among SAP's existing customers. Regardless of the operating model of an S/4 Hana, topics such as automation, monitoring, security, application lifecycle management, and data management are the basis for the operative S/4 operation. For the second time already, E3 Magazine is hosting a summit in Salzburg for the SAP community to get comprehensive information on all aspects of S/4 Hana groundwork. With an exhibition, expert presentations, and plenty to talk about, we again expect numerous existing customers, partners, and experts in Salzburg. E3 Magazine invites you to Salzburg for learning and exchange of ideas on June 5 and 6, 2024.

Venue

Event Room, FourSide Hotel Salzburg,
At the exhibition center 2,
A-5020 Salzburg

Event date

June 5 and 6, 2024

Tickets

Early Bird Ticket - Available until 29.03.2024
EUR 440 excl. VAT
Regular ticket
EUR 590 excl. VAT

Secure your Early Bird ticket now!

Venue

Event Room, Hotel Hilton Heidelberg,
KurfĆ¼rstenanlage 1,
69115 Heidelberg

Event date

28 and 29 February 2024

Tickets

Regular ticket
EUR 590 excl. VAT
The organizer is the E3 magazine of the publishing house B4Bmedia.net AG. The presentations will be accompanied by an exhibition of selected SAP partners. The ticket price includes the attendance of all lectures of the Steampunk and BTP Summit 2024, the visit of the exhibition area, the participation in the evening event as well as the catering during the official program. The lecture program and the list of exhibitors and sponsors (SAP partners) will be published on this website in due time.