In January 2021, SAP decided to rename what we previously called `SAP Cloud Platform` to `SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP). Its primary objective is to provide the technical foundation supporting the whole of SAP-related systems so as to be used by all SAP customers as well as businesses who are in partnership with SAP.
To simplify this with examples:
Imagine you are someone working in a software consultancy company that has partnered with SAP, a customer to the company, or working within SAP . You are asked to build a new cloud solution as well as expanding an already existing SAP solution.
To start the project immediately, you will need Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) which allows for the development and deployment of cloud solutions without installation on local machines. This platform is supposed to be pro grammatically flexible.
In essence, SAP Business Technology Platform functions as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). It offers three environments—Cloud Foundry, ABAP, and Kyma. Within these SAP BTP environments, you have the freedom to choose from any programming language globally and utilize a pre-built platform to construct and deploy various cloud solutions.
In simpler words, if a business aims to develop a cloud solution or expand an existing SAP solution, with minimal effort, reduced costs, and an accelerated time-to-market. Then SAP BTP stands as a solution from SAP that meets all these requirements. Specially, if it prefers to avoid expenditures and time investments in tasks like landscape setup, system installation, configuration, and maintenance.
First let’s explain what is SAP BTP environment?
SAP BTP offers various development zones, called environments. These environments are essentially cloud-based workspaces where you can build, run, and manage your applications. Each BTP environment provides specific tools and technologies suited for particular development tasks. This lets you choose the right environment for the type of software you’re building.
Each zone comes pre-loaded with the necessary tools. This includes technologies and runtimes needed to develop your applications.
The beauty of SAP BTP is its flexibility. You can have multiple environments within a single account, allowing you to choose the most suitable one for your project. There are three main environments available in SAP BTP: Cloud Foundry, ABAP, and Kyma.
Now let’s start with an intro to SAP BTP Cloud Foundry
Cloud Foundry: Your Cloud App Playground in SAP BTP
The Cloud Foundry environment in SAP BTP is your one-stop shop for building cutting-edge cloud applications. In this dedicated space you will be able to create web and mobile applications using the languages and tools of your choice. For developers creating web applications, this environment is ideal for scalability and flexibility.
Here’s the magic: Cloud Foundry is built on an open-source platform managed by the Cloud Foundry Foundation. This translates into a wide range of options for you. Cloud Foundry enables you to build innovative business applications and services using a wide range of runtimes, programming languages, libraries, and other services within a convenient, secure environment.
Need a concrete example? Imagine building a web app with Cloud Foundry. You can choose Node.js or the SAP Cloud Application Programming Model to develop it. This app can then connect seamlessly to an SAP HANA database, allowing you to pull and display real-time sales data – all within the familiar confines of Cloud Foundry.
Next is a quick deep dive too SAP BTP ABAP Enviroment
ABAP on the Cloud: A Familiar Friend Gets a Modern Makeover (circa 2018)
In 2018, SAP introduced the ABAP Environment (also known as SAP BTP ABAP Environment or Steampunk) to the SAP BTP family. This offering brings the familiar ABAP platform to the cloud, making it a true Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution.
This is fantastic news for those with ABAP expertise! Here’s how ABAP Environment empowers you:
- Leverage Existing Skills: You and your team can continue using your ABAP knowledge to its full potential.
- Extend Your Reach: Create extensions for existing ABAP-based products like SAP S/4HANA Cloud, breathing new life into them.
- Build for the Future: Develop brand new ABAP cloud applications, keeping pace with modern technology.
- Modernize Your Codebase: Effortlessly transform your existing custom ABAP code or extensions for the cloud, ensuring their continued relevance.
But the benefits go beyond familiarity. The ABAP Environment boasts some impressive technical features:
- Cutting-Edge Foundation: It’s built upon the latest ABAP platform cloud release, the same one powering SAP S/4HANA Cloud, so you’re guaranteed a modern experience.
- Modern Development Tools: It supports the ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model, including SAP Fiori and Core Data Services (CDS), making development more streamlined and efficient.
- Seamless Integration: The ABAP Environment integrates smoothly with other valuable SAP BTP services. This includes tools like the SAP Destination service, SAP Build Work Zone (standard edition), SAP Workflow Management, and even SAP Interactive Forms by Adobe, giving you a comprehensive development toolkit.
Imagine the Possibilities: Let’s say you want to create a custom application for processing sales orders within SAP S/4HANA. The ABAP Environment allows you to build this specialized app using your ABAP skills, seamlessly integrating it with your existing SAP landscape.
Finally, a quick intro to SAP BTP, Kyma Environment
In its simplest form, Kyma is a fully managed Kubernetes runtime based on the open-source project “Kyma”. Kubernetes is the underlying technology that builds Kyma. Kyma is basically a set of extensions to Kubernetes.
By combining Kubernetes with best-in-class tools and open-source projects, Kyma enables developers to build, run, and maintain secure, scalable, cloud-native applications.
These are some of the key benefits of Kyma Environment:
- A fully managed Kubernetes cluster on a hyperscaler of your choice: Kyma Runtime frees you from the burden of managing Kubernetes yourself, allowing you to focus on developing and deploying your applications. You can choose to run your cluster on a hyperscaler infrastructure that best suits your needs.
- The latest features of Kubernetes and its ecosystem: Kyma Runtime provides access to the latest features and capabilities of Kubernetes, ensuring you can leverage the most advanced functionalities for container orchestration.
- Additional features through Kyma: Kyma extends Kubernetes with a variety of built-in features that simplify development and deployment. These include serverless functions, eventing, observability tools, security enhancements, service mesh integration, and application connectivity functionalities.
· Integration with other SAP services and products: Kyma Runtime integrates seamlessly with other SAP offerings, such as SAP BTP services, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP SuccessFactors. This allows you to easily extend and integrate your cloud-native applications with your existing SAP landscape.
