WHY CLEAN CORE?
The “clean core” is a concept to achieve modern, flexible and cloud-compliant ERPs. For an up-to-date ERP we achieve a clean core by integrating and extending the system in a way that is cloud compliant, and by governing master data and business processes. With that, when it comes time to upgrade a system, changes can be put in place without significant manual efforts to test and adapt existing structures.
Are you grappling with system upgrades and customization challenges? If you're in a world where you're using systems like ECC or on-premise solutions, we understand the complexities you face.
In the past, standard processes were the norm, but as time passed, customization became inevitable. You integrated numerous custom processes directly into your core system. Now, you're ready to embrace the latest and greatest ways of transforming your business.
Perhaps you're considering upgrading your ERP system to an S/4 system or adopting cutting-edge technologies. However, here's the catch: if you continue to embed these customizations into your core system, you're setting yourself up for trouble.
We understand the importance of staying up-to-date, which is why we're now offering frequent quarterly and even monthly updates. But, these customized processes can cause significant interference during system upgrades.
That's where our philosophy comes in – keeping the core clean. We recommend taking those custom processes out of your core and relocating them to a separate platform we like to call the SAP BTP platform.
These custom processes become side-by-side extensions, standing alongside your core system without interfering with it. By adopting this approach, you can seamlessly integrate the latest technologies and upgrades without the headache of customizations getting in the way.
Stay ahead of the curve and transform your business with confidence. Join us on the journey to a cleaner, more efficient core system.
CLEAN CORE APPROACH
The clean core approach refers to the strategy of maintaining a simplified, efficient, and well-structured core system to facilitate scalability. It focuses on 3 extensibility options – In-app extensibility, developer extensibility and side-by-side extensibility.
EXTENSIBILITY OPTIONS
In-app extensibility employs a low-code or no-code paradigm, enabling non-technical users or business experts to tailor user interfaces to their needs.
In contrast, developer extensibility offers a platform where customized ABAP code can be developed and partner extension developments can be integrated with SAP S/4HANA data. This opens up opportunities for more in-depth customization and integration, catering to specific business requirements.
Additionally, side-by-side extensibility provides a means to integrate custom applications with SAP S/4HANA data and transactions. This form of extensibility offers the flexibility to align third-party solutions and custom-built applications with the core system, enhancing the overall system functionality.
EXTENSIBILITY RECOMMENDATIONS
The classic extensibility is the least preferred approach for cloud operation models, as it adds too much complexity to the core and prevents businesses from adopting agile practices. Instead, SAP proposes the In-App and Side-by-Side Extensibility to implement new standard functionalities without needing external tools.
3R STRATEGY
Transitioning customizations from one version of enterprise software to the next is one of the most challenging technological hurdles and a significant threat to return on investment during upgrades.
Therefore, the establishment and maintenance of a modification-free Digital Core is crucial. This allows extensions and innovations of your standard business processes, which is an essential capability in your journey towards adopting SAP S/4HANA and transitioning to the cloud.
As you transition from a legacy ERP system to SAP S/4HANA, it's vital to have a strategic plan for your custom code. The strategy for your custom code will guide you on how to handle your existing custom code during the transition. Generally, the three options are - retiring, refactoring, or rebuilding the code.
A starting point for a custom code strategy is SAP Intelligent Custom Code Management, it is a packaged service that helps you analyze existing custom code and define your 3R strategy for it.
Retire
Retire involves the discontinuation of current custom code. This might be due to the code no longer being in use or because a standard functionality that fulfils the required capabilities is now available.
Refactor
Refactoring involves modifying custom code to ensure that it is compatible with the new SAP S/4 HANA system. An example is moving existing custom code to SAP BTP and adjusting it to the ABAP Cloud Programming model.
Rebuild
Rebuilding involves the redesigning of critical innovations and extensions as well as relocating them onto a future proof platform with SAP BTP. This ensures high productivity, enabling you to drive extensions and innovations.
Customer Stories
Transforming a Business for Agility, Speed, and Success
In 2015, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) underwent a digital transformation with SAP solutions, simplifying and unifying processes, reducing the application landscape by half, and significantly improving key performance indicators such as on-time delivery and quote time.
Accelerating the Pace of Innovation with End-to-End Processes and Intelligent Technologies
Vodafone collaborated with SAP to embark on a digital transformation journey, enhancing process automation and standardization, improving user experience, and delivering better data insights for its employees through integration with SAP S/4HANA and other SAP solutions in the cloud.
WHAT ARE THE TOOLS TO ACHIEVE CLEAN CORE?
The three main tools for achieving a clean core are – SAP build, ABAP Environment and SAP Business Application Studio. Designed to support citizen developers with little to no coding experience, SAP Build uses a Low-code and no-code functionality. On the other hand, the ABAP Environment and Business Application Studio are designed to offer professional code tools and services, where professional development experience is required to build applications and automation that solve more complex problems.
SAP Build
SAP Build is a low code/ no code solution that enables businesses to create apps, automate processes, and design business sites with drag-and-drop simplicity.
ABAP
ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) is a high level programming language created by SAP for developing business applications in its software suite.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Click on the links below to access the important resources. From blogs, applications and decks, we have all the resources you need to learn more about achieving a Clean Core.
Explore the value of a clean core strategy
80%
less software customisation*
70%
of core business processes are automated*
50%
reduction in database size*
80%
of core business processes standardised across 24 countries*
Rapid innovation
- Improve agility by creating diferentiating business models and scaling capabilities with the business
- Adapt to new versions with greater ease and consume innovations directly from SAP standard software releases
- Gain clear visibility into business process performance prioritizing innovations
Better execution
- Make better decisions through increased data quality and availability
- Collaborate more meaningfully by using one version of the truth to break down siloed departments
- Optimise processes with new ways to connect people with projects throughout the business
Efficient operations
- Use more of your resources toward innovation, instead of maintenance
- Strengthen compliance with changing regulations and complex processes for tracking, auditing, and reporting
- Optimise security through up-to-date upgrades and the most-recent innovations
*See Legal Notice on www.sap.com/legal-notice for use terms, disclaimers, disclosures, or restrictions.