The Big Q: SAP S/4 HANA On-Premise or Cloud?
SAP S/4 HANA On-Premise or Cloud? The selection between On-Premise and Cloud deployment of SAP S/4 HANA is one of the most important questions that the IT CIOs today face when they’re looking to implement SAP S/4 HANA.
Owing to its simplified architecture, real-time analysis, enhancements in performance, SAP S/4 HANA does offer time efficiency and faster ROI. Migration to SAP S/4 HANA does provide competitive advantages to the business.
Before moving to the difference between the two deployment models, let us understand in brief what these models are.
SAP S/4 HANA On-Premise
It is the SAP ERP Business Suite based on the SAP HANA in-memory database platform. This is an internal platform present on the business’s servers and managed by themselves only. The businesses are responsible for managing and controlling the HANA database, applications, servers, networks along with other related systems.
SAP S/4 HANA Cloud
It is the SaaS deployment of the S/4 HANA. The cloud deployment model is available to the businesses in both- public and private cloud. It enables businesses to use functionalities of S/4 HANA without any hardware or database. In the cloud model, SAP is responsible for providing and handling applications, data, runtime, middleware, operating system, servers, storage, and networking for the customers.
Differences in Deployment Models
The two deployment methods can be differentiated on the following parameters-
- End Users
On-Premise Deployment
SAP S/4 HANA on-premise is extremely beneficial for the businesses that are looking for a complete range of features with flexible customizability options. The on-premise deployment can be the right choice for the large-sized businesses having well-defined business processes and these are not going to change.
Cloud Deployment
The cloud deployment of SAP S/4 HANA can be extremely beneficial for the middle-sized companies who have a flexible database platform that can scale with the business. Cloud-based deployment can be the best option for the businesses that are looking for a high-performance offer that encapsulates their core business operations and providing higher agility, flexibility and quick upgrades.
- Licensing Model
SAP does have a different licensing model for each of the deployment methods. These licensing models are- a traditional perpetual licensing and a subscription-based licensing.
On-Premise Deployment
Considering the on-premise deployment, they usually have a perpetual licensing model. In an on-premise deployment, businesses are charged with an initial software fee based on the software products and the employee size who are going to use the software.
Cloud Deployment
On the other hand, the S/4 HANA cloud is a subscription-based licensing model. The users have to pay an annual fee covering all the components related to SaaS. The subscription fee varies depending on business metrics like- the number of end-users, number of documents processed, storage volume and bandwidth.
- Infrastructure and Maintenance
On-Premise Deployment
When the businesses go for on-premise deployment of S/4 HANA, the companies have to provide their in-house database, networks and other components. Also, an in-house dedicated IT team of the business is needed for maintaining it. In the initial deployment phase, businesses have more control over the cost. Also, the businesses don’t need to update their system whenever there is a new update. Instead, the businesses have to update their systems as per their needs manually.
Cloud Deployment
On the other hand, with a cloud deployment of S/4 HANA, SAP is responsible for looking after the entire system, including the maintenance tasks. The businesses don’t need to worry about providing their own database or dedicated IT staff for system updates. The system gets upgraded by itself, ensuring the businesses have the latest software at all times.
- Customizability
On-Premise Deployment
With the on-premise deployment of SAP S/4 HANA, the businesses get more flexibility and better control in terms of customization. If the businesses have a new set of requirements and are looking to customize their existing ERP system, it becomes very easy for them to do so based on their needs.
Cloud Deployment
On the other hand, the cloud deployment of SAP S/4 HANA has predefined and fixed system configurations. Customers are bound to follow the predefined system configuration. This, however, is beneficial for the businesses as the cloud deployment follows SAP’s best practices for a particular business process. Owing to this consideration, the users get less control and flexibility in terms of customizing their specialized requirements.
- Implementation
On-Premise Deployment
Considering the on-premise deployment of SAP HANA, it takes a bit longer to implement. In an on-premise implementation, businesses themselves have to bear the pain of planning and testing everything. Also, the businesses have to create a dedicated team who will be going to set up the new systems and environment.
Cloud Deployment
On the other hand, the Cloud deployment of SAP S/4 HANA is a much faster implementation since it is a ready-to-use platform and is preconfigured. The businesses don’t need to be concerned about planning and testing. The systems have already been tested beforehand by the cloud provider.
ESDS SAP HANA Community Cloud
ESDS is India’s leading cloud service provider catering to various industry verticals with its unique set of offerings. ESDS also has an SAP-based cloud platform- ESDS SAP HANA Community Cloud. All the predefined workloads, parameters and functionalities deployed in ESDS SAP HANA Community Cloud are fully compliant to the standards defined by SAP itself.
For businesses, SAP HANA Community Cloud can be of great choice as they get a bundle of options by deploying a single-stop solution to cater to all their requirements. Also, with SAP HANA Community Cloud, businesses get end-to-end support for migration, implementation and management.
Concluding Notes
The on-premise or cloud deployment of SAP S/4 HANA is dependent on the business transformation strategies. The choice between the two deployment models must always be in line with the needs and requirements of the business. The businesses must give equal weightage and evaluate all the points mentioned above before selecting the appropriate deployment model.
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Thanks for sharing!It was very helpful.I always prefer cloud .