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SAP Integration Architecture Guide
The SAP Integration Architecture Guide is based on the recent update from SAP for Integration Architecture explained in a summarized way, emphasizes how organizations can utilize SAP Integration Suite to create a scalable, efficient, and potentially productive integration landscape. This blog will thoroughly explore the essential principles, methods, tools, and practices outlined in the guide, providing a concise insight into SAP’s strategy regarding integration.
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1. Introduction to Integration Architecture
The Integration Architecture Guide emphasizes the increasing significance of integration as a strategic business driver. SAP emphasizes:
• The necessity for smooth connectivity throughout various IT environments, such as hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises environments.
• Leveraging SAP Integration Suite as an enterprise-grade iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) to connect applications, data, and users effectively.
• Assisting complete processes such as Lead-to-Cash, Hire-to-Retire, and Procure-to-Pay across SAP and non-SAP systems.
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2. Core Integration Principles
The guide defines four foundational principles of SAP’s integration strategy:
Predefined Integration/ Out-Of-The-Box Integration
• Prepackaged APIs, integration flows, and domain models facilitate implementation and curtail costs.
• Instances comprise preconfigured connectors for processes such as Invoice Management or else Employee Onboarding.
Open Integration
• Out of the box third-party integration via more than 170 Open Connectors.
• Public APIs for customization and extensibility, establishing compatibility with non-SAP systems.
Holistic Integration
• Process Integration: Automating workflows between SAP and non-SAP applications.
• Data Integration: Providing synchronized and uniform master data through systems.
• User Integration: Delivering flawless user experiences through SAP Build Work Zone.
• Analytics Integration: Utilizing SAP Analytics Cloud for practical understanding AI-Driven Integration.
AI-Driven Integration
• Integration Advisor: A machine learning-powered tool to automate complex mapping tasks and provide integration templates.
• Better efficiency in B2B and API-based integrations.
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3. SAP Integration Solution Advisory Methodology (ISA-M)
SAP’s ISA-M is a framework for building a robust enterprise integration strategy. It includes:
Phase 1: Assess Your Integration Strategy
• High level assessment of your integration architecture through integration domains, current scope of integration domains are Cloud2Cloud, Cloud2OnPremise, OnPremise2OnPremise, User2Cloud, User2OnPremise, Thing2Cloud, Thing2OnPremise.
• Examine existing systems, pinpoint deficiencies, and outline integration areas.
• Categorize integration patterns (A2A, B2B, B2G, etc.) and styles (process, data, user). Typically an integration architect who has a solid understanding of integration requirements across business applications performs the scoping of integration styles.
Phase 2: Design Hybrid Integration Platform
• Establish frameworks and tools for smooth integration through the tools and technology mapping, utilizing SAP Integration Suite
Phase 3: Define Integration Best Practices
• Make templates and architecture reusable blueprints as a reference for all Integration developments.
• Align with SAP governance frameworks to ensure compliance and uniformity.
Phase 4: Enable a Practice of Empowerment
• Establish Centers of Excellence (CoE) to promote innovation and facilitate knowledge sharing through the right organizational structure.
• A set of templates with a governance structure for all the enterprise integration developments, below is an example for reference.
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4. Big Picture - SAP Integration Suite
SAP Integration Suite serves as a unified integration platform with the following components:
Cloud Integration
• Core middleware component simplifies the communication through a integrated flow design and used for diverse scenarios (A2A, B2B, B2G).
• Used for both Synchronous and Asynchronous communication minimal latency.
• Prepackaged Content with end-to-end process blueprints are available.
• Integration Advisor and Trading Partner Management through AI/ML learning used to generate mappings and interfaces templates.
API Management
• Serves as the baseline for API lifecycle management along with the industry best practices for security.
• Integrates with Graph to enable seamless access to interconnected data.
• Works as the core for event driven architecture enabling asynchronous communication across systems with scalability and system availability options.
• Handles high-volume, low-latency event streams.
Dataspace Integration
• Offers secure and collaborative data exchange across systems.
• Supports compliance with data governance standards within industry partnerships like Catena-X.
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5. Integration Patterns and Use Cases
The guide categorizes integration use cases into distinct patterns:
Application-to-Application (A2A)
• Example: SAP S/4HANA and SAP SuccessFactors real time synchronization for employee and organizational data.
Business-to-Business (B2B)
• Example: EDI-based order processing and invoicing with trading partners.
Business-to-Government (B2G)
• Example: SAP Document and Reporting Compliance for Automated tax filing as the e-invoicing solution.
Master Data Integration
• Synchronization of master data, such as employees, customers or products, across all connected systems.
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6. API Life Cycle
The API lifecycle starts from API planning, creation and implementation by company developers and other API creators and composers, to the consumption of these APIs by other employees, partners or users of the company’s products and services. The figure below illustrates the API lifecycle,
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7. SAP Business Accelerator Hub
SAP Business Accelerator Hub works with BTP, it’s a platform that allows users to discover APIs, integration content, business events, and process blueprints to build and extend applications. It enables API-based business functionality (organized into packages) and provides process insights using SAP Enterprise Architecture Methodology. APIs available on Business Accelerator Hub enable developers to build custom integrations, create new applications, and extend the functionality of SAP solutions.
It gives diverse sandbox APIs for several SAP products like SAP S/4HANA, SAP BTP, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Concur, and more. It can be used to make extensions, applications, or integrations and test them with testing data provided, via these sandbox API.
SAP drives API adoption by:
1. Positioning APIs as digital building blocks.
2. Enhancing API maturity.
3. Providing a lifecycle API platform.
4. Engaging developers via API discovery and consumption.
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8. SAP Integration Suite – Hybrid Strategy
The Edge Integration Cell is a hybrid approach that enables the processing of data within a private landscape having Kubernetes container, runtime environment facilitating secure, internal data exchange. Existing integrations can be migrated and run on the Edge Integration Cell with provided tooling.
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9. SAP Integration Suite, managed gateway for spend management and SAP Business Network
The SAP Integration Suite, managed gateway for spend management and SAP Business Network, makes integration through its Integration-as-a-Service (IaaS) model. This solution utilizes the Cloud Integration capability, connects buyers' and suppliers' systems with systems like SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, Taulia, and SAP Ariba at no extra cost. It offers A2A, B2B, and B2G scenarios, emphasizing processes such as supply chain management, procure-to-pay, and order-to-cash.
Key features include:
• Predefined Scenarios: Pre-Packaged mappings and message types.
• Self-Service Tools: Integration project wizards, document validation, mapping tools, and monitoring frameworks.
• Reusable Content: Prebuilt integration flows via SAP Ariba Transformation Service.
The suite enables seamless integration across heterogeneous IT landscapes, supporting event-driven and API-managed models. It provides secure connectivity, robust monitoring, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Integration tools like the Edge Integration Cell and SAP Application Interface Framework further enhance flexibility and governance. This hybrid, scalable approach addresses diverse business needs while future-proofing integration strategies.
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10. Migration Strategy
The guide emphasizes a structured migration approach to SAP Integration Suite:
• Migration Assessment Tool: Evaluate readiness for transition and identify gaps.
• Prebuilt Migration Packs: Automate repetitive tasks to reduce complexity.
• Hybrid Strategy Support: Ensure continuity by enabling hybrid operations during migration.
SAP is transitioning to a flexible BTP multi-cloud foundation, with BTP Neo set to retire by 2028 and SAP NetWeaver/Process Orchestration by 2027. The focus is on SAP Integration Suite as the primary integration solution.
SAP provides migration support through:
• Neo to Integration Suite:
o Migration packs for smaller projects and tools for complex scenarios (e.g., tenant cloning and API migration).
o Best practices, documentation, and cost-lowering guidance.
• Process Orchestration to Integration Suite:
o Step-wise migration guidance, including free assessments, migration services, and premium offerings.
o Edge Integration Cell for secure on-premise integration, supporting migrated flows.
SAP’s tools and services ensure a smooth transition with minimized commercial and operational impact.
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11. SAP Application Interface Framework (AIF)
SAP Application Interface Framework, embedded in SAP S/4HANA, enhances interface management by enabling efficient implementation, monitoring, and analysis of application interfaces. It integrates deeply with SAP applications, supporting features like data validation, value mappings, and business logic-based checks.
Key benefits include:
• Business user-friendly monitoring, error management, and alerting without IT support.
• GDPR-compliant error handling with in-app corrections, avoiding message resends.
• Role-based governance to secure interface data and hide sensitive fields.
AIF complements SAP Integration Suite by providing robust application-level integration and management capabilities.
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12. Technology Guidance for Specialized Integrations
SAP offers specific guidance for various integration scenarios:
• Event-Driven Architecture: Real-time responses to critical system events.
• API-Managed Integration: Comprehensive API lifecycle management to connect internal and external applications.
• B2B Integration: Secure data exchange with partners using protocols like EDI.
• Master Data Integration: Centralized data governance for consistency across platforms.
• Dataspace Integration: Facilitates secure and sovereign data sharing between organizations using SAP's implementation of the Eclipse Dataspace Connector, particularly in consortium-driven contexts like Catena-X Automotive Network.
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13. AI-Assisted Tools and Enhancements
Integration Advisor
• Automates mappings for complex integration scenarios through specific templates.
• Leverages machine learning to recommend best practices and streamline B2B integrations.
Business Accelerator Hub
• Repository of prebuilt APIs, integration templates, and business events for rapid deployment.
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14. Data Integration Patterns
1. Data Replication:
Migration of data from one system to another keeping the synchronization intact across the landscapes, in such cases usually requires high data availability, backups, or reporting, SAP supports this through tools like SAP HANA Smart Data Integration(SDI) and SLT Replication Server.
2. Data Virtualization:
Provides a unified view of data without replication. It facilitates on-demand access to data from diverse sources using tools like SAP Data Warehouse Cloud and SAP Datasphere.
3. Data Quality Management:
Maintaining a reliable and accurate data set through data cleansing and various validations. SAP's solutions include SAP Data Intelligence and SAP Information Steward to monitor and improve data quality.
4. Data Orchestration:
Coordinates data flow across systems for streamlined processes. It uses SAP Integration Suite for tasks like data transformation, error handling, and real-time processing.
5. Overview of Products and Services for Data Integration:
The SAP Datasphere, SAP Integration Suite, and SAP Data Intelligence are key solutions to handle diverse integration needs, including replication, orchestration, and quality management, for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
6. Data Integration vs. Process Integration:
Process Integration addresses business process automation and data flow management from one system to another, while Data Integration focuses on data synchronization, governance, and virtualization. SAP offers complementary tools for both styles under its Integration Suite.
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15. Analytics Integration in SAP
SAP Analytics integration involves data from various sources towards one combined data set through which insights and decision making is made easier by making one source of truth in order to calculate the key performance indicators. This includes embedded analytics such as reports
and dashboards into a business application and cross-application analytics by combining data of one or more source systems using an analytics or data warehouse solution. On top of the combined data an analytic consumption model can be built to enable (cross app) reporting. For example Order to Cash Dashboard which is embedded in S/4 Hana Cloud, using predefined charts it allows the sales managers to analyze the key figures, whereas, Financial Analytics Dashboard enables a workforce performance analysis, combining the HR data from Success Factors and Finance data from S/4 Hana making cross application data model and bringing the Cross Application Analytics.
Key Components:
1. Use Case Patterns:
o Embedded Analytics: Embeds reports and dashboards directly into business applications (e.g., an Order-to-Cash dashboard in SAP S/4HANA Cloud).
o Cross-Application Analytics: Combines data from multiple sources, such as financial data from SAP S/4HANA and HR data from SAP SuccessFactors, into unified dashboards.
2. SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC):
o Capabilities: Combines business intelligence (BI), planning, and augmented analytics, enhanced with AI and ML.
o Features:
- Data exploration, dashboards, enterprise reporting.
- Predictive analytics and automated insights.
- Planning tools for budgeting and forecasting.
- Integration with Microsoft Excel for enhanced usability.
3. SAP Datasphere:
o Role in Analytics: Provides a data foundation for cross-application analytics, ensuring seamless access to business-critical data with preserved semantics.
o Key Features:
- Unified data management through cataloging, semantic modeling, federation, and virtualization.
- Accelerates time-to-value by leveraging prebuilt semantic definitions.
- Supports hybrid and cloud environments, enabling complex analytics scenarios.
4. Business Data Fabric:
o Offers a semantically rich layer across data landscapes, ensuring integrated, consistent, and context-aware data without duplication.
5. Partner Integrations:
o Collaboration with vendors like Collibra (data cataloging), Confluent (real-time streaming), DataRobot (ML models), and Google Cloud (AI/ML integration).
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16. User Integration in SAP
User integration focuses on creating a seamless, unified user experience across systems and applications. Key aspects include:
1. Centralized Access:
o Provides a single entry point to access multiple business applications and processes.
o Achieved through tools like SAP Build Work Zone, SAP Start, and SAP Mobile Start.
2. Enhanced User Experience (UX):
o Enables consistent cross-system experiences.
o Incorporates UX integration qualities, ensuring usability across platforms.
3. Technology Support:
o Leverages SAP tools for integration to facilitate user-centric designs.
o Ensures intuitive interfaces, supporting both desktop and mobile users.
Data Provisioning Options
When integrating systems for SAP Front End applications, several data provisioning options are available depending on the deployment scenario:
1. SAP Gateway (On-Premise):
• Embedded Deployment:
o Suitable for fully on-premise setups.
o Simplifies configuration but limits content scope and scalability.
o Directly integrates UI and backend, offering improved performance.
• Hub Deployment:
o Preferred when provisioning data from multiple back-end systems or when using Fiori apps in the cloud.
o Centralizes configuration, supports global environments, and decouples UI from back-end systems for enhanced scalability and security.
2. SAP OData Provisioning Service (SAP BTP):
• Neo Environment:
o Ideal for cloud-based Fiori/ Frontend apps to reduce TCO.
o Eliminates the need for on-premises hub systems.
o Suitable for connecting single or multiple back-end systems.
• Cloud Foundry Environment:
o Designed for hybrid setups requiring data provisioning from multiple back-end systems.
o Reduces TCO while supporting SAP Business Suite or SAP S/4HANA systems with OData v2 services.
3. SAP Integration Suite (Cloud Integration Capability):
• Recommended when data sources are mixed (some OData and others non-OData).
• Connects on-premises or cloud systems, both SAP and third-party.
4. Deployment Considerations:
• Hub Deployment:
o Provides centralized functionality (e.g., in-box, search).
o Requires synchronization with back-end systems but ensures decoupling for scalability and security.
• Embedded Deployment:
o Limits scope and central functionality but simplifies ownership and configuration.
Use Case Patterns for User Integration
1. UI Integration:
o Description: Combines multiple application UIs into a centralized entry point. Supports backend service consumption through a unified web user interface.
o Example: Federates content from SAP business applications like SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP Integrated Business Planning, and integrates custom or third-party applications.
2. Mobile Integration:
o Description: Provides access to backend application services via mobile apps, leveraging native or hybrid device capabilities.
o Example: Mobile entry points for accessing SAP solutions like SAP S/4HANA and SAP SuccessFactors using native applications optimized for mobile platforms.
3. Chatbot Integration:
o Description: Integrates chatbots into communication channels to interact with backend applications, enabling transactions or information retrieval.
o Example: SAP Joule integrated with SAP SuccessFactors to facilitate natural language interactions with business users.
These patterns address diverse user needs by enabling seamless access across devices and interfaces, improving efficiency and the user experience.
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17. Identity Integration
Identity integration ensures seamless user authentication, role management, and lifecycle management across SAP and third-party applications in both cloud and on-premise landscapes. Key components include:
1. Authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO):
• Purpose: Simplifies user access with unified login credentials, enhancing security and user convenience.
• Solutions:
o SAP Cloud Identity Services - Identity Authentication (IAS):
- Supports SSO for SAP applications.
- Integrates multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.
o SAP Secure Login Service (SLS):
- Generates short-term user certificates (X.509) for SSO in ABAP systems.
- Facilitates secure access through corporate Identity Providers (IdPs).
• Heterogeneous Scenarios:
o Combines cloud and on-premise systems, ensuring smooth authentication with tools like SAP GUI.
2. Identity Lifecycle Management/ Identity Provisioning:
• Challenges: Managing identities across applications and landscapes while reducing complexity and ensuring automation.
• Solutions:
o SAP Cloud Identity Services:
- Centralizes identity storage, lifecycle management, and replication.
- Provides lightweight tokens for app access, minimizing user replication efforts.
o SCIM API (Identity Directory Service - IdDS):
- Automate integration with applications.
o Global User ID:
- Acts as a unique identifier for users across applications, ensuring consistent correlation of tasks and permissions.
3. Roles and Authorization:
• Purpose: Defines and manages user access levels across applications.
• Solution:
o Authorization Management Service:
- Centralizes policy definitions for new applications.
- Ensures consistent role and permission management across integrated systems.
- Facilitates compliance and streamlined governance.
Benefits of Reference Architecture:
• Centralized Authentication and Identity Flow:
o Single endpoint for authentication and identity assignment.
• Simplified Integration:
o Facilitates onboarding of additional SAP applications.
• Compliance and Security:
o Enforces consistent authorization policies across hybrid landscapes.
SAP’s identity integration framework leverages central services like SAP Cloud Identity Services and global identifiers to streamline authentication, lifecycle management, and role assignments, ensuring a cohesive, secure, and scalable identity management strategy.
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18. Integration Configuration with the Cloud Integration Automation Service (CIAS)
CIAS provides a centralized framework for defining and automating the configuration of integration scenarios, offering:
1. Standardization: Consistent user experience and standardized configurations for integration scenarios delivered by SAP.
2. Automation: Parts of the integration setup are automated, reducing effort and errors.
3. Customization: Configuration steps are tailored to the customer’s specific cloud and on-premise landscape, with dynamically derived hyperlinks and configuration values.
Integration Scenarios Supported:
• CIAS supports scenarios for end-to-end processes like:
o Lead to Cash
o Recruit to Retire
o Source to Pay
• Integration with tools such as:
o SAP Integration Suite
o SAP Cloud Connector
o SAP Launchpad Service
Two Phases of Configuration:
1. Planning Phase:
o Select a scenario.
o Gather the specific config content at one place along with the specific system and tenant data.
o Prepare a tailored customer specific workflow based on the customer’s landscape.
2. Execution Phase:
o Specifies the steps for the required scenario for the generation of the workflow
o Users are guided step-by-step, and tasks are grouped by roles (e.g., "Configuring the BTP ABAP Environment to use the Custom Code Migration App").
o The guided automation is triggered when required, but the manual interventions is retained for complex and security critical tasks.
The Cloud Integration Automation Service transforms setup into a more guided, and standardized process. For example, For the custom code migration app setup, the CIAS service is used where required in a more effective way which decreases the complexity and enhances the overall process in a more simplified way across hybrid landscapes.
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19. End-to-End Monitoring
Scope:
• Tracks integration issues, system health, and message flows.
• Monitors exceptions, performance, response times, and throughput.
Capabilities:
• Manages real time integration artifacts monitoring through end-to-end message flows.
• Provides alert notifications and analytics for issue resolution.
• Supports in various automations for operational tasks.
Monitoring Tools:
• SAP Cloud ALM: Tailored for cloud-based applications.
• SAP Solution Manager: Monitors on-premise systems.
• SAP Focused Run: High-performance monitoring for large-scale landscapes.
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SAP Integration Architecture Guide, provides a design framework for building a scalable and future-proof integration landscape. Using SAP's tools, templates, methodologies, and best practices, organizations can unlock new opportunities for innovation, operational efficiency, and business growth.
References:
https://help.sap.com/docs/sap-btp-guidance-framework/integration-architecture-guide/summary
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