Clean core strategy: How to keep your SAP S/4HANA system clean

When we talk about clean core in relation to SAP S/4HANA, we are referring to the way in which individual adaptations to the ERP system are implemented. The clean core strategy aims to keep the core of the SAP system clean by not making any modifications to it. Around 80% of business processes run almost identically in all companies – and therefore offer hardly any potential to stand out from the competition. These processes are mapped in the SAP S/4HANA standard and are regarded as the stable, reliable core of the ERP system.

7 golden rules for implementing the clean core strategy

The remaining 20% of business processes comprise functionalities that are not covered by the standard. They are used to meet company-specific requirements and develop customized solutions. In line with the clean core strategy, companies should implement such extensions outside of SAP S/4HANA.

Benefits and challenges of the clean core approach

Companies often view clean core as a technical necessity and overlook the benefits that come with it. Thanks to the clean core approach, the SAP S/4HANA system remains lean and efficient. In the long term, companies benefit from

• reduced complexity through the use of standardized processes

• increased flexibility and speed in the development of individual processes through the use of approved interfaces

• simplified upgrades of the standard software, as adjustments are made outside the core

• lower operating costs due to lower maintenance costs.

When implementing the clean core strategy, companies may have to deal with various challenges:

• Standardizing existing processes may cause resistance from users.

• Identifying and cleaning up previous code adaptations that will no longer be needed in the future proves to be a time-consuming and complex task.

• Developers have to adapt to new development environments and technologies from the cloud world and may react with rejection.

• The integration of SAP S/4HANA with other existing systems and applications is quite complex and should not be underestimated.

These challenges require careful planning and implementation of the clean core strategy in order to find a stable balance between the use of standardized processes and specific business requirements. Effective change management ensures that all those affected are on board and can identify with the clean core approach.

SAP BTP Guidance Framework promotes clean core

In today’s business world, which is increasingly characterized by unpredictable events and sudden crises, organizations must be able to react agilely and flexibly to disruptive changes. With the help of SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), companies are taking the adaptability of their SAP systems to a new level. SAP BTP acts as a runtime environment for individual solutions and as a platform for the integration of customer-specific IT landscapes.

SAP BTP Guidance Framework is a collection of decision guidelines, reference architectures, methods, recommendations and DevOps principles that support architects, developers and administrators in developing and operating applications on SAP BTP according to best practice approaches. With regard to the clean core strategy, SAP BTP Guidance Framework favors the implementation of various aspects:

• Standardization and simplification
  SAP BTP Guidance Framework helps to identify and implement standard processes, thereby reducing complexity and simplifying maintenance.

• Simple extensibility

  SAP BTP Guidance Framework allows SAP applications to be extended without changes to the core system, preserving the integrity of the clean core.

• Faster innovation

  By leveraging SAP BTP, organizations can respond faster to new technologies and market demands without impacting the core.

• Reduced technical debt

  By keeping customizations and enhancements outside the core system, the accumulation of technical debt in the core is minimized.

• Robust integration

  SAP BTP Guidance Framework provides tools and methods for the seamless integration of SAP and non-SAP systems as well as the integration of external systems (for example between suppliers and customers), making the overall architecture more robust and flexible.

• Efficient use of data

  The efficient use and analysis of data made possible by SAP BTP Guidance Framework leads to better business decisions.

With these benefits, SAP BTP Guidance Framework contributes directly to the clean core strategy and helps to create a stable and flexible IT landscape.

Conclusion: Future-proof architecture with a clean core

The key principles of the clean core strategy include using the standard processes provided, avoiding customer-specific adaptations in SAP S/4HANA and implementing additional functionalities outside of the actual ERP core. SAP Business Technology Platform and SAP BTP Guidance Framework as a central access point play a fundamental role in the implementation of the clean core strategy. With a clean core, companies establish a stable foundation for their IT infrastructure and create an important prerequisite for making their business processes efficient and future-proof.