SAP HANA data management platform – a modern solution for managing business data and information
One of the biggest challenges which modern businesses face nowadays is the collection, processing and analysis of data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability. We all know that information is one of our most important resources. Proper collection and analysis of information and data allows to easily decide on where and how productivity should be improved. Accurate insights help to improve almost every quantitative or qualitative performance indicator, and to optimise performance from the essence or in the key areas. This is exactly the purpose of SAP HANA data management platform.
The SAP HANA in-memory data management platform, which receives and processes data from different sources in real time, can help employees of any company to increase productivity in their workplace and more. So let’s take a closer look at SAP HANA!
What is SAP HANA?
SAP HANA is a modern data management platform developed by the German software manufacturer SAP with many advantages. If we were to compare it with older generation databases, we would instantly see a difference. One of the most important advantages of SAP HANA that can be distinguished, is the adaptability of the software to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. This is why this tool is ideal for companies that search for fast solutions, accurate insights and flexibility in their daily operations.
Flexibility is one of the advantages of this in-memory data management platform. It can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud or in a hybrid solution combining the benefits of both of these solutions. The optimal solution can be found to respond to the needs of each business, taking into account its budget, technical resources, team size, etc.
SAP HANA is also known for its user-friendly, intuitive user-interface. The intuitive user-interface is what allows managing data and performing day-to-day administrative tasks or generating data for the development of a long-term business strategy really easy. Its flexibility, adaptability to modern business needs, user-friendliness and multifunctionality, the possibility to combine it with other tools and applications make SAP HANA suitable for users whether they have extensive or little experience.
The analysis of and reporting on past results according to the available data is an important aspect of business management, but the SAP HANA data management platform has made comparing such data with future forecasts and staying one step ahead with the possibility to have actual data for this day, hour or minute a common practice.
What are the advantages of using SAP HANA?
The easiest way to identify the benefits of the SAP HANA data management platform is by looking at the experience of the existing users and the results they feel and see. All of these benefits are based on the experiences of businesses using SAP HANA.
Reduced costs for IT infrastructure maintenance
Typically, one of the biggest challenges for a growing business, which comes along with the increasing amount of the data it stores, is the selection of the right IT infrastructure solutions. The more data stored, the more servers, databases or other technical solutions and archives are needed. Digitising and virtualising data can significantly reduce the cost of maintaining IT infrastructure. Virtualising and efficiently storing data reduces the time and resources required to process and analyse them.
SAP HANA’s specific data compression index, which compresses data 5 to 11 times compared to conventional databases is another tool reducing the cost of IT infrastructure.
Much lower unplanned downtime
With the increasing amount of data you process and the growth of your business, the load on your IT systems grows as well. Having reached the tipping point, the risk of unplanned downtime goes up. A reliable, optimised solution tailored to growth and your needs, such as SAP HANA, can help you to avoid unplanned downtime and to maintain a higher availability, thus increasing your customer satisfaction.
More accurate and relevant insights as needed
Data and the insights it provides allow to spot important trends ahead of time, find previously unknown areas of data for a potential growth, spot weaknesses and more. Such insights are the foundation of a sustainable, strong and stable business. When developing a long-term business strategy, accurate insights are essential, and SAP HANA ensures that you get them on demand and in real time.
Efficient instant solutions
Thanks to the system’s ability to also analyse real-time data, instant decision-making can be based on facts and insights, rather than on professional intuition alone. In business or operational areas where instant decisions are needed, such a powerful tool can dramatically increase your productivity and capabilities.
Instantaneous processing of large amounts of data is a challenge that many businesses face. The more data you have, the more complex and time-consuming the process is. However, at a time when instant solutions are needed, it is important to keep systems running smoothly. With SAP HANA, you can expect this at all times.
The databases in the data management platform are specifically designed to store data and perform calculations in RAM, as opposed to databases that store data on disks or SSDs. The SAP HANA data management platform allows accessing data immediately, eliminating the time necessary to access disks or SSDs, and, in the case of calculations, eliminating the capacity of the processor.
Centralisation of the database
The SAP HANA data management platform can collect and generate data from/to: desktops, tablets, mobile devices and many other sources. A consolidated database allows easy access to key information at any time.
SAP HANA installation and use
SAP HANA installation is a simple, smooth and efficient process. To give an overview of the installation process, there are 6 stages.
1. Familiarisation / discovery
At the very beginning, potential users get to know the SAP HANA data management platform, its advantages and potential benefits for their business.
2. Preparation
Following our and the manufacturer’s best practice, we discuss the project plan and all the next steps with our clients. We agree on the workflow, make recommendations, and take customer expectations regarding deadlines and other relevant usage needs into account. During this stage, the project team responsible for installation and system preparation (the project manager and others) is brought together.
3. Research / analysis
During the third stage, preparations are made for installation, checking the company’s professional and technical readiness, drafting the necessary technical documents and manuals.
4. Implementation
While the solution is still being implemented and prepared for use, setup works are being carried out, editing the functions and parameters according to the design discussed with the client and preparing for the training of end-users.
5. Deployment and training
In the course of the deployment, the software is checked comprehensively, also holding end-user trainings, finalising last details and preparing for the first Go-Live Day.
6. Launch and use
Having completed the previous five stages, your company’s specialists can already use the ready-to-use solution. Moreover, they have already been trained and are familiar with SAP HANA functionality. Having started to use it, processes and functions can be further improved, also development planned.
Depending on whether you choose to implement the solution in-house, use the cloud version of SAP HANA, or choose a hybrid deployment method, the time from familiarization to launch may differ. Applications used in the cloud may be prepared for work very quickly, while in-house or hybrid solutions will take more time.
SAP HANA compatibility with SAP S/4HANA and other tools
If you want to make the most efficient use of a database operating in RAM for the benefit of your business, you can link it with the same manufacturer’s SAP S/4HANA business management system and other tools and applications.
Business management systems (BMS) bear the most responsibility in the day-to-day business administration, and a lot of its further opportunities depend on the BMS solution chosen by a business. Covering areas such as reporting, real-time data visualization and analysis, human resource management (HR), customer relationship management (CRM), finance, procurement, sales and others, SAP S/4HANA is the tool and system which renders huge benefits.
This BMS resolves the biggest challenges faced by today’s business and can help to find optimal solutions to even the most complicated problems. It can also help your team to optimise costs in their day-to-day activities. However, for various solutions, such as SAP S/4HANA, to be able to deliver maximum benefit, a database of the right capacity is necessary. The more data you collect, the more accurate and useful insights you will get. SAP HANA is the solution for businesses that want to grow.
If you are interested in SAP HANA data management platform solution, S/4HANA business management tool, conversion of the ECC version to S/4HANA or other technological solutions from SAP software manufacturer for more efficient business management – let’s get in touch now!