In the face of digital transformation, SAP ERP constraints can hinder your business. SAP integration lets you leverage the benefits of the cloud by connecting your legacy SAP systems with various cloud-based SaaS applications, but it’s a notoriously complex task.
SAP systems are made up of lots of different parts, creating an intricate web that resists integration. With the right SAP integration tools, SAP system integration is not just entirely possible but can be effortless, secure, and reliable.
Let’s explore what SAP integration is, how it works, and what types of SAP integration services are on offer.
What is SAP integration?
SAP integration is the process of connecting legacy SAP systems (such as SAP ERP) with modern, cloud-based business systems and applications. This enables these independent systems to “talk” to each other for the purpose of exchanging data.
So, for example, if you want to connect your Salesforce CRM to your legacy SAP application, you can use SAP data integration to enable the automated transfer of CRM data to your SAP system.
This unifies data flow between the systems, optimizing and streamlining business processes and delivering vital insights to business leaders.
Infosys estimates that 70-90% of legacy systems will be modernized by 2027. For many businesses, an integration SAP strategy is a vital step toward modernization.
But why is it so important?
Why does SAP integration matter?
Just like cloud-based systems, legacy SAP systems store an abundance of invaluable data that can be leveraged to improve business processes and customer experiences. If your cloud systems can’t communicate with your legacy SAPs and vice versa, this data can’t be exchanged.
As a result, you can’t use this data to its full potential. You also risk encountering issues that hinder business productivity and growth, such as data redundancy, poor standardization, human error, and missed insights.
SAP integration is also helpful if you want to utilize things like AI because the first step would be making the legacy system available to AI. For instance, leveraging an API to provide the AI tool access to your backend data.
In a nutshell, SAP integration facilitates connectivity between SAP and cloud systems, driving key business benefits, such as:
- Better data quality and visibility: SAP integration standardizes and centralizes data, preventing data inconsistencies. It also unifies your data flow, increasing visibility and accessibility, which enhances collaboration.
- Improved decision-making: With access to accurate, standardized, up-to-date data, business leaders can trust in the accuracy of their insights and quickly execute strategies in response.
- Increased operational efficiency: SAP integrations eliminate manual data entry, using automation to streamline business processes and workflows. This reduces human error, improves cost efficiency, and boosts productivity.
- Optimized customer experiences: With centralized access to historical and real-time customer data, you gain a holistic perspective of your customer journey as well as your customers’ needs and preferences. This makes you more effective at personalizing and optimizing experiences to meet customer expectations.
Of course, for SAP integration to be effective, you need to follow a number of SAP API and integration best practices. One of these best practices is making sure to choose the right integration method for the job. So, let’s look at your options.
How does SAP integration work? Your traditional options
The traditional method of executing SAP integration involves using SAP PI/PO. SAP Process Implementation (PI) and the newer version, SAP Process Orchestration (PO), are application integration middleware software solutions supplied by SAP.
Within the SAP PI/PO platform, developers can utilize graphical mappings, process integration, and process orchestration to facilitate connectivity between legacy SAP and external, cloud-based systems and applications.
SAP also offers the SAP Integration Suite, a cloud-based Platform as a Service (PaaS) integration solution. It provides pre-built integration flows, APIs, and other tools that enable integration.
Why you might want to choose OpenLegacy Hub as a SAP integration platform
SAP PI/PO and SAP Integration Suite have traditionally been reliable ways to integrate legacy SAP systems. However, they have critical issues that drive businesses to consider alternative, modern solutions like OpenLegacy.
One of the fundamental issues with SAP-provided integration is the sunsetting of SAP PI/PO. It’s due to be fully phased out by 2030, making it a redundant option if you’re looking for a reliable solution to support your long-term cloud modernization strategy.
The only other option offered by SAP is its successor, the SAP Integration Suite, which also has critical disadvantages. For example, a sentiment shared by users on Gartner reviews is that there’s a lack of performance optimization and native connections with non-SAP products.
For businesses that want to migrate to the cloud at their own pace—rather than one set by SAP—the SAP Integration Suite may not support your slower, more strategic transition.
On the other hand, OpenLegacy Hub allows you to adopt a hybrid approach on your own timeline. With the capability to integrate SAP with any other systems—including non-SAP products—you can confidently keep the legacy systems you need.
This is a win-win for you and your customers. You can undertake a more strategic, incremental approach to cloud transitioning, increasing cost-effectiveness and eventual success while also providing customers with modern, digital solutions.
What OpenLegacy Hub offers for SAP integration
The benefits of choosing SAP integration with OpenLegacy Hub go beyond its ability to adapt to your timeline.
Let’s dive deeper into what OpenLegacy can do for you:
Effortless and secure integrations
One of the biggest pain points of traditional SAP integration is the complexity of creating secure connections. But with OpenLegacy, you can use a variety of features to eliminate overly complex operations.
Leverage pre-built connectors, low/no-code APIs, generative AI tools, and built-in security features to create powerful integrations with enterprise-grade security.
Learn more about how OpenLegacy can streamline SAP integration to discover its full potential.
Faster time-to-value
Instead of waiting months to integrate your SAP ERP with cloud applications, you can get connected in a matter of days.
OpenLegacy streamlines and automates your integration operations, maximizing productivity and empowering you to leverage the value of your integrations faster than your competition.
Slashed integration costs
Cut integration costs in half. OpenLegacy implements automation and low-code features across your SAP integration journey, meaning that you don’t need to hire specialized experts to lead your initiatives.
There’s also no need for hefty upfront investments in expensive legacy middleware. OpenLegacy’s affordable subscription plan lets you create repeatable models within your budget, offering a low-cost, low-risk solution.
Accelerated cloud agility
Achieve cloud agility at your own pace by bridging the gap between SAP and the cloud. OpenLegacy’s hybrid integration approach lets you capitalize on the benefits of cloud applications without having to remove your SAP systems.
With the functionalities of your existing SAP systems extended, you can future-proof your organization, boost flexibility, and drive innovation—all without the stress and complexity of making a full cloud transition.
Choose OpenLegacy Hub for SAP integration and take control of your own modernization
OpenLegacy Hub puts you in the driver’s seat of your modernization initiatives. With low-code/no-code services and automated API generation, you don’t need specialized skills to execute SAP integration securely and reliably.
Nor do you need to make hefty upfront investments—get everything you need within one subscription package.
Are you ready to connect SAP systems with cloud applications at a pace that aligns with your unique business needs and goals? Try SAP integration with OpenLegacy Hub today, or contact us for more information.
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