Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is no longer just a technical upgrade. It’s a strategic opportunity to innovate, simplify architectures and shift to a clean core approach.
That’s why SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) has become a critical enabler — although many companies still overlook it during planning.
At principal33, we support German enterprises in transforming their SAP landscape by using BTP to gain flexibility, extensibility and innovation — all without touching the core.
What is SAP BTP?
SAP BTP is a platform-as-a-service that allows organizations to:
- Extend SAP S/4HANA functionality without modifying the core
- Integrate SAP and non-SAP systems
- Build custom applications (low-code/no-code or full-code)
- Automate business processes
- Leverage real-time analytics and data insights
BTP acts as a strategic extension layer — offering agility while preserving long-term system integrity.
Why Is BTP Critical in S/4HANA Migrations?
Most ECC systems — especially in Germany — are heavily customized. One of the main challenges during migration is:
How do we preserve business-specific logic without compromising the S/4HANA core?
The answer: move those customizations to SAP BTP.
Benefits:
- No impact on upgradeability
- Faster development cycles
- Clean separation between core and innovation
- Integration with cloud services and future technologies
- Governance, security and monitoring built in
Real Use Cases: How BTP Adds Value in Migration Projects
- Rebuilding custom ECC Z-transactions as BTP microservices
- Connecting S/4HANA with SAP IS-U or legacy grid systems via SAP Integration Suite
- Creating mobile apps for meter readings or field technicians
- Automating approval flows using SAP Build Process Automation
- Aggregating business data in SAP Analytics Cloud for real-time dashboards
Each use case improves agility and simplifies the ERP core.
When Should You Activate BTP?
Many companies delay BTP planning until after the go-live. This is a mistake.
Our recommendation:
Include BTP from the early phases of your S/4HANA project.
This helps to:
- Identify extension candidates
- Design long-term architecture
- Upskill internal teams in SAP Build or Business Application Studio
- Make use of prebuilt content and accelerators from SAP
Best Practices for Using BTP
- Be selective: Not every Z-function must be migrated to BTP — prioritize based on value
- Define your clean core strategy early
- Use standard boosters and templates to save time
- Centralize security and operations in the BTP cockpit
- Empower different teams: low-code for business users, full-code for IT developers
How principal33 Supports Clients with BTP
In projects with energy, utility and industrial companies in Germany, our team:
- Audits custom developments for BTP migration potential
- Designs integration architecture via SAP Integration Suite
- Builds user-facing apps using SAP Build Apps or full-stack tools
- Implements analytics and reporting on BTP
- Trains internal teams to manage and scale independently
Conclusion
SAP BTP is not just an add-on — it’s a core pillar of any sustainable SAP S/4HANA landscape.
By using BTP as part of your migration strategy, you enable:
- Faster innovation
- Clean and upgrade-friendly core systems
- Better integration with modern technologies
- Long-term readiness for continuous digital transformation
At principal33, we help German enterprises make the most of SAP BTP — combining strategic vision, technical expertise and sector-specific insight.
