After talking with SAP, we now understand the difference between SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC) and SAP Cloud Platform. Discover the key distinctions.
SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC)
SAP HEC is a service that provides infrastructure and managed services for SAP software. Customers can also use custom SAP HANA apps and approved third-party apps on this platform.
SAP makes the SAP HEC available via data centers worldwide. SAP says it is bringing online new data centers on an ongoing basis—either SAP-owned or co-located. SAP HEC customers start with an assessment service from SAP. Then, their applications are moved to the cloud infrastructure. Finally, they receive ongoing support for their applications.
SAP HEC managed services provide various services in a private cloud environment. These services include backups, patching, provisioning, upgrades, restore and recovery, infrastructure monitoring, and event detection.
Customers can bring their own SAP applications that are already licensed into SAP HEC. Alternatively, they can opt for subscription-based pricing for SAP software.
What’s the difference between SAP HEC and a traditional hosting provider? SAP HEC is a service where SAP takes care of everything, including the infrastructure and managing the applications."
In addition, SAP says, customers benefit from SAP’s deep expertise in SAP technologies and SAP HANA. The data centers are run entirely by SAP’s application management services team. SAP also mentions that customers can save on IT management costs by shifting from operational to capital expenses. Additionally, customers can have SAP handle system upgrades for them.
SAP Cloud Platform
SAP Cloud Platform is a service that allows customers and partners to enhance existing applications, which can be cloud-based or on-premise. Users can also create new applications with extra features.
SAP Cloud Platform is an open, standards-based platform that allows “connectivity with any system of record,” SAP says. Customers can enhance their existing SAP Business Suite, SAP SuccessFactors applications, or SAP Cloud for Customer on the SAP Cloud Platform. They have the option to add on to these services. This allows for greater customization and flexibility in their software solutions.
A growing trend involves over 100 partners (ISVs) creating custom SAP apps, tailored for specific industries. For instance, Accenture developed an HR audit and compliance module for regulated industries using SAP Cloud Platform and SAP SuccessFactors.
So, what’s some of the current customer work being done by those on the SAP Cloud Platform? SAP suggests that most customers start by making new capabilities accessible to users in a user-friendly format. This can be done by creating or developing these capabilities. The goal is to ensure that users can easily access and use them.
For instance, an SAP SuccessFactors customer might create a mobile UI for approvals. Another customer may want to add a new call-center app to their CRM system. This app will help connect their on-premise CRM software with a cloud app." SAP Fiori is also a favorite on the SAP Cloud Platform, as customers seek to improve UIs for existing SAP software.
SAP Cloud Platform smoothly connects on-premise and cloud systems, creating a hybrid IT landscape that is common in many organizations.