In this episode of iT2 DX Talks, we are thrilled to welcome Chad McGlothlin from SAP. McGlothlin brings over 23 years of industry experience to our discussion, starting his career at Business Objects in California.
McGlothlin has held significant roles at Cognos and IBM, where he delved into machine learning and artificial intelligence, covering regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America. Currently, McGlothlin thrives at SAP, where he has spent the last seven years.
His roles have included solution advising, management, and sales, showcasing his diverse expertise and passion for the technology industry. Notably, McGlothlin has achieved remarkable success as the BTP Account Executive for Mid Market in North America, leading sales for the past few quarters.
In this blog post, we’ll go into Chad’s insights on SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) and get into valuable information on its functionality and capabilities.
Unpacking SAP BTP
SAP, traditionally known for its ERP solutions over the past 54 years, now offers a powerful Platform as a Service (PaaS) known as the Business Technology Platform (BTP). BTP is a comprehensive, cloud-based toolkit specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with other SAP products. This helps businesses innovate and transform their operations.
The Four Pillars of BTP
Let’s take a look at the four pillars that make up SAP BTP.
- Data and Analytics SAP’s journey in analytics began with BEx (Business Explorer) and evolved through the acquisition of Business Objects and Crystal. Today, the data and analytics pillar of BTP features SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and Data Sphere. SAC offers advanced analytics capabilities, while Data Sphere acts as a federated layer between core systems like S/4HANA and SAC, streamlining data integration and pre-built content for faster deployment and insights.
- Application Development and Integration This pillar is critical for building custom applications and integrating them seamlessly with both SAP and non-SAP systems. SAP’s integration middleware platform outperforms competitors like Mulesoft and Boomi, providing robust process integration and custom application development capabilities.
- Intelligent Technologies Incorporating AI and machine learning, this pillar helps businesses automate tasks, improve efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. It includes cutting-edge technologies like generative AI and low-code/no-code application development.
- Database and Data Management This pillar provides secure storage, management, and access to business data in the cloud, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for all business operations.
SAP BTP is designed to minimize configuration needs, improve processes, and provide a robust platform for business innovation and growth.
How BTP is Transforming Businesses Beyond ERP
BTP integrates seamlessly with other SAP products, offering businesses innovative ways to transform operations. BTP combines different services under one roof, making it a versatile and essential tool for companies looking to innovate and streamline their processes.
BTP is also versatile and can be used independently of SAP’s core ERP systems, though it shines brightest within the SAP ecosystem. It’s designed to work seamlessly with SAP products like Concur, SuccessFactors, Ariba, Fieldglass, and the core ERP system, leveraging extensive R&D investments.
However, even businesses using non-SAP ERPs can benefit from BTP’s features. In one instance, a chemical company in the Northeast had a labor-intensive three-way match process managed by three full-time employees.
Using SAP’s Build Process Automation, they created a bot that handled this task. This automation not only reduced the workload to half an FTE but also enriched the company’s data, showcasing BTP’s potential to transform business processes and optimize resource allocation.
Many customers, however, initially don’t realize the full capabilities of BTP. BTP can operate independently but delivers the greatest value when integrated with SAP systems. This realization often leads to broader adoption once customers see how BTP can streamline operations and reduce costs.
In another instance, transitioning from competitor middleware to SAP’s Integration Suite helped a Texas-based company cut its middleware run rate by 50%. Additionally, automation efforts, like those implemented at the chemical company, can save substantial labor costs, freeing up resources for more strategic tasks.
By consolidating various functions under BTP, businesses can reduce the complexity and costs associated with managing multiple vendors and integrations. This unified approach not only simplifies operations but also enhances efficiency and scalability, making it an attractive proposition for companies looking to streamline their tech stack.
BTP’s integration, automation, and data management capabilities provide substantial benefits, from cost savings to better operational efficiency.
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The Power of Integration and Innovation
BTP also stands out as a robust platform that simplifies contract management while providing vast flexibility. For example, businesses can easily scale their operations without renegotiating terms. C-level executives appreciate this streamlined approach, which maximizes contract value and reduces complexity.
Elevating Success with RISE and GROW with SAP
SAP’s “RISE with SAP,” which focuses on S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, and “GROW with SAP,” which focuses on S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, take your business transformation to the next level. These packages ensure that your transition to the cloud is smooth and effective, focusing on post-sale success.
The Clean Core Index methodology helps businesses migrate by moving customizations to BTP, restoring the ERP system to its vanilla state and making the shift from ECC to S/4HANA seamless.
RISE with SAP provides a solid foundation, but BTP acts as a supercharger, helping businesses innovate and extend their processes. This combination allows for rapid digitization and fosters a competitive edge with custom applications and extensions tailored to specific business needs.
BTP also excels at integrating various applications and data sources, whether SAP or non-SAP. With over 3,500 pre-built integration flows and APIs, BTP also provides smooth connectivity and efficient operations. This deep integration capability accelerates your business transformation, allowing you to leverage the full potential of your technology stack.
Data-Driven Decisions with Real-Time Analytics
With BTP’s analytics, make informed decisions based on real-time data. By extracting valuable insights from your data, BTP helps you stay ahead of the curve and respond swiftly to market changes. This data-driven approach enhances your strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
Empowering Growth with SAP BTP and S/4HANA: Public (GROW with SAP) or Private (RISE with SAP)
SAP BTP and the S/4HANA cloud platforms are necessities for businesses looking to scale without constant upgrades and server changes. Imagine a company doing $50 million in revenue today; with GROW, it can seamlessly scale to $500 million or even $1 billion without the headache of frequent enhancements.
BTP provides the necessary tools for real-time data analytics and reporting, essential for informed decision-making by C-level executives.
BTP is elastic, growing with the way you do business. This flexibility allows for faster time to value and enhanced security, making BTP the glue that binds the RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP packages for SAP customers. As businesses evolve at breakneck speed, BTP ensures they stay ahead with up-to-date tools and capabilities.
One of the standout features of BTP is its low-code development environment. Reducing the technical burden on developers and increasing functionality through user-friendly interfaces means faster deployment and innovation. This low-code approach also aids in change management, simplifying the buy-in process for stakeholders and accelerating internal adoption.
BTP not only accelerates business growth but also matures IT departments. By eliminating the need for constant server maintenance, IT teams can focus on more meaningful, business-oriented projects. This transformation is evident as companies move from outdated practices to becoming world-class operations within months of adopting BTP.
Tap Into Your Business Potential with SAP BTP
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