The SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC) is built entirely on the core SAP HANA database, and it offers a wide range of capabilities that cover everything from hardware and software infrastructure deployment to security and compliance.
By leveraging SAP HEC, business users can leverage the power of the HANA database to eliminate data silos, unite internal data centers and cloud platforms, and improve connectivity across their entire SAP environment.
This article will explore the core features and advantages of SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud and how it can help companies improve their bottom line, as well as where our team of senior-level SAP consultants can fit in your organization. Read on to learn more!
What is HEC?
SAP HEC (HANA Enterprise Cloud) is an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) tool designed to help companies operate SAP-based applications in a private cloud environment. As a fully-managed service, SAP HEC allows users to extend on-premise functionality and integrate HEC operations into existing application lifecycle management processes.
With the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, end users are enabled to pursue a “cloud-first” approach to their business operations, accelerate the adoption of SAP HANA across teams, and manage innovation and transformation projects with reduced costs and better time-to-value.
Key Features of the HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC)
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the key features of the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud…
1) Reference Architecture
A reference architecture in SAP HEC refers to a document or set of documents that leverages industry standards and best practices to provide recommended SAP software and integrations to help users collaborate and communicate to optimize digital transformation efforts.
With a unique reference architecture, SAP users can ensure all of your SAP software implementations and integrations are aligned with SAP’s best practice models and deploy applications more efficiently across SAP Business Suite software on the SAP HANA database.
2) Service Level Agreements (SLA)
A service level agreement in the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud offers a clearly defined model of user roles and responsibilities to support business transformation efforts and help SAP Customers optimize system performance.
SAP HEC includes a single service level agreement that covers operating systems, solution infrastructure monitoring, and local and HANA database connectivity and provides a common understanding about priorities, services, and responsibilities for key stakeholders within the SAP Cloud platform.
3) Managed Services
Managed services, including infrastructure management, updates and upgrades, and application and database monitoring, help companies run both productive and non-productive technical landscapes and drive better outcomes.
And, as a complete managed service, SAP HEC provides the infrastructure and deployment functions needed to help users manage and support applications within their fully-integrated SAP environment.
Main Advantages of Cloud Adoption in SAP HEC
Here are a few key benefits of the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud for business users…
IT Staff Availability
SAP HEC enables companies to free up their IT staff by reducing the amount of resources required to manage data and complete tasks within their core SAP applications, infrastructure, and databases.
The HANA Enterprise Cloud provides managed services that cover and support activities related to SAP infrastructure monitoring and application management, reducing the burden on IT staff to handle such tasks and freeing them to do other things.
Scalability & Flexibility
As a cloud-based platform, the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud provides scalable solutions and automation capabilities that make it easier for companies to scale their operations up or down as their business grows and changes over time.
And, with flexible, continuously-updated solutions, SAP HEC users can keep their systems operating in tip-top shape, update functionality, and align their infrastructure with new business goals, all without ever skipping a beat.
Quicker Time-to-Value
With a scalable and secure cloud platform, SAP HEC makes it easy for users to improve overall support for SAP infrastructure and application deployment processes and speed up the time it takes to complete a successful implementation project.
Integrations with Other Systems
SAP HEC offers pre-built integration capabilities that help companies in any industry connect and streamline their processes in a simplified cloud landscape.
Cloud and hybrid technology environments paired with SAP HEC technology make it easier for users to integrate with other areas of the SAP landscape, including the SAP S/4HANA database and other SAP data center platforms, and non-SAP systems, including Microsoft Azure and the Google Cloud Platform.
How is the SAP HANA Cloud Platform Different?
The SAP HANA Platform acts as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), meaning that its core software integration and extension capabilities help users connect their entire SAP landscape and create new applications and app extensions based on changing business needs.
SAP Cloud Platform also leverages a multi-cloud foundation to provide better support for different SAP environments, including ABAP and Cloud Foundry, to optimize application development lifecycle processes across the entire enterprise.
So, while both products operate as variations of SAP HANA technology, they use different service models (i.e., IaaS vs PaaS) to provide value to customers. The SAP HANA Cloud Platform offers PaaS technology designed to facilitate more efficient application development and maintenance processes, whereas SAP HEC leverages IaaS capabilities to help companies run SAP-based operations in a hosted environment.
How Can We Help?
Whether you need help implementing the SAP HANA Cloud platform for the first time or just an extra hand integrating newer SAP applications with your existing SAP Cloud platform or SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse, Surety Systems is here to help.
With our team of senior-level SAP consultants, your team can implement, integrate, and optimize your SAP solutions and make the most of your SAP investment in the long run.
Your technology. Your priorities. Our expertise. That’s the name of the game at Surety.
Partnering with the Best
Interested in learning where our team of SAP consultants can fit in your organization?
Ready to get started with the SAP HANA platform, but don’t know where to begin?
Contact us today for more information!
