Intelligent, integrated and extremely powerful – welcome to S/4HANA, the latest version of SAP’s ERP suite. The enterprise systems landscape can now be adapted to new organisational structures and business models on the basis of the digital code, the S/4HANA platform, and made ready for the future. Syntax supports enterprises in making the most of the platform, whether it is located in the public cloud, private cloud or on-premises.
Our SAP S/4HANA services
S/4HANA marks the completion of SAP’s technology change to be more aligned with the cloud, which is sending many businesses and users rocketing into a completely new world. Syntax offers a range of services for S/4HANA, from consulting and preliminary basis checks to implementation, operation and maintenance.
S/4 preflight checks (our digital “concierge” service)
The preflight check is a brief introduction to the world of S/4HANA, focusing on system prerequisites and technical questions. We use tools to check the compatibility of add-ons and in-house developed software, identifying problems in business processes using S/4HANA and providing recommendations for further action and how to proceed.
Strategic S/4HANA assessment
Our SAP experts carry out a strategic assessment involving workshops and interviews to shed light on processes, individual requirements and the client’s IT landscape. We then develop a suitability matrix for a range of scenarios and operating models, producing a vision of the target solution and the roadmap that will serve as a basis for your successful S/4HANA project.
Implementation and S/4 Move packages
Our range of migration packages results in a goal-driven brownfield implementation following a standardised process that guides clients safely to their new platform. We make sure that they truly benefit from the comprehensive advantages of the S/4HANA system, quickly, efficiently, based on best practices and at a fixed price.
Application Management Services
With our Application Management Services, our SAP specialists will look after full operation of the client’s SAP application so that its IT team can focus on strategic areas and devote capacity to activities that add value, despite the increasingly complex nature of the SAP landscape. For greater flexibility, transparency and always staying up to date, at lower costs.
The benefits of S/4HANA
S/4HANA represents a milestone in the enterprise digitalisation process, especially since mainstream maintenance of the SAP Business Suite 7 will stop at the end of 2027. Companies that move quickly to the latest version of the ERP system will also benefit sooner from the comprehensive S/4HANA advantages, and make sure they are fit to face the future.
Set course now
S/4HANA opens the door to digitisation of relevant business processes within the organisation. As a driver for innovation, the ERP suite modernises the business and creates the basis for future-proof business models.
Real-time insights
KPIs and business data can be analysed and evaluated within defined periods. The results are available in a matter of seconds and form the basis of data-driven decision-making for the company.
Modern architecture
S/4HANA is a strong, scalable foundation for enterprises. At the same time, it allows the flexible ERP system to be constructed according to the company’s requirements and is thus an ideal architecture for taking account of individual situations and special requirements.
Less complexity
In S/4HANA, SAP has responded to its clients’ long-standing desire for a less complex environment for users, thanks to an intuitive user interface. The simple Web UI reacts in real time and reduces users’ workloads significantly, from day one.
S/4HANA variants: Public Cloud, Private Cloud and On-Premises
The SAP ERP system runs in the public cloud or private cloud. There is also an on-premises version. Here are the main differences:
| SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud | SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud | SAP S/4HANA On-Premises | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Completely modern ERP delivered in SaaS form | Cloud operation, very flexible, full functionality | Full control and maximum customisation |
| Licensing model | As a Service (subscription model) | As a Service (subscription model) | As a Product (software licence) |
| Deployment | New implementation | New implementation, brownfield or selective data migration | Individual |
| Upgrades | Included (& mandatory) | At clients’ request | Not included |
| Minimum upgrade frequency | 4 x per year (Essential Edition - ES), 2 x per year – flexible dates (Extended Edition - EX) | 5 years (mainstream maintenance) | No limits (dependent on maintenance) |
| Extension options | Very limited (ES), Limited (EX) | Diverse | Comprehensive |
| Third-party add-ons | Only selected certified public cloud add-ons are permitted. | S/4HANA Premium Qualified SolEX and S/4H OP / S/4HC EX Qualified / Certified. Certified Partner add-ons can also be used at the client’s responsibility | Permitted |
| Technical Operations | SAP * | SAP * | Partner / Customer / SAP ECS |
| Infrastructure | Hyperscaler / SAP * | Hyperscaler / SAP * | Customer DC / Hyperscaler / SAP / Premium Supplier / Partner |
* Included in SAP Subscription
S4HANA in practice: digital manufacturing
No paper, end-to-end digital processes and total transparency: The automotive body parts manufacturing plant operated by Smart Press Shop (SPS) is the most advanced moulding plant in the world. The extremely innovative underlying IT system is a largely autonomous SAP system running in the SAP Public Cloud. It consists of SAP ERP S/4HANA Cloud Essentials and SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud for Execution. The system has automated management of the pressing line and the laser cutting machines, including tooling and set-up of pressing tools. On the production line, workers benefit from innovative UIs that are tailored to their needs and available on any device, at any location, all the time. SPS does not even need to employ a dedicated IT team to operate this system, since Syntax provides this service as implementation partner.
S/4HANA with Syntax
The S/4HANA platform is a key step on the path to digitalisation. For modern enterprises it forms the foundation for future-proof business models. However, every S/4HANA project involves a complex set of decisions that set the course for future success. Even a faultlessly implemented migration will prove useless in the long term if the fundamental strategic objectives were wrong. Syntax is the perfect partner for S/4HANA projects, especially for companies in the manufacturing sector. As a provider of IT and cloud services, we have decades of experience in business and SAP. We are also experts in the processes involved in production and many other industries. In addition, we have comprehensive expertise in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud (SAP DMC). Our S/4HANA services guide our customers safely and accurately to their destination. We can also look after their SAP operations and support them with additional services, including for the IIoT.
FAQ: S/4HANA
Is S/4HANA a database?
No. S/4 is SAP’s latest ERP system. SAP HANA (High Performance Analytic Appliance) is the name of SAP’s in-memory database. The advantage of the HANA in-memory database is that it only uses fast storage and is therefore very responsive. It can execute multiple analytical applications at the same time, at high speed and with a lot of data. For example, an MRP job that used to run for hours takes just milliseconds to complete with HANA. SAP S/4HANA is the first full solution based on HANA.
What is the difference between SAP S/4HANA and HANA?
In 2013, SAP upgraded the HANA in-memory database to become a development and integration platform. The way in which it stores and aggregates data makes it very different from previous relational database systems. HANA is not purely a database system as we know from the past, but an open technology platform. The SAP ERP system S/4HANA is the first complete solution that has been developed on top of SAP HANA and optimised to take full advantage of the innovative database, with integrated ABAP information logic and a simplified data model. S/4HANA allows the development and execution of processes in the HANA database, which is also where the data is stored.
What are the differences between SAP S/4HANA Essentials, Extended Edition and Private Cloud Edition?
S/4HANA Essentials Edition is a modern basis ERP system. It has few options for configuration and extension, and receives four mandatory new releases each year. The benefits are a rapid roll-out and comparably low costs. Although Extended Edition also runs in the public cloud, each SAP S/4HANA Extended Edition customer has its own S/4HANA system. This edition provides significantly more options for configuration and extension. Upgrades must be carried out every two years, and additional releases can be installed at the customer’s request.
The new Private Cloud Edition (PCE) is implemented either by converting an existing system, a selective data migration or a completely new installation. It offers the complete S/4HANA functionality including line-of-business and industry processes for 25 industries. PCE can be adapted and extended flexibly, and customers benefit from all the advantages of a cloud subscription model.
