The SAP B1 Community held its first partner roundtable focused on SAP Business One Cloud. Representing Cloud Service Providers were:
- Richard Duffy – SMB Cloud Solutions,
- Daniel Mitterman – Cloudiax, and
- Mark Simmerman – Attivo Group.
- Gary Feldman of I-Business Network served as moderator.
SAP was represented by:
- Peter Dominik, Vice President, Global Head of SAP Business One,
- Ari Schapira, Senior Director Product Management, and
- Guy Sujetzki, Product Manager for SAP Business One.
SAP B1 Cloud As A True Cloud Application
Many publishers and service providers define the cloud based upon their technology stack. Over the years, the technology components change and continue to evolve. However, most pundits consider true cloud to contain three critical components:
- Multitenant Architecture: A single instance of application code, services and similar components is used to support multiple client organizations.
- Browser Based Client: Rather than installing an application on each computer, the application opens in standard web browsers.
Additionally, a “true cloud” infrastructure auto-scales based upon usage. The term autoscaling is where data center systems automatically provision more resources as the number of users increase. Specifically, this includes storage, memory, CPUs. In the case of SAP B1 Cloud, the independent third party cloud service providers are responsible for implementing autoscaling.
SAP Cloud Control Center and Multi-Tenancy
The SAP Business One Cloud Control Center (CCC) is a centralized management interface for SAP B1 Cloud deployment and administration. The CCC supports both single-tenant and multi-tenant architectures. It streamlines provisioning, monitoring, and lifecycle management of tenants, users, services, and resources. Key features include tenant and service unit configuration, license and user management, service monitoring, and backup scheduling.
Our panelists represented companies that all used the CCC at one time. Our cloud service provider panelists discussed the contrasting adoption of single tenant and multi-tenant deployment models.
- Single Tenant Versus Multi-Tenant Deployment: SAP Business One deployment preferences are dramatically different across regions. Panelists highlighted their operational experiences, strategic decisions, and technical challenges when deploying SAP B1 Cloud in a multi-tenant model. Continuous improvement in the CCC was noted; however, third party tools will always be required for cloud management.
- Web Client Adoption: The adoption of the SAP B1 web client adoption is faster amongst younger generations and in less mature ERP markets. Current limitations in extensibility and unfamiliarity has slowed adoption in more mature markets like the United States. SAP urges all partners to deploy the web client to user groups who can take advantage of it today!
SAP B1 Cloud Future
Guy Sujetzki, Peter Dominik, and Ari Schapira from SAP outlined the ongoing investment in:
- Cloud Control Center,
- Plans for version 11, and
- The vision for unified lifecycle management.
SAP listens and understands the need for improved flexibility and extensibility in the web client.
Our cloud service providers discussed the potential cost impacts of SAP B1 Cloud. The web client shifts resource consumption from terminal servers to the backend servers. The biggest cost savings come from reduction in Microsoft licensing requirements.
SAP is also responding to partner concerns about multi-tenant stability and operational complexity. Richard Duffy, Mark Simmerman, and Daniel Mittman discussed the operational complexities of hosting SAP Business One at scale. Concerns included:
- Session management,
- Load balancing, and
- The need for specialized tools beyond SAP’s offerings to ensure stability and efficiency.
Every cloud service provider adds intellectual property and tools to complete their cloud infrastructure.
Increasing the Competitiveness of SAP Business One Cloud
The Role of the SAP B1 Community
Participants discussed the balance between product development and enablement. SAP highlighted current and planned initiatives to support partners and end users. SAP product management is clearly focused on extending the breadth of web client functionality. FP 2508 and Version 11 are increasing web extensibility and simplified life cycle management. By allocating additional resources for both development and marketing, SAP is demonstrating a long-term commitment to SAP B1 Cloud.
SAP was very clear that partner and customer enablement resources will continue at the current levels. Partners have ongoing opportunities for training and enablement as new versions are released and through the SAP Learning Hub. SAP partners must amplify awareness and share the responsibility for training consultants and end users.
The SAP B1 Community can help by:
- Amplifying partner messaging,
- Conducting consultant and end user events
- Sharing information in our Forums
- Holding more roundtable discussions and webinars for both customers and consultants.
We need your help growing our community! You can help in a variety of ways:
- Join our public community by Registering on our website.
- Once registered, Sign In to the community portal.
- Once signed in, join Groups of interest to you!
- As a member of the group you can make comments, add posts and collaborate in the Forums.
We are currently planning online educational events for the broader SAP Business One community. If you would like to participate, please Contact Us to help with the planning and execution!
