SAP S/4HANA Extensibility Introduction

SAP S/4 HANA is SAP’s next generation ERP software with built-in intelligent technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. In this lesson we will introduce you to the extensibility concept in SAP S/4HANA.

Why extension is required? With extension capability, the system can be enhanced without disturbing existing system functions. It may involve adding new functionality, or modifying existing functionality.

Types of extensibility in SAP S/4HANA

• In-app extensibility
• Side-by-side extensibility – extension and integration with custom or standard business applications of the SAP BTP.

In-app extensibility

• classic extensibility
• key user, in-app extensions with key user tools

In-app extensibility is part of SAP S/4HANA and implemented in the core. Thus it is free from remote communication between the extension and the extended in app, which is required in side-by-side extensibility scenario. Side-by-side extensibility may involve communication via stable APIs or through business events from an SAP product, for example SAP S/4HANA.

SAP S/4HANA In-app extensibility options

UI Adaptation – This involves adapting the UI by key users. The various possibilities are:

• hide fields of tables, forms or filters
• rename labels
• add fields to the UI from the field repository
• add or remove fields from a UI section, add section or remove section

Custom Fields – Extend SAP database tables, or CDS views, or OData APIs to accommodate custom fields. The custom field can then be displayed at UI.

Custom CDS Views – OData API’s on top of Custom CDS views can be exposed for consumption outside the SAP S/4HANA Core.

Business Logic – Add custom business logic with enhancement spots, also known as BADI’s.

Custom Business Objects – Creating a complete new custom business object using the Custom Business Objects app.

Custom UI – This involves Creating custom SAP Fiori app consuming SAP S/4HANA Restful OData APIs.

SAP S/4HANA Side-by-side extensibility

Definition – Extension and Integration with custom or standard business applications of the SAP Business Technology Platform. This is either via stable APIs or through business events from an SAP product, for example SAP S/4 HANA.

Side-by-side extensions are technically implemented outside the core of SAP S/4HANA. As a result, remote communication between the extension and the extended app is required.

Various side-by-side extensibility use cases:

• Custom UI on SAP BTP – Custom Fiori UI running on SAP BTP, and with SAP released OData service.
• SAP BTP Application – SAP BTP application ( Java, JavaScript, HANA ) running on SAP BTP with SAP predefined release OData service.
• Custom UI on SAP BTP or SAP BTP application with custom OData service built with in-app extensibility tools
• New SAP BTP Platform service called from SAP S/4HANA extension – SAP S/4 HANA, Success Factors, and SAP C/4 HANA can fire business events to call apps on the SAP CP.
• Analytics on SAP CP