{"id":188680,"date":"2026-01-28T12:22:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T11:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/?p=188680"},"modified":"2026-08-09T19:48:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T18:48:42","slug":"all-about-sap-s-4hana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/all-about-sap-s-4hana","title":{"rendered":"SAP S\/4HANA, the new generation of ERP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>With SAP S\/4HANA, the SAP ERP system takes business process optimization to the next level. Leveraging artificial intelligence and an in-memory database, users gain a comprehensive toolkit to efficiently manage their workflow and boost productivity. Discover this solution.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-sap-s-4hana\">What is SAP S\/4HANA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Launched in 2015, SAP S\/4HANA is <strong>a next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.<\/strong> Specifically, it represents the fourth generation of SAP products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Entirely based on the in-memory database SAP HANA, SAP S\/4HANA provides businesses with a <strong>single source of truth<\/strong> for all their data, irrespective of the tools used, sectors, or processes involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, SAP S\/4HANA is <strong>equipped with intelligent technologies<\/strong>, enabling it to transform workflows from customer orders to task planning, invoice processing, and supplier payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These technologies aim to assist businesses in their digital transformation. The results are notable: in 2023, SAP S\/4HANA Cloud was named the leader in cloud ERP for service- and product-focused companies by the Gartner\u00ae Magic Quadrant\u2122.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-5ee10de4\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:32px\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/data-analyst\">\nDiscover our courses\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sap-s-4hana-and-other-sap-system-products\">SAP S\/4HANA and other SAP system products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/all-about-sap-company\">SAP universe<\/a> is complex. With various versions, modules, databases, it\u2019s easy to get lost. Here is a summary of the differences between SAP S\/4HANA and the main SAP products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAP ECC:<\/strong> This is an on-premise ERP system. Unlike S\/4HANA, which operates solely on the HANA database, the SAP ECC Business Suite supports other relational databases like Db2, Oracle, or Informix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to this version, the benefits of SAP S\/4HANA are numerous:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\">much faster response times;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">the capability to perform complex analyses;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">simplification of the data model and system mapping;<\/li>\n<li>use of <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/machine-learning-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-change-the-world\">machine learning<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/artificial-intelligence-definition\">artificial intelligence<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good to know<\/strong>: By 2027, SAP may cease maintaining this ERP solution. Businesses should consider migrating to S\/4HANA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAP HANA:<\/strong> Although the terms are similar, the difference is significant. SAP HANA is merely a <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/database-what-is-it\">database<\/a>. This is the technology that SAP S\/4HANA employs. But this solution is much more comprehensive. It\u2019s an <strong>ERP suite<\/strong> specifically developed to help organizations better manage their <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/workflow-definition-and-advantages\">workflows<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-different-versions-of-s-4hana\">The different versions of S\/4HANA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the different products, SAP S\/4HANA is available in different versions: on-premise or cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>In its on-premise version<\/strong>, SAP S\/4HANA corresponds to the SAP Business Suite, offering a complete range of ERP services for all departments and processes. Here, SAP has launched various improvements each year (1610, 1709&#8230;). Companies can decide on upgrades based on the desired level of innovation. For instance, the new generation of the HANA 2.0 in-memory database enhances data security, provides machine learning for optimized automations, predictive analytics, etc.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In its cloud version<\/strong>, S\/4HANA offers streamlined functionalities for marketing, finance, or professional cloud services. To benefit from a comprehensive ERP, companies can select the global package with SAP S\/4HANA Enterprise Management Cloud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the chosen version, companies also benefit from other SAP products (Fieldglass, SuccessFactors, Jam, Hybris, and Ariba) which are automatically integrated into SAP S\/4HANA on-premise and cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-5ee10de4\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:32px\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/data-analyst\">\nFind a course for you\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-functionalities-of-sap-s-4hana\">What are the functionalities of SAP S\/4HANA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"integration-of-artificial-intelligence\">Integration of artificial intelligence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The strength of SAP S\/4HANA is its AI integration, which allows for <strong>improved automations and predictive analytics.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, with the new versions of SAP S\/4HANA, it is possible to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\">quickly generate group reports;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">simulate the financial impact of business decisions;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">simulate goods outputs following a customer order;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">anticipate future sales with predictive models based on historical data or market trends;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">automate supplier selection;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">identify risk factors related to employee departures; etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sales, logistics, finance, human resources,  all departments benefit from the technological advancements of SAP S\/4HANA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"in-memory-database\">In-memory database<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike its earlier versions, SAP S\/4HANA fully relies on SAP HANA, the leading in-memory database on the market. The advantages are substantial:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Processing speed:<\/strong> In-memory processing allows for extremely fast response times for queries and analyses. Users can access and analyze data in real time.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Simplified data model:<\/strong> SAP HANA combines transactional and analytical processing capabilities in a single database, reducing IT infrastructure complexity.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Parallel processing:<\/strong> It is possible to process multiple queries simultaneously for enhanced performance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Advanced application development:<\/strong> SAP HANA also serves as a platform for designing applications. With integrated tools and programming languages (such as SQLScript, <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/r-language-overview-and-differences-with-python\">R<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/python-the-most-popular-programming-language\">Python<\/a>), it is possible to develop advanced analytical applications directly on the database.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-variety-of-modules\">A variety of modules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>SAP S\/4HANA aims to cater to all businesses by offering <strong>highly comprehensive modules for all sectors.<\/strong> Depending on their needs, companies can choose global solutions (Enterprise Management Cloud).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they can also opt for individual modules. Accounting, sales, production, marketing, logistics,  all tasks can be managed through the ERP software, regardless of complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help organizations efficiently use this ERP software, mastery of data management is a significant advantage. You can acquire this valuable skill <a href=\"\/en\/courses\/data-ai\/\">by joining Liora<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex is-content-justification-center wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-5ee10de4\" style=\"margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:32px\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/\">\nDiscover Liora\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With SAP S\/4HANA, the SAP ERP system takes business process optimization to the next level. Leveraging artificial intelligence and an in-memory database, users gain a comprehensive toolkit to efficiently manage their workflow and boost productivity. Discover this solution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":188682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2435],"class_list":["post-188680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digital"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/85"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188680"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":211121,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188680\/revisions\/211121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/liora.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}